STUDY OBJECTIVES, METHODS AND RESULTS 



Contract requirements called for identification and field in- 

 ventory of natural areas throughout Pamlico County. The field in- 

 ventory was community-oriented; we concentrated on locating natural 

 communities of exceptional quality, based on such factors as size 

 and age of canopy species, biologic, edaphic and hydrologic diversity, 

 extensiveness of habitat (s) and contiguity with other natural areas, 

 absence of intensive disturbance and recovery from past disturbance , 

 and the presence of a full range of communities and ecological con- 

 ditions functioning as a system. 



To inventory the diverse communities of Pamlico County first 

 necessitated a general county-wide reconnaissance. After review of 

 several sets of aerial photographs, particularly 1970 photography 

 used by the US Soil Conservation Service in its preliminary soils 

 mapping, an initial inspection of the county by vehicle and on foot 

 was completed in February, 1982. Shortly later, an aerial recon- 

 naissance of the entire county was conducted. Species and site 

 reports on file with the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program 

 were examined concurrently with these activities , and knowledgeable 

 individuals were interviewed (see acknowledgements) . A basic tenta- 

 tive list of potential study areas began to emerge early in the 

 reconnaissance, and was finalized by early May. 



During the reconnaissance period most of the private and public 

 roads in the county were driven. Roads in most of the potential study 

 areas identified during photography reviews were walked during April 

 and May. Throughout all periods of fieldwork, notes were taken on 

 vegetation, both in study areas and, for comparative purposes, in 

 areas not exhibiting superior natural qualities. Orthophotoquad 

 diazo (blackline) prints were used in the field as guides in assessing 

 the extent of large communities, the amount of recent disturbance and 

 to some degree the cover composition of inaccessible stands. 



Sites selected as representative of community types to be described 

 in this report were examined on foot. Plant species lists, tree diame- 

 ters at breast height, tree height and age estimates and a judgement of 

 dominant species were all recorded. Examples we considered representative 

 or superlative and on which we base our descriptions of the vegetation 

 are mapped on the site report maps incorporated in the text. We con- 

 ducted an informal but complete survey of the breeding birds at most 

 of the wooded and shrub-bog habitats upon which we report. Other "high 

 profile" vertebrates were noted where observed. 



The six natural areas we have identified are as follows (see also 

 county map) : 



(la) Federal Paper Hardwood Flats - 2400 acres 



(lb) Stonewall Hardwood Flats - 425 acres 



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