2201

Sharpe, Bill

Pocosins, vast, densely vegetated areas, and savannas, grassy flat areas, exist only in the state's Coastal Plain. Savannas are important because of their diverse plant and animal life, while pocosins absorb excess rainwater.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p16-17, il Periodical Website

Savanna ecology; Swamps

2202

Sharpe, Bill

Seasonal wetlands are small areas that are wet only for a short period during the year. Some of the smallest of the state's wetlands, seasonal wetlands can be as little as two meters in diameter.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p18-19, il Periodical Website

Wetlands

2203

Sharpe, Bill

Generally, a freshwater marsh is a temporary wetland, existing until filled by sediment washing downstream. During its lifetime, the marsh provides food and shelter for plants and animals and also stores excess water when floods occur.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p12-13, il Periodical Website

Wetlands; Marshes

2204

Sharpe, Bill

Most common in the Coastal Plain, headwater forests develop at the beginning of creeks and streams and are the most numerous of the state's wetlands. While not diverse biologically, they have the greatest effect on water quality of all the wetlands.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p14-15, il Periodical Website

Forest ecology; Wetland ecology

2205

Sharpe, Bill

Most of the state's bottomland hardwood forests are found in the Coastal Plain along broad river flood plains. Because the forest exists in a flooding environment, the plants and animals there must adapt to the fluctuating water levels or perish.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p20-21, il Periodical Website

Forests and forestry; Wetland ecology; Alluvial plains; Hardwoods

2206

Harrison, Ed

Some wetlands, such as swamps and marshes, are easily identifiable. Others, though, are dry several months each year. Wet or dry, both must meet three criteria to be classified as a wetland: wetland vegetation, hydric (wet) soil, and water evidence.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p22-25, il Periodical Website

Wetlands

2207

Moorhead, Kevin

As the state's economy has grown, upwards of 50 percent of its wetlands have been lost. This statistic is questionable, however, because of a lack of data on the original extent of wetlands and disagreement over when a wetland is actually lost.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p26-31, il Periodical Website

Wetland conservation; Wetlands

2209

Venters, Vic

Considered useless wastelands since the founding of the U.S., wetlands are now being recognized for their critical environmental roles, including flood control and game fish propagation. Without wetlands, a number of species of wildlife would disappear.

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p4-9, il Periodical Website

Wetland ecology; Wetland flora; Wetland fauna

2210

Sharpe, Bill

Although usually less than five acres in size, mountain bogs have important environmental functions: helping to control flooding, filtering water supplies of pollutants, and providing plant and animal habitats

Wildlife in North Carolina (NoCar SK 431 W54x), Vol. 59 Issue 3, Mar 1995, p10-11, il Periodical Website

Bogs; Mountain ecology