Pocosins
Image Source: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pocosin.html
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Tanner Nance
Tanner Nance
Qualities and Characteristics
Qualities and Characteristics
Pocosins, or Pocosin Wetlands, are wetland ecosystems characterized by their acidic peat soils. One source describes them as "naturally-occurring freshwater evergreen shrub wetlands" (NC Environmental Quality). Clearly this ecosystem has many descriptive features that set it apart from others.
Pocosins, or Pocosin Wetlands, are wetland ecosystems characterized by their acidic peat soils. One source describes them as "naturally-occurring freshwater evergreen shrub wetlands" (NC Environmental Quality). Clearly this ecosystem has many descriptive features that set it apart from others.
Despite being described as a wetland, these ecosystems aren't always covered in water. Pocosins have a defining "black sludge" or muck that is a mixture of sand, peat, and other organic matter. Peat is the main ingredient of these ecosystems, as it acts as a sponge for both water and carbon. This deep peat sludge acts as a massive carbon sink, a water filter, and an escape for species during wildfires. All of these qualities allow pocosins to be species rich, with lots of diversity in regards to fauna. Low-lying shrubbery and evergreens are the dominant plant species found in these areas due to the lack of nutrients available and acidic nature of peat.
Despite being described as a wetland, these ecosystems aren't always covered in water. Pocosins have a defining "black sludge" or muck that is a mixture of sand, peat, and other organic matter. Peat is the main ingredient of these ecosystems, as it acts as a sponge for both water and carbon. This deep peat sludge acts as a massive carbon sink, a water filter, and an escape for species during wildfires. All of these qualities allow pocosins to be species rich, with lots of diversity in regards to fauna. Low-lying shrubbery and evergreens are the dominant plant species found in these areas due to the lack of nutrients available and acidic nature of peat.
Image 1 Source: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060062183
Image 2 Source: https://sciencetrio.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/why-pocosins-are-amazing/
Image 3 Source: https://www.blevinsphoto.com/pocosin.htm
Environmental Impacts
Environmental Impacts
Pocosins help out the environment in a wide variety of ways. One of their most notable functions, is that they act as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon, mercury, nitrogen, and other potent compounds. Peat acts as a sponge for carbon, due to the naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria it cultivates and the antimicrobial compounds that hinder the decay of organic matter. This lack of decay leads to an ecosystem service that stores nearly twice the amount of carbon that the entirety of all forests on our planet absorb, making them incredibly efficient (Coastal Review Online). Pocosins are also one of the few coastal ecosystems, if not the only one, that actively re-introduces soil to an areas known for rapid erosion. With these massive peat deposits, pocosins are able to control flooding and lessen the damage of sea level rise. Another important impact these ecosystems have on the environment is its ability to lessen the frequency and damage of naturally occurring wildfires. They also provide animals escaping these fires an area of relief, leading it to act as a sanctuary for many species and their young.
Pocosins help out the environment in a wide variety of ways. One of their most notable functions, is that they act as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon, mercury, nitrogen, and other potent compounds. Peat acts as a sponge for carbon, due to the naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria it cultivates and the antimicrobial compounds that hinder the decay of organic matter. This lack of decay leads to an ecosystem service that stores nearly twice the amount of carbon that the entirety of all forests on our planet absorb, making them incredibly efficient (Coastal Review Online). Pocosins are also one of the few coastal ecosystems, if not the only one, that actively re-introduces soil to an areas known for rapid erosion. With these massive peat deposits, pocosins are able to control flooding and lessen the damage of sea level rise. Another important impact these ecosystems have on the environment is its ability to lessen the frequency and damage of naturally occurring wildfires. They also provide animals escaping these fires an area of relief, leading it to act as a sanctuary for many species and their young.
Distribution Map and Ecological Features
Distribution Map and Ecological Features
Pocosins are a unique ecosystem that can be found from Southern Virginia, all the way to Northern portions of Florida. They are almost always associated with coastal plains and the Atlantic Ocean, with most being found in North Carolina. Pictured is a map of pocosins within our state. Pocosins were once incredibly present throughout these coastal regions, but have since been depleted do to poor management practices and urbanization.
Pocosins are a unique ecosystem that can be found from Southern Virginia, all the way to Northern portions of Florida. They are almost always associated with coastal plains and the Atlantic Ocean, with most being found in North Carolina. Pictured is a map of pocosins within our state. Pocosins were once incredibly present throughout these coastal regions, but have since been depleted do to poor management practices and urbanization.
Image Source: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Conserving/documents/Coast/CP_Pocosin.pdf
Flora/Fauna
Flora/Fauna
Sometimes referred to as "a nursery", pocosins are home to fauna such as red wolves, foxes, raccoons, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and black bears. Pocosins are an excellent place to raise young, as prey items are plentiful and protection from wildfires and other predators are provided. Two of the species listed (red wolves and red-cockaded woodpeckers) are considered endangered. Only ~40 red wolves reside in Eastern North Carolina, as they are considered a Non-Essential Experimental Population, aimed at restoring native ranges. I have had an opportunity to work with this species at a wildlife education center I once worked at and they are breath-taking!
Sometimes referred to as "a nursery", pocosins are home to fauna such as red wolves, foxes, raccoons, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and black bears. Pocosins are an excellent place to raise young, as prey items are plentiful and protection from wildfires and other predators are provided. Two of the species listed (red wolves and red-cockaded woodpeckers) are considered endangered. Only ~40 red wolves reside in Eastern North Carolina, as they are considered a Non-Essential Experimental Population, aimed at restoring native ranges. I have had an opportunity to work with this species at a wildlife education center I once worked at and they are breath-taking!
As mentioned in the introduction, diversity among plant species are low, with most being shrubs or evergreens. Some flora species found in pocosins include loblolly pines, pond pines, venus flytraps, and pitcher plants. Venus flytraps are a species of carnivorous plant found only in the Carolinas, found within a 75 mile radius of Wilmington North Carolina. Pocosins provide the idea growing conditions for these carnivorous plants, as the peat is incredibly acidic and low in nutrients, with lots of bugs calling this ecosystem home for this species to prey on.
As mentioned in the introduction, diversity among plant species are low, with most being shrubs or evergreens. Some flora species found in pocosins include loblolly pines, pond pines, venus flytraps, and pitcher plants. Venus flytraps are a species of carnivorous plant found only in the Carolinas, found within a 75 mile radius of Wilmington North Carolina. Pocosins provide the idea growing conditions for these carnivorous plants, as the peat is incredibly acidic and low in nutrients, with lots of bugs calling this ecosystem home for this species to prey on.
Human Impacts
Human Impacts
Prior to industrialization along the Atlantic coast, early colonist had already begun making changes to wetlands and pocosins, as they were used for silviculture, agriculture, and residential areas. Fast forward a few hundred years, and more than half of all wetlands have been lost.
Prior to industrialization along the Atlantic coast, early colonist had already begun making changes to wetlands and pocosins, as they were used for silviculture, agriculture, and residential areas. Fast forward a few hundred years, and more than half of all wetlands have been lost.
Many wetlands and pocosins have been lost to urbanization and agriculture as human expansion demands for more space for more people. Most are drained, filled, and covered, leaving local ecosystems in disarray as protection from wildfires are gone and floods are able to occur more frequently. These are direct changes made to these ecosystems, but they are also affected indirectly. Runoff and pollution caused by urbanization can indirectly make their way into the peat. This can ruin soil and water quality, leading to the death of other species.
Many wetlands and pocosins have been lost to urbanization and agriculture as human expansion demands for more space for more people. Most are drained, filled, and covered, leaving local ecosystems in disarray as protection from wildfires are gone and floods are able to occur more frequently. These are direct changes made to these ecosystems, but they are also affected indirectly. Runoff and pollution caused by urbanization can indirectly make their way into the peat. This can ruin soil and water quality, leading to the death of other species.
Conservation
Conservation
What efforts are being made to minimize human interference / interactions?
What efforts are being made to minimize human interference / interactions?
The number of pocosins has drastically fell in a span of <100 years. During the 1960's, pocosins covered nearly 2 million acres in North Carolina alone. However, by the 1980's, 700,000 of those acres had by destroyed or altered (NC Environmental Quality). As the need for human resources grew, many companies looked toward unsustainable practices to meet consumer needs, leading to many pocosins becoming agricultural lands, forestry operations, and even residential areas. Pocosins that were only slightly altered experienced water quality issues as runoff and pollution from human activity made its way into the wetlands.
The number of pocosins has drastically fell in a span of <100 years. During the 1960's, pocosins covered nearly 2 million acres in North Carolina alone. However, by the 1980's, 700,000 of those acres had by destroyed or altered (NC Environmental Quality). As the need for human resources grew, many companies looked toward unsustainable practices to meet consumer needs, leading to many pocosins becoming agricultural lands, forestry operations, and even residential areas. Pocosins that were only slightly altered experienced water quality issues as runoff and pollution from human activity made its way into the wetlands.
Since then, conservation efforts have been made to protect these, once considered a nuisance, ecosystems. Some methods of restoration include hydrology restoration and the promise of carbon farming. Hydrology restoration re-wets the peat once drained or dried out. When adding more water to these ecosystems, the water table raises, re-submerging carbon, creating areas of protection from wildfires, and improving local water quality. Duke University recently did a pilot study with a local land owner in Northeastern NC, where 300 acres of a once dried pocosin were re-wetted. If all goes to plan, the university has the rights to the remaining 10,000 acres, where they plan to offset their universities carbon emissions to neutral by 2024 (Coastal Review Online). As more people become aware of the importance of pocosins in our fight against climate change, more management practices and area of protected land should arise in the years to come!
Since then, conservation efforts have been made to protect these, once considered a nuisance, ecosystems. Some methods of restoration include hydrology restoration and the promise of carbon farming. Hydrology restoration re-wets the peat once drained or dried out. When adding more water to these ecosystems, the water table raises, re-submerging carbon, creating areas of protection from wildfires, and improving local water quality. Duke University recently did a pilot study with a local land owner in Northeastern NC, where 300 acres of a once dried pocosin were re-wetted. If all goes to plan, the university has the rights to the remaining 10,000 acres, where they plan to offset their universities carbon emissions to neutral by 2024 (Coastal Review Online). As more people become aware of the importance of pocosins in our fight against climate change, more management practices and area of protected land should arise in the years to come!
This clip features The Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and provides great information about these diverse habitats.
This video from the US Fish and Wildlife Service takes a look at management practices and concerns regarding pocosins. It specifically talks about the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound which encompasses North Carolina and Virginia.
Web Resources for Audience Exploration
Web Resources for Audience Exploration
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pocosin.html
This website is a great starting point for learning about pocosins, providing the reader with conservation information, a bit of history, and a baseline description of how they play into our coastlines.
https://deq.nc.gov/blog/2019-01-11/north-carolinas-pocosins-unique-carbon-sink-0
North Carolina Environmental Quality released this webpage in 2019. It specifically references things being done to protect pocosins in our state, as well as providing information as to why they're important.
https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Conserving/documents/Coast/CP_Pocosin.pdf
While this document is quite lengthy, it is a great resource with lots of depth. It has an incredibly detailed map displaying the range of pocosins in North Carolina.
https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammals/red-wolf/
This website is all about the red wolf! It's put out by US Fish and Wildlife Service and is full of information regarding one of the pocosins most endangered inhabitants. It provides the reader detailed information about conservation initiatives.
This EPA webpage is loaded with links about wetlands within the United States. Whether you're looking to learn more about a wetland's function, or you'd like to learn more about what's being done to conserve them, this page has got you covered!
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
When applicable add your google docs lesson plan here.
When applicable add your google docs lesson plan here.
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