The canopy is longleaf pine; open to scattered stands 

 range from 40 to 60 feet tall, 6 to 12 inches dbh. A few 

 relictual "flattop" canopy longleaf remain from past logging; 

 these are much older than the average canopy tree. Tall 

 shrubs and transgressive small trees such as sweetbay and 

 red maple are scattered, as are patches of longleaf pine 

 saplings. Scrub oak spp. ( Quercus ) are notably scarce. 

 Zonation in the shrub layer is pronounced in places, probably 

 due to the rhizomatous habit of the species involved, but the 

 zones are not extensive in area. Typical shrub dominants 

 locally are dwarf huckleberry ( Gaylussacia dumosa ) , dangle- 

 berry ( Gaylussacia frondosa ) and bitter gallberry, with 

 other common shrubs including sheepkill, sweet gallberry, 

 wax myrtle ( Myrica cerifera ) , dwarf azalea ( Rhododendron 

 atlanticum ) , blueberry ( Vaccinium tenellum ) , squaw huckle- 

 berry ( Vaccinium stamineum ) , and stagger-bush ( Lyonia mariana ) 

 all ranging from 1 to 3 feet tall. Giant cane is scattered, 

 not forming dense stands. Wiregrass ( Aristida stricta ) domi- 

 nates the herb layer over much of this community, often sharing 

 seasonal dominance with bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum ) . Creeping 

 blueberry ( Vaccinium crassifolium ) , a prostrate shrub, is present 

 throughout as a dense ground cover, absent only beneath the dens- 

 est growth of other shrubs. Wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ) 

 is locally common. The community type is Pinus palustr is/ mixed 

 low pineland shrubs/Aristida stricta-Vaccinium crassifolium. 



WILDLIFE VALUES 



Breeding bird diversity along the Minnesott Ridge is fairly 

 high. We recorded approximately 30 species, including a full 

 complement of characteristic open pine woodland species such 

 as bluebird, brown -headed nuthatch and pine warbler. Worm-eating 

 warblers (two individuals) were noted in association with the 

 dense shrubby ecotones between open pine stands and deep shrub 

 thickets. 



Red-cockaded woodpeckers are permanent residents along the 

 Ridge. Most activity by this endangered species was noted at the 

 North Minnesott natural area. Inactive cavity trees were seen at 

 South Minnesott. Suitable habitat is present at both sites. Ad- 

 ditional details of our observations are given on p. 



The wildlife values of North Minnesott natural area in 

 particular are enhanced by the contiguity of Northwest Pocosin 

 to the west. Northwest Pocosin provides additional habitat for 

 red-cockaded woodpeckers. It also supports a population of black 

 bear which uses the sand ridge habitats to some extent. 



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