9. Site Description: 



Camp Branch Savannah is intermediate in wetness— and diversity— 

 between Big Island Savannah (wetter and more diverse in species) and 

 Gause Savannah (drier and less species rich). Longleaf pine ( Pinus 

 palustris ) is the dominant canopy species over the major part o5 

 the savannah, although it is replaced by pond pine (P. serotina ) 

 in the western portion of the site. Canopy trees are relatively j; 

 mature, with flat-top trees frequent. if 



A shrub layer is absent at the site, and the herbaceous layer 

 dominants are generally orange grass ( Ctenium aromaticum ) and 

 broom sedge ( Andropogon virginicus ) , either alone, or in combination. 

 Scattered among the dominant grasses is a diverse array of forbs 

 (see accompajiying "Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet" for site 

 species list). 



It is evident from the fire-scarred trunks of canopy trees 

 and the predominance of clumping among shrubs and transgressive 

 small trees that this site has been burned relatively frequently 

 in the past. In addition, the remnants of an old barbed wire 

 fence indicate that the savannah was probably once grazed. 



The site is bordered to the west by a pocosin community, to the 

 northwest by an old field, to the east and northeast by a swamp 

 forest community, and to the south by S, R, 1355« 



