these two streams is essentially flat; elevations range 

 from about 4 feet along the streams to 8 feet in the 

 eastern margin of the tract. This interstream flat is 

 essentially undrained. Surface ponding is common, 

 particularly during the winter months , and the seasonal 

 high water table is at or near the surface during this 

 period. 



Soils of the natural area are primarily wet Ultisols. 

 No detailed soil mapping is available for the area al- 

 though the soil association is mapped as Hyde-Bayboro 

 (SCS, 1973). The Hyde silt loam series is classified 

 as fine-silty, mixed, thermic Typic Umbraquults. The 

 Bayboro loam series is classified as clayey, mixed, 

 thermic Umbric Paleaquults. Both soil types are very 

 poorly drained soils with thick loamy surface layers 

 over firm clay loam to very firm clay subsoils. 



VEGETATION 



The natural area is dominated for the most part by 

 stands of mixed hardwoods or pine-mixed hardwoods. The 

 hardwood stands vary in structure, age, and species com- 

 position depending on a number of interrelated factors , 

 including soil differences and past logging history. In 

 these mesic hardwood stands there are no dominant canopy 

 species; rather a number of species share co-dominance 

 with loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) in varying proportions. 

 Slight rises or depressions affect soils and drainage 

 with a corresponding shift in canopy species composition 

 and relative dominance. Differences in canopy composition 

 between slightly higher and lower portions of the landscape 

 are slight compared with the differences between the climax, 

 old-growth stands and recently cut, younger growth stands. 

 Frequency and intensity of past logging operations account 

 for most of the vegetation differences. 



A series of quarter points was taken to quantitatively 

 determine the relative frequency, dominance, and density 

 of the various canopy tree species. Based on this data 

 the mature climax stands are classified as Mixed hydric 

 oaks and Pinus taeda/Carpinus caroliniana/Carex spp. or 

 Saururus cernuus (Mixed hydricoaks and loblolly pine/iron- 

 wood/mixed sedges or lizard's tail; CT 1). The principle 

 oaks in this community, listed in order of their importance 

 are: cherrybark oak ( Quercus falcata var. pagodae folia ) , 

 laurel oak (Q. laurifolia ) , and swamp chestnut oak (Q. 

 michauxii) . Other hardwoods present in varying proportions 



160 



