maple and the bay species form a distinct subcanopy under the 

 pines. In other areas, a dense evergreen shrub layer composed 

 of bays, fetterbush, and gallberries is the dominant under- 

 growth with red maple essentially absent. 



Also present in scattered dense stands is swamp blackgum. 

 This species usually seems to occur in dense, almost monospecific 

 stands within the pond pine community. Scattered individuals of 

 small to medium-size Atlantic white cedar are present. No dense 

 stands of this species are present in the pond pine stands. 



The community type(s) can be classified as Pinus serotina/ 

 Acer rubrum-Persea borbonia/Persea borbonia and mixed evergreen 

 shrubs// Smilax laurifolia (Pond pine/red maple-redbay/redbay 

 and mixed evergreen shrubs//laurel-leaved greenbriar or Pinus 

 serotina/Persea borbonia and mixed evergreen shrubs// Smilax 

 laurifolia; CT 3) . 



WILDLIFE AND AVIAN DIVERSITY 



The wildlife values of the pond pine stands and the swamp 

 forest areas are probably significant . White-tailed deer sign 

 is prevalent and the species is reported to be very common on 

 the island (Florschutz 1979) . Florschutz ( op . cit . ) also reports 

 plentiful bobcat and raccoon although we saw no sign of the former. 

 Black bear are present, as evidenced by tracks and other sign, and 

 the habitats are sufficiently diverse and extensive to support a 

 viable population of this declining mammal. The American alligator, 

 a federally listed endangered species, has been reported and suit- 

 able habitat is present in the small creeks draining into the 

 Alligator River on the island's west side. At least 39 species 

 of breeding birds are present, including species such as Osprey 

 and Wood Duck. Additional field work will undoubtedly reveal the 

 presence of additional nesting species. Although no evidence was 

 seen, there is a good possibility that one or two clans of red- 

 cockaded woodpeckers, a federally endangered species, are present. 

 The open stands of old-growth pond pines provide excellent habitat 

 for the species. 



An active cavity tree was discovered this summer in an open 

 pond pine stand directly across the IWW from the island. The 

 location of this cavity is only about 1000 feet from the natural 

 area,- it is highly possible that the birds of this colony use the 

 pines on Roper Island as foraging habitat. Intensive ground recon- 

 naissance is needed to assess the species' status on the island. 



74 



