drainage canal along the northern border of NCNC's land. Due to the peat's 

 low permeability, the water table is little affected beyond 200 feet from the 

 ditch . However, this ditch would effectively eliminate any surface and 

 subsurface flow entering the Conservancy's property, should such flow exist. 

 Measures need to be taken to monitor stream flow within Driving Creek to 

 determine any effects this canal may have on the swamp's hydrology over the 

 long term (see Scientific Use — Research and Appendix D) . 

 Biotic Features 



Flora 



The three major community types in the Green Swamp — the pocosin and bay 

 forest, the savannahs, and the natural pine stands — have developed in association 

 with their particular abiotic characteristics coupled with the pressure of 

 disturbance, primarily a long history of fire. The floral display within the 

 swamp includes a number of endangered and threatened species, insectivorous 

 plants, and orchids (Tables 1 and 2). 



The pocosin and bay forest of NCNC's property include several plant 

 community types, all characterized by an organic peat soil and thick, almost 

 impenetrable shrubs laced with the thorny laurel-leaf catbrier (Smilax 

 laurifolia ) . The communities as defined and mapped by Kologiski include the 

 Pine-Ericalean Pocosin in the wetter, deeper peats, Conifer-Hardwood Pocosin 

 in shallower peats, and the Bay Forest along Driving Creek. The only location 

 of Atlantic white cedar ( Chamaecyparis thyoides ) is a small, mixed, medium-aged 

 stand by the creek near Rt. 211. The communities within the pocosin grade from 

 one to another with no distinct boundaries. 



The dynamics of the pocosin ecosystems are not fully understood, although 

 changes in vegetational structure and composition do occur with time. Nutrient 

 availability, depth of peat, hydroperiod (the effective time in which the water 

 table is at or above ground surface), and fire history appear to play roles in 

 community development. Fire exclusion or suppression would only allow increased 

 organic litter build-up, making likely the possibility of an even greater future 

 burn. 



Savannahs are the most unique community and habitat within the Conservancy's 

 land. Approximately 230 acres of savannah lands exist within the property. 

 Ecosystematic inventories of five savannahs are found in Appendix K. Appendix L 

 contains descriptions and partial species lists for the other savannah islands. 

 The close proximity of the water table to the surface is crucial to the great 

 diversity found there. Within the domed or ridged savannahs occur a number of 



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