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Authors of Subpage
Authors of Subpage
James Cummings and Chad Kinzly
Maritime Forest at Fort Fisher Federal Point Historic Preservation Society
Ecosystem Qualities, Characteristics and Features
Ecosystem Qualities, Characteristics and Features
North Carolina's maritime forests are a vital component to our coastlines and surrounding ecosystems. They are made up of various forms of robust shrubs and trees capable of withstanding the temporary submersion, intense winds and salt spray that is required to survive so close to the ocean. The thick root systems provided by these trees prevent soil erosion while also acting as a filter barrier keeping water tables further inland at a lower salinity. The strong canopy from the forest helps to slow headwinds coming from the ocean protecting smaller plant life further inland. Wherever these key ecosystems are lost the surrounding ones soon follow along with beach erosion.
The Maritime forests naturally occurs thought the coastal plane of North Carolina close to the Inlets rivers and ocean. Unfortunately, coastal developments have seen more and more loss of theses ecosystems. Though the location of maritime forests changes naturally over time with the coast line. The decrease of maritime forests directly correlates to increases in beach erosion.
Issues
Issues
There are multiple negatives impacting the maritime forests in North Carolina. Deer populations that go unchecked can have impacts on vegetations from over grazing. A disease known as red wilt is affecting maritime forests, it is spread by the non-native red bay ambrosia beetle. Outbreaks of red wilt can lead to losses in biodiversity and the loss of old growth plants, especially the Red bay tree found in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, whose root systems are vital. The growing number of wild domesticated cats is having an impact on the native bird species, as well as the Invasive Red fox out competing and native Gray fox.
Flora and Fauna
Flora and Fauna
The Maritime forests are host to a large variety of Flora and Fauna. Large trees such as Live oak, Laurel oak and Loblolly pine make up much of the protecting and root systems and canapy, all covered with small amount of Spanish moss. Smaller plants such as Sassafras and Moundlily yucca make up ground covering. Flying among the forest are many birds such as the Prairie warbler and Purple martin. And in the brush the elusive Gray fox, the states only native fox, can be found.
Gray fox by Mark Buckler
Human Impacts
Human Impacts
By far the biggest impact on the maritime forest is Humans. Much of the cost of North Carolina was once maritime forests and have now been cleared away for condos and beaches. This is an ongoing issue as the demand for beach front property shows no sign of decreasing in demand. Humans have been responsible for the previously mentioned invasive species being unleashed such as the Red bay ambrosia beetle, domestic cats and the Red fox. And as the forests disappear and their habitats shrink the native species suffer. Heavy pollution in the inlets and rivers thought North Carolina also impact the maritime forests as the filter to the inland they are one of the first ecosystems to absorb these pollutants.
Bioquest Solutions
Conservation
Conservation
As the maritime forests continue to shrink in size due to human development it makes the demand for protected spaces even more vital. Locations such as Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and North Carolina Beach State Park are important to conserving the ecosystem and the life that relies on it. These locations can provide important services such as controlled burns to reduce flammable fuel preventing forest fire while also restoring nutrients to the ecosystem. Protecting endangered species punishing those who violate them. Or helping to control invasive species such as trapping Red foxes who out compete their native counterpart and negatively effect the ecosystem.
These locations are also important in educating the population. Before people can be expected to protect these parts of our environment they need to appreciate them and these locations allow for the public to interact with the maritime forest even while protecting it from them.
Videos
Videos
Web Resources for Audience to Explore
Web Resources for Audience to Explore
https://www.nps.gov/articles/evergreenmaritimeforest.htm - National Park Service site discussing some of the plants native to the maritime forest
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/maritime-forest.html - National Ocean Service site highlighting maritime forests
https://ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/coastwatch/previous-issues/2015-2/summer-2015/amazing-coast-hear-the-call-of-a-maritime-forest/ - Costwatch article covering some of the plants and animals found in North Carolina's maritime forests.
https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission site with valuable information on native North Carolina species
https://www.fs.fed.us/research/invasive-species/ - U.S. Forest Service site where you can learn more on invasive species
References
References
Coastwatch. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ncseagrant.ncsu.edu/coastwatch/previous-issues/2015-2/summer-2015/amazing-coast-hear-the-call-of-a-maritime-forest/
Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Mammals/Gray-fox
Redbay Ambrosia Beetle. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/research/invasive-species/insects/red-bay-ambrosia-beetle.php
The Evergreen Maritime Forest (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/articles/evergreenmaritimeforest.htm
Trees And Shrubs Of The Maritime Forest. (2015, August 09). Retrieved from https://federal-point-history.org/history-shorts/trees-and-shrubs-of-the-maritime-forest/
US Department of Commerce, & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2015, October 08). What is a maritime forest? Retrieved from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/maritime-forest.html
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