Cypress Gum Swamp

Authors: Avery Owen and Sydney Marenick

(Avery Owen, 2019)

Ecosystem Qualities and Characteristics

The Cypress Gum Swamp is a forested area that is often saturated with water due to its low elevation. Cypress Gum Swamps occur in areas of generally humid climate and flat topography. The ecosystem's resident plant life sets it apart from other swamps and wetlands, as it features the perfect conditions to support bald cypress trees, black gum trees, red maple, and red bay trees (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2014).

Cypress Gum Swamps are incredibly important to the North Carolina coast for protection against storms and floods. The expansive root systems of bald cypress trees help anchor and prevent erosion from the winds and currents of hurricanes. This ecosystem can also mimic a sponge in its ability to distribute and absorb flood waters over time. The Cypress Gum Swamp's two main trees - black gum and bald cypress - famously house many animals including squirrels, eagles, and ducks (Wallien, 2015). These same trees are rot-resistant and produce valuable economic goods including landscaping mulch and furniture (Florida Forest Stewardship, 2006).

Issues Overview

Cypress Gum Swamps can actually be negatively or positively affected by fires. If fire occurs on days of wetter soil, it can prevent the growth of invasive plants. However, as climate change causes more days of drought and fewer (but more intense) days of flooding, fires burning drier soils are causing permanent damage to tree root systems (Florida Museum of Natural History, 2018).

The bald cypress tree that dominates the Cypress Gum Swamp can be negatively affected by several natural factors. Cypress beetles eat the bald cypress' needles and the weeds and grasses of other plants. When drought persists, bald cypress tree needles may turn yellow as a sign of decline. Red spider mites and rust mites can affect the various trees of the Cypress Gum Swamp by consuming much of the trees' moisture. Several fungal diseases, including needle blight, can kill the trees of the swamp (Engel, 2019). Because the trees of the swamp house much of the flora and fauna of the ecosystem, their failure can affect the success of many other organisms.

(Casey Sclar, 2009)

The above image shows damage on bald cypress needles from rust mites. Brown needles indicate the damage.

(Jon Rapp, 2012)

The above image shows a bald cypress beetle.

(Beth Middleton, USGS)

Distribution and Ecological Features

Cypress Gum Swamps can be found throughout the southeastern US in areas with high enough humidity to sustain bald cypress trees. The coast of North Carolina is lined with these swamps. Cypress Gum Swamps help protect NC coastal residents and fauna from hurricane wind and flood damage. They provide habitat for many important species including alligators, white-tailed deer, endangered woodpecker species, air plants, and orchids. Though diversity in Cypress Gum Swamps is relatively low, the stability of this ecosystem makes it reliable for protection against storms and floods (Florida Forest Stewardship).

Flora and Fauna

The ecosystem's bald cypress tree is easy to recognize, as it is a deciduous and coniferous redwood tree that grows "knees" or extensions of its root system that protrude from the soil and are visible on the ground of the swamp. However, other trees, including black gum and red maple, and shrubs, including wax myrtle and fetterbush, are common in this ecosystem. Raccoons, otters, and wood ducks live on the swamp's ground. Amphibians like the Southern Toad and the Eastern Newt thrive in this wetland environment (Becker, 2014). Many birds, including egrets, herons, and owls, find shelter in bald cypress trees (Florida Stewardship Program).

Human Impacts

Humans have harvested bald cypress trees for centuries. According to the University of Florida, most Southeast US cypress swamps were harvested for bald cypress wood in 1800-1900, meaning that most of these swamps have younger trees. Humans have also drained and filled cypress swamps across the US to make room for construction. As many natural resource managers have prevented and stopped natural wildfires, some of the positive fires necessary to prevent growth of invasive species in Cypress Gum Swamps have not occurred (NPS, 2014).

Runoff, a phenomenon occurring when rainwater washes anything in or on the ground near and far toward a certain body of water, affects Cypress Gum Swamps everyday. Agricultural runoff including pesticides and herbicides affect swamps as the pollutants entering waterways negatively impact the plants and animals that rely upon that habitat for prosperity.

(Andrew Kornylak, 2019)

(Avery Owen, 2019)

Conservation

Cypress Gum Swamps have been included in many national and state park zones. Just this year (2019), House Bill 353 was introduced, proposing that 3 new protected areas that include Cypress Gum Swamps in NC be set aside (Jensen, 2019). Currently, the Nature Conservancy manages and protects swamps including bald cypress trees. The organization protects over 16,000 acres of swamp lands in the NC Black River basin alone (The Nature Conservancy, 2019).

Park lands allow visitors to see and learn about the importance of native ecosystems. As more of these habitats are including in preservation areas and state parks, more citizens will become educated about the need for protection and conservation for Cypress Gum Swamps.

Relevant Videos

Extra Resources for Exploration

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/cypress/growing-cypress-trees.htm - Cypress trees are popular ornamental trees in landscaping. If you are interested in learning more about caring for a cypress tree, read this article.

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/roanoke_river/wildlife_and_habitat/general-information.html - This resource shows you ecosystems that commonly surround the Cypress Gum Swamp. Read the articles if you would like to learn about surrounding ecosystems and how they interact with the ecosystem featured above.

https://www.livescience.com/65447-ancient-tree-discovered-in-carolina-swamp.html - Bald cypress trees can be very old. Some of the oldest cypress trees in existence can be found on our very own NC coast. Read this article to learn about the one of the oldest of the trees identified in a NC cypress gum swamp.

http://www.reflector.com/News/2019/03/28/Gathering-celebrates-preservation-of-ecological-historical-treasure-with-Salmon-Creek-dedication.html - This recent article is an excellent example of the ways that communities are beginning to recognize the importance of Cypress Gum Swamps and create protective policies for the ecosystem.

http://sc.audubon.org/news/wildlife-along-swamp-trail - This resource by the Audubon shows some of the bird species that can be found in cypress swamps.

Resources

Engel, Hallie. (2018). Common Problems with Bald Cypress Trees. Retrieved from https://homeguides.sfgate.com/common-problems-bald-cypress-trees-41525.html.

Florida Forest Stewardship. (2006, August 18). Cypress Swamps. Retrieved from http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/florida_forestry_information/forest_resources/cypress_swamps.html.

Florida Museum of Natural History. (2018, October 3). Cypress Swamps. Retrieved from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/southflorida/habitats/cypress-swamps/.

Jensen, Scott. (2019, March 20). North Carolina Wants To Turn The Oldest Cypress Swamp In The World Into A State Park. Retrieved from https://www.charlottestories.com/north-carolina-wants-turn-oldest-cypress-swamp-world-state-park/.

Middleton, Beth. (2019). Wetland Forest Regeneration Dynamics and Productivity in Southeastern Cypress Swamp Ecosystems. Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/science/wetland-forest-regeneration-dynamics-and?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.

US Fish and Wildlife. (2014, November 26). Cypress-Gum Swamp - Mattamuskeet - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved from https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mattamuskeet/wildlife_and_habitat/cypress_gum_swamp.html.

US Fish and Wildlife. (2014, November 28). Cypress Gum Swamp - (Brownwater Subtype) - Roanoke River - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved from https://www.fws.gov/refuge/roanoke_river/wildlife_and_habitat/cypressswamp_brownwater.html.

Wallien, Dayle. (2015, October 7). SENTINELS OF THE SWAMP: CYPRESS AND TUPELO TREES. Retrieved from https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/cypress-and-tupelo-trees.

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