lib. Prose Description of Site Significance: 



The East Dismal Swamp Natural Area contains the last 

 known remnant of mature, old-growth swamp forest vegetation 

 remaining in a once extensive palustrine , peat-dominated 

 wetland system which formerly covered over 70,000 acres 

 of central and southern Washington County. The tract con- 

 tains unusually large specimens of the swamp forest trees 

 characteristic of the non-alluvial, "upland" wetlands 

 associated with poorly drained peat or peaty mineral soils. 

 Tulip-poplar, swamp blackgum, baldcypress, Atlantic white 

 cedar, and loblolly pine are all present in what probably 

 most closely resembles the original composition of the 

 swamp vegetation before timber exploitation began. 



The once vast East Dismal Swamp has been almost com- 

 pletely cleared of its swamp forest and converted to 

 agricultural fields or managed tree farms. The natural 

 area is the last known relatively undisturbed remnant 

 of that wetland system remaining in the county. 



5G 



