_ 46 _ 



either or both environmental conditions would result in 

 a change or loss of the original characteristics. 



Protection Status: The four RARE II study areas have been 

 proposed by the Forest Service for their protection as 

 wilderness areas and for inclusion in the National 

 Wilderness System. Furthermore, within the Pond Pine 

 section, three hundred acres have been recognized by 

 the USPS as the pond Pine Research Natural Area and are 

 protected as such. 



Reasons for Significance: The Croatan National Forest was 

 recently included in a study of the location of peat 

 deposits in North Carolina. The proposed natural area 

 is contained within the area surveyed for peat deposits 

 with the exception of Pond Pine site which is of higher 

 elevation. Within the peatlands (see map 6), the eleva- 

 tion ranges from about 30 feet above sea level to slightly 

 greater than 40 feet above sea level. The highest 

 elevations are associated with the thickest peat thus 

 far found in the Croatan National Forest. 



Pocosins are characterized by vegetation which is 

 adapted to periodic fires, low nutrient levels and periodic 

 flooding or high water tables. Pocosins are poorly 

 understood and especially sensitive ecosystems because 

 of complex hydrology combined with particular edaphic 

 conditions and their rugged nature. Thus, these unique 

 features depend on periodic fires and special hydrologic 

 conditions. As a result of extensive peat mining, 

 timbering and draining for agricultural purposes, these 

 lands are rapidly deminishing in area and being converted 

 to commercial use. 



The Pocosin Natural Area is dominated by a mixture 

 of pocosin communities: 



. Low evergreen shrub pocosin (low pocosin) 



. Tall evergreen shrub pocosin (high pocosin) 



. Open pond pine 

 Low pocosins are evergreen shrub bogs populated by Ilex, 

 Zenobia and Titi. Here, stunted Pond pine of only five 

 feet (or less) can be found on the organic soils. The 

 vegetation diversity here is low, but unique species 

 such as the rare yellow pitcher plant and Venus; fly- 

 trap (see Table 1) can be found. 



The surrounding or bordering high pocosins have 

 soil with less organic content, although the water 

 table is still high. Here, Pond pine grows to heights 

 of sixty feet and high bay forests predominate. 



In the transition from organic soils to mineral sub- 

 strate are found mixed pine forests (Loblolly or Long- 

 leaf pine). Hardwood swamp forest (Black gum, Red maple, 



