AN INVENTORY OF THE SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS OF ANSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Bruce Sorrie
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs Department of Environment and Natural Resources Raleigh, NC
Funding provided by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund August 2011
AN INVENTORY OF THE SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS OF ANSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Bruce Sorrie Inventory Biologist
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs Department of Environment and Natural Resources Raleigh, NC
Funding provided by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund
August 2011
ABSTRACT
This inventory of the natural areas, biological communities, and rare species of Anson County was funded by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund. This inventory identifies the most significant natural areas in the county, describes their features, and documents all natural communities and rare species of plants and animals associated with them. Habitat conditions, natural processes, and threats are also described. The inventory is intended to provide guidance for land use decisions by the county government, conservation and land management organizations, and interested citizens. Field work was carried out by Bruce A. Sorrie of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program during 2007, 2008, and 2009. The inventory identifies 19 areas of significance at the national, state, regional, and county level, as determined by criteria established by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many individuals and agencies contributed to the planning, progress, and completion of this inventory. I am particularly indebted to the following public agencies and personnel: Linda Pearsall, Judy Ratcliffe, Kristen Sinclair, Steve Hall, Mike Schafale, Misty Buchanan, and Harry LeGrand of the NC Natural Heritage Program; J.D. Bricken of Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge; Kacy Cook and Jeff Marcus of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Laura Fogo of the US Fish and Wildlife Service; Jeff Beane of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences; Arleigh Birchler.
The Land Trust for Central North Carolina contributed significantly as a private agency.
Cover photograph: Triassic Basin habitat along Lower Brown Creek on the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge by Bruce Sorrie.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...... 1 Objectives ...... 1 Methods ...... 1
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 3 Anson County ...... 3 Climate ...... 3 Topography and Physiography ...... 3 General Vegetation ...... 7 Geology and Soils...... 8 Land Use ...... 9
SUMMARY OF RESULTS ...... 10 Natural Areas ...... 10 Natural Communities ...... 13 Natural Community Descriptions ...... 13 Flora and Fauna ...... 20
BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES LAWS ...... 30 Federal Law ...... 30 State Law ...... 31
REFERENCES ...... 32
SITE DESCRIPTIONS ...... 33 BEAVER POND ROAD LONGLEAF PINE FOREST ...... 35 BENNETT BRIDGE DIABASE DIKE ...... 39 BLEWETT FALLS LAKE BASIC MESIC FOREST ...... 43 DEEP BOTTOM BRANCH BLUFFS ...... 47 FLAT ROCK CHURCH OUTCROP ...... 51 GRASSY ISLANDS/SMITH LAKE ...... 55 HIGHTOWER FLATROCKS ...... 59 INGRAM MOUNTAIN HARDWOODS ...... 63 LOWER BROWN CREEK SWAMP ...... 67 LOWER PEE DEE RIVER AQUATIC HABITAT ...... 71 MIDDLE PEE DEE RIVER AQUATIC HABITAT ...... 75 MILLSEAT OUTCROP ...... 79 NORTH FORK SMITH CREEK ...... 81 PLANK ROAD SOUTH ...... 85 RAILROAD ISLAND HARDWOODS ...... 89 RICHARDSON CREEK SLOPES ...... 93 SAVANNAH CHURCH DIABASE DIKE ...... 97 THOROUGHFARE CREEK ...... 101
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UPPER BROWN CREEK SWAMP ...... 105
LANDOWNER PROTECTION INITIATIVES ...... 107
INDEX OF RARE SPECIES ...... 109
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Natural Areas in Anson County………………………………………..…………..…..11 Table 2. Natural Community Types in Anson County, with Natural Areas for Each..……...... 18 Table 3. Rare Plants Documented from Anson County…………………..……………………..22 Table 4. Rare Animals Documented from Anson County…………………..…………………..26
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Anson and surrounding counties, North Carolina.…………………………....……..…4 Figure 2. Towns and roads in Anson County, North Carolina.……………………….………….5 Figure 3. Major hydrological features in Anson, North Carolina..……………………………….6 Figure 4. Location of Significant Natural Heritage Areas in Anson County……………………12
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INTRODUCTION
Objectives
The primary objective of the Anson County natural areas inventory is to identify places of outstanding ecological significance. These areas contain the best remaining examples of natural habitats and/or locations of rare plants, animals, and natural communities in the county. Natural areas are resources that make the state and its counties attractive to live in and to visit. They also include wildlife corridors along streams and rivers, as well as corridors of intact natural habitat which link upland areas. These areas are critical for recreational, ecological, aesthetic, educational, scientific, cultural, and environmental health values. They can also play significant roles in ground water recharge and pollution abatement. Natural areas are reservoirs of biological diversity, sanctuaries for native plants and animals, and key resources for recreational and hunting/fishing activities. With increasing population growth and land development in all parts of North Carolina, it is urgent that areas of outstanding natural significance be identified, and that efforts be made to protect these sites for posterity.
This report begins with a brief overview of how the inventory was conducted, a description of the county’s environmental features, and a discussion of the natural communities, rare plants, and rare animals documented during the inventory. This is followed by a description and map of each natural area documented during the inventory. The natural area descriptions include all plant communities and rare species found at each site.
Methods
The methods employed in this inventory follow guidelines established by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. NCNHP maintains the state’s primary database for rare plants, rare animals, high quality plant communities, and outstanding natural areas. The focus of the current inventory is the identification and description of important natural areas and high quality natural communities in Anson County.
In preparing this report I utilized several previous works treating the county’s natural history. In 1995, Shawn Oakley, Harry LeGrand, Jr., and Michael Schafale published “An Inventory of Mafic Areas in the North Carolina Piedmont”. In 1994, Michael Schafale published “Inventory of Longleaf Pine Natural Communities in North Carolina.” Plants were identified by using Radford, Ahles, and Bell (1968) and Weakley (2007).
Limited animal surveys were also conducted as part of the Anson County inventory, primarily by Steve Hall of NCNHP (invertebrates), Bruce Sorrie (birds), and Jeff Humphries of NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Data from prior field work by Jeff Beane of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences have also been included, along with verbal reports by local residents. Collectively, these make an important contribution towards knowledge of the county’s animal life.
The natural area inventory is designed to identify the highest quality ecological areas and natural communities in Anson County. A natural area, while not necessarily undisturbed, substantially 1
retains the natural character it would have without human alteration. It is also an area of biological interest, usually because of exemplary natural communities, the presence of rare species, or both. Natural area boundaries are drawn to encompass the features of primary interest, plus the areas that influence them the most (in an ecological sense). In some cases the boundaries follow natural contours or margins; in others, a buffer zone has been included. Criteria used to determine natural areas are the quality and significance of the natural features within the site and the ecological integrity of the site. All natural communities and rare species known to occur within a site are documented, with detailed descriptions made of each exemplary natural community type. Low quality examples of communities that are present in a site are mentioned but not described in detail. All identified sites are then ranked according to biological importance, using criteria developed by NCNHP and NatureServe. Depending on the global or statewide rarity of the species and natural features of a site, it is ranked as having national, statewide, regional (i.e., lower Piedmont), or county significance. Even at the county level of significance, a site needs to possess better than average natural features to be included in this inventory. This report describes sites at all significance levels, but places more emphasis on those in the national and statewide levels.
The inventory utilizes existing data on natural communities and rare species maintained by NCNHP and other agencies. These data provide a framework or background that suggest where to look for these and other flora and fauna. Other resources that are heavily used are US Geological Survey topographic maps, Natural Resources Conservation Service soil survey maps, and aerial photos available from various North Carolina agencies. Individuals knowledgeable within specific disciplines are also consulted. Report formats developed by NCNHP are utilized for documenting rare species and significant natural areas.
For several reasons, this inventory and report cannot provide a complete account of all the potential natural areas of Anson County. No land was surveyed without the owner’s permission, and sometimes this was not granted. A number of areas were identified for survey, because of their unusual soils, their “signature” on a topo map or aerial photo, or their appearance from an adjacent river, stream, or road. Whenever possible, these landowners were contacted, but some could not be located and some denied access. In most cases these properties are not included in this report, but in a few cases they are - due to their likelihood as natural areas, based on adjacent lands that were surveyed. There is no doubt that new high quality natural areas will be found over time as formerly inaccessible or unknown sites become available for study.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA
Anson County
Anson County is located in south-central North Carolina; it is bounded by Union, Stanly, and Richmond counties, and the South Carolina border (Figure 1). The Pee Dee River forms the county’s eastern border, the Rocky River its northern border. At 537 square miles, Anson is the 36th largest of the state’s 100 counties. The 2000 population census was 25,275 people; the largest town is Wadesboro, the county seat (Figure 2).
Climate
Anson County experiences four distinct seasons each year. The county lies in a region dominated by humid southwestern airflows during spring and summer and dry northwesterly cold fronts alternating with easterly rainy spells during late fall and winter. Fall and spring are the driest seasons. The average winter temperature is about 42 degrees, while the average summer temperature is about 78 degrees. Average yearly rainfall is 47 inches, plus 4 inches of snow. There are about 190 frost-free days per year.
Topography and Physiography
Anson County is situated at the lower edge of the Piedmont and has a complex topography and geology. The topography is one of rolling hills, dissected by streams with rocky bottoms. The topography is most varied in the Ingram Mountain/Clark Mountain area and along Rocky River, where slopes often are abrupt. Elevations in Anson County range from 85 feet on the Pee Dee River at the South Carolina line to 636 feet atop Gordon Mountain.
One major river occurs in the county (Figure 3): the Pee Dee, which originates as the Yadkin River near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga County and becomes the Pee Dee when it merges with the Uwharrie River. Within part of Anson County, it is a slow-paced river that has been impounded by Blewett Falls dam for power production. Downstream from the dam, the river runs at moderate speed over rocky shoals and continues unimpeded to the ocean. Most of the Pee Dee corridor in Anson is characterized by steep to moderate slopes, alternating with strips of flat floodplain. Water levels are governed by power generation stations at Blewett Falls and upstream. Second in size is the Rocky River, which forms the northern boundary of the county. It originates in Iredell County north of Charlotte and empties into the Pee Dee east of Cedar Hill. It is characterized by an abundantly rocky bottom and steep rocky slopes nearly throughout. Natural communities fronting these rivers harbor a number of plant species that are rare in the state or the county.
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AreaArea ofof detaildetail ´
Davie
Davidson Iredell Randolph Rowan
Cabarrus
Montgomery Stanly Moore
Mecklenburg
Union Anson Richmond
Scotland
South Carolina
Figure 1. Anson and surrounding counties, North Carolina.
4 Stanly Montgomery County County
Richmond
Ansonville County Union County ut52 742 218 109
Peachland Polkton
ut74 Lilesville
Wadesboro ut74
52 ut 145 109 742 Morven
McFarlan
South Carolina
Figure 2. Towns and roads in Anson County, North Carolina.
5 Stanly Montgomery County County
Rocky River Richardson Creek Pe e Richmond De e R County iv Union er County k e re C s e Blewett Falls n a L Lake
Pee Dee River ek re C s ne Jo
South Carolina
Figure 3. Major hydrological features in Anson County, North Carolina.
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General Vegetation
Anson County’s position at the Piedmont/Coastal Plain interface encompasses a diverse area biologically. The Pee Dee is a natural corridor between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain, forming a transition zone between these major areas. It is a meeting ground for plants and animals whose historical evolution and development lie in the Piedmont and Mountains on one hand, and in the Coastal Plain on the other. The Coastal Plain element in the county is relatively robust and occurs in the Morven region and at an isolated patch of specialized habitat within Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. It includes Carolina wild-indigo (Baptisia cinerea), pond pine (Pinus serotina), savanna eupatorium (Eupatorium leucolepis), Carolina yellow-eyed-grass (Xyris caroliniana), and streamside lobelia (Lobelia elongata), among others. In recent years anhingas, related to cormorants and traditionally restricted to Coastal Plain swamps, have begun nesting in Anson County. Similarly, some montane plants find local conditions here to their liking. Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is a Mountains/upper Piedmont plant that jumps the rest of the Piedmont and occurs in several lower Piedmont counties; here it occurs at a single site on the Rocky River. Northern Hairgrass (Avenella flexuosa) occurs in our Mountains region and also in several lower Piedmont counties; in Anson it occurs on rock ledges along Rocky River and Richardson Creek. Eastern shooting-star (Primula meadia) is scattered in the Mountains and Piedmont, here found near Richardson Creek. As detailed below under Natural Community Descriptions, Anson County has a high diversity of habitats found within its borders, which host native plants and animals. While the precise number is unknown, it is estimated that well over 1200 kinds of plants occur in the county, about 1/4 of the total for the state.
The Piedmont is noted for hilly terrain and rocky, loamy, or clayey soils. Due to the general fertility of the soils, and the rolling terrain, Anson has mostly been converted to agricultural crops, grazing land, and timber production. A few large natural areas remain, notably Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge and Ingram Mountain Hardwoods.
Dry soils are covered with oaks and hickories, usually mixed with shortleaf pine (P. echinata). Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) is a common tall shrub. In the Morven area, dry sandy soil once held extensive longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) woodlands with plants typical of the Sandhills region; unfortunately these now are reduced to fire-suppressed fragments. Mesic soils, especially on slopes above streams, produce a denser and taller forest of beech (Fagus grandifolia), oaks, tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), and other hardwoods, with dogwood (Cornus florida) and redbud (Cercis canadensis) beneath. Locally, such as at Blewett Falls, soils are richer and pH higher, which support a Basic Mesic Forest with southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum) and American ash (Fraxinus americana). Along Brown Creek and Pee Dee River a different mesic soil forest occurs: bottomland hardwoods. Bottomland hardwoods are infrequently flooded and are comprised of oaks (different species than upslope), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), southern sugar maple, sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), American elm (Ulmus americana), tulip poplar, and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), with ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) and painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) beneath. Spring wildflowers are abundant, followed in summer and fall by grasses and sedges. Where a narrow floodplain has developed, levee or alluvial forest occurs along rivers and are frequently flooded; dominants
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include sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), hackberry (Celtis laevigata), river birch (Betula nigra), and boxelder (Acer negundo).
Geology and Soils
There are four main geologic zones in Anson County; each has greatly influenced land settlement and land use patterns. 1) The northern and westernmost portions of the county lies within the Carolina Slate Belt. This geologic zone of ancient rocks, primarily metamudstone and meta-argyllite, yields relatively fertile soils. 2) A broad swath running from Ingram southwest to White Store is the Triassic Basin, an elongate depression of sandstone and mudstone with a few diabase dikes (narrow ridges of rock). In Anson County, Brown Creek runs the whole length of the Triassic Basin. 3) East and south of Wadesboro is the Raleigh Belt, an area underlain by granitic rocks. In several places these form flat-topped outcrops at ground level; such “flatrocks” are critical to survival of a number of rare plant species. Much of the granite bedrock has been overtopped by sand deposits, extensively mined in the Lilesville area. 4) The southeastern portion of the county is underlain by the Middendorf Formation of clay soils, overtopped by sandy Coastal Plain soils. These acidic sands once supported forests of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), but only fragments remain. Beyer (1991) and the state geologic map (NC Geological Survey 1985) are excellent resources for understanding the local and regional geology.
Each of these rock types varies in their mineral content, nutrients, and acidity; these attributes also vary with steepness of slope, aspect, and water availability. Plants and natural communities that grow on soils derived from these rocks reflect these differences. For example, Basic Oak- Hickory Forest develops only on mineral rich and circumneutral pH soils and supports southern shagbark hickory (Carya carolinae-septentrionalis) and chalk maple (Acer leucoderme). Cliffs and ledges along Rocky River and Lanes Creek support a community known as Piedmont Mafic Cliff which features a mix of acidic and sweet soil plants, such as red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), chestnut oak (Quercus montana), and southern harebell (Campanula divaricata).
The word “mafic” has considerable significance in Anson and surrounding counties. It refers to rocks of volcanic origin which contain high amounts of magnesium and iron and relatively high amounts of calcium, but low amounts of silica, sodium, and potassium. They weather to a brown color and to brown-colored soil (not red as in most of the Piedmont), a feature that is easily seen in the field. The pH is generally circumneutral, but may be acidic on ridgetops. Soils derived from mafic rocks often have a hard claypan and some also exhibit strong shrink-swell properties - characteristics which limit plant growth to species adapted to those conditions. For these reasons, and because these high pH soils occupy only a small percentage of the state’s Piedmont, mafic soils often harbor unusual natural community types and rare plants. A survey of North Carolina Piedmont mafic areas was conducted in the early 1990s (Oakley, LeGrand, and Schafale 1995), which identified many natural areas; the Anson County Inventory expands on this previous work.
Soils of Anson county have been divided into nine general types (Spangler & Woody 2006). The northwestern portion of the county, the Ingram Mountain region, a large patch south of Lowrys,
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and the southeastern corner of the county, have well-drained, loamy, strongly acidic soils derived from slate rocks. These are well-suited for agriculture and sylviculture. The Triassic Basin portion of the county have moderately to well-drained soils utilized for sylviculture and some agriculture. Most of the eastern and southeastern portions of the county have well-drained, acidic, sandy or gravelly soils with low fertility; best suited to pasture, sylviculture, some agriculture (notably peaches).
Land Use
Until recently, Anson County has been largely rural, with the exception of the city of Wadesboro. Major crops are soybeans, corn, cotton, peaches, wheat, and hay. Important livestock are poultry and cattle. Much of the county’s forested land is managed for timber production, largely mixed hardwoods and loblolly pine for poles and wood chips. With several access points and miles of water, the Pee Dee River and Blewett Falls Lake provide recreation and fishing for residents and visitors alike.
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SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Natural Areas
A natural area is defined as an area containing one to several exemplary natural communities that function in a natural manner and that form a distinct geographical unit, the boundary of which can be natural (a watershed) or artificial (a road or a property line). In this report natural areas are termed “standard sites”. Standard sites range from a few to hundreds of acres and tend to have good natural integrity throughout. A site may also be linear in shape, such as a river aquatic habitat. A standard site may be surrounded by or lie adjacent to lesser quality areas. These lower quality lands are not included in standard sites, but provide ecologically important buffers and wildlife corridors.
Each natural area has been assigned a significance level: national, state, regional, or county. Nationally significant areas possess outstanding ecological values and rank with the best of their kind anywhere within the United States. Areas of statewide significance have high ecological value and are among the best of their kind in North Carolina. Regionally significant areas have good ecological value and are among the best of their kind in a multi-county region, such as the lower Piedmont region. Areas of countywide significance generally contain common habitat types that are good examples, but not as high quality or large as regional, state, or nationally significant sites; or they are uncommon habitats that need restoration.
A total of 19 standard sites were identified in Anson County during the current inventory (Table 1; Figure 4). The author relied on previous inventory work on mafic areas (Oakley, LeGrand & Schafale 1995) and on longleaf pine communities (Schafale 1994) in compiling and assessing the ecological value of the county’s natural areas. Of the 19 natural areas, 2 sites have been determined to be of national significance, 10 sites have been determined to be of statewide significance, 6 sites have been determined to be of regional significance, and 1 site has been determined to be of countywide significance. Each of these sites is described in the “Site Description” section of this report.
A few of the natural areas described in this report extend beyond the boundaries of Anson County. For example, the Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat Areas are shared with Richmond and Stanly counties; Grassy Islands/Smith Lake is shared with Richmond County. It is important to view all natural areas not just as isolated pieces of quality habitat, but pieces within a larger landscape mosaic. By taking a regional perspective, one realizes that each piece has a role to play as habitat for animals and plants, as stepping stones for animal movements, as safety valves when other pieces of land have been altered, and as reservoirs of genetic diversity so important to the long-term viability of species.
Scattered across the county are forested tracts that to the casual observer might seem suitable as natural areas. In many cases aerial photos show that they are managed for timber production, with telltale rows of loblolly pine trees and with clearcut patches. If intensively site-prepped, such areas lack the diverse herb and shrub component of natural forests; instead, they tend to support weedy species. Where not intensively site-prepped, such areas usually support a mix of
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regenerating hardwoods beneath the pines and may develop good herb and shrub layers over time. While timber lands do provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, altered habitats received much less survey work than natural habitats.
Table 1. Natural Areas in Anson County, North Carolina.
Rank Codes A = National significance B = State significance C = Regional significance (lower Piedmont) D = County significance
Number Site Name Rank
1. Beaver Pond Road Longleaf Pine Forest A 2. Bennett Bridge Diabase Dike B 3. Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest C 4. Deep Bottom Branch Bluffs B 5. Flat Rock Church Outcrop B 6. Grassy Islands/Smith Lake B 7. Hightower Flatrocks B 8. Ingram Mountain Hardwoods B 9. Lower Brown Creek Swamp A 10. Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat B 11. Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat C 12. Millseat Outcrop B 13. North Fork Smith Creek C 14. Plank Road South D 15. Railroad Island C 16. Richardson Creek Slopes B 17. Savannah Church Diabase Dike C 18. Thoroughfare Creek C 19. Upper Brown Creek Swamp B
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Stanly Montgomery County County
«¬16 «¬14
Richmond «¬1 «¬11 «¬4 County Union «¬18 County «¬9 «¬17 «¬2 «¬6 «¬19
Anson «¬8 County «¬13 «¬3 «¬10
«¬12
«¬7 «¬15
«¬5
South Carolina
Figure 4. Location of Significant Natural Heritage Areas in Anson County, North Carolina
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Natural Communities
A natural community is defined as a distinct and recurring assemblage of populations of plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi naturally associated with each other and their physical environment. A natural community therefore combines biological and habitat elements. Only lands in an approximately natural state are classified as natural communities. For example, loblolly pine plantations are not regarded as natural communities, as they are very different from the communities that would occur under natural conditions. Pine plantations may support some of the elements normally associated with natural forests - for example pine warblers and white- tailed deer - but many elements are missing. In this report, natural community names and classification follow Schafale and Weakley (1990).
A total of 16 natural community types were documented during this natural area inventory (Table 2). Among these are several which are among the best of their kind anywhere, notably Piedmont Longleaf Pine Forest (Wet Variant), and Granitic Flatrock. The Bottomland Forests along Pee Dee River ranks among the best in the lower Piedmont region; these and several of the Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forests contain some impressively large and old trees, evidence of high ecological integrity.
Below is a summary description of the natural communities occurring in Anson County, with the communities listed in the same order as in Table 2, which follows. Additional information pertaining to individual occurrences of each community type can be found in the site descriptions found elsewhere in this report.
Natural Community Descriptions
Dry Oak-Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype) was formerly common in the county before conversion to cropland and pine timber. Canopy dominants are white oak (Quercus alba), southern red oak (Q. falcata), post oak (Quercus stellata), chestnut oak (Quercus montana), mockernut hickory (Carya alba), pignut hickory (C. glabra), and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata). Understory trees include sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and some dogwood. Shrubs vary from sparse to numerous and usually include sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) and dangleberry (Gaylussacia frondosa). Forest floor wildflowers are uncommon. Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) may be common, scrambling over the ground.
Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype), as with Dry Oak-Hickory Forest, was formerly more common but now is generally confined to steep slopes. One major difference from Dry Oak-Hickory is the presence of beech (Fagus grandifolia) in the canopy, lack of chestnut oak, and plenty of dogwood and some tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) in the understory. Hillside blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) may form dense patches. Forest floor wildflowers are uncommon, but muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) often covers large areas.
Basic Oak-Hickory Forest is a distinct community type that in North Carolina is restricted to the lower and middle Piedmont on higher pH (more basic), mineral rich, dryish rocky soils on
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the mafic ridges of northeastern Anson County and along Richardson Creek. Basic Oak-Hickory Forest has many of the same trees as the previous two communities, but is notable for Carolina shagbark hickory (Carya carolinae-septentrionalis) in the canopy and chalk maple (Acer leucoderme), redbud (Cercis canadensis), and hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) in the understory. Shrubs are frequent, sometimes dense, and include black haw (Viburnum prunifolium), shiny black haw (V. rufidulum), and downy arrowwood (V. rafinesquianum). Brownish colored stones and boulders are common. The ground layer often has a mixture of grasses and sedges plus scattered wildflowers.
Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Piedmont Subtype) is found where soils are moister and richer than the previous two communities, often just downslope from them and also in ravines. This forest is generally tall, with a closed canopy of beech (Fagus grandifolia), red oak (Q. rubra), white oak (Quercus alba), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), white ash (Fraxinus americana), and pignut hickory (Carya glabra). Understory trees include chalk maple (Acer leucoderme), dogwood (Cornus florida), red mulberry (Morus rubra), and hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). Painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) is a frequent shrub. From March to mid May, many spring flowers poke through the leaf litter, notably dimpled trout lily (Erythronium umbilicatum), wild licorice (also called sweet chervil, Osmorhiza longistylis), star chickweed (Stellaria pubera), and crested dwarf iris (Iris cristata). Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is common, joined at richer sites by broad beechfern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera).
Basic Mesic Forest (Piedmont Subtype) is like the previous, but occurs in more mineral-rich, higher pH soils, usually on lower slopes and adjacent flats. In Anson County it is known only from Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest and a small portion of Plank Road South. Trees are mostly the same as in Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, but with more maple, less beech, and joined by black walnut (Juglans nigra) and hackberry (Celtis laevigata). Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) grows in the understory. Spring ephemeral wildflowers carpet the ground. In addition to those listed above, there are yellow harlequin (Corydalis flavula), smooth yellow violet (Viola pensylvanica), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), and maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum). The Blewett Falls Lake SNHA supports Anson's only population of dissected toothwort (Cardamine dissecta).
Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff is found primarily on acidic soils on steep upper slopes. As its name implies, the community is dominated by members of the heath family, in this case mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria) is usually common. Trees are well–spaced chestnut oak (Quercus montana) with some red maple (Acer rubrum). Trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) and spotted wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) are among the few wildflowers here.
Piedmont Mafic Cliff is found on rock outcrops, ledges, and very steep slopes along Rocky River, Lanes Creek, and Richardson Creek. These places support short, open-canopy woodlands mixed with blueberry shrubs and various sun-loving herbs. The slate bedrock decomposes slowly to form a circumeutral pH soil, while the orientation (south facing) tests the heat and drought tolerance of plants. Trees include red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), scrub pine (Pinus
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virginiana), winged elm (Ulmus alata), and some pignut hickory (Cary glabra) and upland black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). Chalk maple (Acer leucoderme), hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and dwarf hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia) form an irregular understory. Shrubs mostly consist of sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum). Herbs on the ledges include resurrection fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides), woolly lipfern (Cheilanthes lanosa), rock dayflower (Commelina erecta var. erecta), rattlesnake hawkweed (Hieracium venosum), prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), rock oregano (Cunila origanoides), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and goldenrods. Several rare plants occur in this community; Missouri rockcress (Boechera missouriensis) in North Carolina occurs almost exclusively in Anson and Stanly counties.
Granitic Flatrocks are slabs of granite just above soil level, varying from flat to sloping. They often appear barren but in fact support many mosses, lichens, and herbaceous plants. Woody plants, notably red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), surround the margin, but the extremely slow rate of soil development on the flatrock retards encroachment. During winter slight depressions and moss patches become wet and in spring these host specialized wildflowers, including the state endangered one-flowered sandwort (Minuartia uniflora) and Puck's orpine (Sedum pusillum); the latter occurs in the state only in Anson County.
Piedmont Longleaf Pine Forest (Wet Variant) occurs at a single site at the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. In general aspect the community resembles a wet flatwoods community of the Coastal Plain: a tall pine canopy, an intermittent shrub layer, and a diverse herb/graminoid layer. It occurs on flat terrain with many minor depressions that temporarily stay wet after rain and which harbor sphagnum moss and moisture-loving plants. The dominant tree is loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), with a small number of scattered longleaf pine (P. palustris), and a few shortleaf pine (P. echinata). Following a fire in March 2009, there are abundant sprouts of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), and some red maple (Acer rubrum); however, with subsequent fires these will become scarce. Shrubs vary greatly in height, from creeping blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) to head-high sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria). The herbaceous or ground layer is truly remarkable for its diversity and for the number of Coastal Plain species unknown elsewhere in Anson County. They include slender aster (Eurybia compacta), seven species of Eupatorium, Lewis’s heartleaf (Hexastylis lewisii), savanna mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum flexuosum), and Carolina yellow-eyed-grass (Xyris caroliniana). So far, 31 of these Coastal Plain plants from this one community are new to Anson County; many are not known anywhere else in the North Carolina Piedmont.
Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest occupies the inland portion of brownwater floodplains, usually on a slightly raised terrace. Fine examples occur along the Pee Dee River at Grassy Islands/Smith Lake SNHA and along Lower Brown Creek SNHA, where trees over 120 feet tall and 3-4 feet dbh tower overhead. Dominants include cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), basket oak (Q. michauxii), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), American elm (Ulmus americana), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Understory trees include ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), American holly (Ilex opaca), southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum), and pawpaw (Asimina triloba). Vines are common: grapes, trumpetvine (Campsis radicans), poison ivy
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(Toxicodendron radicans), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and crossvine (Bignonia capreolata). Shrubs consist of scattered possum-haw (Ilex decidua), painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica), and patches of cane (Arundinaria sp.). In spring colorful wildflowers carpet the ground. Because this community type occupies the upper zone of the floodplain, most of it has been cut for timber or cleared for agriculture; high quality examples are scarce.
Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest is similar to the last, but contains more flood-tolerant trees like willow oak (Q. phellos), overcup oak (Q. lyrata) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) in addition to many of those listed above. Flooding may last for weeks (rather than days in Bottomland and Alluvial Forests). Natural elongate depressions retain water well into the growing season and support emergent herbs such as Virginia dayflower (Commelina virginica), lizardtail (Saururus cernuus), sedges (Carex lupulina, C. squarrosa), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), and common woodreed (Cinna arundinacea). Southern rein orchid (Platanthera flava var. flava) occurs in meandering depressions.
Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest occurs along larger streams and rivers throughout Anson County, where flooding is of short duration. River-borne silt and nutrients provide an ideal medium for tree growth, with fully mature trees over 120 feet tall and 3-4 feet dbh. Dominants include hackberry (Celtis laevigata), cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), basket oak (Q. michauxii), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Understory trees include ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), American holly (Ilex opaca), southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum), and pawpaw (Asimina triloba). Vines are usually common. Shrubs consist of scattered possum-haw (Ilex decidua), painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica), and patches of cane (Arundinaria sp.). In spring colorful wildflowers carpet the ground, such as violets, spring-beauty (Claytonia virginica), dimpled trout-lily (Erythronium umbilicatum), chickweeds, wild onions, and buttercups. This is a major habitat for the globally rare ravine sedge (Carex impressinervia).
Piedmont/Mountain Levee Forest occurs in scattered places along the Pee Dee River in Anson, where large water volume and high silt loads have deposited broad levees. Formerly this community type was more widespread, but damming of the river has greatly reduced it. Levee forests can be impressively tall - over 100 feet - and harbor many old trees. Dominants are hackberry (Celtis laevigata), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), river birch (Betula nigra), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), basket oak (Q. michauxii), boxelder (Acer negundo), and American elm (Ulmus americana). Understory trees include ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum). Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) is an unwelcome invasive exotic shrub that may form dense thickets. Vines are common (same as in alluvial forest, plus greenbriers), some old grapes reaching stem diameters of six inches. Herbs tend to occur in large patches, especially Virginia wild-rye (Elymus virginicus), fish-on-a-string (Chasmanthium latifolium), Gray’s sedge (Carex grayi), and many spring ephemeral flowers. Degraded examples are infested with Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum).
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Floodplain Pools are found along Brown Creek on its broad floodplain. They are large natural depressions and old meander channels that retain flood- and rainwater for long periods, often throughout summer. A common indicator tree is willow oak (Quercus phellos); overcup oak (Q. lyrata) may also be present. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is the dominant emergent in some pools, but absent in others. Common herbs include broad arrowleaf (Sagittaria latifolia), lizardtail (Saururus cernuus), few-flowered beggarticks (Bidens discoidea), sedges (Carex lupulina, C. intumescens, and others), fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata), and duckweeds.
Rocky Bar and Shore occurs in Anson County along Rocky River and Pee Dee River, associated with rocky riverbeds and cobbles. In winter and spring all but the highest boulders are inundated, but in summer much of the riverbeds are exposed. Several rock beds were augmented in the past by native Americans and early settlers for use as fords, fish wiers, and dams; evidence of these still exists. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), black willow (Salix nigra), river birch (Betula nigra), and silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) occupy river islands and shores, while water-willow (Justicia americana), threesquare rush (Schoenoplectus pungens), alligator-weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), yerba-de-tajo (Eclipta prostrata), and mosses occur among rocks and cobbles.
Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment is a community type that is created by beavers or humans. In Anson County, humans have built many farm ponds and yard ponds in the headwaters of creeks, while beavers have done their work downstream in floodplains. These wetlands are dynamic, turning from wet forests to marshes or ponds and back again as beaver populations wax and wane. Trees invariably include swamp black gum (Nyssa biflora), red maple (Acer rubrum), and black willow (Salix nigra). Shrubs may be dense or sparse; they include buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), and tag alder (Alnus serrulata). White water-lily (Nymphaea odorata), cow-lily (Nuphar advena), and water-shield (Brasenia schreberi) occur in open water, while shallows support emergent sedges, bur-reed (Sparganium americanum), cattail (Typha latifolia), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), southern blueflag (Iris virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), yellow lotus (Nelumbo lutea), and broad arrowleaf (Sagittaria latifolia). During droughts, or when dams are breached, the whole pond bottom may be exposed, allowing germination of dormant seeds of many species of smartweeds (Persicaria spp), grasses, sedges, etc. Impoundments are prime feeding places for wld animals of all sorts.
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Table 2. Natural Community Types Occurring in Anson County, North Carolina, with Natural Areas for Each. An explanation of community rank codes is found below table.
ECOLOGICAL GROUPING GLOBAL N.C. Community Name RANK RANK
Piedmont Dry-Mesic Forests Dry Oak-Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype) G5 S4 Flat Rock Church Outcrop Millseat Outcrop Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype) G5 S5 Ingram Mountain Hardwoods North Fork Smith Creek Basic Oak-Hickory Forest G4 S3 Bennett Bridge Diabase Dike Richardson Creek Slopes Savannah Church Diabase Dike Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Piedmont Subtype) G5T5 S4 Ingram Mountain Hardwoods North Fork Smith Creek Plank Road South Railroad Island Hardwoods Richardson Creek Slopes Thoroughfare Creek Basic Mesic Forest (Piedmont Subtype) G5T3 S2 Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest Plank Road South
Piedmont Cliff and Bluff Communities Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff G4? S3 Richardson Creek Slopes Piedmont Mafic Cliff G1G2 S1 Deep Bottom Branch Bluffs Plank Road South Richardson Creek Slopes Grassy Islands/Smith Lake
Granitic Outcrop Communities Granitic Flatrock G3 S2 Flat Rock Church Outcrop Hightower Flatrocks Millseat Outcrop
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ECOLOGICAL GROUPING GLOBAL N.C. Community Name RANK RANK
Piedmont Longleaf Pine Forests Piedmont Longleaf Pine Forest – Wet Variant Beaver Pond Road Longleaf Pine Forest G1 S1
Brownwater River Floodplain Communities Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest G5 S3? Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest Lower Brown Creek Swamp Railroad Island Hardwoods Grassy Islands/Smith Lake Upper Brown Creek Swamp Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest G2 S1S2 Lower Brown Creek Swamp Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest G5 S5 Ingram Mountain Hardwoods North Fork Smith Creek Plank Road South Piedmont/Mountain Levee Forest G5 S3? Grassy Islands/Smith Lake Fork Beaver Ponds Lower Brown Creek Swamp Floodplain Pool G3? S2 Lower Brown Creek Swamp Upper Brown Creek Swamp Rocky Bar and Shore G5 S5 Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment G5 S4 Ingram Mountain Hardwoods Grassy Islands/Smith Lake Thoroughfare Creek Upper Brown Creek Swamp
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Flora and Fauna
Although not extensively surveyed outside of Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, Anson County’s flora and fauna are quite diverse and the numbers are probably typical of counties in the lower Piedmont. The number of vascular plants estimated for the county is roughly 1200 species, compared with 4030 for the whole state. Thus, more than 1/4 of North Carolina’s plants occur in Anson County.
Located in the central part of the state, Anson County derives its vegetation from several sources. Without question, most of the plants here are generalists that are adapted to a broad variety of conditions - white oak (Quercus alba) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), for example. But a good number of plants are not so widespread and occur in North Carolina only in specific regions or in very limited habitat types. As mentioned above in General Vegetation, a number of species that are normally confined to the Coastal Plain reach their inner limits in the Sandhills region, but also have been documented from one or a few counties in the lower Piedmont. A good example is Carolina wild indigo (Baptisia cinerea), found on a few roadsides in the southern part of the county; in the Piedmont of North Carolina it only occurs in Anson and Montgomery counties. More remarkable is a whole suite of Coastal Plain plants which occur in a rare Piedmont longleaf pine community at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge; 38 Coastal Plain endemic or near-endemic species have been documented here. Mountain plants also make their home in Anson County, generally in cool microhabitats. wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) occurs on a shaded ledge at Grassy Islands/Smith Lake SNHA. A good many plants occur only in the Piedmont, where they tend to occur on some of the specialized soils of the region. Piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis), Missouri rockcress (Boechera missouriensis), Schweinitz’s sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), and Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina) are restricted to mafic and other high mineral soils, strictly within the Piedmont. All four are rare in North Carolina. Missouri rockcress occurs mostly in the northern Appalachians and westward, but occurs in North Carolina mostly on ledges along Rocky River, Lanes Creek, and Richardson Creek.
One natural community type deserves special mention. Granitic Flatrocks barely protrude above the soil surface, but may extend an acre or even more. The slightly undulating surface creates wet pools in winter, which become filled with flowering plants in March-April. The rest of the rock surface is covered with tiny mosses and lichens. Moist mossy margins of flatrocks host plants throughout the growing season. In Anson County, six rare plant species occur exclusively on flatrocks; one of them, Puck's orpine (Sedum pusillum), is found nowhere else in the state.
Animals also show strong tendencies to occur in one region of the state or another, despite the fact that animals are much more mobile than plants. Coachwhip snakes (Masticophis flagellum) occur mainly in the Coastal Plain because their habitats (pinelands with a long fire history) and food requirements are not met in the Piedmont. In Anson County, it has been documented shortly south of Wadesboro. Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), another Coastal Plain species, used to breed in the county into the 1980s, but the tiny population finally died out. Of course, many familiar animals are found throughout the state, such as the mockingbird, ribbon snake, gray fox, tiger swallowtail, and bullfrog; such animals are able to adapt to a wide variety
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of living conditions and are able to disperse widely. The total number of animals found in Anson County is not known, due mostly to uncertainties in insects, spiders, and other inconspicuous groups.
Several animals deserve special mention. Bald eagles were gone from our area for decades, as a result of habitat loss and pesticide poisoning that caused eggshell thinning. But in recent years they have taken up residence again and now are familiar sights as they forage along the Pee Dee. Septima’s clubtail (Gomphus septima), a rare dragonfly known only from the lower Piedmont, was discovered for the first time in Stanly and Anson counties in 2008, along Rocky River. It is a Federal Species of Concern. Robust redhorse and Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma robustum and M. species 3) are rare fishes of the Pee Dee and Rocky River. Both are Federal Species of Concern. This designation means that they are not federally listed, but may become so in the future; their populations need monitoring. The entire range of the robust redhorse is confined to the Pee Dee/Rocky River.
To date, 30 plants and 25 animals that are rare in North Carolina have been documented from Anson County (Tables 3 and 4). One plant and two animals are federally listed as endangered: Schweinitz’s sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata), and shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum).
Twenty-one (!) of Anson’s rare species are known in North Carolina from 5 or fewer populations (NC rank S1); therefore the Anson County occurrences are critical to their survival in the state. Six of these are freshwater mussels: Brook floater (Alismidonta varicosa), alewife floater (Anodonta implicata), yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa), pod lance (Elliptio folliculata), Roanoke slabshell (Elliptio roanokensis), and eastern pondmussel (Ligumia nasuta). Four S1 plants are flatrock specialists: Puck's orpine, keeled beakrush (Isolepis carinata), single-flowered sandwort (Minuartia uniflora), and flatrock panicgrass (Panicum lithophilum). The largest known population anywhere of ravine sedge (Carex impressinervia) occurs at Ingram Mountain. The two redhorses, Septima’s clubtail, and Missouri rockcress were mentioned in previous paragraphs. Of the 21 S1 species, five were not relocated during the current inventory and are not mentioned here.
Some species are naturally sporadic, such as eastern shooting-star (Primula meadia), found only in scattered locations in central and western parts of the state. In this case, its habitat of irregularly inundated, circumneutral streamsides is naturally sparse. Similarly, bald eagles are rare because their requirements rarely occur together: large bodies of water, adequate food supply, and secure nesting sites of large pine trees with a commanding view. The examples in this section point out some of the diversity of nature in Anson County.
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Table 3. Rare Plants Documented from Anson County, North Carolina. An explanation of status and rank codes appears at the end of the table. * = documented since 1990, but not seen during this inventory. # = historical, documentation more than 20 years old.
SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS RANK COMMON NAME N.C. U.S. N.C. GLOBAL
VASCULAR PLANTS
Amorpha schwerinii SR-T S3 G3G4 piedmont indigo-bush Anemone berlandieri E S2 G4? southern anemone Baptisia alba T S2 G5 thick-pod white wild indigo Baptisia albescens SR-P S2 G4 thin-pod white wild indigo Boechera missouriensis SC,V S1 G5?Q Missouri rockcress Cardamine dissecta SC,V S2 G4? dissected toothwort Carex impressinervia SR-T FSC S1 G1G2 ravine sedge Clinopodium georgianum# E S2 G5 Georgia calamint Coelorachis cylindrica# SC-H SH G4G5 Carolina jointgrass Cyperus granitophilus T S2 G3Q granite sedge Euphorbia mercurialina SC,V S2 G4 Cumberland spurge Eurybia mirabilis SR-T FSC S2 G2G3 piedmont aster Helianthus laevigatus SC,V S2 G4 smooth sunflower Helianthus schweinitzii E E S3 G3 Schweinitz’s sunflower Ilex longipes# SR-P S1 G5 Georgia holly Iris prismatica SR-T S1S2 G4G5 slender blue iris Isoetes piedmontana E S2 G3 Piedmont quillwort Isolepis carinata SR-P S1 G5 keeled beakrush
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SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS RANK COMMON NAME N.C. U.S. N.C. GLOBAL
Liatris squarrulosa SR-R S2 G4G5 Earle’s blazing-star Lindera subcoriacea# SR-T FSC S2 G2 bog spicebush Matelea decipiens SR-P S2 G5 glade milkvine Minuartia uniflora E S1 G4 single-flowered sandwort Panicum lithophilum SR-T FSC S1 G2G3Q flatrock panic-grass Primula meadia T S2 G5T5 eastern shooting-star Pseudognaphalium helleri# SR-P S3 G3G4 Heller’s rabbit-tobacco Quercus austrina* SR-P S1 G4? bluff oak Salvia azurea SR-P S2 G4G5 azure sage Scutellaria australis# E S1 G4?Q southern skullcap Sedum pusillum E S1 G3 Puck’s orpine Smilax hugeri SR-P S2 G4 Huger’s carrion-flower
EXPLANATION OF STATUS AND RANK CODES FOR PLANTS
N.C. Rank:
S1 = Critically imperiled in North Carolina because of extreme rarity or because of some factor making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences in NC. S2 = Imperiled in North Carolina because of rarity or because of some factor making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state. Typically 6-20 occurrences in NC. S3 = Rare or uncommon in North Carolina. Typically 21-100 occurrences in NC. SH = Of historical occurrence in North Carolina, not having been verified in more than 20 years, and suspected to be still extant. S_? = Rank uncertain.
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Global Rank:
G1 = Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity or because of some factor making it especially vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences globally. G2 = Imperiled globally because of rarity or because of some factor making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. Typically 6-20 occurrences globally. G3 = Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally (even abundantly at some of its locations) in a restricted range or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. Typically 21-100 occurrences globally. G4 = Apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. G5 = Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. GX= Believed to be extinct throughout its range (e.g., passenger pigeon) with virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered. Q = Questionable taxonomic assignment. T = The rank of a subspecies or variety. For example, G4T1 would apply to a subspecies or variety of a species with an overall rank of G4, but with the subspecies or variety warranting a rank of G1. G_? = Rank uncertain.
N.C. Status:
E = Endangered. Any species or higher taxon of plant whose continued existence as a viable component of the State's flora is determined to be in jeopardy" (GS 19B 106: 202.12). Endangered species may not be removed from the wild except when a permit is obtained for research, propagation, or rescue which will enhance the survival of the species. T = Threatened. Any resident species of plant which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range" (GS 19B 106:202.12). Regulations are the same as for Endangered species. SC = Special Concern. Any species of plant in North Carolina which requires monitoring but which may be collected and sold under regulations adopted under the provisions of [the Plant Protection and Conservation Act]" (GS 19B 106:202.12). SC-V = Special Concern-Vulnerable. Any species or higher taxon of plant which is likely to become a threatened species within the foreseeable future (02 NCAC 48F .0401). SC-H = Special Concern-Historical. Any species or higher taxon of plant that occurred in North Carolina at one time, but for which all known populations are currently considered to be either historical or extirpated (02 NCAC 48F .0401).
Plant statuses above are determined by the Plant Conservation Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, revised December 1, 2010. The most current plant-related laws and regulations for North Carolina can be found at www.ncplant.com.
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SR = Significantly Rare. Any species not listed by the Plant Conservation Program as Endangered, Threatened, or Candidate, which is rare in North Carolina, generally with 1- 100 populations in the state, frequently substantially reduced in numbers by habitat destruction (and sometimes also by direct exploitation or disease). The Significantly Rare status is a NCNHP designation indicating the need for population monitoring and possible conservation action for species not currently listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern (Buchanan and Finnegan 2010). W1-W7 = Watch List. Any other species believed to be rare and of conservation concern in the state but not warranting active monitoring at this time. Watch List Categories 1 – 7 are discussed in the Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Plant Species of North Carolina (Buchanan and Finnegan 2010).
U.S. Status:
E = Endangered. A plant that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. T = Threatened. A plant that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. FSC = Federal Species of Concern. A species under consideration for listing, for which there is insufficient information to support listing at this time. “...The Service remains concerned about these species but further biological research and field study are needed to resolve the conservation status of these taxa. Many species of concern will be found not to warrant listing, either because they are not threatened or endangered or because they do not qualify as species under the definition in the [Endangered Species] Act. Others may be found to be in greater danger of extinction than some present candidate taxa. Such species are the pool from which future candidates for listing will be drawn.” (Federal Register, February 28, 1996).
U.S. Status is determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. United States Status is designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service in accordance with the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (U.S. ESA). Plants and plant varieties, (including fungi and lichens), animal species and subspecies, and vertebrate populations are considered for Endangered or Threatened status according to the criteria established under the U.S. ESA. Consult the Asheville or Raleigh Ecological Services Field Offices for more information.
Status and rank codes for plants are derived from the Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare Plant Species of North Carolina, which is published every two years (Buchanan and Finnegan, 2010).
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Table 4. Rare Animals Documented from Anson County, North Carolina. An explanation of status and rank codes appears at the end of the table. * = documented since 1990, but not seen during this inventory. # = historical, documentation more than 20 years old.
SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS RANK COMMON NAME N.C. U.S. N.C. GLOBAL
BIRDS Haliaeetus leucocephalus T S3B,S3N G5 bald eagle Lanius ludovicianus SC S3B S3N G4 loggerhead shrike Picoides borealis* E E S2 G3 red-cockaded woodpecker
REPTILES Crotalus horridus SC S3 G4 timber (canebrake) rattlesnake Masticophis flagellum# SR S3 G5 coachwhip
FISHES Acipenser brevirostrum# E E S1 G3 shortnose sturgeon Carpoides sp. cf. velifer# SC S1 GNR a carpsucker Cyprinella sp. 1 SC S2 G2Q thinlip chub Etheostoma collis SC FSC S3 G3 Carolina darter Moxostoma robustum SR FSC S1 G1 robust redhorse Moxostoma sp. 3 SR FSC S1 G1G2Q Carolina redhorse
MOLLUSKS - FRESHWATER BIVALVES Alasmidonta varicosa E FSC S1 G3 brook floater Anodonta implicata T S1 G5 alewife floater Elliptio folliculata SC S1 G2G3GQ pod lance Elliptio roanokensis T S1 G3 Roanoke slabshell
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SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS RANK COMMON NAME N.C. U.S. N.C. GLOBAL
Lampsilis cariosa E FSC S1 G3G4 yellow lampmussel Lampsilis radiata T S1S2 G5 Eastern Lampmussel Lasmigona decorata# E E S1 G1 Carolina heelsplitter Ligumia nasuta T S1 G4 eastern pondmussel Strophitus undulatus T S2 G5 creeper Villosa constricta SC S3 G3 notched rainbow Villosa delumbis SR S3 G4 eastern creekshell Villosa vaughaniana E FSC S2 G2 Carolina creekshell
INSECTS - DRAGONFLIES
Gomphus fraternus# SR S1? G5 midland clubtail Gomphus septima SR FSC S1S2 G2 Septima’s clubtail
EXPLANATION OF STATUS AND RANK CODES FOR ANIMALS
N.C. Rank:
S1 = Critically imperiled in North Carolina because of extreme rarity or because of some factor making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state. Typically 1-5 populations. S2 = Imperiled in North Carolina because of rarity or because of some factor making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state. Typically 6-20 populations. S3 = Rare or uncommon in North Carolina. Typically 21-100 populations. SH = Of historical occurrence in North Carolina, not having been verified in more than 20 years, and suspected to be still extant. SX = Believed to be extirpated from North Carolina. S_B (e.g., S2B) = Rank of the breeding population in the state (for migratory species only). In the example provided, "S2B", the breeding population has a state rank of S2, regardless of the rank of the non-breeding population. S_N = Rank of the non-breeding population in the state (for migratory species only). S_? = Rank uncertain.
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Global Rank:
G1 = Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity or because of some factor making it especially vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences globally. G2 = Imperiled globally because of rarity or because of some factor making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. Typically 6-20 occurrences globally. G3 = Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally (even abundantly at some of its locations) in a restricted range or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. Typically 21-100 occurrences globally. G4 = Apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. G5 = Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. T = The rank of a subspecies or variety. For example, G4T1 would apply to a subspecies or variety of a species with an overall rank of G4, but with the subspecies or variety warranting a rank of G1. U = Possibly in peril range-wide, but status uncertain; more information is needed. G_? = Rank uncertain.
An S or G rank involving two numbers indicates uncertainty of rank. For instance, a G2G3 rank indicates that the species appears to warrant either a G2 or a G3 ranking, but that existing data do not allow that determination to be made.
N.C. Status:
E = Endangered. Any native or once-native species of wild animal whose continued existence as a viable component of the State's fauna is determined by the Wildlife Resources Commission to be in jeopardy or any species of wild animal determined to be an 'endangered species' pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Article 25 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes; 1987). T = Threatened. Any native or once-native species of wild animal which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range, or one that is designated as a threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Article 25 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes; 1987). SC = Special Concern. Any species of wild animal native or once-native to North Carolina which is determined by the Wildlife Resources Commission to require monitoring but which may be taken under regulations adopted under the provisions of this Article (Article 25 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes; 1987). SR = Significantly Rare. Any species which has not been listed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as an Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern species, but which exists in the state (or recently occurred in the state) in small numbers and has been determined by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program to need monitoring. (This is a Natural Heritage Program designation.) Significantly Rare species include "peripheral" species,
28
whereby North Carolina lies at the periphery of the species' range (such as Hermit Thrush), as well as species of historical occurrence with some likelihood of re-discovery in the state. Species considered extirpated in the state, with little likelihood of re-discovery, are given no N.C. Status (unless already listed by the Wildlife Resources Commission as E, T, or SC). W = Watch List. Any other species believed to be rare and of conservation concern in the state but not warranting active monitoring at this time. (This is a Natural Heritage Program designation.)
U.S. Status:
E = Endangered. An animal that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range (Endangered Species Act, Section 3). T = Threatened. An animal that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range (Endangered Species Act, Section 3. FSC = Federal Species of Concern. This status replaces the former "Category 2" Candidate status used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Category 2 animals were those for which there was some evidence of vulnerability, but for which there were not enough data to support listing as Endangered or Threatened (Federal Register, February 28, 1996). The FSC code has no official status. T(S/A) = Threatened due to similarity of appearance (Federal Register, November 4, 1997). The southern population of the bog turtle is so listed due to similarity of appearance with the northern population of the bog turtle (which is Federally-listed as Threatened and which does not occur in North Carolina).
Status and rank codes for animals are derived from the Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare Animal Species of North Carolina, which is published every two years (LeGrand et al., 2010).
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BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES LAWS
Obtaining landowner permission to survey is an integral part of biological inventory. Occasionally, however, permission to survey on private lands is not granted due to a belief that if a rare species is discovered, restrictions and land-use limitations will be imposed. Clearly, when this occurs the search for scientific information is hindered. A secondary effect of not granting permission to survey is that owners of biologically significant lands do not learn about the conservation options and tax incentives that are available to them. Those who grant permission and are found to own significant lands are given results from the biological survey and, if they wish, are put in contact with an appropriate conservation organization, or are made aware of other management or protection options.
In reality, there is very little reason for landowners to have concerns about the presence of rare species on their land. A summary of federal and state endangered species laws relevant to private landowners was recently prepared by Mark A. Cantrell of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Kenneth A. Bridle of the Piedmont Land Conservancy in Greensboro, NC. Some of that information is presented below to help dispel concerns that landowners may have about rare species and to provide clarification on potential land-use restrictions.
Federal Law
1. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects only plants and animals that are federally listed as endangered or threatened. Since federally listed species are by definition very rare, the likelihood of any occurring on a given tract of private land is very small.
2. The ESA protects federally listed animal species from the potentially harmful actions of private landowners. Because this may lead to restrictions on their use of lands, Congress, the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and other partners have worked to develop flexible tools for resolving conflicts. These tools include Section 10 permits, such as habitat conservation plans, safe harbor agreements, and candidate conservation agreements. Federal funds are also available to assist landowners with management and conservation of listed and candidate species (rare federally but not officially listed) on their land. Plants on private land are not subject to provisions of the ESA, unless federal funding or permitting is involved.
3. Engaging in interstate or foreign trade of a federally listed species without a permit is illegal for plants and animals. "Taking" (i.e., harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, killing, trapping) or possessing illegally taken animals is a violation of the ESA. Removing, digging up, cutting, damaging, or destroying a federally listed plant is illegal on federal lands.
4. Through the habitat conservation planning process, the USFWS may issue a permit so that private landowners may lawfully "take" a federally listed animal species if it is "incidental to and not the purpose of carrying out otherwise lawful activities." These permits are available as long as the landowner implements an approved habitat conservation plan, and the "taking" does not jeopardize the continued existence of the species. A private landowner is not required to prepare
30
a conservation plan for the "taking" of listed plant species as long as the activity does not involve federal funding or permitting, or is not in violation of other laws.
5. Under the ESA, private developers can obtain permits to legally harm or even kill federally listed species on their property provided that they show that attempts were made to minimize impacts on the species in other ways.
6. The existence of a federally listed plant species on private property has no legal effect on the landowner unless a project requires a federal permit or uses federal funds and will clearly result in adverse impacts to the listed plant. Landowners, individuals, and agencies are prohibited from taking listed animals without authorization, whether the action is private or federally funded.
7. When critical habitat is designated for federally listed species, it applies only to federal actions, not to state or local projects, and not to the actions of private landowners unless there is federal funding or permitting involved.
State Law
1. North Carolina endangered species laws apply to species listed by the state as endangered, or threatened, or special concern.
2. The state plant and animal endangered species laws are modeled after the ESA, in that they prohibit illegal trafficking or poaching of listed species.
3. The state endangered animal species law states that "no rule may be adopted that restricts use or development of private property."
4. The state endangered plant species law states that "the incidental disturbance of protected plants during agricultural, forestry, or development operations is not illegal so long as the plants are not collected for sale or commercial use." Collection of federal or state listed plants from public or private land can only be done with the landowner's written permission and a permit from the NC Department of Agriculture's Plant Conservation Program.
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REFERENCES
Beyer, F. 1991. North Carolina; the Years Before Man. A Geologic History. Carolina Academic Press, Durham, NC.
Buchanan, M. F. and J. T. Finnegan. 2010. Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare Plant Species of North Carolina. Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC.
LeGrand, H.E., Jr., J.T. Finnegan, S.E. McRae, and S.P. Hall. 2010. Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare Animal Species of North Carolina. Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC.
North Carolina Geological Survey. 1985. Geologic Map of North Carolina. Division of Land Resources, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
Oakley, S.C., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., and M.P. Schafale. 1995. An Inventory of Mafic Areas in the North Carolina Piedmont. NC Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh, NC.
Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC.
Schafale, M.P. 1994. Inventory of Longleaf Pine Natural Communities in North Carolina. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina. Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
Section .0300 - Endangered Plant Species List: Threatened Plant Species List: List of Species of Special Concern. 02 NCAC 48f .0301 Protected Plant Species List. Amended Eff. December 1, 2010.
Spangler, D.G. and W.E. Woody. 2006. Soil Survey of Anson County, North Carolina. USDA, Soil Conservation Service.
Weakley, A.S. 2007. Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and Surrounding Areas. Draft of February 2007. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
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SITE DESCRIPTIONS
33
exyx2gy x2sxixy
fever2ond2od2vonglef2ine
ignifint2xturl2reritge2ere
ensonville2qud
le2E2IXPRDHHH
prepred2y2xFgF2xturl2reritge2rogrm2E2QGIH
Anson County Natural Area Inventory
BEAVER POND ROAD LONGLEAF PINE FOREST Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: National Size: 83 acres Quadrangle: Ansonville Ownership: US Fish & Wildlife Service
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: This site contains a very rare community type - Wet Piedmont Longleaf Pine Forest – which is known from very few places nationwide. One rare animal species occurs here - Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). One rare plant species, slender blue iris (Iris prismatica) was discovered as this Inventory went to press.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: Beaver Pond Road Longleaf Pine Forest SNHA is one of four SNHAs in the Anson County portion of Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. Lower Brown Creek and Bennett Bridge Diabase Dike occur shortly south.
SITE DESCRIPTION: This community is newly discovered at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, as a result of two controlled burns which unmasked it. These burns temporarily reduced the dense shrub and sapling layer, thereby releasing abundant herbaceous plants, grasses, and sedges. In general aspect the community resembles a wet flatwoods community of the Coastal Plain: a tall pine canopy, an intermittent shrub layer, and a diverse herb/graminoid layer. The flat terrain here has many minor depressions that temporarily stay wet after rain and which harbor sphagnum moss and other moisture-loving plants. The dominant tree is loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), with a small number of longleaf pine (P. palustris), pond pine (P. serotina), and a few shortleaf pine (P. echinata). There are abundant fire sprouts of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). Shrubs vary greatly in height, from creeping blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) to head-high sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria). One wet area supports a number of pond pines (P. serotina), previously unknown in the NC Piedmont.
The herbaceous or ground layer is remarkable for its diversity and for the high number of Coastal Plain species. These include slender aster (Eurybia compacta), seven species of Eupatorium, Lewis’s heartleaf (Hexastylis lewisii), savanna mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum flexuosum), and Carolina yellow-eyed-grass (Xyris caroliniana). So far, 31 of these Coastal Plain plants from this one community are new to Anson County; many are not known elsewhere in the NC Piedmont.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: The site needs fire well into the growing season (May) to reduce hardwood sprouts; hand removal may also help. Thinning of the loblolly pine canopy will benefit the community in general and allow for more longleaf pine over time.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Piedmont Longleaf Pine Forest – Wet Variant.
RARE PLANTS: Slender blue iris (Iris prismatica). Watch List: Lewis's heartleaf (Hexastylis lewisii). 35
RARE ANIMALS: Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger).
REFERENCES: Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Beaver Pond Road Longleaf. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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exyx2gy x2sxixy
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ignifint2xturl2reritge2ere
ensonville2qud
le2E2IXPRDHHH
prepred2y2xFgF2xturl2reritge2rogrm2E2QGIH
Anson County Natural Area Inventory
BENNETT BRIDGE DIABASE DIKE Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 4 acres Quadrangle: Ansonville Ownership: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Bennett Bridge Diabase Dike SNHA consists of a small but good example of a diabase dike, with very good quality Basic Oak-Hickory Forest. It harbors two state-rare plant species, including one of the best known populations in the state of Thickpod white wild-indigo (Baptisia alba), plus other plants which are rare in Anson County, such as yellow pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima) and nettle-leaf sage (Salvia urticifolia).
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site occurs within Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge on the west side of SR 1627 (Pinkston River Road), just south of Brown Creek. This small site is recognized separately from the adjacent nationally significant Lower Brown Creek Swamp floodplain forest, because, as an upland ridge, it is ecologically quite distinct from the surrounding floodplain. Two other SNHAs occur to the north within Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge: Beaver Pond Road Longleaf Pine Forest and Thoroughfare Creek Natural Area.
SITE DESCRIPTION: The entire SNHA is composed of a low rocky ridge (technically a diabase dike) that runs perpendicular to Brown Creek, jutting right into the floodplain from the adjacent upland. Diabase rock is derived from volcanic activity and has elevated levels of certain metals and minerals (magnesium, manganese), which break down into unusual soil types. The dike supports a forest type strikingly different from the adjacent floodplain, dominated by white oak (Quercus alba), southern red oak (Q. falcata), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), and some loblolly pine (P. taeda). Trees are generally small in size. Under- story trees include dogwood (Cornus florida), redbud (Cercis canadensis), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), winged elm (Ulmus alata), and hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). Vines include honeysuckles (Lonicera japonica, L. sempervirens) and carrion-flower (Smilax herbacea). Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) shrubs are uncommon. Herbs are quite abundant and include trailing phlox (Phlox nivalis), yellow wood-sorrel (Oxalis stricta), several kinds of grasses, Canada sanicle (Sanicula canadensis), and upland nutsedge (Scleria oligantha). Yellow pimpernel, an uncommon plant in North Carolina, is abundant here.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: There is a need to prevent loblolly pines from encroaching from the south, as needle fall from pines is likely to acidify the soil.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Basic Oak-Hickory Forest.
RARE PLANTS: Thickpod white wild-indigo (Baptisia alba), glade milkvine (Matelea decipiens, ID tentative). .
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
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REFERENCES: Oakley, S.C., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., and M.P. Schafale. 1995. An Inventory of Mafic Areas in the North Carolina Piedmont. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Bennett Bridge Diabase Dike. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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ANSON COUNTY INVENTORY
Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest Significant Natural Heritage Area Rockingham quad
Scale - 1:24,000 prepared by N.C. Natural Heritage Program - 8/11
Anson County Natural Area Inventory
BLEWETT FALLS LAKE BASIC MESIC FOREST Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 18 acres Quadrangle: Rockingham Ownership: Progress Energy
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: This is the sole known site in Anson County for dissected toothwort (Cardamine dissecta), a state-rare plant. The populations of dissected toothwort and Piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis) are among the best in the region.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site occurs 0.3 mile downstream from Blewett Falls Dam, on the west side of Pee Dee River. It lies opposite the Pee Dee River Game Land, a public game land owned by NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest consists of a steep and rocky slope above a narrow floodplain terrace. The latter gets flooded occasionally, but the power supply dam just upstream has lessened the fluctuations of former flood levels. Some of the rocks and boulders appear to be granitic, while others appear to be mafic.
The primary community has been classified as Basic Mesic Forest. The southern half of the site was cut about 10 years ago, leaving no trees larger than 12-14" dbh, but the northern half is mature. Dominant trees are white oak (Quercus alba), beech (Fagus grandifolia), and white ash (Fraxinus americana), with Florida maple (Acer floridanum), hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and scattered redbud (Cercis canadensis) in the understory. Hackberry (Celtis laevigata) extends halfway upslope from the floodplain below. There are a few dead snags and fallen trunks of tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera). Painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) is common in the shrub layer. Herbs are abundant and completely cover the ground - notably cleavers (Galium aparine), common chickweed (Stellaria media), common blue violet (Viola sororia), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), ivy-leaved veronica (Veronica hederifolia), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), and starry chickweed (Stellaria pubera). Dissected toothwort (Cardamine dissecta) is frequent on mid to upper slopes. Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is frequent.
The forest on the narrow floodplain terrace is composed mostly of hackberry, sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), river birch (Betula nigra), and tulip poplar, with ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) in the understory. Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) is locally dense, spicebush (Lindera benzoin) frequent. There are patches of river cane (Arundinaria gigantea) along the river. This forest has a disturbed look to it and lacks big old trees.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Nothing needs to be done except let the forest mature and remove or control invasive exotic species.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Basic Mesic Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest.
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RARE PLANTS: Dissected toothwort (Cardamine dissecta), Piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
REFERENCES: Oakley, S.C., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., and M.P. Schafale. 1995. An Inventory of Mafic Areas in the North Carolina Piedmont. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
DEEP BOTTOM BRANCH BLUFFS Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 41 acres Quadrangle: Polkton Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Four rare plant species occur here, most notably a population of smooth sunflower (Helianthus laevigatus) in a natural setting (most in North Carolina occur on roadsides). There is a high quality Piedmont Mafic Cliff natural community.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: Along this stretch of river - about 4 miles of Lanes Creek running south - there are other bluffs of unknown quality. No SNHAs are known from within several miles.
SITE DESCRIPTION: A steep to vertical ledgey bluff overlooks Lanes Creek. There is a sliver of alluvial forest along the base of the bluff, expanding to a narrow floodplain terrace on the northeast. Some of the forest beyond the top of the bluff has been cut recently. The bluff faces southeast, receiving sun most of the day, which dries out the soil and is stressful to plants during droughts. Soils are shallow and support a short woodland of pignut and mockernut hickory (Carya glabra, C. alba), chestnut oak (Quercus montana), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), and red maple (Acer rubrum), with hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) and chalk maple (Acer leuco- derme) in the understory. Other trees include blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), and winged elm (Ulmus alata). Canopy openings occur frequently. Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) is a common tall shrub; deerberry (V. stamineum) is less numerous. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is the commonest plant of the ground layer, and there is a very good diversity (for this habitat type) of other grasses and herbs.
The narrow floodplain northeast of the bluff is regenerating from previous cutting. Dominant trees are sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and red maple, with ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) in the understory. Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) is common but very short. Cane (Arundinaria sp.) is also common. Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), an invasive alien grass, is abundant in the herb layer, which lacks diversity as a result.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is important to maintain a broad forested buffer between the bluff and any forest cutting nearby.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Piedmont Mafic Cliff.
RARE PLANTS: Piedmont indigo-bush (Amorpha schwerinii), Missouri rockcress (Boechera missouriensis), piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis), smooth sunflower (Helianthus laevigatus). Watch List: sessile-flowered spikegrass (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
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REFERENCES: Oakley, S.C., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., and M.P. Schafale. 1995. An Inventory of Mafic Areas in the North Carolina Piedmont. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh.
Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Deep Bottom Branch Bluffs. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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49
ANSON COUNTY INVENTORY
Flat Rock Church Outcrop Significant Natural Heritage Area Lilesville quad
Scale 1:24,000 prepared by N.C. Natural Heritage Program - 8/11
Anson County Natural Area Inventory
FLAT ROCK CHURCH OUTCROP Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 15 acres Quadrangle: Lilesville Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Flat Rock Church Outcrop has a high quality natural community and two rare plant species, one of which, single-flowered sandwort (Minuartia uniflora), is endangered in North Carolina. The site is in nearly pristine condition.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site occurs several miles southeast of Hightower Flatrocks SNHA, northeast of Morven.
SITE DESCRIPTION: This granitic flatrock has three sections, one large and flattish on top but sloping quite steeply southward, one medium size and flat, one small and flat. Thin strips of shrubs and small trees separate the sections. Numerous small depressions collect water in winter and dry out in summer. In April 2009, a few of these had standing water half an inch deep, but the rest were merely moist or dry and were colored red and white with dense patches of elf orpine (Diamorpha smallii) and single-flowered sandwort. Moisture-retaining patches of soil around the periphery and in the dividers support most of the plant diversity. Adjacent to one of these patches is an elongate pool, from which runs a tiny rivulet during wet weather. The remainder of the flatrock is covered with mosses and lichens of many kinds. Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), an invasive alien shrub, crowds the margins of the flatrock. Many loblolly pines around the margin and in the dividers have died, thus increasing light to the site. One small area of the flatrock has loose granite slabs with drill holes for blasting many years ago; otherwise there is no sign of quarrying.
The flatrock is surrounded by Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest, composed of white oak (Quercus alba), black oak (Q. velutina), mockernut hickory (Carya alba), pignut hickory (C. glabra), red maple (Acer rubrum), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Chinese privet needs to be controlled through cutting and spraying. One set of ATV tracks have been seen; such vehicles must be kept out as they can rapidly destroy plant life.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Granitic Flatrock, Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest.
RARE PLANTS: Single-flowered sandwort (Minuartia uniflora), flatrock panic-grass (Panicum lithophilum). Watch List: elf orpine (Diamorpha smallii), sessile-flowered spikegrass (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum).
RARE ANIMALS: None known.
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REFERENCES: Staff of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 1982. Site Survey Report: Flat Rock Church Outcrop. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh, NC. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Flat Rock Church Outcrop. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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le2E2IXPRDHHH
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
GRASSY ISLANDS/SMITH LAKE Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 194 acres (Anson portion only) Quadrangle: Mangum Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: The site features superb old hardwood forests, excellent beaver wetlands, and rock ledges with unusual and rare plants. These forests are home to many species of birds that migrate to the tropics in fall and winter. This site is part of the state significant Grassy Islands/Smith Lake SNHA and together they support the best remaining bottomland hardwoods in the lower Pee Dee River region of North Carolina.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: Grassy Islands/Smith Lake SNHA occurs mostly on the opposite side of Pee Dee River; see the Richmond County Inventory report (Sorrie 2001) for a detailed description. Savannah Church Diabase Dike SNHA occurs less than a mile to northwest.
SITE DESCRIPTION: This site consists of the broad floodplain of Savannah Creek and a tributary creek where they meet the Pee Dee River. This floodplain is narrowed southwards to form a peninsula clothed with magnificent hardwood forest. Adjacent slopes rise abruptly in the form of vertical rock ledges along a half-mile front, their tops some 50 feet above the floodplain. Due to Blewett Falls Dam downstream, this stretch of the river floods only irregularly. Large beaver marshes occupy portions of the floodplain.
The primary forest type here is Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest. It is the finest example in the county, with average tree heights of 120 feet and many trees 3 feet diameter. Dominants are green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), with lesser amounts of American elm (Ulmus americana), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), and hackberry (Celtis laevigata). Paw-paw (Asimina triloba) is common in the understory, with ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), and black walnut (Juglans nigra). Climbing vines - grape, crossvine, trumpetvine, poison ivy - are everywhere. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and young paw-paw form dense patches, and there are thickets of rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea). Spring wildflowers are common, notably wild ginger (Asarum canadense) and barren strawberry (Potentilla indica); later in the growing season one has to wade through waist-high wood-nettle (Laportea canadensis). Similar forest extends inland along Savannah Creek and tributaries.
In a strip near the river is a levee forest of hackberry, bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), river birch (Betula nigra), box-elder (Acer negundo), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), and ironwood. The dense herb layer is dominated by river-oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), Gray's sedge (Carex grayi), a wheatgrass (Elymus sp.), wood-nettle, and barren strawberry. Various amounts of silt, sand, and woody debris get deposited here during heavy rain events.
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Back from the river, Savannah Creek and backup channels support a few large beaver ponds. Open water leads are bordered by dense stands of southern wild rice (Zizaniopsis miliacea), cattails (Typha latifolia), swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), and some black willow (Salix nigra).
At the inland edge of the floodplain peninsula, a series of steep slopes and ledges extend for half a mile and rise as much as 50 feet from the floodplain. Most are topped with a dense thicket of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). The ledges themselves are 20-30 feet high and are composed of slate rock, which decomposes into chippy soil below. The rock has circumneutral to slightly basic pH and so supports some species rare or absent elswhere in Anson County, notably wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum). On and near these slopes grow the state rare piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis) and state special concern Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina).
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: No management is needed at present, so long as timber cutting does not occur. Protection should be in the form of purchase or easement.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Piedmont Mafic Cliff, Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Levee Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment.
RARE PLANTS: Piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis) and Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented, but likely to occur.
REFERENCES: Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Grassy Islands/Smith Lake (Savannah Creek). North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
HIGHTOWER FLATROCKS Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 52 acres Quadrangle: Wadesboro Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: This site has the best Puck’s orpine (Sedum pusillum) population in the state, and high quality Granitic Flatrock communities. Five other rare plants occur here.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: Hightower Flatrocks occur on the east side of NC 742, about three miles south of Wadesboro.
SITE DESCRIPTION: There are four outcrops within this site: three occur near each other east of NC 742 and one occurs about a half mile south. These are open granite exposures that slope to varying degrees. A few small pools form after rain, and mosses around the margins tend to stay moist; otherwise the flatrocks are dry. Lichens and mosses are abundant, along with various herbaceous plants. Most prevalent are Puck’s orpine, single-flowered sandwort (Minuartia uniflora), one-flowered cynthia (Krigia virginica), false garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve), pineweed (Hypericum gentianoides), and blue toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis). Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) dominate around margins.
Two of the flatrocks are essentially pristine, although part of one was formerly quarried for stone. This same flatrock has a couple of well-defined mossy channels where rainwater slowly runs down to a small pool; it is the only place at this SNHA where piedmont quillwort (Isoetes piedmontana) occurs. A third flatrock is very open with much bare granite, in part due to its large size (nearly an acre), fairly steep slope, and to disturbance. The fourth flatrock has become mostly overgrown over the years but still supports rare plants.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: All of the flatrocks need to have some woody plants cleared from their margins to prevent excessive shading and buildup of soil. In addition, the fourth (southernmost) flatrock needs to have woody plants and also some mosses and lichens removed to provide more space for the rare plants.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Granitic Flatrock.
RARE PLANTS: Puck’s orpine (Sedum pusillum), single-flowered sandwort (Minuartia uniflora), granite flatsedge (Cyperus granitophilus), piedmont quillwort (Isoetes piedmontana), keeled beakrush (Isolepis carinata), flatrock panicgrass (Panicum lithophilum). Watch List: eastern agave (Manfreda virginica).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
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REFERENCES: Staff of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 1982. Site Survey Report: Martin's Flatrock. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh, NC. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Hightower Flatrocks. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
INGRAM MOUNTAIN HARDWOODS Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 1455 acres Quadrangle: Mangum Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Ingram Mountain contains the largest single block of hardwood forest remaining in Anson County. It has populations of seven state rare plants, including the largest population in the world of ravine sedge (Carex impressinervia). The beaver pond has exceptional plant diversity for its size. A new sedge for North Carolina (Carex superata) was found here as this Inventory went to press.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: This natural area extends from Ingram Mountain Road eastward to Buffalo Bay, mostly south of Clark Mountain Road and Ingram Level Road. It lies about three miles southwest of Grassy Islands/Smith Lake SNHA.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Ingram Mountain Hardwoods is an extensive block of hardwood forest within highly dissected terrain, just west of Blewett Falls Lake. The main community here is Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, composed of beech (Fagus grandifolia), white oak (Quercus alba), red oak (Q. rubra), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), with dogwood (Cornus florida), redbud (Cercis canadensis), and sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) in the understory. Shrubs are scarce, but flowering herbs and Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) are numerous. Trees average 90 feet tall and 15-20 inches dbh; old trees reach 2-3 feet dbh. Upslope and on dry ridges is a Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest dominated by chestnut oak (Quercus montana), southern red oak (Q. falcata), black oak (Q. velutina), mockernut hickory (Carya alba), red maple (Acer rubrum), and sourwood.
The topography generates many streamheads. For most of their length they are intermittent; flooding occurs only after heavy rain. Mesic Hardwoods dominate the narrow terrace, but mixed with a few trees typical of Bottomland Hardwoods: black walnut (Juglans nigra) and swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii). Here there are dense patches of grasses: erect shorthusk (Brachyelytrum erectum) and longleaf spikegrass (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum), the latter a Watch List species. Here, too, grows a state rare plant: Piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis). Buffalo Creek supports the largest known population of another state rare plant: ravine sedge. On another creek there is a drained beaver pond whose floor is covered with a dense growth of sedges, grasses, smartweeds, and a plethora of flowering plants.
The lowermost portions of the larger creeks support an alluvial forest of red maple, swamp black gum (Nyssa biflora), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), with ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) and American holly (Ilex opaca) beneath. Herbs are not common, but include sedges (Carex spp.) and netted chainfern (Woodwardia areolata).
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MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: There is a growing need to eliminate feral hogs, which are damaging the forest floor along creeks. A conservation easement, or purchase of the whole tract, by the state for a game land is recommended.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest, Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment.
RARE PLANTS: Ravine sedge (Carex impressinervia), a sedge (Carex superata, no common name), Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina), piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis), Earle’s blazing-star (Liatris squarrulosa), glade milkvine (Matelea decipiens), azure sage (Salvia azurea). Watch List: longleaf spikegrass (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum), few-flowered tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum pauciflorum).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
REFERENCES: Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Ingram Mountain Hardwoods. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
LOWER BROWN CREEK SWAMP Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: National Size: 2023 acres Quadrangle: Ansonville Ownership: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Lower Brown Creek is nationally significant, due to the size and quality of the floodplain forests along the creek. In addition, this SNHA supports one rare bat and three rare freshwater mollusks.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: Four Significant Natural Heritage Areas occur within the Anson County portion of Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge: Bennett Bridge Diabase Dike, Beaver Pond Road Longleaf Pine, Lower Brown Creek Swamp, and Thoroughfare Creek. Upper Brown Creek Swamp occurs just upstream on private lands.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Brown Creek drains a large portion of western and northern Anson County. Like other rivers within the Triassic Basin, the floodplain is very wide relative to river flow, allowing for development of an extensive Bottomland Forest. Canopy trees include swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), cherrybark oak (Q. pagoda), water oak (Q. nigra), willow oak (Q. phellos), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and scattered loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) is a common understory tree. Vines are numerous, notably sawbrier (Smilax bona-nox) and crossvine (Bignonia capreolata). Spring wildflowers carpet the ground, along with many species of sedge (Carex spp.). Three rare species of freshwater mussel occur in Brown Creek. Slivers of Levee Forest occur along the creek, dominated by sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and hackberry (Celtis laevigata). Areas of Swamp Forest retain water late into the growing season; they include a number of floodplain pools that vary from seasonally to almost permanently wet.
As with other wetland systems along the lower Pee Dee River in North Carolina, Brown Creek harbors a number of plant species that belong to the lower coastal plain and are rare in the piedmont. They include heartleaf burhead (Echinodorus cordifolius), anglestem beaksedge (Rhynchospora caduca), blue waterpod (Hydrolea quadrivalvis), and halberd-leaved mallow (Hibiscus militaris).
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: The Refuge is being managed primarily for waterfowl and wildlife, but also for overall biodiversity, wildlife viewing, and recreation. The site is fully protected under USFWS rules and regulations.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Floodplain Pool, Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Levee Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest.
RARE PLANTS: None documented.
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RARE ANIMALS: Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis), brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa), creeper (Strophitus undulatus), eastern creekshell (Villosa delumbis). Watch List: anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
REFERENCES: Staff of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 1992. Site Survey Report: Brown Creek Swamp. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh, NC. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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ANSON COUNTY INVENTORY
Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat Significant Natural Heritage Area Lilesville, Rockingham, Diggs, Morven East quads
Scale - 1:80,000 prepared by N.C. Natural Heritage Program - 8/11
Anson County Natural Area Inventory
LOWER PEE DEE RIVER AQUATIC HABITAT Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 25 river miles Quadrangle: Diggs, Lilesville, Ownership: North Carolina Public Waters Morven East, Rockingham
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat contains a diversity of rare aquatic species, including the Federal and State Endangered shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) (records from 1980s); the Federal Species of Concern and State Endangered robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa), and Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana); the Federal Species of Concern and State Threatened Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.); the State Threatened alewife floater (Anodonta implicata), Roanoke slabshell (Elliptio roanokensis), eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata), eastern pondmussel (Ligumia nasuta), and creeper (Strophitus undulatus); the State Special Concern Atlantic highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes sp. cf. velifer), thinlip chub (Cyprinella sp.), pod lance (Elliptio folliculata), and notched rainbow (Villosa constricta); the Significantly Rare smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) (although it is non-native to the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin) and eastern creekshell (Villosa delumbis). It also includes the Significantly Rare plant water purslane (Didiplis diandra).
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat begins on the mainstem Pee Dee River at Blewett Falls Dam and extends 15 river miles downstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina border. It also includes the lower 4 river miles of Hitchcock Creek, 3 river miles of Jones Creek, and 3 river miles of Marks Creek, due to the presence of rare species in these tributaries. The Aquatic Habitat is entirely within the Coastal Plain Ecoregion. The following Significant Natural Heritage Areas are located within the vicinity of the Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat: Blewett Falls Lake Basic Mesic Forest, Hitchcock Creek/Pee Dee River Slopes, Marks Creek and Floodplain, Pee Dee River Gabbro Slopes, Pee Dee River Marsh Ponds, and Tater Hole/Three Creeks. The majority of the Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat watershed is forested, with some agriculture. Rockingham is the only municipality and it drains to the Hitchcock Creek watershed.
Pee Dee River, Hitchcock Creek, Jones Creek, and Marks Creek are part of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin. Hitchcock, Jones, and Marks Creeks are all tributaries of the Pee Dee River and enter below Blewett Falls Lake. The Pee Dee River flows into South Carolina and empties into Winyah Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean near Georgetown, South Carolina.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat comprises the Pee Dee River from below Blewett Falls dam down to the South Carolina state line. It also includes portions of Hitchcock Creek, Jones Creek, and Marks Creek. The habitat within the Pee Dee River is complex and consists of many boulders, cobble, and gravel shoals. The Pee Dee River and its tributaries contain a variety of aquatic habitats that support a large diversity of organisms. In
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addition to the species noted above, the waters of Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat support the following animals, collected during recent monitoring efforts by NC Division of Water Quality and NC Wildlife Resources Commission:
Fishes: American shad (Alosa sapidissima), flat bullhead (Ameiurus platycephalus), American eel (Anguilla rostrata), fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare), swamp darter (E. fusiforme), tessellated darter (E. olmstedi), blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), channel catfish (I. punctatus), brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), warmouth (L. gulosus), bluegill (L. macrochirus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus);
Mussels: Carolina lance (Elliptio angustata), eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata), Carolina slabshell (E. congaraea), variable spike (E. icterina), Atlantic spike (E. producta), lanceolate Elliptio, eastern floater (Pyganodon cataracta), Florida pondhorn (Uniomerus carolinianus), paper pondshell (Utterbackia imbecillis);
Crayfishes: Rocky River crayfish (Cambarus (Puncticambarus) hobbsorum), Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp. C, White River crayfish (Procambarus (Ortmannicus) acutus);
Snails: pointed campeloma (Campeloma decisum), file campeloma (C. limum), gravel elimia (Elimia catenaria), two-ridge rams-horn (Helisoma anceps), Physella sp.
MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION: Much of the land surrounding Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat is privately owned; however there have been recent significant additions to state-owned property along the Pee Dee River. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) formerly leased property on Cartledge Creek, a tributary just below Blewett Falls dam, as part of the Pee Dee River Game Land. NCWRC now owns that property and also has added riverfront property to that tract. Additionally, a large (over 650 acres) tract of land was purchased using a variety of source money and is now under the NCWRC game lands program. The Diggs Tract includes approximately 3 miles of river frontage on the Richmond County side of the Pee Dee River, across from where Jones Creek flows into the river. Pee Dee River is highly regulated due to numerous hydroelectric dams in the watershed. Flows in the river have historically experienced significant fluctuations, even on a daily basis. The habitat within the river is complex with numerous rocky shoals and side channels that experience extremes in water depth. Through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission process, the hydroelectric facility owned by Progress Energy at Blewett Falls dam will be establishing higher minimum flows and spawning flows in the spring to more closely mimic natural conditions. Additionally, these minimum flows will maintain habitat throughout the year that experienced extremes in water depths.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Rocky Bar and Shore.
RARE PLANTS: Water purslane (Didiplis diandra).
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RARE ANIMALS: Vertebrates - Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), Atlantic highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes sp. cf. velifer), thinlip chub (Cyprinella sp.), smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) (nonnative to Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin), robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.). Invertebrates - Alewife floater (Anodonta implicata), pod lance (Elliptio folliculata), Roanoke slabshell (E. roanokensis), yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa), eastern lampmussel (L. radiata), eastern pondmussel (Ligumia nasuta), creeper (Strophitus undulatus), notched rainbow (Villosa constricta), eastern creekshell (V. delumbis), Carolina creekshell (V. vaughaniana).
REFERENCES: North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2007. Basinwide Assessment Report, Yadkin River Basin. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC. North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2008. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Unpublished survey data in Aquatics Database. Raleigh, NC.
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ANSON COUNTY INVENTORY
Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat Significant Natural Heritage Area Mount Gilead West, Ansonville, Mangum quads
Scale - 1:90,000 prepared by N.C. Natural Heritage Program - 8/11
Anson County Natural Area Inventory
MIDDLE PEE DEE RIVER AQUATIC HABITAT Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 22.5 river miles Quadrangle: Mount Gilead West, Ownership: North Carolina Public Waters Ansonville, Mangum
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat contains a diversity of rare aquatic species, including the Federal Species of Concern and State Endangered yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) and Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana); the Federal Species of Concern and State Threatened Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.); the State Threatened alewife floater (Anodonta implicata), Roanoke slabshell (Elliptio roanokensis), eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata), eastern pondmussel (Ligumia nasuta), and creeper (Strophitus undulatus); the State Special Concern pod lance (Elliptio folliculata); the Significantly Rare eastern creekshell (Villosa delumbis) and a valvatid snail (Valvata sincera).
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat begins on the mainstem Pee Dee River at Norwood Dam (impounds Lake Tillery) and extends 21 river miles downstream to the backwaters of Blewett Falls Lake. It also includes the lower approximately 1.5 river miles of Little River, due to the presence of rare species in the tributary. The Aquatic Habitat is entirely within the Piedmont Ecoregion. The following Significant Natural Heritage Areas are located within the vicinity of the Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat: Grassy Islands/Smith Lake, Lower Little River (Richmond) Corridor, Lower Little River (Montgomery) Aquatic Habitat (approximately 7 river miles upstream from Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat), Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, Pee Dee River Skunk Cabbage Seep. The Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat watershed is a mixture of agriculture and forest. Mount Gilead and Ansonville are municipalities in the watershed of Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat.
Pee Dee River and Little River are part of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin. These waters flow to Blewett Falls Lake, through Blewett Falls dam and down to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. The Pee Dee River flows into South Carolina and empties into Winyah Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean near Georgetown, South Carolina.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat comprises the Pee Dee River from below Norwood dam downstream to the backwaters of Blewett Falls Lake. It also includes the lower Little River. The habitat within the Pee Dee River is complex and consists of many boulders, cobble, and gravel shoals. The Pee Dee River and its tributaries contain a variety of aquatic habitats that support a large diversity of organisms. In addition to the species noted above, the waters of Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat support the following animals, collected during recent monitoring efforts by NC Division of Water Quality and NC Wildlife Resources Commission:
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Fishes: (based on 1999 sampling in Little River only) rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides), whitefin shiner (Cyprinella nivea), gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare), tessellated darter (E. olmstedi), highback chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), warmouth (L. gulosus), bluegill (L. macrochirus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus), Piedmont darter (Percina crassa);
Mussels: Carolina lance (Elliptio angustata), eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata), variable spike (E. icterina), Atlantic spike (E. producta), lanceolate Elliptio, eastern floater (Pyganodon cataracta), Florida pondhorn (Uniomerus carolinianus), paper pondshell (Utterbackia imbecillis);
Crayfishes: Cambarus (Puncticambarus) sp. C;
Snails: mud amnicola (Amnicola limosa), Physella sp., mossy valvata (Valvata sp. cf. sincera), bugle sprite (Micromenetus dilatatus), Japanese mysterysnail (Cipangopaludina japonica) (invasive exotic species).
MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION: There is a mixture of private and public lands surrounding the Middle Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat. The Land Trust for Central North Carolina holds an easement (over 150 acres) on the Anson County side of the river, approximately one mile below Norwood Dam. Additionally, the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge is a significant public land holding that consists of over 8500 acres on both the Anson and Richmond side of the Pee Dee River. The Pee Dee River is highly regulated due to numerous hydroelectric dams in the watershed. Flows in the river have historically experienced significant fluctuations, even on a daily basis. Through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission process, the hydroelectric facility owned by Progress Energy at Norwood dam, will be establishing higher minimum flows and spawning flows in the spring to more closely mimic natural conditions.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: None documented.
RARE PLANTS: None documented.
RARE ANIMALS: Vertebrates - Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.). Invertebrates - Alewife floater (Anodonta implicata), pod lance (Elliptio folliculata), Roanoke slabshell (E. roanokensis), yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa), eastern lampmussel (L. radiata), eastern pondmussel (Ligumia nasuta), creeper (Strophitus undulatus), eastern creekshell (Villosa delumbis), Carolina creekshell (V. vaughaniana), a valvatid snail (Valvata sincera).
REFERENCES: North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2007. Basinwide Assessment Report, Yadkin River Basin. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC.
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North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2008. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Unpublished survey data in Aquatics Database. Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
MILLSEAT OUTCROP Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 31 acres Quadrangle: Wadesboro Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: This is one of only a handful of sites for Puck’s orpine (Sedum pusillum) in the state; in North Carolina this species occurs only in Anson County.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site occurs 1200 feet west of Moore's Lake, southwest of SR 1130. The nearest SNHA is Hightower Flatrocks, a mile to the southwest.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Millseat Outcrop consists of granitic outcrops and boulders flanking a creek at the bottom of ravine-like slopes. The small, smooth-surfaced outcrop that is split by the creek supports a state-rare plant, Puck's orpine. Abundant lichens and mosses, and small numbers of flowering herbs, also occur here. Scattered trees at the margins lend a bit of shade, along with sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), and Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) shrubs. After a heavy rain the creek washes over these outcrops.
The slopes are covered with Dry Oak-Hickory Forest, dominated by white oak (Quercus alba), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and scattered beech (Fagus grandifolia). This forest is quite open underneath, with some scattered dogwood (Cornus florida) but no shrubs and few herbs. Rocks and boulders are numerous.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: The privet, an invasive alien shrub, should be removed. The lichens and mosses may need removal, as they appear to be restricting growing space of the orpine.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Dry Oak-Hickory Forest, Granitic Flatrock.
RARE PLANTS: Puck’s orpine (Sedum pusillum).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
REFERENCES: Staff of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 1980. Site Survey Report: Millseat Outcrop. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh, NC. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Millseat Outcrop. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
NORTH FORK SMITH CREEK Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 105 acres Quadrangle: Mangum, Lilesville Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: North Fork Smith Creek has an unusually wild aspect for the lower Piedmont, and is reminiscent of areas in the North Carolina mountains. The site features four state rare plant species and supports other plants that are otherwise unknown in Anson County, such as pennywort (Obolaria virginica) and featherbells (Stenanthium gramineum).
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site occurs along the south side of North Fork Smith Creek, north of Dr. Sorrel Road (SR 1741). Smith Creek is a mile south and has extensive beaver ponds/marshes; it runs west to east and drains into Pee Dee River. Ingram Mountain Hardwoods SNHA lies a mile to the northeast.
SITE DESCRIPTION: North Fork Smith Creek SNHA consists of hardwood slopes fronting a rocky stream and steep ravines along tributaries. The site has a remote and wild aspect, with highly dissected topography and many room-sized boulders; however, it is flanked by timber operations and pine plantations. North Fork of Smith Creek runs northwest to southeast between moderate slopes on the north side and steep slopes and ravines on the south, with a few small areas of flat floodplain. These floodplains get inundated after heavy rainfalls, such as Hurricane Hanna in 2008, which knocked down many trees and swept all herbaceous vegetation flat. Dominant trees are red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Q. alba), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), and beech (Fagus grandifolia), with an understory of ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) and dogwood (Cornus florida). Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), grasses, and flowering herbs are common. A rare plant called ravine sedge (Carex impressinervia) grows along North Fork.
Adjacent north-facing slopes are clothed with a tall Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, with the same trees as above plus black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). Understory trees and shrubs are quite common, including some silverbell (Halesia tetraptera). Flowering herbs are numerous, especially in early spring; bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is particularly abundant, downy violet (Viola hirsutula) common. The rare glade milkvine (Matelea decipiens) occurs here; Piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis) occurs here and along creek tributaries. Another rare plant, Carex superata, was first discovered for North Carolina here.
Two deep ravines run south to north with intermittent creeks. Ravine bottoms support mesic hardwoods, but upslope the soil rapidly becomes drier and more acidic, so that Dry-Mesic Oak- Hickory Forest predominates. Here trees are more spaced out and the canopy less dense. Dominants are white oak, chestnut oak (Q. montana), red oak, red maple (Acer rubrum), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), and tulip poplar, with dogwood and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) 81
in the understory. In spring there are many handsome shrubs of pink azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides). Rocks and boulders are common and in a couple places there are linear trains of huge boulders running down ravine slopes.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that buffers between plantations and ravines be enlarged.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest, Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest.
RARE PLANTS: Ravine sedge (Carex impressinervia), piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis), glade milkvine (Matelea decipiens), Huger’s carrion-flower (Smilax hugeri). Watch List: sessile- flowered spikegrass (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented, but likely to occur.
REFERENCES: Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: North Fork Smith Creek. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
PLANK ROAD SOUTH Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: County Size: 82 acres Quadrangle: Aquadale Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Plank Road South has one of the few high quality rock ledge systems remaining in Anson County. One state-rare plant species occurs here, plus several others rare in the county, including the only known site in Anson for Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria). The Basic Mesic Forest community type also is rare in Anson.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: About a mile downstream in Stanly County lies Plank Road Slate Knolls SNHA, a similar rock ledge system.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Plank Road South consists of a high ledge where there is a former rock quarry, a Basic Mesic Forest on a steep rocky slope, and a floodplain terrace. Where not quarried, the high ledge retains most of its natural flora, although lower slopes are overrun with Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), chickweed (Stellaria media), and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Upper slopes support an open to closed canopy of oaks, hickories, red maple (Acer rubrum), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana), and red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), with chalk maple (Acer leucoderme) and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) in the understory. Shrubs are frequent, notably sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum). Herbs are quite diverse and include Missouri rockcress (Boechera missouriensis, state special concern), dayflower (Commelina erecta), and forest goldenrod (Solidago arguta var. arguta).
The western end of the site also has a steep rocky north-facing slope, but here there are no vertical ledges. The rocks and soil appear to have elevated pH, as evidenced by sweet soil specialists like Dutchman’s breeches and toadshade (Trillium cuneatum). There is little leaf litter buildup and herbaceous plants are abundant, notably white wood-aster (Symphyotrichum divaricatum), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), and Virginia saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis). Northern hairgrass (Avenella flexuosa) is abundant, here near its southern range limit.
Slopes adjacent to these rocky-ledgey places have remnants of mesic mixed hardwoods, intermixed with planted loblolly pines. In a few places they are fully natural and support state- rare Piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis) along creeks.
The low-lying floodplain of Rocky River and a lengthy area along Little Creek support alluvial hardwood forest of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), hackberry (Celtis laevigata), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and river birch (Betula nigra), with ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) and paw-paw (Asimina triloba) in the understory. Herbaceous plants are abundant before leaf-out, but many disappear by mid-May, leaving wood nettle (Laportea canadensis), river oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), and sedges.
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MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Reducing the amount of alien invasive plants at the site would be very beneficial. For example, Japanese honeysuckle crowds out native plants on slopes just below the ledges, as well as on the floodplain.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Basic Mesic Forest, Piedmont Mafic Cliff, Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest, plus remnants of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
RARE PLANTS: Missouri rockcress (Boechera missouriensis), piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis). Southern anemone (Anemone berlandieri) was known from here historically. Watch List: eastern agave (Manfreda virginica), heartleaf skullcap (Scutellaria ovata ssp. bracteata).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
REFERENCES: Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Plank Road South. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
RAILROAD ISLAND HARDWOODS Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 471 acres Quadrangle: Rockingham Ownership: Progress Energy
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Railroad Island has very good to excellent quality bottomland and slope forests and one state-rare plant. Due to its rare fishes and mollusks, the river itself is an important natural area, the Lower Pee Dee River Aquatic Habitat (state significant).
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site occurs on the west side of Pee Dee River where the railroad crosses the river, and runs southward for two miles. Two Significant Natural Heritage Areas occur nearby: Hitchcock Creek/Pee Dee River Slopes (regionally significant) lies across the river to the northeast and Marsh Ponds (state significant) lies across the river to the southeast. The Pee Dee River corridor is critical to movement of animals and plants from the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain and vice-versa.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Railroad Island is elevated about 15 feet above the river and is covered with a mature Bottomland Forest of very tall trees (120 feet), many of which exceed 2.5 feet diameter. Dominants are swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), with understory of southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum) and paw-paw (Asimina triloba). Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and river cane (Arundinaria gigantea) are common in the shrub layer. Flowering herbs and grasses cover most of the ground, notably wild ginger (Asarum canadense) and golden ragwort (Packera aurea). Towards the margins of the island are found trees typical of Levee Forest mixed with the above. They include sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and river birch (Betula nigra).
On the mainland south of the island, the SNHA continues for about two miles parallel to the river. It includes a line of steep bluff-like slopes along the whole western side of the tract, rising abruptly some 40-70 feet and dissected by seasonal creeks. There are some rocks and boulders, but no exposed ledges. Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest covers these slopes, composed of white oak (Quercus alba), red oak (Q. rubra), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), sweetgum, southern sugar maple, and red maple (Acer rubrum). Understory trees include winged elm (Ulmus alata), hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), dogwood (Cornus florida), and redbud (Cercis canadensis). Shrubs are sparse, mostly painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica). The herb layer is relatively diverse and includes green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), roundleaf tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium), hairy bromegrass (Bromus pubescens), a rosin-weed (Silphium asteriscus), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), and a large population of the state special concern Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina). Slope forests are in very good condition and have not been logged in many years; but from the crest westward the whole landscape is in various stages of pine production and clearcuts, save for very narrow strips along creeks.
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The floodplain terrace along the Pee Dee is no more than ¼ mile wide. It is assumed that flooding was more frequent before upstream dams were built, but forest composition indicates that the river still does flood the terrace on occasion. A few areas of several acres each have been converted to loblolly pine, but otherwise the terrace supports natural Bottomland Forest, mixed with some Levee Forest trees. Canopy trees are diverse: green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), tulip poplar, sweetgum, sycamore, river birch, cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), water oak (Q. nigra), and bitternut hickory. Understory trees include black walnut (Juglans nigra), ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), and paw-paw. Typical of floodplain forests, vines are common, including grapes (Vitis cinerea), trumpetvine (Campsis radicans), catbriers (Smilax spp.), and crossvine (Bignonia capreolata). Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) are fairly common, but not problematic at the present time.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Planted loblolly pines should be removed from the floodplain, and the forests should be allowed to regenerate to natural hardwoods. One protection strategy would be to transfer ownership to NC Wildlife Resources Commission as state game land.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest.
RARE PLANTS: Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina).
RARE ANIMALS: None documented on land, but robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum) occurs in the river.
REFERENCES: Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Railroad Island. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
RICHARDSON CREEK SLOPES Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: State Size: 36 acres Quadrangle: Aquadale Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Five rare plant species occur here, plus a sixth not relocated during this survey. A rare freshwater mollusk occurs shortly upstream. There is a high diversity of herbaceous plants among the different community types.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: Richardson Creek Slopes occurs on the north and south sides of Richardson Creek, upstream of SR 1600 and downstream of SR 1606. There are no other significant natural areas within five miles.
SITE DESCRIPTION: On the north side of Richardson Creek there is a stretch of low to moderate height ledges that support Piedmont Mafic Cliff community. The canopy is dominated by red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and white oak (Quercus alba), with some pignut hickory (Carya glabra) and scrub pine (Pinus virginiana). Understory trees include hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) is a common shrub. Herbs are quite diverse for this community type and occur mostly in openings. Two rare plant species occur on the ledges: state endangered southern anemone (Anemone berlandieri) and state special concern Missouri rockcress (Boechera missouriensis).
Lateral to the ledges, on deeper and less rocky soil, is a Basic Oak-Hickory Forest community of white oak and pignut hickory canopy and chalk maple (Acer leucoderme), hop hornbeam, and witch hazel subcanopy. Bigleaf snowbell (Styrax grandifolius) and black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) are prominent shrubs.
Along a tributary creek there is a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest of tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera), red oak (Quercus rubra), and ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) that supports a large population of the state threatened eastern shooting-star (Primula meadia). Despite plenty of suitable habitat in Anson County, this species is very rare in the county. More of this forest type occurs westward and lower down from the Heath Bluff (see below) and has excellent herb diversity. Along both banks of Richardson Creek is a large population of a fourth rare plant, piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis).
On the south side of the river, there is a high and steep bluff facing north. There are no ledges here. The upper slope and crest supports an extensive Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff community, dominated by mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and overtopped by an open to closed canopy of hardwood and scrub pine trees. It is a large and intact example of this community type.
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MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: No special management needs to be done. For protection, conservation easements would make most sense.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Basic Oak-Hickory Forest, Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Piedmont Mafic Cliff, Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff.
RARE PLANTS: Piedmont indigo-bush (Amorpha schwerinii), southern anemone (Anemone berlandieri), Missouri rockcress (Boechera missouriensis), eastern shooting-star (Primula meadia), piedmont aster (Eurybia mirabilis), bluff oak (Quercus austrina) (not relocated).
RARE ANIMALS: Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana) occurs nearby upstream, and likely here as well.
REFERENCES: Oakley, S.C., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., and M.P. Schafale. 1995. An Inventory of Mafic Areas in the North Carolina Piedmont. NCNHP, Raleigh. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Richardson Creek Slopes. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
SAVANNAH CHURCH DIABASE DIKE Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 71 acres Quadrangle: Mangum Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: The Basic Oak-Hickory Forest here has high species diversity in all layers. This site has a population of Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina), in North Carolina restricted to Anson and Richmond counties and disjunct from west of the Appalachian Mountains. Eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) have been seen at the base of the ridge.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site is located north of Grassy Island Road and west of Ingram Mountain Road, 1.5 miles west of Pee Dee River. Grassy Islands/Smith Lake SNHA occurs less than a mile to the southeast.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Savannah Church Diabase Dike is a one-mile long ridge of diabase rock that rises 80 feet from the flat surroundings. Most of the lowland has been converted to cropfield or pasture, and the lower and mid slopes to loblolly pine plantation. What remains on the upper slopes and summit ridge is a remnant oak-hickory forest that is intact although logged in the past. The summit ridge is unusually rocky and bouldery.
Canopy dominants are post oak (Quercus stellata), white oak (Q. alba), mockernut hickory (Carya alba), pignut hickory (C. glabra), and red maple (Acer rubrum), with dogwood (Cornus florida) and persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) in the understory. Trees average less than one foot dbh, except for the south summit where they are 12-16 inches. Shrubs are uncommon, and include shiny black haw (Viburnum rufidulum), sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum), and deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum). Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) vines are common ground-creepers, and wild kidney bean (Phaseolus polystachios) is widespread. Herbaceous plants are numerous in openings and in disturbance areas, especially on the upper west slopes.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: The main recommendation is to let mid and lower slopes regenerate back to hardwoods.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Basic Oak-Hickory Forest.
RARE PLANTS: Cumberland spurge (Euphorbia mercurialina).
RARE ANIMALS: Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger).
REFERENCES: Oakley, S.C., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., and M.P. Schafale. 1995. An Inventory of Mafic Areas in the North Carolina Piedmont. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh. 97
Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Savannah Church Diabase Dike. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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Anson County Natural Area Inventory
THOROUGHFARE CREEK Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 201 acres Quadrangle: Ansonville Ownership: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Thoroughfare Creek is an elongate series of beaver ponds that support a wide array of plant and animal life. At well over two miles long, it is among the largest of its kind in the state and an important feeding area for wildlife.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: Three other Significant Natural Heritage Areas occur within the Anson County portion of Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge: Bennett Bridge Diabase Dike, Beaver Pond Road Longleaf Pine Forest, and Lower Brown Creek Swamp.
SITE DESCRIPTION: Thoroughfare Creek is an intermittent stream that flows within an old meander bend of Pee Dee River. Beavers have created several dams to form a chain of ponds of varying size. These provide habitat for turtles, frogs and toads, fish, wetland birds, and aquatic insects. Central portions have the deepest water and are dominated by yellow cow-lily (Nuphar advena), with patches of American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Shallows are dominated by tall emergents such as woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), lizard-tail (Saururus cernuus), giant plumegrass (Saccharum giganteum), and smartweeds (Persicaria spp.). A number of plants uncommon or rare in North Carolina's Piedmont occur here, including bigleaf marsh St. John's- wort (Triadenum tubulosum), American lotus, Carolina doll's-daisy (Boltonia caroliniana), heartleaf burhead (Echinodorus cordifolius), and halberd-leaved mallow (Hibiscus militaris).
In a few places, slopes adjacent to the meander bend support Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest of white oak (Quercus alba), beech (Fagus grandifolia), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera var. tulipifera). This forest type is rich with spring flowers, including toadshade (Trillium cuneatum).
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Alligator-weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), Asian dewflower (Murdannia keisak), and parrot-feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) occur as scattered dense patches. These exotics should be controlled if possible.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment, Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
RARE PLANTS: None documented. Watch List: American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), bigleaf marsh St. John's-wort (Triadenum tubulosum)
RARE ANIMALS: None documented.
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REFERENCES: Staff of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 1992. Site Survey Report: Brown Creek Swamp. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh, NC. Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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ANSON COUNTY INVENTORY
Upper Brown Creek Swamp Significant Natural Heritage Area Ansonville, Polkton, Russellville quads
Scale - 1:70,000 prepared by N.C. Natural Heritage Program - 8/11
Anson County Natural Area Inventory
UPPER BROWN CREEK SWAMP Significant Natural Heritage Area
Site Significance: Regional Size: 2600 acres Quadrangle: Ansonville, Polkton, Russellville Ownership: Private
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES: Upper Brown Creek Swamp contains some excellent mature hardwood forest with trees up to 4 feet dbh and over 100 feet tall, interesting glade-like wetlands, and two large beaver marshes. A small heronry occurs at one of the beaver marshes, with breeding anhingas (Anhinga anhinga) as well.
LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS: The site occurs from US 74 northward to include much of Pinch Gut Creek and downstream along Brown Creek beyond NC 742.
SITE DESCRIPTION: This SNHA flanks Brown Creek for about 5 miles and also includes most of Pinch Gut Creek. The main natural community is Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest, composed of stately old oaks (Quercus spp.), shagbark hickories (Carya ovata), box- elder (Acer negundo), and sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua) above ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum), and paw-paw (Asimina triloba). Several willow oaks (Quercus phellos) exceed three feet dbh. Here-and-there are old river channels and old oxbows, now mostly cut off from Brown Creek to form Floodplain Pools. The ones seen during this survey lacked vegetation.
Beavers have dammed up two tributaries to form large open marshes full of buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), cattails (Typha latifolia), red maples (Acer rubrum) and black willow (Salix nigra). Aquatic and semi-aquatic herbaceous plants are abundant and provide food for wood ducks, herons, songbirds, etc. Peripheral to these marshes are less-wet areas with an open tree canopy and a dense herb layer; these park-like areas support a very diverse array of herbaceous plants, including several uncommon in the county – heartleaf burhead (Echinodorus cordifolius), streamside lobelia (Lobelia elongata), water pimpernel (Samolus parviflorus).
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Clearcuts on adjacent slopes allow soil to run off onto the floodplain; they should be allowed to regenerate. Similarly, forest cuts on the floodplain should be allowed to regrow naturally. The water of Brown Creek needs to be tested for impurities; locally it is highly discolored and smells bad.
NATURAL COMMUNITIES: Floodplain Pool, Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest, Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment.
RARE PLANTS: None documented.
RARE ANIMALS: Watch List: Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
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REFERENCES: Staff of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. 1992. Site Survey Report: Brown Creek Swamp. NCNHP, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
Sorrie, B.A. 2009. Site Survey Report: Upper Brown Creek Swamp. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR, Raleigh, NC.
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LANDOWNER PROTECTION INITIATIVES
Protection of significant sites in private ownership will depend largely on an active partnership and the participation of Federal and State agencies, local land trusts, landowners, and interested citizens. Numerous options are available to the landowners who promote conservation and protection on their properties. These options can provide financial incentives as well as assistance in conservation planning and land management. In some cases, such options could mean the difference between divesting land for development or retaining it as a natural area.
One of the most useful options for a landowner is a conservation easement. The conservation easement is a flexible option to permanently conserve land for scenic, natural, or cultural values. Conservation easements can be sold or donated, they confer state and federal tax benefits to the owner, and they are affixed to the property deed “in perpetuity”. Conservation easements are agreements entered into with a recognized conservation organization or government. They allow the owner to retain the title/deed to their land and to maintain a negotiated property right. Certain rights, such as development rights, are deeded over to the conservation entity. Conservation organizations that work with landowners to set up conservation easements include local land trusts. The Land Trust for Central North Carolina is qualified to hold conservation easements in Anson County.
The Conservation Trust for North Carolina (CTNC), located in Raleigh, can help design conservation easements as well as refer interested individuals to a qualified local land trust. Their website is http://www.ctnc.org/. The North Carolina chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is based in Durham. TNC is a good option for lands high in biological diversity and significance. TNC can be contacted by mail at: 4705 University Drive, Suite 290, Durham, N.C. 27707, by phone at: (919) 403-8558, or on the internet at: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/northcarolina/ . Assistance in identifying conservation organizations in North Carolina can also be obtained by contacting the Natural Heritage Program of the Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs by telephone at: (919) 715-1751, by mail at: NCNHP, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1601, or on the internet at: http://www.ncnhp.org/ .
Landowners who are interested in improving the habitat value of their land can explore various cost-share programs that are available through the Natural Resources Conservation Services of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Anson County Soil and Water Conservation District. Various programs are available for soil and water protection, reforestation, erosion control, wildlife enhancement, and riparian-stream area restoration.
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Landowners who would like assistance in achieving forest management goals can look into cost- sharing through the North Carolina Forest Stewardship Program, which is sponsored by several state and federal agencies. Management plans could include controlled burning, reforestation with natural vegetation, maintenance of buffer strips along watercourses, and wildlife enhancement. For more information, contact the local representative of one of the following partner agencies: Natural Resources Conservation Services of the United States Department of Agriculture, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, or The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Wildlife Management Division, telephone: (919) 707-0050.
Another option for landowners who wish to preserve high quality land in a natural state is through the North Carolina Registry of Natural Heritage Areas, administered by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. The program relies on voluntary agreements with landowners and can provide management prescriptions, some degree of statutory protection from pipelines and transmission lines, and public recognition (if desired). For more information, contact the N. C. Natural Heritage Program.
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INDEX OF RARE SPECIES
Acipenser brevirostrum21, 26, Etheostoma collis ...... 26 Moxostoma sp. 3 ...... 26 71, 73 Etheostoma collis pop. 1 26 Nelumbo lutea ...... 17, 101 Alasmidonta varicosa26, 68 Euphorbia mercurialina20, 22, Panicum lithophilum21, 23, Amorpha schwerinii22, 47, 94 56, 64, 89, 90, 97 51, 59 Anemone berlandieri22, 86, Eurybia mirabilis20, 22, 43, Phlox nivalis ...... 39 93, 94 44, 47, 56, 63, 64, 81, 82, Picoides borealis ...... 20, 26 Anguilla rostrata...... 72 85, 86, 93, 94 Platanthera flava var. flava16 Anhinga anhinga ... 68, 105 Gomphus fraternus...... 27 Primula meadia7, 21, 23, 93, Anodonta implicata21, 26, 71, Gomphus septima .... 21, 27 94 73, 75, 76 Haliaeetus leucocephalus26 Pseudognaphalium helleri23 Baptisia alba ...... 22, 39 Helianthus laevigatus22, 47 Pycnanthemum flexuosum15, Baptisia albescens ...... 22 Helianthus schweinitzii20, 21, 35 Boechera missouriensis15, 20, 22 Quercus austrina ...... 23, 94 22, 47, 85, 86, 93, 94 Hexastylis lewisii ..... 15, 35 Salvia azurea ...... 23, 64 Brasenia schreberi ...... 17 Ictiobus bubalus ...... 71, 73 Sanguinaria canadensis43, 81 Cardamine dissecta14, 22, 43, Ilex longipes...... 22 Schoenoplectus pungens 17 44 Iris prismatica ...... 22, 35 Sciurus niger ...... 35, 36, 97 Carex impressinervia16, 21, Isoetes Piedmontana 22, 59 Scutellaria australis ...... 23 22, 63, 64, 81, 82 Isolepis carinata . 21, 22, 59 Scutellaria ovata ssp. bracteata Carpiodes sp. cf. velifer71, 73 Justicia americana ...... 17 ...... 86 Chasmanthium sessiliflorum Lampsilis cariosa21, 27, 71, Sedum pusillum15, 20, 23, 59, ...... 47, 51, 63, 64, 82 73, 75, 76 79 Clinopodium georgianum22 Lampsilis radiata 27, 71, 75 Smilax hugeri ...... 23, 82 Coelorachis cylindrica .. 22 Lanius ludovicianus ...... 26 Solidago arguta var. arguta85 Corynorhinus rafinesquii68 Lasmigona decorata . 21, 27 Stenanthium gramineum 81 Corynorhinus rafinesquii Liatris squarrulosa ... 23, 64 Strophitus undulatus27, 68, macrotis ...... 68 Ligumia nasuta21, 27, 71, 73, 71, 73, 75, 76 Crotalus horridus ...... 26 75, 76 Triadenum tubulosum .. 101 Cyperus granitophilus22, 59 Lindera subcoriacea ...... 23 Trillium cuneatum . 85, 101 Cyprinella sp. 1 ...... 26 Manfreda virginica... 59, 86 Valvata sincera ...... 75, 76 Diamorpha smallii ...... 51 Masticophis flagellum20, 26 Villosa constricta27, 71, 73 Dicentra cucullaria7, 14, 85 Matelea decipiens23, 39, 64, Villosa delumbis27, 68, 71, Didiplis diandra ...... 71, 72 81, 82 75, 76 Elliptio folliculata21, 26, 71, Minuartia uniflora15, 21, 23, Villosa vaughaniana 27, 71, 73, 75, 76 51, 59 75, 94 Elliptio roanokensis21, 26, 71, Moxostoma robustum21, 26, 75 71, 73, 90 109
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