swamp forest vegetation. These margins probably receive a 

 degree of sediment deposition from the adjacent mineral 

 soils along the scarps. The deep peat "dome" in the center 

 of Van Swamp receives little, if any, nutrient imput (other 

 than that derived from precipitation) . The thickness of 

 the peat in this area may also inhibit nutrient uptake of 

 plants due to their inability to reach underlying mineral 

 layers. 



Man-induced disturbances such as intensive clearcutting 

 and frequent wildfires can create pocosins from what originally 

 was swamp forest (Otte, 1981). The timber cutting history of 

 Van Swamp is not well-known and the question of whether the 

 pond pine pocosin now present is a natural system or one 

 created by past disturbances is open to debate. 



However, a comparison between the pond pine pocosin 

 vegetation and the distribution of deep peat can be made 

 by reviewing Figs 3 and 4 . There is a high correl- 

 ation of the distribution of the pond pine pocosin with the 

 deeper peat deposits. The natural area provides an excellent 

 opportunity to study the relationship between vegetation and 

 the underlying soils, and the effects of sediment and nutrient 

 recycling on vegetation systems. 



Finally, the wildlife values of the Van Swamp natural 

 area should be mentioned. According to McClanahan (North 

 Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission District Biologist, 

 pers. coram. 1982), the Van Swamp area supports one of the 

 largest and healthiest whitetail deer herds in Washington 

 County. Scat and tracks are abundant along the roads 

 throughout the natural area. A remnant black bear popu- 

 lation is still present (a fresh set of tracks were seen 

 near SR 1101) . However, it is questionable whether enough 

 habitat is available to support a viable breeding population. 

 Bobcat, uncommon in many areas of the state, are also present 

 within the swamp. Breeding bird diversity within the swamp 

 is excellent for a coastal plain forest system; 43 species 

 of breeding birds were recorded within the natural area in- 

 cluding several species which are uncommon and local in the 

 coastal plain and which are restricted to non-alluvial swamp 

 and pocosin wetlands. Black- throated green and worm-eating 

 warblers were recorded including the largest population of 

 the former recorded anywhere in the county. Both species 

 are probably decreasing in the coastal plain as a result 

 of habitat destruction. Other species present which re- 

 quire large wetland acreages and mature timber stands in- 

 cluded the pileated woodpecker and the red-shouldered hawk, 

 the latter considered threatened in the state (Cooper, et 

 al, 1977) . 



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