Abstract:
During the last twenty years, the importance of ensuring proper land planning and landscape management on barrier islands has been firmly established. Culminating with the passage and implementation of the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act of 1974, the overall planning and management process for barrier islands has substantially improved the balance between island development activities and the ability of the barrier island to maintain its essential ecological and geomorphological functions and processes. This includes the considerable role of maritime forests in the overall maintenance of the barrier island ecosystem.