GLOSSARY 

 (from Bellis et al., 1975) 



Area of Environmental Concern- (AEC) Especially fragile or ecolo- 

 gically unique areas of the North Carolina Coast where development 

 should occur only if it is in harmony with natural processes. 

 Areas of the coast where the public welfare might be endangered 

 by unwise manipulation of the environment. 



BP - Before present. 



canopy - A layer of leaves and branches formed by the interlocking 

 mosaic of tree tops in a forest. 



Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 - An act passed by the North 

 Carolina legislature in 1974 intended to promote wide development 

 of North Carolina's coastal resources. Among other provisions 

 this act calls for the designation of certain especially sensi- 

 tive areas as 'Areas of Environmental Concern.' 



cypress fringe - A straight or curved line of cypress running 

 parallel to the shoreline. Older cypress fringe has its trees 

 standing in water while young cypress fringe occupies sandy beaches 

 in front of eroding sand or clay banks. 



dbh - Diameter at breast height (diameter of tree in inches 

 measured at a point 4.5 feet above the ground). 



ecological succession - Process by which one community of living 

 organisms is gradually replaced by another. Usually each succes- 

 sive community is more stable than the last, thus leading toward 

 a final community especially well suited to the particular environ- 

 mental conditions existing at that location. 



flood plain - Lowlands adjacent to a river or stream which become 

 inundated during periods of high flow. Flood plains are a natural 

 component of the river system and function as overflow storage areas. 



msl - Mean sea level. 



Pamlico Terrace - A low, flat, featureless, topographic surface 

 extending over the Coastal Plain of the Southeastern U.S. at 

 elevations less than 20 feet above sea level. It is considered 

 the relict sea floor of the Sangamon Interglacial. 



Pamlimarle Peninsula - The peninsula bounded on the north by Alve- 

 marle Sound and on the south by the Pamlico River. Includes all of 

 Washington, Beaufort, and mainland portions of Dare and Hyde Counties, 



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