with some Arundinaria occurring in scatterred areas, but by no 

 means a large part of the cover. 



There is also a pine zone (Pinus taeda ) farther inland. 

 Within this area there is a small clearing of about \ acre 

 almost completely filled with Osmunda regalis and fringed with 

 Arundinaria gigantea . Apparently this area is slightly raised 

 and not quite as wet as the adjacent marsh. Within the interior 

 of the point of land between Sarem Creek and the Chowan River, 

 pine is common, suggesting dry land from aerial photographs. 

 Examination of this site, however, proved it all to be swamp, with 

 the pines growing on individual hummocks, only 1 or 2 square 

 meters in size, and about 6 to 12 inches above the saturated, 

 mucky swamp soil. Within the pine site, the understory is reduced 

 to Smilax laurifolia , scattered Rosa palustris , Arundinaria 

 gigantea and Osmunda regalis . There are a few Alnus and Myrica . 

 Approximate maximum sizes of the three tree species present are 

 as follows: 



Pinus taeda : 6-20 inches dbh and 60-65 feet tall. 



Nyssa sylvatica biflora : 12-20 inches dbh and 50-60 feet. 



Taxodium distichum : 12-15 inches dbh and 50-60 feet tall. 



ANIMAL DIVERSITY 



The swamp supports a population of black bear and is the 

 only site remaining in the county, besides the Dismal, with the 

 proper vegetation to provide permanent habitat for this species. 

 All of the wetland mammals found at Merchants Mill Pond, 

 including beaver, river otter, muskrat and mink, also occur 

 here. Bobcat have been observed swimming creeks in the swamp, and 

 there was an unverified panther sighting around 1979. 



The swamp harbors a large number of bird species. The 

 threatened. red-shouldered hawk can always be found, and the area, 

 if protected, may be one of the best permanent nesting sites for 

 this species. Osprey feed here and nest along the ends of Holiday 

 Island just offshore from the mouth of Bennett's Creek. A pair 

 of anhinga were sighted in Sarem Creek on 4 May 1980. 



In summary, the natural area is a complex wetland with 

 high quality wildlife habitat for a diversity of species. The 

 area has suffered only moderate human disturbance, primarily 

 from past logging, and if protected, has a high potential for 

 returning to an exemplary mature freshwater swamp forest of the 

 type originally occurring on the site. Such a site would preserve 

 high wildlife, scientific, recreational and aesthetic values. 



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