Ecosystem services and Management

Ecosystem services

Logging

Although this is no longer considered an ecosystem service, there were still many centuries where this was the biggest source of income for the community.

Hunting

Many different types of hunting draw hunters in: Big game, small game, migratory gamebirds, furbearer hunting, and furbearer trapping.

After several centuries of logging the Union Camp Corporation donated 49,100 acres in 1973. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established by U.S. Congress through the Dismal Swamp Act of 1974.

Birding & Conservation

You can see a variety of wading birds, waterfowl, and migratory birds

Recreation

Many seasonal activities bring in tourists

Biodiversity support

Mimicking natural community types and doing prescribed burns promotes native plants and animals to thrive

Improve air quality and human health

Fire mitigation to reduce catastrophic wildfire events

Transportation

Commutable waterways have allowed for travel and trade throughout the years

Management Practices

The Dismal Swamp Act of 1974 directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to: "Manage the area for the primary purpose of protecting and preserving a unique and outstanding ecosystem, as well as protecting and perpetuating the diversity of animal and plant life therein. Management of the refuge will be directed to stabilize conditions in as wild a character as possible, consistent with achieving the refuge’s stated objectives."

Prescribed burns:

GDS with an active fire management program to keep the invasives down

Timber management:

With biodiversity in mind, the goal is to restore and mimic community types

Wildlife monitoring:

Includes inventories, bird counts, pollinator counts, and amphibian surveys

Endangered species recovery:

Actively working with Red-cockaded woodpecker

Hydrology alterations

High amounts of ditching and drains were put in place, U.S. Fish and Wildlife monitors water levels and control them by adjusting water control structures

comprehensive conservation planning (CCp)

Sets in place the management goals of the GDS, as well as strategies to improve conditions of the GDS

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