of the factors which have combined to mold the vegetation 

 makeup of the natural area. A description of the major 

 community types and several of the minor ones follows in 

 the following paragraphs. Note that only two communities 

 have been given community type designations. 



The most widespread plant community is Pinus taeda/ 

 Acer rubrum-Chamaecyparis thyo ide s/ mixed wetland shrubs// 

 Smilax laurifolia (loblolly pine/red maple-Atlantic white 

 cedar/mixed wetland shrubs//laurel-leaved greenbriar; CT 

 1) . This community occurs throughout much of the interior 

 of the natural area away from the Conaby Creek-Roanoke 

 River channels and Albemarle Sound. Though dominated by 

 loblolly pine, the canopy contains scattered individuals 

 of baldcypress ( Taxodium distichum ) , pond pine ( Pinus 

 serotina ) , red maple, and locally dense patches of swamp 

 blackgum ( Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora) . The loblolly 

 pine canopy is typically open and varies from 60-80 feet 

 in height with average dbh values of 10-15 inches. Scat- 

 tered much larger pines are present throughout. The sub- 

 canopy is usually closed and is dominated by varying pro- 

 portions of red maple and Atlantic white cedar. Below the 

 subcanopy is a very dense medium-tall shrub zone containing 

 a mixture of species including sweetbay ( Magnolia virginiana) , 

 redbay ( Persea borbonia ) , sweet gallberry ( Ilex coriacea ) , and 

 fetterbush ( Lyonia lucida ) . There is no distinct ground cover 

 although chain ferns ( Woodwardia virginica and W. areolata ) 

 are common along with various sedges ( Car ex spp.). The lower 

 layers are intertwined by an almost impenetrable tangle of 

 the vine laurel-leaved greenbriar ( Smilax laurifolia ) . Other 

 vines present include poison ivy ( Rhus radicans ) and climbing 

 hydrangea ( Decumaria barbara ) . Dense sphagnum mats are almost 

 universally present. 



Along portions of Conaby Creek and the Roanoke River, 

 swamp blackgum-dominated stands are common. This community 

 is identified as Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora/Persea borbonia- 

 Fraxinus carol in iana (swamp blackgum/redbay-Carolina water ash; 

 CT 2) . The canopy is usually closed and averages about 50-60 

 feet in height with an average dbh of 8-12 inches. The shrub 

 layer is composed of redbay and Carolina water ash, two species 

 which are not often found as associates in a swamp forest wet- 

 land. The presence of the ash, a species typical of brownwater 

 river swamps dominated by mineral sediments, is probably due to 

 the silting influence of the channels, discussed in more detail 

 below. The shrub layer is typically not as dense as in the 

 loblolly pine dominated community (CT 1) . The characteristic 

 vine of that latter community, laurel-leaved greenbriar, is 

 generally uncommon in the swamp blackgum stands. In some areas 

 beds of lizard's tail (Saururus cernuus) form a distinct ground 



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