An Ecological Characterization of Coastal Hammock Islands in South Carolina
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An Ecological Characterization of Coastal Hammock Islands in South Carolina Final Report To Ocean and Coastal Resources Management South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Prepared by: Marine Resources Division South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Charleston, South Carolina 1 December 2004 Digitized by South Carolina State Library An Ecological Characterization of Coastal Hammock Islands in South Carolina by J. David Whitaker1, John W. McCord1, Philip P. Maier1, Albert L. Segars1, Megan L. Rekow2, Norm Shea3, Jason Ayers4, and Rocky Browder5 Marine Resources Division South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Charleston, South Carolina 1 December 2004 Final Report To Ocean and Coastal Resources Management South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Project Number 475774 1 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, South Carolina 2 College of Charleston 3 Kiawah Island Community Association 4 US Fish and Wildlife Service 5 Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, SC Dept. of Health and Environ. Control Digitized by South Carolina State Library Hammock Island Final Report Acknowledgements South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Acknowledgements We thank John Miglarese and Chris Brooks for developing the initial concept of a joint study of the ecology of the hammock islands. We also thank Debra Hernandez and the office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management for providing the funding and other support for the study. Nancy Cofer-Shabico and the staff at the NOAA Coastal Services Center were very helpful in providing advice, maps, and associated data. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Mr. Patrick McMillan of Clemson University in assisting with field work, but more importantly, in identifying scores of plant specimens. Steve Bennett is thanked for time spent instructing us about collection of reptiles and amphibians. We sincerely thank Drs. Julian Harrison and Richard Porcher for instructing us in field techniques, assisting in the field, and helping identify animals and plants. Dr. John Brubaker of the SC Native Plant Society was very helpful in assisting in several field trips and identification of many plants. We thank Dr. Joe Quattro for examination of DNA for Slimy Salamanders. We acknowledge the efforts of following individuals who participated in field efforts and report preparation: Saundra Upchurch, Wade Kalinowsky, Phil DeGarmo, Marty Levison, Nathan Dias, Dr. H.E. Cofer, Carrie Manson, Jeff Siewicki, Nathan Ellis, Ginnie Martin, and Janet Ellis. We appreciate the landowners and managers who generously provided access to their land including Jim Quinn, Barney Holt (Dixie Plantation), and Doug Truluck. Charlie Zemp is thanked for his assistance in the ACE Basin. i Digitized by South Carolina State Library Hammock Island Final Report Table of Contents South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Table of Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. i Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Appendices ............................................................................................................vii Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1 Materials and Methods........................................................................................................ 4 Survey of Regional Naturalists ....................................................................................... 4 Island Selection Process.................................................................................................. 4 Field Methods ................................................................................................................. 6 Results and Discussion........................................................................................................ 9 Survey of Regional Experts ............................................................................................ 9 Island Descriptions........................................................................................................ 10 ACE 1........................................................................................................................ 10 ACE 5........................................................................................................................ 12 ACE 6........................................................................................................................ 13 ACE 9........................................................................................................................ 14 ACE 12...................................................................................................................... 16 ACE 52...................................................................................................................... 18 ACE 54...................................................................................................................... 20 B1.............................................................................................................................. 21 B2.............................................................................................................................. 23 B3.............................................................................................................................. 24 F7 .............................................................................................................................. 25 F51 ............................................................................................................................ 27 F52 ............................................................................................................................ 29 F53 ............................................................................................................................ 31 K1.............................................................................................................................. 32 K2.............................................................................................................................. 32 K6.............................................................................................................................. 34 K51............................................................................................................................ 35 K52............................................................................................................................ 36 K53............................................................................................................................ 37 K55............................................................................................................................ 38 K58............................................................................................................................ 39 K57............................................................................................................................ 40 S1 .............................................................................................................................. 41 D3.............................................................................................................................. 42 Hammock Island Habitat Description........................................................................... 44 General Discussion ................................................................................................... 44 Upland Habitats and Communities ........................................................................... 46 High Calcium Communities.................................................................................. 46 Maritime Forest..................................................................................................... 49 Pine-dominated Maritime Forest .......................................................................... 50 ii Digitized by South Carolina State Library Hammock Island Final Report Table of Contents South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Pignut Hickory Dune Ridge .................................................................................. 51 Xeric Sand-Bald.................................................................................................... 51 South Atlantic Inland Maritime Forest ................................................................. 51 Pine-Palmetto Flatwoods ...................................................................................... 52 Palmetto Flatwoods............................................................................................... 52 Palmetto Slope ...................................................................................................... 52 Mixed Pine-Hardwood Forest............................................................................... 53 Successional Loblolly Pine-Hardwood Forest.....................................................