_ 189 _ 



The grazing has created a better habitat for shorebirds. 



North River has been used for many years for scientific research projects on 

 fish and shellfish, particularly by National Marine Fisheries in Beaufort. 

 The marshes are also used for educational purposes. Biology classes from East 

 Carteret High School conduct field trips and the Hampton Mariners Miseum conducts 

 bird-watching trips in this area. 



Major direct threats to the area include filling -in, ditching, and pollution. 

 Pollution from the North River community has probably been the cause for the 

 adjacent estuary being closed to shellfishing. 



Vegetation and plant communities: 



North River marshes consist of a variety of microhabitats caused by small 

 topographic changes. This "high" marsh is infrequently inundated by tidal water. 

 Because of this, the short form of Spartina is present. Much of the Spartina 

 has been grazed by cattle, but the Spartina is still short in ungrazed areas. 

 Black needleinish (Juncus roemerianus ) occurs along the landward side. Shallow 

 pools are scattered throughout the marsh. Toward the north is a chain of 

 pools (to approximately 6") that are surrounded by black needlerush. Salt pans, ur 

 slightly elevated areas in the marsh, contain glasswort ( Salicorria virginica ) 

 an d other herbs. 



On the margins of the drainage ditches, where spoil has been placed, are 

 shrubs such as sea ox-eye (Borrichia fiutescens ) , wax myrtle ( M;vTica cerifera) , 

 cottonbush ( Baccharis halimifolj-a ) as well as several small loblolly pines 

 (Pinus taeda jl 



Physical features: 



North River marsh occurs along the west side of Worth River. The marsh is 

 irregularly inundated by tidal water, pr.'iducing a snort arid sparse population of 

 cordgrass ( Spartina a ltertii flora ) . Small topograpliic differences, such as small 

 pools and salt pans affect the zonation of vegetation. 



Rare Plarits and Animals: 



C0I4M0N NAME 

 Great Blue Heron 



Great Egret 



Snowy Egret 



Louisiana Heron 



Black-crowned Night Heron 



Yellow-crovmed Night Heron 



Least Bittern 



American Bittern 



SCIENTIFIC NAME 

 Ardea herodias 



(-asmsrodius albus 



Egretta (Leucophoyx) thula 



Hydranassa tricolor 



Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli 



Nyctanassa violacea 



Ixobrychus exilis exilis 



Botourus lentiginosus 



STATUS 



Special concern 



Special concern 



Special concern 



Special concern 



Special concern 



Special concern 



Threatened 



Undetermined (as a 

 breeding species) 



