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Comment s 



The primary purpose of this visit was to see the ponds 

 that arc evident on aerial photographs. Within the tract that 

 includes the ponds (ca. 210 acres), there is open longleaf pine 

 woodland, a small area of pocoain, a small area of loblolly pine 

 forest, and some clearcut areas. Of these, the ponds and the 

 longleaf pine woodland are of primary interest. . 



Some of the ponds appear to be naturally impounded remnants 

 of former drainage systems. Ot tiers, though, appear to be "sink- 

 holes". In any event, they represent an unusual concentration of 

 freshwater ponds in this county. 



The ponds are generally small (largest seen ca. 200' across) 

 and shallow (less than 2 ' deep). They appear to have bet^n dry during 

 the summer and fall and had little vegetation in them. However, 

 it soems likely that some rare plant species might occur here. 

 These ponds are in the corner of the county clos'-st to the known range of 

 the pine barrens treefrog and it is possible that that species 

 occurshere. 



Most of the longleaf pine woodland has a fairly pure growth _ 

 of longleaf pine. It grows up to 70' tall with a DBH of 12"+. 

 There is little understoiy. Ilex glabra often dominates thu' ground 

 cover. Aristida stricta is generally sparse; the are»would bene- 

 fit from more frequent fire management. Two active red-cockaded 

 woodpecker cavity trees were seen; the area is marginal habitat 

 lor lia^hman's sparrows, but none were seen. 



This area should be considered at least of medium priority. 

 The concentration of freshwater ponds (especially when surrounded 

 by longleaf pine woodland) is unusual. The "sinkhole" appearance 

 of some adds to their geological significance. The longleaf pine 

 woodland is one of the better examples of this community in the 

 county and it harbors at least one endangered species. 



Additional geological and botanical work on the ponds might 

 reveal that the area is of high priority. 



