lib. Prose Description of Site Significance: 



Scranton Hardwoods natural area is the most extensive 

 example of a hydric palustrine (non-riverine) hardwood 

 system located in the North Carolina coastal plain. The 

 old-growth hydric hardwood stands total about 1700 acres 

 and are surrounded by about 4000 acres of less significant 

 but still important buffer hardwood stands of various age 

 classes. 



The old-growth component is the largest contiguous 

 "block" of relatively undisturbed, hydric oaks and other 

 hardwoods in a climax successional stage known in the 

 North Carolina coastal plain. 



The hardwood stands are one of the most endangered 

 wetland forest systems in the coastal plain. When ade- 

 quately drained, the soils of the hardwood "flats" make 

 productive cropland and they are also excellent for in- 

 tensive loblolly pine tree farms. For these reasons, 

 much of what once was dominated by these wetlands is 

 now in row crop agriculture and pine plantations. The 

 last remnants of natural vegetation have been reduced 

 in most cases to scattered woodlots and other small, 

 isolated blocks. 



The Scranton Hardwoods tract protects by far the 

 largest "block" of these wetlands known in the coastal 

 plain. The natural area should receive top priority 

 for the protection of this last protected example of 

 a once extensive wetland system. 



Equally significant is the superlative wildlife values 

 of the natural area. Its large size (6000 acres) coupled 

 with an abundance of mast-producing oaks and other hard- 

 woods provides ideal habitat for a number of species de- 

 pendent on mature hardwood stands. The tract supports a 

 very large white-tailed deer population (reported to be 

 one of the largest in the county) and serves as an im- 

 portant sanctuary for black bear during their seasonal 

 movements. A Wild Turkey restoration program is under- 

 way on the property and an additional 35 species of 

 breeding birds are known to occur. Birds associated 

 with mature hardwoods are particularly abundant. 



At least one endangered plant species is known to occur. 

 Southern twayblade , a species of orchid listed as a state 

 endangered peripheral, is found over much of the natural 

 area. Further field work may reveal additional rare or 

 endangered species. 



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