Site ecological significance; : ,.;. 



The ecologically significant features of the Big Island Savannah are 

 sumnarized: .. , 



1) Occurrence of a highly unique, exceptionally high-diversity assem- 

 blage of species which has evolved into its present condition over 

 an extensive period of tine, and v/hich is unknown to exist else- 

 where (see attached copy of letter to N.C. Nature Conservancy). 



2) Presence of a nov; unusual comr.unity type with a savannah-like aspect — 

 Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta -Mixcd herbs--a ve^^etation type which 

 has all but disappeared v;ith modern fire "protection." 



3) Occurrence of an extremely large population of the connercially- 

 exploited threatened endenic insectivorous species, Venus' flytrap 

 ( Dionaea rnuscipula ) . 



A-) Presence of a large population of yellow fringeless-orchid (Habenari^i 

 integra ) , threatened throughout its range. 



5) Occurrence of scale leaf gerardia ( Agalinis aphylla ) , an endangered 

 peripheral species. 



6) Presence of swamp tickweed ( Coreopsis gladiata ) , an endangered peri- 

 pheral species, 



7) Presence of the short-bristled beak rush ( Rhyncospora breviseta ) , 

 an endangered peripheral species. 



8) Occurrence of the sweet pitcher plant ( Sarracenia rubra ) , a coaner- 

 cially-exploited insectivorous species which is threatened through- 

 out its range, 



9) Presence of a population of wireleaf dropseed ( Sporobolus teretif olius ) , 

 a perennial grass v;hich is threatened throughout its range. 



Management recommendation-;: 



The foIloKdng guidelines are viewed as essential to maintaining the 

 Big Island Savannah in its natural state: 



1 ) All vehicular traffic into the savannah itself or through a buffer 

 area of yet to be determined, but appropriate, size should be pro- 

 hibited under any circumstances; in addition, foot traffic through 

 the savannah should be regulated to preclude soil compaction or 

 other resultant damage which might over time alter portions of the 

 savannah edaphic properties, and thus vegetation. 



2) The sharp ecotonal interface area that occurs at the juncture of 

 the savannah and pocosin communities is, based on field observation, 

 and important wildlife usage area, and should be maintained, i.e., 

 the pocosin buffer zone surrounding the savannah is extremely impor- 

 tant, both from a wildlife usage and from a savannah protection 

 standpoint, and should be maintained in its present condition- 



3) The savannah area should be closely monitored to note at earliest 

 occurrence any possible effects that the adjacent pocosin-draining 

 ditches might possibly have on water relations in the moist savannah 

 area; it is quite possible that the long term effects of this 

 drainage may be such that a refilling of the ditches will be man- 

 dated in an attempt to restore as neaxly as possible the original 

 water table conditions within the area. 



4) The savannah areas should be burned at least semi-annually, and the 

 adjoining pocosin burned somewhat less frequently, in order to main- 

 tain the community species assemblages in their present condition, 



5) The area should be ' given some kind of protection against removal of 



S«5 



