Site ecological significance: 



A summarization of the ecologically significant fcat-uires of the Orton — 

 Sanpson Pond area follov;s: 



1) Existence of a very old — and very lar~e relative to other lakes in 

 the area — body of freshvrater , Orton Pond, in a relatively undisturbed 

 state. 



2) Presence within Crton Pond of at leact one threatened or endangered 

 plant species, the endangered peripheral aquatic, pondweed ( Potar.o:;eton 

 illinoensis ) , and the probable occurrence of other such species at 



the site. 



3) The current and historical importance of Orton Fond as a breeding 

 area for man;^ species of birds, of v/hich the water turkey (Anhin^a 

 anhin^^a ) is threatened, and the osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ) is a 

 species of special concern; the osprey is also known to nest at 

 Sampson Pond. The breeding habitat constituted by Orton Pond is 

 believed to be critical to maintenance of current population levels 

 of these species. 



^) Use of the Orton Pond area by other animal species of significance, 

 including the American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ) , an 

 endangered species, and one or more species of the pond spike ( Elliptic 

 sp.), a mollusk of special concern. 



5) Existence of a number of high quality, relatively undisturbed doline 

 ponds that exhibit marked vegetation zonation and high species 

 diversity. 



6) Presence of at least one endangered "doline pond species," beak 

 rush ( Rhyncospora pleiantha ), with excellent areas of habitat 

 present for the occurrence of other such "sink" species of special 

 significance. 



7) Importance of the mature longleaf pine forest surrounding much of 



the Orton--Sampson Pond area, known to contain a population of red- 



cockaded woodpeckers ( Dendrocopus borealis ), an endangered species, 



as well as known to constitute an area of critical habitat for 



several animal species of special concern — the fox squirrel ( Sciurus 



niger ) , Eastern wood rat (Neotoma floridana.) 

 — — ^ ' — 



Management recommendations: ' • _, . ■ •'. . . 



Due to the incomplete database, relative to the entire extent of this 

 ecologically diverse area, which exists to this point, in conjunction 

 v;ith the current exclusion from the area of most outside interests, it 

 is felt that any attempt to outline management recommendations for the 

 area v/ould be premature and relatively useless. 



It is hoped that those persons who use and control usage of the Orton 

 Pond — Sampson Pond area will realize its extreme ecological importance, 

 and continue to preserve it — as they largely have in the past — in its 

 current, relatively undisturbed condition. 



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