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                                                                                FY'91               Task 70

                                                                                     Final Product
                                A NATURAL           AREAS INVENTORYbiP"--'O&P-'t""-"-Y^-"'
                                                                                          3/31/93
                        THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA


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                                                     A NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY
                                          OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA



                                                                 FINAL REPORT






                                                                 Prepared for
                                                         city    of Virginia Beach




                                                                          by
                                 Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
                                                   Division of Natural Heritage
                                                  1500 E. Main Street, Suite 312
                                                           'Richmond, VA 23219
                                                                (804) 786-7951

                                                        Christopher A. Clampitt
                                                               Project Manager










                        This report should be cited as follows:
                                 CLampitt, C. A., J. C. Ludwig, T. J. Rawinski, and C. A. Pague.       1993.   A Natural Areas
        L
                                 Inventory of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report #93 -
                                 14.   Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage,
                                 Richmond, VA. 1 March 1993.

                                 This report was funded, in part, by the Virginia Council on the Environment's Coastal
                                 Resources Management Program through grant number NA17OZO359-01 of the National          i
                                 Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration under the Coastal Zone Management Act of
                                 1972, as amended.














                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                                Staff of the
                            Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
                                        Division of Natural Heritage


                 Thomas Smith - Division Director
                              Pat Jarrell - Executive Secretary
                              Faye McKinney - Secretary/Receptionist
                        Vacant - Natural Heritage Program Manager
                              Allen Belden   Field Botanist
                              Kurt Buhlmann   Field Zoologist
                              Christopher Clampitt - Inventory Ecologist.
                              Gary Fleming - Field Ecologist
                              Christopher Ludwig - Botanist
                              Sarah Mabey - Field ornithologist
                              Thomas Rawinski - Vegetation Ecologist
                              Steven Roble - Zoologist
                              Philip Stevenson   Zoology Research Specialist
                              Nancy Van Alstine   Botany Research Specialist
                        Lawrence Smith - Natural Areas Program Manager
                        Caren Caljouw - Stewardship Coordinator
                              Kennedy Clark   Stewardship Biologist
                              Sandra Erdle   Preserve Design Research Assistant
                        Steven Carter-Lovejoy   Data Manager
                              Sarah Holbrook   Conservation Intern
                              Timothy O'Connell - Environmental Review Coordinator
                              Tracy O'Connell - Information specialist
                              Megan Rollins   Data Specialist












                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY














                                              TABLE OF CONTENTS





                  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  iv


                  INTRODUCTION   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
                  Overview of the Study Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
                  Virginia's Natural Heritage  Program   . . . . . . . . . .    5


                  METHODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8


                  RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .     9


                  PROTECTION OF NATURAL AREAS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
                  Natural Area Protection Tools  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28


                  RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31


                  REFERENCES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33


                  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35




                  APPENDICES
                  A.    Potential Natural Areas of Virginia Beach City      A 1
                  B.   Natural Areas Identified during the Inventory        3 1
                  C.   Scientific Names of Species   . . . . . . . . . . .  C 1















                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                              EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



                        In 1989, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's
                  Division of Natural Heritage was contracted by the City of Virginia Beach
                  to conduct a three-year natural areas inventory.        The goal of this
                  inventory was to systematically identify the City's natural heritage
                  resources:   nthe habitat of rare, threatened, or endangered plant and
                  animal species, rare or state significant natural communities or geologic
                  sites, and similar features of scientific interest" (Virginia Natural Area
                  Preserves Act, 510.1-209 et se . of the Code of Virginia).

                        The natural areas inventory was conducted in six steps:

                  1)    Review aerial photographs;
                  2)    Gather existing information;
                  3)    Conduct aerial reconnaissance of potential natural areas (PNAs);
                  4)    Perform an initial ground survey;
                  5)    Complete a thorough inventory of priority PNAs;
                  6)    Compile the results and prepare a final report.

                        At the completion of the inventory, the Division of Natural Heritage
                  had records of 20 rare vertebrate species, 39 rare invertebrate species,
                  and 76 rare plant species from the City.       Nineteen types of natural
                  communities of statewide significance were also identified. Many of these
                  resources are sensitive to disturbance or may be sought out by collectors.
                  For this reason, there is a limited exemption to Virginia's Freedom of
                  Information Act for natural heritage resources and the precise locations
                  of these species are not included in this report. Requests for additional
                  information on these resources should be addressed to the Department of
                  conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, through the
                  Virginia Beach Department of Planning, Environmental Management Center.

                        Thirty-four potential natural areas were identified during the
                  initial phases of the inventory.     Of these, 23 were found to support
                  natural heritage resources.   Based on a review of data obtained in the
                  field, maps, and aerial photographs, Natural Heritage staff scientists
                  developed conservation planning boundaries for these natural heritage
                  resources.   During this stage, a number of factors were considered,
                  including the extent of high-quality natural communities, current and
                  potential habitat for rare species, and threats to these resources. The
                  result of this process is contained in Appendix B of this report:
                  descriptions and maps of 18 natural areas that warrant protection because
                  of the natural heritage resources they contain and over which the City has
                  some control through ownership or zoning.        In addition, Appendix B
                  contains brief descriptions of 14 natural areas that have been identified
                  previously by the Division of Natural Heritage during inventories of
                  publicly-owned tracts (e.g. parks and military bases). These 42 natural
                  areas range from ca. 10 acres to over 4000 acres.



                                                      iv














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                        Some of the natural resources within these natural areas have been
                  afforded protection under federal, state, and local law. Among these laws
                  are the U.S. Endangered Species Act, Virginia Endangered Species Act,
                  Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Species Act, the Clean Water Act,
                  Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, Southern Watersheds Management Ordinance
                  and City Zoning Ordinance.     The delineation of conservation planning
                  boundaries in this report does not confer any additional regulatory
                  protection on the natural areas. These boundaries are intended to be used
                  to support wise planning and decision-making for the conservation of the
                  natural areas within the City.      The Department of Conservation and
                  Recreation encourages the City to take appropriate actions to protect
                  these sites.


                        The report includes five recommendations for the City:

                  1.    Participate fully in the development of local protection tools.

                  2.    Include the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of
                        Natural Heritage in the review of projects in or near natural areas.

                  3.    Expand public awareness of the need for protecting and managing
                        natural areas.


                  4.    Increase cooperation among pertinent organizations.

                  5.    Properly manage natural areas within the City of Virginia Beach.



                        To assist in protecting these natural areas, the Department of
                  Conservation and Recreation is working with the Council on the Environment
                  and the City to evaluate and apply existing local mechanisms for the
                  protection of natural areas. Where appropriate, recommendations for new
                  natural area protection tools will be developed. At the same time, the
                  conservation planning boundaries identified here will be refined.



















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                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  Representative Natural Heritage Resources of Virginia Beach



                  Upper Left:        Spreading pogonia (Cleistes divaricata), known in
                                     Virginia Beach only from the North Pocosin Natural Area
                                     Photo by Hal Horowitz.

                  Lower Left:        Four-spotted pennant (Brachymesii aravida), known in
                                     Virginia Beach from Seashore and False Cape State Parks.
                                     Photo by Kurt Buhlmann.


                  Center:            Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), which nests in a
                                     large colony in Gum Swamp Natural Area. Photo by Guy
                                     Bonnivier.


                  Lower Right:       Slender-leaved dragon-head (Physostegia leptophylla),
                                     common along the North Landing River, typically with
                                     purple flowers, but occasionally with white flowers.
                                     Photo by Christopher Clampitt.

                  Upper Right:       Three-square bulrush--cattail oligohaline marsh along
                                     Muddy Creek, Muddy Creek Natural Area.          Photo by
                                     Christopher Clampitt.
































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                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY








































































                                                     -A-4

                                                                     vii














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                                 INTRODUCTION



                        In October 1989 the      Virginia Department of Conservation and
                  Recreation, through its Division of Natural Heritage, was contracted by
                  the City of Virginia Beach to begin a three-year natural areas inventory.
                  The goal of this inventory    was to systematically identify the City's
                  natural heritage resources:       "the habitat of rare, threatened, or
                  endangered plant and animal   species, rare or state significant natural
                  communities or geologic sites, and similar features of scientific
                  interest" (Virginia Natural Area Preserves Act, S10.1-209 et se . of the
                  Code of Virginia).    Subsequent contracts in 1990 and 1991 provided for
                  completion of the inventory.     Although this report covers the earlier
                  work, it emphasizes the third year of the inventory. In addition to the
                  inventory presented here, the City of Virginia Beach has secured funding
                  for an additional project that will address the protection and management
                  of the natural areas identified here.




                   OVERVM OF THE STUDY AREA


                        The City of Virginia Beach lies in the southeastern corner of
                  Virginia. It is bordered on the north by the Chesapeake Bay, on the east
                  by the Atlantic ocean, and the south by Currituck County, North Carolina
                  and on the west by the cities of Chesapeake and Norfolk.       The northern
                  portion of Virginia Beach is heavily urbanized, but the southern portion
                  retains a rural character.


                        Qeolociv.  Virginia Beach lies entirely within Virginia's Coastal
                  Plain physiographic province. Here, bedrock is buried by deep layers of
                  unconsolidated materials that eroded from the mountainous western portions
                  of the Commonwealth and were transported to the ocean by large rivers
                  (Calver and Hobbs, 1963). Although now lying above sea level, these sands
                  and gravels were deposited on the sea floor and reworked as sea level
                  moved alternately west and east during the Quaternary. In general, the
                  topography of Virginia Beach is level to rolling. The highest points in
                  the City are the crests of some of the coastal dunes, which can exceed 50,
                  above sea level. However, most of the City lies below 151.

                        Maior Watersheds. The City of Virginia Beach encompasses parts of
                  four  large watersheds.    The northern third of the City drains into
                  Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic Ocean by way of small, steep-walled, tidal
                  creeks and bays (e.g., Broad Bay, Linkhorn Bay, Rudee Inlet, and the
                  Lynnhaven River).     The southeastern third of the City drains into
                  Albemarle Sound by way of Back Bay, which is fed by many marsh-lined
                  creeks (e.g., Muddy Creek, Nawney Creek). The southwestern third of the
                  City is drained by the North Landing and Northwest Rivers, broad
                  blackwater rivers that also drain south into Albemarle Sound. Of these
                  two rivers, the North Landing drains much more of Virginia Beach. It is
                  bordered by extensive forested wetlands north of the Pungo Ferry bridge













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  and by extensive herbaceous wetlands south of the bridge.       The North
                  Landing River is now part of the Intracoastal Waterway, connecting
                  Albemarle Sound to the south with the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth
                  River.


                        Unlike the streams in the northern part of Virginia Beach, the
                  tributaries of Albemarle Sound are not influenced by regular lunar tides.
                  However, prolonged winds from the northwest can push water out of the
                  Sound, dropping the water level in Back Bay and the North Landing River
                  by a foot or more. Similarly, a "wind tide" brought on by strong easterly
                  winds can push saltwater into the Sound, raising the water level (and
                  salinity) in its tributaries.

                        Soils. The U.S. Soil Conservation Service divides the naturally-
                  occurring soils of Virginia Beach into seven general groups (map units).
                  'Three of these occur in uplands, two occur in marshes and swamps, and two
                  are confined to coastal dune systems (Soil Conservation Service, 1985;
                  Table 1).


                        Current Vegetation. Most of the upland areas of Virginia Beach are
                  either developed or in agriculture.     Many seasonal wetlands have been
                  drained and cleared in the past and now support vegetation more typical
                  of uplands. In recent years, some agricultural lands have been abandoned
                  and others have been converted to residential areas. Thus the few upland
                  forests are relatively young stands of loblolly pine, Virginia pine,
                  and/or early-successional hardwoods such as red maple.     Upland forests
                  that have not been logged or grazed for several decades are composed of
                  hardwoods, including black gum, American beech, tulip poplar, sourwood,
                  white oak, southern red oak, water oak, and hickories.


                        In coastal areas, wind and salt spray from the ocean can create
                  conditions that are too harsh for many species. Under these conditions
                  can be found a distinctive series of maritime forests, scrublands and
                  grasslands. These are particularly abundant at Cape Henry and False Cape,
                  where public ownership has prevented the construction of human communities
                  with the consequent destruction of the natural communities.             The
                  characteristic species of maritime forests is live oak. Growing with it
                  are bluejack oak, water oak, and loblolly pine. Along the inland edge of
                  the maritime forest community, the pines typically tower over the oaks.
                  Nearer the ocean, the pines drop out and the oaks get shorter and shorter
                  until they form a low scrub.     From here to the primary dune, grasses
                  dominate the landscape. Chief among these are American beachgrass, sea
                  oats, and broomsedge.

                        Forested wetlands (swamps) cover a substantial portion of Virginia
                  Beach. Dominant species in the swamps include bald cypress, swamp tupelo,
                  red maple, sweetgum, loblolly pine and Atlantic white cedar.      Most of
                  these swamps have been logged since Europeans first settled the area, with
                  Atlantic white cedar and bald cypress being the most valued species. Red
                  maple and black gum typically dominate second growth forested wetlands.

                                                      2














                            VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY

                            Table 1.          Natural ly-occuringi soils of Virginia Beach.                             (Based on Soil
                                              Conservation Service, 1985).
                                                                                               Distribution in Virginia Beach            Percent of
                            Soi I Grow               Description                                                                         the City

                            Swamp and Marsh   Soils

                            Dorovan-Pocaty-          Very poorly  drained soils that           Level floodptains of the Larger                10
                            Nawney                   consist of organic or Loamy               rivers and their tributaries in
                                                     material; formed in organic               the southwestern portion.
                                                     material or fluviat sediments.


                            Backbay-Nawney           Very poorly drained soils that            FtoodpLains of Back Bay and its                  7
                                                     have a thin organic surface               tributaries.
                                                     layer over a toamy sub-stratum;
                                                     formed in fluviat sediments.



                            Sandy Coastal Soils


                            Newhan,Duckstan-         1xcessively drained to poorly             Sand dunes, flats and other                      I
                            Corolla                  drained soils that have a sandy           sandy,   coastal    areas    along
                                                     sub-stratum; formed in marine             Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic
                                                     and eoLian sediments.                     Ocean.

                            Pamlico-Fripp-           Very poorly drained, excessively          Stabilized and forested dunes                    3
                            L a k a h u r s t        drained, and moderately wet(              in and near Seashore State Park.
                            Variant                  drained soils that are organic
                                                     or sandy; formed in organic
                                                     material or in marine or eotian
                                                     sediments.



                            Upland Soils

                            A c r a d a t a          Poorly-drained soils that have            Widespread on broad, f tat areas               41
                            Tomottey-Nimmo           a Loamy subsoil; formed in                in the uplands, central and
                                                     marine and ftuviat sediments.             southern portions.

                            State-Tetotum-           WeLt-drained, moderately well-            Broad ridges and side slopes,                  15
                            Augusta                  drained, and somewhat poorly-             ma i n t y i n the northern port i ons.
                                                     drained soi Ls that have a Loamy
                                                     subsoil; formed in marine and
                                                     fluviat sediments.


                            Dragston-Munden-         Somewhat       poorty-drained,            Narrow ridges and side slopes,                 11
                            Bojac                    moderately weiL-drained, and              throughout.
                                                     wett-drained soils that have a
                                                     Loamy subsoil; formed in marine
                                                     and fLuviat sediments.





                            1)       Udorthents (soils affected by grading and fitting) and urban lands with impervious surfaces
                                     cover roughly 8% of the City.








                                                                                    3














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  Within some of the largest      forested wetlands occur nutrient-poor,
                  natural ly-burned communities known as pocosins.    In* these communities,
                  stunted pond pine and loblolly pine form a broken canopy over a dense
                  tangle of shrubs and vines.

                        The remainder of the wetlands in Virginia Beach are fresh to
                  somewhat salty (brackish) marshes. The largest of these are associated
                  with the North Landing River and Back Bay. Dominating these marshes are
                  big cordgrass, narrow-leaf cattail, southern cattail, twig rush, black
                  needlerush and (in disturbed areas such as disposal sites for dredged
                  material and ditches) common reed.



                  VIRGINIA'S NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM


                        The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the
                  Commonwealth's principal manager of data on rare plants and animals,
                  unique and exemplary natural communities, and other significant natural
                  features such as caves. Through its Division of Natural Heritage, DCR is
                  part of a natural heritage data center network covering all 50 states in
                  the U,S., three Canadian provinces, and 13 countries in Latin America and
                  the Caribbean.    A consistent methodology is utilized throughout this
                  neiwork, ensuring that information collected by the various state,
                  provincial and national programs can be readily shared, compared and
                  updated. The Division of Natural Heritage continually refines its data
                  through biological surveys and compilation of data from other sources.
                  This keeps the information base current and increasingly accurate. The
                  Division of Natural Heritage also continues to look for new and better
                  ways to provide information on natural heritage resources, their legal and
                  biological status, and ways to protect and manage their habitats.       For
                  example, the Division is currently investigating the use of geographical
                  information systems to produce regional maps of natural heritage
                  resources.


                        Each significant natural features (species, community type, and
                  category of geological feature) monitored by the Division of Natural
                  Heritage is an element of natural diversity, or simply an element. Each
                  element is assigned a rank that indicates its relative rarity on a five-
                  point scale (1 = extremely rare; 5 = abundant; Table 2).       The primary
                  criterion for ranking elements is the number of occurrences, i.e. the
                  number of known distinct localities or populations.         Also of great
                  importance is the number of individuals at each locality or, for highly
                  mobile organisms, the total number of individuals. other     considerations
                  include the condition of the occurrences, the number of protected
                  occurrences, and threats. However, the emphasis remains on the number of
                  occurrences such that ranks are an index of known biological rarity.
                  These ranks are assigned both in terms of the element's rarity within
                  Virginia (its State or S-rank) and the element's rarity over its entire
                  range (its Global or G-rank). Global ranks are based upon the collective
                  knowledge of the natural heritage data network. Taken together the G- and

                                                       4













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  Table 2.     Def Inition of Natural Heritage  state rarity ranks.     Global
                               ranks are similar, but refer to  a species' rarity throughout
                               its range. Global ranks are denoted with a "G" followed by a
                               character.   Note that GA and GN are not used and GX means
                               extinct. A question mark following a rank indicates that the
                               actual rarity is uncertain.      These ranks should not be
                               interpreted as legal designations.



                  S1    Extremely rare:   usually 5 or fewer occurrences in the state,      or
                        there may be a few remaining individuals; often especially
                        vulnerable to extirpation.

                  S2    Very rare: usually between 5 and 20 occurrences, or there may be
                        many individuals in fewer occurrences; often susceptible to becoming
                        endangered.


                  S3    Rare to uncommon: usually between 20 and 100 occurrences, there may
                        be fewer occurrences, but with a large number of individuals in some
                        populations; may be susceptible to large-scale disturbances.

                  S4    Common: usually more than 100 occurrences, but there may be fewer
                        with many large populations, which may be restricted to only a
                        portion of the state; usually not susceptible to immediate threats.

                  S5    Very common: demonstrably secure underpresent conditions.

                  SA    Accidental in the state.


                  SH    Historically known from the state, but not verified for an extended
                        period, usually more than 15 years; this rank is used primarily when
                        inventory has been attempted recently.

                  SN    Regularly occurrin'g migrants; transients; seasonal, non-breeding
                        residents.  Usually no specific site can be identified with its
                        range in the state. (Note that congregation and staging areas are
                        monitored separately).

                  SU    Status uncertain, often because of low search effort or cryptic
                        nature of the element.


                  Sx    Apparently extirpated from the state.














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  S-ranks give an instant picture of the rarity of an element based upon
                  the beat available information of the natural heritage network. Although
                  most species protected under state or federal endangered species laws are
                  extremely rare, not all rare species are protected. Therefore, Natural
                  Heritage rarity ranks should not be interpreted as legal designations.

                        The spot on the landscape that supports a particular population of
                  a specific rare species or stand of a given community type is an element
                  occurrence. There are now more than 7000 mapped element occurrences in
                  Virginia.   Information on the location and quality of these element
                  occurrences is also entered into the computerized databases that comprise
                  the Biologica 1 and Conservation Data System (BCD).

                        In addition to ranking each element in terms of rarity, Natural
                  Heritage staff scientists rank each element occurrence so that protection
                  efforts can be aimed not only at the rarest elements, but at the best
                  examples of each. In the case of species, an element occurrence is ranked
                  in terms of the quality (size, vigor, etc.) of the population, the
                  condition or naturalness of the habitat, the long-term viability of the
                  population, and the defensibility of the occurrence. Given the intimate
                  relationship between a natural community and its environment, communities
                  are ranked in terms of their quality and their size. Element occurrence
                  ranks run from A (excellent) through D (poor) where the population and
                  habitat are well known. In other cases element occurrences are given a
                  rank of U (unknown) or H (historical).

                        one of the many ways that the Division of Natural Heritage uses
                  these element and element occurrence ranks is to assess the overall
                  significance of a site, which may include one or many element occurrences.
                  Based on these ranks, each site is assigned a biodiversity (or B-) rank:

                        Bl    outstanding Significance: only site known for an
                              element or an excellent occurrence of a Gl
                              species.
                        B2    Very High significance: one of the best examples
                              of a community type, good occurrence of a Gl
                              species, or excellent occurrence of a G2 or G3
                              species.
                        B3    High Significance:     excellent example of any
                              community type, good occurrence of a G3 species.
                        B4    Moderate Significance:      good example of a
                              community type, excellent or good occurrence of
                              state-rare species.
                        B5    General Biodiversity Significance:       good or
                              marginal occurrence of a community type, Sl, or
                              S2 species.

                        Many rare species are sensitive to disturbance, especially during
                  the breeding season. Others may sought out by individuals interested in
                  capturing, photographing or even destroying them for a variety of reasons.

                                                      6














                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                 For these reasons, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (S2.1-342 of
                 the Code of Virctinia) grants a limited exemption to the release of
                 information on natural heritage resources, as well as significant historic
                 and archaeological sites, if "disclosure of the information would
                 jeopardize the continued existence or the integrity of the resource."




















































                                                    7














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                                        METHODS


                         The Natural Heritage staff conducts natural area inventories in six
                  9tages2

                  1)     Review of aerial photographs.     Aerial photographs of the entire
                         survey area are reviewed in detail to identify potential natural
                         areas (PNAs) to be studied in the following stages. Where possible,
                         recent and historical aerial photographs are studied.        Comparing
                         these sets of photographs with each other helps determine how long
                         forests and other vegetation have been in their current condition.
                         To aid in their interpretation, the photographs are compared with
                         topographic, wetlands, and soils maps.

                  2)     Gatherinct existincf information.   Natural Heritage staff examine
                         museum collections and record label information for rare species.
                         Published and unpublished information on natural areas in the
                         inventory area is collected and assimilated in conjunction with the
                         review of aerial photographs.      This includes gathering maps of
                         public lands (federal, state and local) within the survey area,
                         reviewing Natural Heritage data, consulting experts such as local
                         naturalists, soil conservationists, foresters, and college faculty.
                         During this stage, some PNAs" are eliminated from further
                         consideration while others are added.        The state and federal
                         governments own a substantial portion of Virginia Beach.            The
                         Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Natural
                         Heritage has conducted or will be conducting inventories on many of
                         these tracts, including Camp Pendleton, Little Creek Naval
                         Amphibious Base, Naval Air Station Oceana, and Seashore State Park.
                         For this reason, the Virginia Beach natural areas inventory has
                         focused on private and city lands (see citations in the References
                         section of this report). Significant sites identified during these
                         collateral studies are included in Appendix B of this report.

                  3)     Aerial reconnaissance. Selected PNAs are studied in more detail by
                         flying over them in a small airplane or helicopter. Typically, this
                         is done in the early spring or late fall, when the ground is visible
                         through the trees.     This is especially useful where no recent
                         photographs are available or there have been recent major changes
                         in the landscape due to development, conversion of natural forests
                         to managed plantations, etc. Flying allows the quick review of many
                         tracts that would take days to visit by boat, car and on foot.
                         Making a videotape of the flight allows the flight to be replayed
                         and reanalyzed.     The goal of this stage is to eliminate from
                         consideration the sites that are no longer in a natural state and
                         to begin prioritizing the remaining PNAs for on-the-ground survey.






                                                        8














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  4)     Initial ground surv2y. There are several purposes of this stage.
                         one is to identify and contact the landowner. A second purpose is
                         to screen the PNAs to eliminate those that show signs of substantial
                         disturbance that are not visible in aerial photographs or from the
                         air. A third is to plan for the main survey of PNAs that still show
                         potential as natural areas. Among the decisions to be made are when
                         the survey can best be conducted, which staff scientist(s) should
                         be involved (i.e. what is the potential for rare plants, rare
                         animals or exemplary communities), and how much time should be
                         budgeted for completing the survey. Where there is a need to verify
                         the accuracy of the photo interpretation conducted during stage 1,
                         these stages may overlap.

                  5)     Thorough inventory of priority PNAs.         At this time, detailed
                         information is collected on the presence and status of rare species
                         and unique or exemplary matural communities that are present, the
                         extent of the feature(s) that make the PNA significant, and the area
                         that needs to be protected to preserve those features. Threats and
                         past or present disturbances are also noted. For sites found to be
                         of statewide significance, these data are transcribed onto Natural
                         Heritage maps and entered into the BCD databases.

                  6)     Compilation of resu  lts and Preparation of final report. As field
                         work is completed, Natural Heritage staff scientists review the
                         information gathered.    Based on a review of all natural heritage
                         resources present at a PNA, the staff prioritizes the sites in terms
                         of their significance and the threats facing them, develops and maps
                         preliminary conservation planning boundaries, and drafts protection
                         and management recommendations. This information is then combined
                         into a report to the contracting locality.

                  Although a natural areas inventory can logically be broken into these
                  steps,    in  actuality the work proceeds in            multiple    directions
                  simultaneously and is often iterative.




















                                                         9














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                                       RESULTS



                        During the Virginia Beach Natural Areas Inventory, Natural Heritage
                  staff scientists identified 34 potential natural areas (PNAs; Table 3;
                  Figure 1).   These areas included the most promising sites for natural
                  heritage resources in Virginia Beach. Twenty-three of the PNAS were found
                  to support natural heritage resources.      Eight of the PNAs have been
                  altered or are heavily disturbed and are unlikely to support any rare,
                  threatened or endangered species or significant natural habitats.       The
                  remaining three PNAs were of low priority and were omitted from the
                  inventory because of difficulty of access. While these last 11 PNAs have
                  an extremely low potential for supporting natural heritage resources, they
                  may be important to the city for other reasons, e.g., buffering water
                  courses from upland developments or as open space.

                        During the course of the inventory, the Natural Heritage staff has
                  accumulated a wealth of data. Eighty species of rare vascular ("higher")
                  plants are now known from the city, as are two rare mosses, seven rare
                  birds, five rare mammals, four rare reptiles, two rare amphibians, and two
                  rare fish   (Table 4).   In addition, 39 rare invertebrates have been
                  documented from the city. Also identified during this inventory are 19
                  classes of significant natural communities (Table 5).

                  1)    Review of aerial photographs. Black and white aerial photographs
                        taken by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and false
                        color, infra-red photos taken by the USGS under the National High
                        Altitude Photography (NHAP) program were reviewed.         The VDOT
                        photographs were taken in 1980 and 1985 while the NHAP photographs
                        date from 1982. The infra-red photographs were particularly useful
                        in locating wetlands.    Coupled with staff experience in Virginia
                        Beach, these photographs provided the basis for delineating most of
                        the PN[As identified to date.   They were also used extensively in
                        delineating the natural areas discussed in Appendix B.

                  2)    Interviews. Formal interviews were conducted with members of the
                        wetlands unit at the College of William and Mary, School of Marine
                        Science, Virginia Institute of Marine sciences (VIMS).       Informal
                        discussions have also taken place with Natural Heritage staff,
                        contractors and colleagues who are working on collateral studies on
                        various military bases and State-owned lands in Virginia Beach.
                        Additional discussions have been held with students and faculty of
                        Old Dominion University, city staff, several state and federal
                        employees and with other knowledgeable individuals.      Interviewees
                        have provided useful information on the ecology of various wetland
                        systems in Virginia Beach, and on the status of several rare
                        species.





                                                      10













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  Table 3.   Status of Potential Natural Areas in Virginia Beach as of
                  September 1992. PNA numbers correspond with Figure 1.


                  PNA
                  Num PNA Name                       USGS Quadrangle                Status*



                    1 Pleasant Ridge South            PLEASANT RIDGE                   P
                    2 Milldam Creek Wetlands          CREEDS                           P
                    3 Stumpy Lake                     KEMPSVILLE                       P
                    4 Pocahontas WMA                  KNOTTS ISLAND                    P
                    5 Campbell Landing                KNOTTS ISLAND                    P
                    6 Moose Island Point              NORTH BAY                        P
                    7 Bridge Cove                     NORTH SAY                        P
                    8 Sandbridge South                NORTH BAY                        P
                    9 Pungo'Forest                    PLEASANT RIDGE                   N
                   10 North Bay North                 NORTH BAY                        P
                   11 Muddy Creek                     NORTH BAY                        P
                   12 Black Gut                       VIRGINIA BEACH,NORTH BAY         P
                   13 Lake Tecumseh                   VIRGINIA BEACH                   N
                   14 Nawney Creek                    PLEASANT RIDGE,NORTH BAY         P
                   15 Pellitory Point                 KNOTTS ISLAND                    P
                   16 Seneca Marsh                    CREEDS                           P
                   17 Trojan WMA South                KNOTTS ISLAND,CREEDS             P
                   18 Oakum Creek & Uplands           CREEDS                           P
                   19 Golf Course Woods               VIRGINIA BEACH                   N
                   20 Jones Swamp                     VIRGINIA BEACH                   N
                   21 Horn Point Pond                 NORTH BAY                        N
                   22 Upper Blackwater Creek          CREEDS                           N
                   23 Middle Marsh                    PLEASANT  RIDGE,CREEDS           P
                   24 North Pocosin                   PLEASANT  RIDGE                  P
                   25 North Landing  East             PLEASANT  RIDGE                  P
                   26 West Neck Creek                 PLEASANT  RIDGE                  P
                   27 West Landing                    PLEASANT  RIDGE                  N
                   28 Seaboard Road                   PRINCESS  ANNE                   P
                   29 Mundens Corner                  PRINCESS  ANNE                   P
                   30 South Gum Swamp                 PLEASANT  RIDGE                  P
                   31 Lynnhaven Inlet                 CAPE HENRY                       0
                   32 Lake Lawson South               LITTLE CREEK                     0
                   33 Gallops Corner                  PRINCESS ANNE,KEMPSVILLE         N
                   34 Elbow Road Elbow                KEMPSVILLE                       0


                  *PNA Status:
                        N      No natural heritage resources known and little likelihood that
                               any actually are present
                        0      Low-priority site omitted from inventory
                        P      Natural heritage resources documented as present





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                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                          Table 4.          Natural Heritage resources documented from the city of
                                            Virginia Beach.



                                                                                                           GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA
                                                                                                           RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL
                          SCIENTIFIC NAME                          COMMON NAME                             RANK1 RANK2 STATUS3 STATUS4


                          ** INVERTEBRATES


                          AGELENOPSIS KASTONI                      A FUNNEL-WEB SPIDER                     G4?  Sl
                          ANODONTA IMBECILLIS                      PAPER PONDSHELL                         G5   S2
                          ATLIDES HALESUS                          GREAT PURPLE HAIRSTREAK                 G5   S3
                          BARRONOPSIS JEFFERSI                     A FUNNEL-WEB SPIDER                     G3   sl
                          BOTHYNOTUS JOHNSTONI                     A MIRID BUG                             GU   SU
                          BRACHYMESIA GRAVIDA                      FOUR-SPOTTED PENNANT                    G5   s1
                          CALEPELIS VIRGINIENSIS                  LITTLE METALMARK                         G4    S3
                          CASTIANEIRA TRILINEATA                   ATWO-CLAWED HUNTING SPIDER              G4?  s1
                          CICINDELA DORSALIS MEDIA                 ATIGER BEETLE                           G4T4 S3
                          CICINDELA TRIFASCIATA                    ATIGER BEETLE                           G5   s1
                          CTENOTRACHELUS SHERMANI                 ATRUE BUG                               GU   SU
                          DELTOCHILUM GIBBOSUM                     ASCARAB BEETLE                          G4?  s1
                          DRASSYLUS LOUSIANUS                      AGNAPHOSID SPIDER                       G4?  s1
                          ENALLAGMA DURUM                          BIG BLUET                               G5   S2
                          EPITHECA COSTALIS                        STRIPE-WINGED ASKETTAIL                G4   s1
                          EUPHYES DUESI                           SCARCE SWAMP SKIPPER                    G3G4 S2          C
                          EUPHYES PILATKA                          SAWGRASS SKIPPER                        G3G4 Sl
                          GOMPHAESCHNA FURCILLATA                  HARLEQUIN DARNER                        G5   S2
                          HELLUOMORPHOIDES NIGRIPENNIS             A FLAT-HORNED GROUND BEETLE             G4?  s1
                          LESTES DISJUNCTUS AUSTRALIS              COMMON SPREADWING                      G5T5 S2
                          LIBELLULA AXILENA                        BAR-WINGED SKIMMER                     G5   S1
                          LIBELLULA FLAVIDA                        YELLOW-SIDED SKINNER                    G5   S2
                          LYTTA POLITA                             A BLISTER BEETLE                        G4?  SlS2
                          NASIAESCHNA PENTACANTHA                  CYRANO DARNER                           G5   Sl
                          MICROPHORUS MARGINATUS                   A BURYING BEETLE                        G5   s1
                          PISAURINA OUSIA                          A NURSERY WES SPIDER                    G4?  s1
                          PLOIARIA CAROLINA                        THREAD-LEGGED BUG                       G4?  s1
                          PLOIARIA HIRTICORNIS                     AN ASSASSIN BUG                         G3?  s1
                          POANES AARONI AARONI                     SAFFRON SKIPPER                         G4T4 S3
                          PSEUDAPTINUS TENUICORNIS                 A CARABID BEETLE                        GU   SU
                          PSEUDOPOILYDESMUS PALUDICOLOUS           A MILLIPEDE                             Gl   Sl          SSC
                          RARATRA AUSTRALIS                        SOUTHERN WATER SCORPION                 G5   SlS3
                          RANATRA DRAKEI                           DRAKE'S WATER SCORPION                  G4   SlS3
                          RYBAXIS SPECIES 1                        A PSELAPHID BEETLE                      GU   SU
                          SATYRIUM KINGI                           KING'S HAIRSTREAK                       G3G4 S2S3
                          SPHODROS COYLEI                          COYLE'S PURSE-WEB SPIDER                G2   S2
                          TOMINOTUS COMMUNIS                       A BURROWER BUG                          G5   s1
                          TRAMEA ONUSTA                            RED-MANTLED GLIDER                      G5   Sl
                          TRIODOPSIS OBSOLETA                      SMOOTH-LIPPED SAND THREE-TOOTH          G4   S3

















                                                                             13
 

  












                           VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY
                           Table 4., continued.                                                           GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA
                                                                                                          RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL  
                           SCIENTIFIC NAME                         COMMON NAME                            RANK   RANK    STATUS STATUS



                           **  AMPHIBIANS


                           RANA VIRGATIPES                         CARPENTER FROG                         G5     S3              
                           SIREN LACERTINA                         GREATER SIREN                          G5     S2



                           **  BIRDS


                           ARDEA HERODIAS                          GREAT BLUE HERON                       G5     S3
                           CASMERODIUS ALBUS                       GREAT EGRET                            G5     S2
                           HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS                BALD EAGLE                             G3     S2S3    LE      LE
                           IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS                       LEAST BITTERN                          G5     S2
                           RALLUS ELEGANS                          KING RAIL                              G4o    S2
                           RALLUS LIMICOLA                         VIRGINIA RAIL                          G5     S2
                           STERNA ANTILLARUM                       LEAST TERN                             G4     S2              SSC



                           ** FISH


                           ACANTHARCHUS POMOTIS                    MUD SUNFISH                            G5     S3
                           CHOLOGASTER CORNUTA                     SWAMPFISH                              G5     S3



                           ** MAMMALS


                           CONDYLURA CRISTATA PARVA                STAR-NOSED MOLE                        G5T4   S2              SSC
                           PEROMYSCUS LEUCOPUS EASTI               PUNGO MOUSE                            G5T1   S1      C2
                           SOREX LONGIROSTRIS FISHERI              DISMAL SWAMP SOUTHEASTERN SHREW        G5T2o  S2      LT      LT
                           SYLVILAGUS PALUSTRIS                    MARSH RABBIT                           G5     S2S3            SSC
                           SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI HELALETES            DISMAL SWAMP  BOG LEMMING              G5T3   S3



                           ** REPTILES


                           CARETTA CARETTA                         LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE                  G3     S1S2    LT      LT
                           CROTALUS HORRIDUS ATRICAUDATUS          CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE                  G5TUo  S1              LE
                           DEIROCHELYS RETICULARIA RETICULARIA     EASTERN CHICKEN TURTLE                 G5T5   S1              LE
                           OPHISAURUS VENTRALIS                    EASTERN GLASS LIZARD                   G5     S1              LT



                           **  NON-VASCULAR PLANTS


                           SPHAGNUM PERICHAETIALE                  BRACT PEATMOSS                         G5     S2S3
                           SPHAGNUM TRINITENSE                     TRINIDAD PEATMOSS                      G4     S2S3

















                                                                                 14














                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                          Table 4., continued.


                                                                                                    GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA
                                                                                                    RARITY  RARITY LEGAL  LEGAL 
                          SCIENTIFIC NAME                       COMMON NAME                         RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS



                           **  VASCULAR PLANTS


                          ARENARIA LANUGINOSA                   A SANDWORT                          G5      SH
                          ASTER PUNICEUS VAR ELLIOTTII          ELLIOTT'S ASTER                     G5T3T4  S1
                          ASTER RACEMOSUS                       COASTAL-PLAIN ASTER                 G3?Q    S1
                          BOLTONIA ASTEROIDES                   ASTER-LIKE BOLTONIA                 G5      S2
                          BOLTONIA CAROLINIANA                  CAROLINA BOLTONIA                   G2O     S1
                          CALOPOGON PALLIDUS                    PALE GRASS-PINK                     G4G5    SH
                          CAREX DECOMPOSITA                     EPIPHYTIC SEDGE                     G3G4    S1             C
                          CAREX RENIFORMIS                      RENIFORM SEDGE                      G4?     S1
                          CAREX STRIATA                         A SEDGE                             G4.     S1S2
                          CASSIA FASCICULATA VAR MACROSPERMA    PRAIRIE SENNA                       G5T2Q   S2     C2
                          CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES                ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR                G4      S2
                          CHAMAESYCE BOMBENSIS                  A SPURGE                            G3G4    S2
                          CHRYSOPSIS GOSSYPINA                  COTTONY GOLDEN-ASTER                G5      S1
                          CIRSIUM REPANDUM                      COASTAL-PLAIN THISTLE               G5      SH
                          CLADIUM MARISCUS SSP  JAMAICENSE      SAWGRASS                            G5T5    S1
                          CLEISTES DIVARICATA                   SPREADING POGONIA                   G4      S1
                          CRATAEGUS AESTIVALIS                  MAY HAWTHORN                        G5      S1
                          CUSCUTA CEPHALANTHI                   BUTTON-BUSH DODDER                  G5      S1?
                          CUSCUTA INDECORA                      PRETTY DODDER                       G5      S2?
                          DESMODIUM STRICTUM                    PINELAND TICK-TREFOIL               G3G4    S2
                          ELEOCHARIS BALDWINII                  BALDWIN SPIKERUSH                   G4G5    S1
                          ELEOCHARIS HALOPHILA                  SALT-MARSH SPIKERUSH                G4      S1
                          ELEOCHARIS RADICANS                   ROOTED SPIKERUSH                    G5      SH
                          ELEOCHARIS VIVIPARA                   VIVIPAROUS SPIKERUSH                G5      S1
                          ERIGERON VERNUS                       WHITE-TOP FLEABANE                  G5      S2
                          ERIOCAULON AQUATICUM                  WHITE BUTTONS                       G5      S1             C
                          FIMBRISTYLIS CAROLINIANA              CAROLINA FIMBRISTYLIS               G4      S1
                          GALIUM HISPIDULUM                     COAST BEDSTRAW                      G5      S2
                          GYMNOPOGON BREVIFOLIUS                BROAD-LEAVED BEARDGRASS             G5      SH
                          HELIOTROPIUM CURASSAVICUM             SEASIDE HELIOTROPE                  G5      S1
                          HONKENYA PEPLOIDES                    SEA-BEACH SANDWORT                  G5      S1
                          HYDROCOTYLE 80NARIENSIS               COASTAL-PLAIN PENNY-WORT            G5      S1?
                          HYPOXIS SESSILIS                      LONG'S YELLOW STAR-GRASS            G4      SH
                          IRESINE RHIZOMATOSA                   EASTERN BLOODLEAF                   G5      S1S2
                          IVA IMBRICATA                         SEA-COAST MARSH-ELDER               G5?     SlS2
                          JUNCUS ELLIOTTII                      BOG RUSH                            G4G5    S1S2
                          JUNCUS GRISCOMII                      GRISCOMIS RUSH                      GHO     SH
                          JUNCUS MEGACEPHALUS                   BIG-HEAD RUSH                       G4G5    S2
                          KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA                   SHEEP-LAUREL                        G5      S2S3
                          LILAEOPSIS ATTENUATA                  CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS                 G3      SlS2           C
                          LOBELIA ELONGATA                      ELONGATED LOBELIA                   G3G5    S1
                          LUDWIGIA ALATA                        WINGED SEEDBOX                      G3G4    S1
                          LUDWIGIA BREVIPES                     LONG BEACH SEEDBOX                  G4G5    S2S3
                          LUDWIGIA REPENS                       CREEPING SEEDBOX                    G5      S1
                          NOTHOSCORDUM BIVALVE                  CROW-POISON                         G4      S2
                          NYMPHOIDES AQUATICA                   BIG FLOATING-HEART                  G5      S1
                          OSMANTHUS AMERICANUS                 WILD OLIVE                          G5      S1
                          PASPALUM DISTICHUM                    JOINT PASPALUM                      G5      S1
                          PHYLA NODIFLORA                       COMMON FROG-FRUIT                   G5      S1
                          PHYSALIS WALTERI                      STICKY GROUND-CHERRY                G4G5T4  S2
                          PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA               SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-HEAD          G4G5    S2     C2
                          PINUS PALUSTRIS                       LONG-LEAF PINE                      G4G5    S1
                          QUERCUS HEMISPHAERICA                 DARLINGTON'S OAK                    G5      S2



                                                                             15














                           VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY
                           Table 4., continued.                                                      GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA
                                                                                                     RARIjY RARIJY LEGAL 3 LEGAL4
                           SCIENTIFIC NAME                      COMMON NAME                          RANK   RANK   STATUS STATUS



                           VASCULAR PLANTS, CONTINUED

                           QUERCUS INCANA                       BLUE JACK OAK                        G5     S2
                           QUERCUS LAEVIS                       TURKEY OAK                           G5     S2
                           QUERCUS MARGARETTAE                  SAND POST OAK                        G5     S2S3
                           RANUNCULUS HEDERACEUS                LONG-STALKED CROWFOOT                G5     SH
                           RHYNCHOSPORA COLORATA                WHITE-TOPPED SEDGE                   G4G5   S1
                           RHYNCHOSPORA DEBILIS                 SAVANNAH BEAKRUSH                    G47    S1
                           RHYNCHOSPORA FASCICULARIS            FASCICULATE BEAKRUSH                 G5     S2
                           RHYNCHOSPORA SCIRPOIDES              LONG-BEAKED BALDRUSH                 G4     S1
                           SCIRPUS ETUBERCULATUS                CANBY'S BULRUSH                      G3G4   S1
                           SOLIDAGO TORTIFOLIA                  A GOLDENROD                          G3G5   S1
                           SPARGANIUM ANDROCLADUM               BRANCHING BURREED                    G4G5   S1
                           SPARTINA PECTINATA                   FRESH WATER COROGRASS                G5     S2
                           SPIRANTHES ODORATA                   SWEETSCENT LADIES#-TRESSES           G5     S2
                           STEWARTIA MALACHODENDRON             SILKY CAMELLIA                       G4     S2
                           STIPULICIDA SETACEA                  PINELAND SCALY-PINK                  G5     S1
                           TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES                 SPANISH MOSS                         G5     S2
                           UTRICULARIA FIBROSA                  FIBROUS BLADDERWORT                  G4G5   S1
                           UTRICULARIA GEMINISCAPA              HIDDEN-FRUITED BLADDERWORT           G4G5   S2
                           UTRICULARIA PURPUREA                 PURPLE BLADDERWORT                   G5     S2
                           VACCINIUM 14ACROCARPON               LARGE CRANBERRY                      G4     S2
                           VERBENA SCABRA                       SANDPAPER VERVAIN                    G5     S2
                           WISTERIA FRUTESCENS                  AMERICAN WISTERIA                    G5     S2
                           XYRIS CAROLINIANA                    CAROLINA YELLOW-EYED-GRASS           G4G5   S1











                           Footnotes:
                           1       Global rarity ranks are determined in exactly the same way that state rarity ranks (Table 2)
                                   are, however, they may be qualified in the following ways:
                                   ?       the actual rarity of the element is uncertain
                                   a       the taxonomic status of the element is uncertain
                                   T_      describes the rarity of the subspecies or variety that is being ranked, e.g., a rank
                                           of G5T1 means that the element is an extremely rare subspecies of an extremely common
                                           species
                           2       See Table 2
                           3       The status of the element under the US Endangered Species Act, as determined by the US Fish
                                   and Wildlife Service:
                                   C2      category 2 candidate for future listing
                                   LE      listed as endangered
                                   LT      Listed as threatened
                           4       The status of the element under the Virginia Endangered Species Act, as determined by the
                                   Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, or under the Endangered Plant and Insect Species Act,
                                   as determined by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
                                   C       candidate for future Listing (plants and insects only)
                                   LE      Listed as endangered
                                   LT      listed as threatened
                                   SSC     state special concern ewiLdLife excluding insects only)


                                                                             16















                         VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                         Table 5.Significant natural communities of Virginia Beach. The upper Levels of this classification
                         are outlined in Rawinski (1990) and Rawqinski (1992).


                         SYSTEM
                                  Major Community Type                                                        State
                                    COMMUNITY CLASS                                                           Rarity
                                       Plant Community                                                        Rank
                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                         TERRESTRIAL
                                  Forest  OLIGOTROPHIC FOREST
                                                  Lobiolly Pine/Live Oak maritime forest                      S2
                                  Woodland
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC WOODLAND
                                                  Water Oak/Sassafras dune woodland                           S2
                                  Scrub
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SCRUB
                                                  Live Oak--Bluejack Oak dune scrub                           S1
                                                  Sand Heather dwarf scrub                                    S1
                                  Herbaceous
                                          MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS
                                                  Sea Oats--American Beachgrass maritime grassland            S4
                          PALUSTRINE    
                                  Forest
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED PALUSTRINE FOREST
                                                  Atlantic White Cedar swamp                                  S1
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY-FLOODED PALUSTRINE FOREST
                                                  Bald Cypress/heath swamp                                    S2
                                          EUTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY-FLOODED PALUSTRINE FOREST
                                  Woodland      Water Tupelo--Bald Cypress/Carolina Ash swamp                 S4
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED PALUSTRINE WOODLAND
                                                  Pond Pine/Fetter-bush tall pocossin                         S1
                                  Scrub
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED PALUSTRINE SCRUB
                                                  Fetter-bush--Sheep-laurel low pocosin                       S1
                                                  Sweet Bay--Red Bay shrub swamp                              S2
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY-FLOODED PALUSTRINE SCRUB
                                                  Buttonbush pond                                             S2
                                          EUTROPHIC SEASONALLY-FLOODED PALUSTRINE SCRUB
                                                  Black Willow/Cattail maritime shrub swamp                   S1
                                  Herbaceous
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SEMI-PERMANENTLY FLOODED
                                                  Cattail--Spikerush tall freshwater marsh                    S4
                                                  Spikerush short freshwater marsh                            S2
                                          OLIGOTROPHIC SEASONALLY-FLOODED
                                                  Salt-meadow Cordgrass--Tiny-headed Goldenrod swale          S3

                         ESTUARINE
                                  Herbaceous
                                          HERBACEOUS ESTUARINE WETLAND
                                                  Spikerush short oligohaline marsh                           S1
                                                  Three-square Butrush--Cattail oligohaline marsh             S3
                                                  Salt Reed-grass oligohaline marsh                           S5









                                                                           17














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  3)    Collection of existing information. The major herbaria (Table 6)
                        in Virginia have been searched by Natural Heritage staff scientists
                        for records of rare plants. Records for the City of Virginia Beach
                        have been mapped and entered in the Natural Heritage databases.
                        This work provided leads on rare plant locations not previously
                        known to the Natural Heritage staff. Major collections of Virginia
                        specimens of amphibians and reptiles, have been canvassed and the
                        records entered into the database.        The Virginia Society of
                        Ornithology's Breeding Bird Atlas data have also been reviewed.
                        Invertebrate data have been gleaned from multiple sources including
                        the scientific literature, private collections of local experts, and
                        Dr. R. L Hoffman of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.       The
                        identification of many invertebrates requires the close attention
                        of a specialist, and many of the specimens collected during invent
                        ories in Virginia Beach still await identification. However, Dr.
                        Hoffman is currently assisting the Natural Heritage staff in the
                        identification of specimens collected during rare species surveys
                        in Seashore State Park and on several Department of Defense
                        facilities in Virginia Beach.          For vertebrates and some
                        invertebrates, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
                        has been queried for their information on rare species that may
                        occur in Virginia Beach.

                  4)    Aerial reconnaissance.     Natural Heritage staff conducted three
                        flights as part of this inventory. Two of these concentrated on the
                        North Landing River and Gum Swamp, while the third was focused on
                        Back Bay. These flights provided Natural Heritage staff with good
                        information on the current state of the southern two-thirds of
                        Virginia Beach, where most of the PNAs are located.         The most
                        productive of the three flights was conducted from one of the city's
                        police helicopters. The capabilities of the aircraft coupled with
                        the pilot's skill and knowledge of the city gave our staff an
                        excellent view of some of the most significant areas in Virginia
                        Beach.


                  5)    Field Surveys. Although nearly all of the PNA9 were field checked
                        during this inventory, field survey efforts by Natural Heritage
                        scientists have focused on the PNAs most likely to harbor natural
                        heritage resources. Zoological inventory has concentrated on birds,
                        mammals, and selected insect groups.    From these surveys, natural
                        heritage resources have been documented in 23 of the PNAs. Natural
                        Heritage staff have spent much time along the North Landing River.
                        At least 42 rare species and 19 significant natural communities have
                        been documented in this watershed, which is of national importance.
                        The north and west shores of Back Bay have also been investigated
                        in detail.    These wetlands support at least 13 species of rare
                        plants and animals, but common reed now dominates large expanses,
                        reducing the quality of the natural marsh communities.           Some
                        specific highlights of the field surveys are noted below:



                                                      18













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  Table 6.    Herbaria searched for records of plants monitored by the
                              Division of Natural Heritage in the City of Virginia Beach.


                                                                        Number of
                        Institution                                     Records


                        college of William and Mary                        10
                        George Mason University                              2
                        Longwood College                                   29
                        Lynchburg College                                    5
                        National Arboretum                                 13
                        Old Dominion University                            16
                        University of Richmond                             17
                        Virginia Commonwealth University                     2
                        VPI & SU                                           46
                        US National Herbarium                              49


















































                                                    19













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                               The City of Virginia Beach supports more rare species than any
                               other Virginia locality east of the Blue Ridge.

                               Twenty rare vertebrate species have been documented from
                               Virginia Beach, five of which were reported for the first time
                               during this inventory.     Twelve of these 20 species were
                               observed during the inventory and 6 more have been documented
                               within the past 10 years.

                               Thirty-nine rare species of invertebrates are known from the
                               City, with 25 of these documented within the decade. Given
                               the relative lack of collections of many invertebrate groups
                               and the extensive, high-quality wetlands in the city, there
                               are undoubtedly many more rare invertebrates waiting to be
                               found.


                               Eighty-two rare species of vascular plants are known from
                               Virginia Beach, 36 of these were observed during the inventory
                               and 14 more have been observed since 1982. In addition, two
                               rare species of peatmoss were documented during the inventory,
                               but these were incidental collections and there may be many
                               rare non-vascular plants within the City.

                               In general, Virginia Beach has extensive herbaceous wetlands
                               (marshes) that are clearly of statewide or national
                               significance.  However, it is also clear that dredging and
                               other disturbances such as stormwater runoff have lead to the
                               invasion of common reedf a pernicious weed that is difficult
                               to control.   This is particularly true in Back Bay, where
                               observations by VIMS staff suggest that common reed has
                               increased its coverage in Back Bay ten-fold since the late
                               1970s.


                               Two highly significant forested wetland communities are
                               present in Virginia Beach: pocosins and Atlantic white cedar
                               swamps.  Both of these are rare in Virginia and are highly
                               threatened throughout their ranges in the United States.


                               The Department of Conservation and Recreation currently has
                               some 320 distinct records (element occurrences; Figure 2) of
                               rare species and significant natural communities in its
                               databases for the City of Virginia,Beach. Of these, over 120
                               are extant, with 97 documented for the first time during this
                               inventory. Many of the other records are old, dating from the
                               19309 or before. While efforts were made to reverify as many
                               of these as possible, most have either general locational
                               information or were collected in what are now urban areas that
                               are unlikely to support these species.




                                                      20





                               FIGURE 2

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                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                 6)    Collateral studies. In addition to the work being conducted as part
                       of the Virginia Beach Natural Areas Inventory, Natural Heritage
                       staff have undertaken inventories on several large, public lands in
                       Virginia Beach. Among these are the North Landing River Natural
                       Area Preserve, Seashore State Park, False Cape State Park, Dam Neck
                       Naval Station, Oceana Naval Air Station, and Little Creek Naval
                       Amphibious Base.    These studies have documented the presence of
                       numerous rare species and significant natural communities.'

















































                                                     22












                  VIRGINIA BEACR NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                         PROTECTION OF NATURAL AREAS



                        Of the 34 potential natural areas (PNAs) identified during the
                  inventory, eight were found to be heavily disturbed and three low priority
                  sites were not visited because of access or other problems. The remaining
                  23 PNAs were found to support natural heritage resources, and therefore
                  meet the definition of a natural area that is contained in the Virginia
                  Natural Area Preserves Act:


                        "any area of land (and/or] water ... that retains or has
                        reestablished its natural character ... or which is important
                        in preserving rare or vanishing flora, fauna, native
                        ecological systems, geological, natural historical, scenic or
                        similar features of scientific or educational value....'
                        (SlO.1-209 of the code of Virginia).


                        Once a natural area has been identified, the first step in
                  protecting the natural heritage resources is to delineate a conservation
                  planning boundary for the site. In developing these boundaries, Natural
                  Heritage staff scientists consider a number of factors. These include,
                  but are not limited to:


                        the extent of current and potential habitat for rare plant and
                        animal species;
                        the current extent of significant natural communities and the area
                        in which they could be restored;
                        species movement and migration corridors;
                        exclusion or control of invasive exotic species; and
                        land necessary for direct management or monitoring activities.

                        As the preliminary conservation planning boundaries were developed,
                  several of the PNAs supporting natural heritage resources were merged.
                  Thus, the 23 PNAs found to support natural heritage resources have been
                  consolidated into 18 natural areas (Table 7; Appendix 8); which range in
                  size from ca. 50 acres to over 4000 acres.     All of these natural areas
                  are located within the major southern watersheds: Back Bay (6 natural
                  areas) and the North landing River (12 natural areas). An additional 14
                  natural areas have been identified during collateral studies an state and
                  federal lands, 9 in the Back Bay watershed and 5 in the Atlantic Ocean/
                  Chesapeake Bay watershed.

                        Figure 3 shows the locations of the 34 natural areas identified in
                  this report. While many of the natural areas are known to support only
                  one or two rare species, others support several. North Pocosin Natural
                  Area alone supports 12 rare species and 4 significant community types.
                  The natural areas also range greatly in their significance (Appendix 8,
                  Table 1). The North Landing River Watershed and the Back Bay Watershed
                  are among the top 10% of all natural areas identified statewide by the
                  Division of Natural Heritage.

                                                      23












                   VIRGINIA  BEACR NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                   Table 7.    Natural areas of Virginia beach City and their blodiversity
                   scores.


                   Back Say Watershed    . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .  B2
                          Black Gut Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
                          Camp Pendleton Dune & Swale Natural Area    . . . . . . . .  B5
                          Dam Neck Helicopter Pad Wetlands Natural Area   . . . . . .  85
                          Dam Neck Interdunal Swale Natural Area    . . . . . . . . .  35
                          Dam Neck Middle Beach Dunes Natural Area    . . . . . . . .  B4
                          Dam Neck Northern Dune & Swale Natural Area   . . . . . . .  B5
                          False Cape Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B2
                          Muddy Creek Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  84
                          Nawney Creek Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . B4
                          North Bay Marshes Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
                          Porpoise Point Natural Area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   B5
                          Sedge Island Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  85
                          Southeast Redwing Lake Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . .  B5
                          Wash Flats Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B4


                   North  Landing River Watershed   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B2
                          Eastern Wetlands Natural Area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   B3
                          Gum Swamp Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B4
                          Morse Point Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . B5
                          North Pocaty Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B5
                          North Pacosin Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   B3
                          Oakum Creek Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
                          Pungo Ferry Pocosin Natural  Area  . . . . . . . . . . . .   B2
                          Southern Marshes Natural Area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   B3
                          Stumpy Lake Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
                          Upper West Neck Creek Natural  Area  . . . . . . . . . . .   B5
                          West Neck Creek Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   B3


                   Cape Henry Natural Area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B2
                   Chub Lake Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B5
                   Little Creek Channel Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . .  ; . .      B5
                   Little Creek Dunes Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B5
                   Oceana Sandpits Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B5

















                                                        24












                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                   Figure 3.   The location of the 32 natural areas identified during this
                               inventory.


                   1.    Black Gut Natural Area
                   2.    Camp Pendleton Dune & Swale Natural Area
                   3.    Campbell Landing
                   4.    Cape Henry Natural Area
                   S.    Chub Lake Natural Area
                   6.    Dam Neck Middle Beach Dunes Natural Area
                   7.    Dam Neck Interdunal Swale Natural Area
                   S.    Dam Neck Northern Dune & Swale Natural Area
                   9.    Dam Neck Helicopter Pad Wetlands Natural Area
                   10.   Eastern Wetlands Natural Area
                   11.   False Cape Natural Area
                   12.   Gum Swamp Natural Area
                   13.   Little Creek Channel Natural Area
                   14.   Little Creek Dunes Natural Area
                   15.   Morse Point Natural Area
                   16.   Muddy Creek Natural Area
                   17.   Nawney Creek Natural Area
                   18.   North Bay Marshes Natural Area
                   19.   North Pocosin Natural Area
                   20.   North Pocaty Natural Area
                   21.   oakum Creek Natural Area
                   22.   Oceana Sandpits Natural Area
                   23.   Piney Grove Church Natural Area
                   24.   Porpoise Point Natural Area
                   25.   Pungo Ferry Pocosin Natural Area
                   26.   Sedge island Natural Area
                   27.   Southeast Redwing Lake Natural Area
                   28.   Southern Marshes Natural Area
                   29.   Stumpy Lake Natural Area
                   30.   Upper West Neck Creek Natural Area
                   31.   Wash Flats Natural Area
                   32.   West Neck Creek Natural Area






















                                                     2S




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                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                         It is important to note that the wetland ecosystems of the North
                   Landing River and Back Bay watersheds are tremendously significant because
                   of the quality of these wetlands, the number of rare species that inhabit
                   them, the diversity of habitats that are present, and the sheer extent of
                   continuous natural habitat. For this reason, the natural areas in these
                   two watersheds are grouped in Appendix B.          Protecting this largely
                   continuous, high-quality.habitat is essential to maintaining the natural
                   biodiversity of Virginia Beach.

                         Three of the natural areas in Virginia Beach are of very high
                   significance on a national scale (i.e., they have a Biodiversity rank of
                   B2): False Cape Natural Area, Pungo ferry Pocosin Natural Area, and Cape
                   Henry Natural Area. At least a large portion of each of these is owned
                   by the Commonwealth of Virginia and managed as a state park and/or state
                   natural area. However, each of these natural areas is directly affected
                   by the management of adjacent and nearby lands. Two particular concerns
                   are maintenance of the natural surface- and ground-water regimes and
                   control of invasive exotic species, especially common reed.


                         In addition to these three natural areas, seven natural areas have
                   a Biodiversity rank of B3 and are thus of high significance on a national
                   scale.   Two of these are in the Back Bay watershed (where additional
                   inventory of federal lands might locate additional sites of comparable
                   quality), and five are in the North Landing River watershed. Again, the
                   quality of these sites is directly linked to the quality of others within
                   the larger watersheds.


                         Some of the natural resources within these natural areas have been
                   afforded protection under federal, state, and local law.           Among the
                   relevant laws are the federal Endangered Species Act, Virginia Endangered
                   Species Act, Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Species Act, Clean Water
                   Act, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, and local land use and environmental
                   protection ordinances.       The delineation of conservation planning
                   boundaries in this report does not confer any additional regulatory
                   protection on the 18 natural areas. These boundaries are intended to be
                   used to support wise planning and decision-making for the conservation of
                   the 18 natural areas.      The Department of Conservation and Recreation
                   encourages the City to take appropriate actions to protect these sites.

                         As the label "conservation planning" indicates, the boundaries
                   presented here are for planning purposes; they delineate ecologically
                   sensitive areas where land-use practices should be carefully planned to
                   ensure that they are compatible with protection goals for natural heritage
                   resources. All land within the conservation planning boundary should be
                   considered an integral part of a complex economic, social, and ecological
                   landscape that requires wise land-use planning at all levels of government
                   and the private sector. Based on the available information, preliminary
                   conservation planning boundaries have been drafted for the known natural
                   areas of Virginia Beach. Maps showing these boundaries are included in
                   Appendix B.


                                                         26














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  Natural Area Protection Tools


                        Figure 4 presents some of the options or "tools" available to build
                  a strong program for the preservation of the City's natural ecological
                  diversity. Each tool can be presented separately as a protection option
                  or used collectively as a system of incentives. This system of protection
                  tools is designed to provide an expanded set of options for landowners
                  that addresses the widely varying needs and desires of individual, group,
                  corporate and public landowners.     They offer landowners six kinds of
                  incentives:   information, recognition, cash, tax savings, property tax
                  relief, and management assistance to protect the natural heritage
                  resources occurring on their land.      Several of the approaches do not
                  involve money or interests in real estate but encourage voluntary
                  protection of significant areas.

                        Since funds for natural area acquisition are limited and the needs
                  are great, it is necessary to develop a large portfolio of pr       otection
                  strategies to use those limited funds most effectively.        The City of
                  Virginia Beach should work closely with other public agencies and private
                  land conservation organizations to develop innovative techniques for
                  preserving natural areas at minimal cost, seek new sources and higher
                  levels of funding, and develop new programs or enhance existing programs
                  that will give long-term legal protection' to Virginia's natural areas.

                        Intensive land use in Virginia contributes to the continual
                  destruction of natural communities, endangered species habitat, and other
                  types of natural areas. Siltation and pollution are additional problems
                  resulting from intensive land use. Urban and agricultural best management
                  practices can help protect critical natural areas. Promoting federal and
                  state cost-share programs to assist landowners with these practices will
                  provide added incentives and increased protection.     Increasing property
                  taxes and inheritance taxes coupled with increasing land values often
                  force landowners to sell the land and its resources even though they would
                  prefer to keep them intact. For this reason, financial incentives such
                  as tax relief programs can help to prevent landowners from destroying
                  natural areas for economic reasons.


                        Within the City of Virginia Beach there are numerous public lands
                  that contribute to the protection of local natural habitats and
                  biodiversity.    Among those with a specific mission to manage native
                  species or habitats are a Natural Area Preserve, two State Parks, two
                  National Wildlife Refuges, and two Wildlife Management Areas.             Of
                  particular note is Back Bay National wildlife Refuge, which is currently
                  acquiring land on the western shore of Back Bay, an area that includes
                  five of the natural areas identified in this report.            The Nature
                  Conservancy and other private organizations also own or manage lands
                  within the city for their natural values.       In addition, several city
                  properties and Department of Defense installations also have protected
                  natural lands within their boundaries. The limited access to and uses of
                  these lands may provide limited, short-term protection for the natural

                                                      27









                VIRGINIA BEACH NA TURAL 'AREAS INVENTORY

                Figure 4.   Flowchart for selecting natural area protection tools.


                                    NATURAL AREA PROTECTION TOOLS


                                     Natural Heritage Inventory
                                                 and
                                   Identification of Natural Areas
                                                  I
                      Negotiating Options to Present Owners of Natural Areas
                                                  I
                       Does landowner wish to protect property permanently?


                YES                                                  NO
                 I
         Does landowner wish to continue
             to own property?


                YES                        NO                   *Nonbinding Agreement
                 I                                              (-Natural Area Registry)
         *Conservation Easement                                 (-Forest Stewardship Program)
         *Dedication                                            *Lease
         *Partial Divided Interest                              *Management Agreement
         *Remainder Interest                                    *Mutual Agreements
         *Bequest                                               *Agricultural &
                                                                     Forestal District


                                 Does landowner wish compensation?




                YES                                                 NO
                 I                                                   I
         *Bargain Sale                                          *Outr1ght Donation
         *Sale by Installment                                   *Donation by Bequest
         *Sale at Fair Market Value                             *Donation of Reserved Life
         *Sale with Reserved Life Estate                            Estate
         *Option                                                *Lease Back
         *Right of First Refusal                                *Donation of undivided
         :Limited Development                                       interest
         Land Exchange


          Does landowner wish to restrict future uses of land upon transfer of title?



                YES                                                 NO
                 I                                                   I
         *Prior Granting of Easement                            *Normal Transfer of Title
         *Deed Restrictions
         *Conditional Transfer with
          reversionary interest
         *Dedication                              28













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  heritage resources that are present on them.          However, strategies
                  promoting the long-term protection of these resources are required, and
                  should be actively pursued in the coming years.

                        The natural heritage resources on many of the privately-owned tracts
                  have also received some level of protection.      Some landowners have an
                  obvious concern for the natural qualities       of their land, and have
                  voluntarily left areas in their natural state. In addition, many of the
                  natural areas are in or adjacent to wetlands afforded protection under
                  provisions of the City's Southern Watersheds Management ordinance and
                  Wetlands Zoning Ordinance.

                        Landowners and localities are often in the best position to protect
                  natural areas within their jurisdiction. In 1992, the Division of Natural
                  Heritage initiated discussions with the City and the Council on the
                  Environment to identify and evaluate local land protection tools. As a
                  result of these discussions, funding for a follow-up project was obtained
                  through the Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) of the National
                  Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Under the terms of
                  the grant, five tasks will be completed during 1993:

                        Design primary and secondary conservation planning boundaries for
                        natural areas identified in this inventory.      Primary boundaries
                        include the immediate habitat for the rare species and extent of the
                        significant communities. Secondary boundaries include lands needed
                        for maintaining surface water quality within the site, maintaining
                        the hydrologic integrity of the groundwater, e.g., by protecting
                        recharge zones, land intended to buffer the site against future
                        changes in the use of surrounding lands, and lands necessary for the
                        safe and effective management of the site (e.g. fire breaks, access
                        for educational activities).


                        Prepare protection and management plans for each natural area.

                        Prepare a digital GIS coverage of the natural area boundaries and
                        site attributes that will be compatible with local and state
                        geographic information systems.    These data will be particularly
                        valuable in the City's development review process.

                        Develop and assist in the implementation of local tools for
                        protecting natural areas.

                        Develop a landowner contact program designed to provide landowners
                        information on significant natural areas and voluntary protection
                        options.


                        The goal of this project is to work with the City of Virginia Beach
                  to assist in implementing appropriate and effective measures to protect
                  and properly manage natural heritage resources. This project is a logical
                  extension of the work carried out under the Virginia Beach natural areas

                                                      29













                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                  Inventory. It is also the critical next step in developing comprehensive
                 protection and management strategies for these significant natural areas.






















































                                                     30













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                               RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH


                  1.    Participate fully in the development of local protection tools.
                        This inventory has documented the existence of thirty two natural
                        areas in the City.   By continuing to work with the Department of
                        Conservation and Recreation and the Council on the Environment in
                        evaluating local protection options, the City will help ensure that
                        it has a solid array of tools for protecting its natural areas that
                        are practical, feasible, and effective.      The City can directly
                        assist the Natural Heritage staff by making copies of relevant local
                        ordinances, the comprehensive plan and other documents, and parcel
                        maps accessible. In addition, the Natural Heritage staff will seek
                        the expertise of, and work closely with, city staff and local
                        conservation planning agencies and organizations in developing local
                        protection measures for natural resources.

                  2.    Properly manage natural areas within the City of Virginia Beach.
                        The first step in doing this would be to develop management programs
                        for public and private conservation lands.       The Department of
                        Conservation and Recreation can assist local agencies in developing
                        management plans. The Department of Conservation and Recreation's
                        Division of Natural Heritage is interested in working with other
                        agencies and organizations to research and develop techniques for
                        maintaining or restoring natural areas to aid in the preservation
                        of rare, threatened or endangered species.

                  3.    Include the Division of Natural Heritage in the review of projects
                        in or near natural areas.    The natural areas identified in this
                        study are known to support unique or exemplary natural communities
                        and rare species. As proposed developments come before the City,
                        they should be compared with the natural area maps provided in this
                        report (Appendix B).     The Natural Heritage staff offers their
                        knowledge and expertise in reviewing project proposals that may
                        affect a natural area.     since the early stages of the planning
                        process typically offer the greatest flexibility, it is important
                        to contact the Natural Heritage staff as soon as the locality is
                        aware of a project that may affect a natural area.

                  4.    Promote strategies for increasing tourism that utilizes the City's
                        natural areas in a compatible manner. Raise local awareness of the
                        economic potential that the City of Virginia Beach could derive from
                        attracting birdwatchers, nature photographers, wildflower and
                        wildlife enthusiasts and canoeists.     Promote special events and
                        festivals to draw nature tourists to the area. These tourists would
                        utilize local hotels, motels and resturaunts and purchase other
                        local goods and supplies.






                                                      31














                 VIRGINIA BEACS NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                 S.    Expand public awareness of the need for protecting and managing
                       natural areas. Given the rapid rate of growth in the City, natural
                       lands are becoming scarce. Increasing the public's knowledge of the
                       few remaining natural areas will build support for natural area
                       protection programs.     This could be done through interpretive
                       facilities at parks or natural areas, conferences or meetings to
                       stimulate public involvement, information bulletins, and the like.

                 6.    Increase cooperation among pertinent organixations. Among the many
                       groups and individuals that could be involved are those that own,
                       manage, or have the authority to acquire natural areas. one goal
                       could be to develop stronger ties among federal, state, local and
                       private interests involved in the protection or management of
                       natural lands.






















































                                                     32













                    VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                                      REFERENCES



                    Buhlmann, K. A., J. C. Ludwig, and C. A Pague. 1992. A Natural Heritage
                          Resources Inventory and Biological Assessment of the Fleet Combat
                          Training Center, Department of the Navy, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
                          Natural Heritage Technical Report 092-2.        Virginia Department of
                          Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage.
                          Richmond, VA. 6 March 1992. 60 pp.

                    Calver, J.L. and C.R.B. Hobbs, Jr.        1963.   Geologic Map of Virginia.
                          Department of Conservation and Economic Development, Division of
                          Mineral Resources (now Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy).
                          Charlottesville, VA.


                    Clampitt, C. A., C. A Pague, J. C. Ludwig, M. L. Lipford. C. A. Caljouw,
                          and K. A. Buhlmann. 1990. An Inventory of the Natural Communities,
                          and Rare, Threatened & Endangered Species of Seashore State Park and
                          Natural Area, Virginia Beach, VA. Natural Heritage Technical Report
                          #90-2. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division
                          of Natural Heritage.       Richmond, VA.     1 July 1990.      9 7 pp. +
                          appendices.

                    Code of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Appendix A. City Zoning
                          ordinance, Appendix D. Stormwater Management ordinance, Appendix F.
                          Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance, Appendix G. Southern
                          Watersheds Management Ordinance.

                    Code of Virginia. Virginia Natural Area Preserves Act, sections 10.1-209
                          et se .


                    Conservation and Recreation. 1990a. An Inventory of the Rare, Threatened
                          & Endangered Species of the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base,
                          Virginia Beach, VA.       Natural Heritage Technical Report #90-3.
                          Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of
                          Natural Heritage. Richmond, VA. 1 September 1990. 70 pp.

                    Conservation and Recreation. 1990b. An Inventory of the Rare, Threatened
                          & Endangered Species of the Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia
                          Beach, VA.     Natural Heritage Technical Report #90-6.          Virginia
                          Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural
                          Heritage. Richmond, VA. 1 September 1990. 63 pp.

                    Conservation and Recreation. 1990c. An Inventory of the Rare, Threatened
                          & Endangered Species of Camp Pendleton, Virginia Beach, VA. Natural
                          Heritage Technical Report *490-7.             Virginia Department of
                          Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage.
                          Richmond, VA. 1 September 1990. 75 pp.




                                                          33














                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                   Frost, C.C. 1989. History and status of remnant pocosin, canebrake and
                          white    cedar wetlands in Virginia.       Unpublished report to the
                          Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Richmond. 130 pp.

                   Hoose, P. M.     1981.   Building an Ark:     Tools for the preservation of
                          natural diversity through land protection.       Island Press, Covelo,
                          CA.


                   McDonald, J. N. and T. Skware, editors. Virginia's Endangered Species:
                          Proceedings of a Symposium / coordinated by Karen Terwilliger. The
                          McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co., Blacksburg, VA.

                   Rawinski, T. J. 1990. A classification of Virginia's indigenous biotic
                          communities:    Phase 1.    Upper levels of the hierarchy.        Unpubl.
                          Report. Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, Division
                          of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 11 pp.

                   Rawinski, T. J. 1992. A classification of Virginia's indigenous biotic
                          communities:     Vegetated Terrestrial, Palustrine and Estuarine
                          Community Classes.      Natural Heritage Technical Report #92-21.
                          Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, Richmond, VA. 25
                          pp-

                   Rawinski, T. J. and G. P. Fleming.       1992. An Inventory and protection
                          plan for southeast Virginia's critical natural areas, exemplary
                          wetlands, and endangered species habitats.            Natural Heritage
                          Technical Report #92-28.      Virginia Department of Conservation &
                          Recreation, Richmond, VA. 197 pp.

                   soil Conservation Service. 1985. Soil Survey of City of Virginia Beach,
                          Virginia. USDA.























                                                          34












                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                               ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS



                        This report was funded, in part, by the Virginia Council on the
                  Environment's Coastal Resources Management Program through grant number
                  NA170ZO359-01 of the National oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
                  under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.       Additional
                  funds were provided by the City of Virginia Beach.

                        This inven tory could not have been completed without the assistance
                  of many people.    over the course of the project, every member of the
                  Natural Heritage staff contributed to its completion.     Others who were
                  instrumental in initiating this inventory include Clay Bernick, Michael
                  Lipford, Laura McKay, Christopher Pague, and Collin Powers. For providing
                  access to their collections and other assistance in the initial stages we
                  thank Ted Bradley (George Mason University), John Haydn (University of
                  Richmond), Alton Harvill and David- Breil (Longwood College), Richard
                  Hoffman (Virginia Museum of Natural History), Miles Johnson (Virginia
                  Commonwealth University), Peter Mazzeo (National Arboretum), Gwynn Ramsey
                  (Lynchburg College), Rusty Russell (US National Herbarium), Donna Ware
                  (College of William and Mary), and Tom Wieboldt (VPI & SU). We appreciate
                  access to the North Landing River and Back Bay provided by the City of
                  Virginia Beach, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Game
                  and Inland Fisheries, and Virginia Department of Transportation. Access
                  was also provided by many private landowners.

                        For their efforts in the field and their knowledge of the local
                  landscape and biota we thank Ruth Beck, Kurt Buhlmann, Richard Hoffman,
                  David Knepper, Barry Knisley, Tony Leger, Joseph Mitchell, Christopher
                  Pague, Alan Plochner, Alan Savitsky, Doug Stannard, Tim Vogt, Joan Wright,
                  and David Young.


                        Finally, we thank Clay Bernick, Environmental Planner for the City
                  of Virginia Beach, Mary Morris, other members of the planning staff, and
                  the various elected officials who made this effort possible.



















                                                     35




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                                                 APPENDIX A.
 I

                                          Potential Natural Areas
 I                                         of Virginia Beach City
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                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY





                   PNA
                   Num PNA Name                       USGS Quadrangle



                    1 Pleasant Ridge South            PLEASANT RIDGE
                    2 Milldam Creek Wetlands          CREEDS
                    3 Stumpy Lake                     KEMPSVILLE
                    4 Pocahontas WMA                  KNOTTS ISLAND
                    5 Campbell Landing                KNOTTS ISLAND
                    6 Moose Island Point              NORTH BAY
                    7 Bridge Cove                     NORTH BAY
                    8 Sandbridge South                NORTH BAY
                    9 Pungo Forest                    PLEASANT RIDGE
                   10 North Bay North                 NORTH SAY
                   11 Muddy Creek                     NORTH BAY
                   12 Black Gut                       VIRGINIA BEACH, NORTH BAY
                   13 Lake Tecumseh                   VIRGINIA BEACH
                   14 Nawney Creek                    PLEASANT RIDGE, NORTH BAY
                   15 Pellitory Point                 KNOTTS ISLAND
                   16 Seneca Marsh                    CREEDS
                   17 Trojan WMA South                KNOTTS ISLAND, CREEDS
                   18 oakum Creek & Uplands           CREEDS
                   19 Golf Course Woods               VIRGINIA BEACH
                   20 Jones Swamp                     VIRGINIA BEACH
                   21 Horn Point Pond                 NORTH BAY
                   22 Upper Blackwater  Creek         CREEDS
                   23 Middle Marsh                    PLEASANT RIDGE, CREEDS
                   24 North Pocosin                   PLEASANT RIDGE
                   25 North Landing  East             PLEASANT RIDGE
                   26 West Neck Creek                 PLEASANT RIDGE
                   27 West Landing                    PLEASANT RIDGE
                   28 Seaboard Road                   PRINCESS ANNE
                   29 Mundens Corner                  PRINCESS ANNE
                   30 South Gum Swamp                 PLEASANT RIDGE
                   31 Lynnhaven Inlet                 CAPE HENRY
                   32 Lake Lawson South               LITTLE CREEK
                   33 Gallops Corner                  PRINCESS ANNE, KEMPSVILLE
                   34 Elbow Road Elbow                KEMPSVILLE
















                                                      A I




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                                                    1;1,
 I                                              APPENDIX 8:
 I                             Natural Areas Identified During the Inventory
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                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  The natural areas identified during this natural areas inventory (Table
                  1) are described in the following pages on standard natural area reports.
                  The sections of these reports, and their content, are outlined below.

                  SIZE: The approximate acreage included within the conservation planning
                  boundary for the natural area.


                  BIODIVERSITY RANX: The overall (global) significance of the natural area
                  in terms of the rarity of the natural heritage resources and the quality
                  (health, abundance, etc.) of their occurrences.    As discussed on page 6
                  of the report, these ranks range from 31 (Outstanding significance) to B5
                  (General Biodiversity Significance).


                  LOCALITY. The cities and counties in which each natural area is located.


                  QUADRANGLE and QUADRANGLE CODE: The name and Natural Heritage code for
                  the USGS 7.51 quadrangle(s) on which each natural area occurs.          For
                  example, 3607651 is the Creeds quadrangle.

                  LOCATION: A brief description of where the natural area is located and,
                  for large natural areas, what its approximate boundaries are.


                  NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE: A list of the rare species and
                  significant natural communities that have been documented from the natural
                  area. In addition to the information contained in Tables 4 and 5 of the
                  report, these tables list the element occurrence rank (page 4). Many rare
                  species and some natural communities are sensitive to disturbance or may
                  be sought out by collectors.   For this reason, Virginia law provides a
                  limited exemption to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act
                  for natural heritage resources and the names of the species and their
                  precise locations are not included in this report.          Requests for
                  additional information on these natural areas should be addressed to:
                  Department of Conservation and Recreation
                  Division of Natural Heritage
                  Main Street Station
                  1500' East Main Street, Suite 312
                  Richmond, VA 23219
                  (804) 786-7951


                  SITS DESCRIPTION: A brief narrative picture of the topography, hydrology,
                  vegetation, and current use of the natural area. Scientific names for all
                  species not mentioned in Tables 4 or 5 are included in Appendix C.

                  BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION:    A summary of the most important factors
                  considered in delineating the conservation planning boundary for the
                  natural area. In general, the conservation planning boundary includes all
                  known occurrences of natural heritage resources and the adjacent lands
                  required for their immediate survival. A discussion of the major factors
                  that were considered can be found on page 23.

                                                    B 1












                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  THREATS: A summary of the most prominent threats that are believed to be
                  facing the natural area given current data. Additional threats that were
                  not obvious in the field to DCR-DNH staff may also be present.


                  CURRENT STATUS: A summary of the ownership (private or public) and degree
                  of protection currently afforded the natural area, as determined to date.


                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:     Actions that should be considered or
                  attempted to ensure that the land within the conservation planning
                  boundary is available for the natural heritage resources.


                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:     Actions that should be considered or
                  attempted to ensure that the habitat within the conservation planning
                  boundary is suitable for the natural heritage resources.








































                                                    B 2














                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                   Table 1. Natural Areas identified during the Virginia Beach natural areas
                   inventory and the page on which the site report begins.



                   Back Bay Watershed    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      B 4
                         Black Gut Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     B S
                         Camp Pendleton Dune & Swale Natural Area      . . . . . .    B 8
                         Campbell Landing    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      B 9
                         Dam Neck Helicopter Pad Wetlands Natural Area      . . . .  B 12
                         Dam Neck Interdunal Swale Natural Area      . . . . . . .   B 13
                         Dam Neck Middle Beach Dunes Natural Area      . . . . . .   B 14
                         Dam Neck Norther Dune & Swale Natural.Area       . . . . .  B 1S
                         False Cape Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 16
                         Muddy Creek Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 17
                         Nawney Creek Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 20
                         North Bay Marshes Natural Area      . . . . . . . . ... .   B 23
                         Porpoise Point Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 26
                         Sedge Island Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 29
                         Southeast Redwing Lake Natural Area     . . . . . . . . .   B 30
                         Wash Flats Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 31


                   North Landing River Watershed    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 32
                         Eastern Wetlands Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 33
                         Gum Swamp Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 36
                         Morse  Point Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 39
                         North  Pocaty Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 41
                         North  Pocosin Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 44
                         Oakum  Creek Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 47
                         Piney  Grove Church Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . .   B 49
                         Pungo  Ferry Pocosin Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . .   B 52
                         Southern Marshes Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 55
                         Stumpy Lake Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 58
                         Upper West Neck Creek Natural    Area   . . . . . . . . .   B 61
                         West Neck Creek Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 63


                   Cape Henry Natural Area   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     B 66
                   Chub Lake Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8 67
                   Little Creek Channel Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 68
                   Little Creek Dunes Natural Area    . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 69
                   Oceana Sandpits Natural Area     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    B 70












                                                         B 3














                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                               BACK BAY WATERSHED



                   LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach      BIODIVERSITY RANK: B2

                   LOCATION: For the purpose of this report, the Back Bay Watershed includes
                   only the Virginia portion of the Back Bay watershed. The boundaries of
                   this watershed are approximated by the Atla9tic ocean on the east, the
                   North Carolina state line on the south, Princess Anne Road on the west and
                   Birdneck Road on the north.


                   SITE DESCRIPTION:    The Back Bay Watershed includes Back Bay, several
                   smaller waterbodies (e.g. Redwing Lake), and extensive agricultural
                   fields.   Back Bay is a large body of open, brackish water lined by
                   marshes, shrubby wetlands, and swamps.       While a large portion of the
                   marshes is dominated by common reed, an aggressive, invasive, exotic grass
                   that grows to be more than 10' tall, other areas are in their natural
                   state and support a diverse mosaic of vegetation types.       Redwing Lake,
                   Brinsons Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh), Black Gut and other, smaller water
                   bodies are similar to Back Bay, but tend to have fresher water. For the
                   most part, the uplands are in agricultural fields.

                   CURRENT STATUS: This watershed is currently in a mix of both public and
                   private ownership. Large public tracts include Back Bay National Wildlife
                   Refuge (which is currently acquiring more land), MacKay Island National
                   Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park, Trojan Wildlife Management Area,
                   and Pocahontas Wildlife Management Area.



























                                                       B 4













                         VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                             BACK BAY WATERSHED -- BLACK GUT NATURAL AREA




                         SIZE: ca. 660 acres                                 BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4


                         LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                         QUADRANGLE: Virginia Beach                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607578
                                            North Bay                                                   3607568

                         LOCATION:         This site is located              roughly 1 mile NW of the town of
                         Sandbridge on the north side of Sandbridge Road.


                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL  STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY  RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                         COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                         * COMMUNITIES
                         CATTAIL--SPIKERUSH TALL           OLIGOTROPHIC SEMI-PERMANENTLY            S2                    AS
                            FRESHWATER MARSH                  FLOODED HERBACEOUS WETLAND
                         SPIKERUSH SHORT FRESHWATER        OLIGOTROPHIC SEMI-PERMANENTLY            S2
                            MARSH                             FLOODED MARSH


                            PLANTS
                         CAROLINA FIMBRISTYLIS             FIMBRISTYLIS CAROLINIANA         G4      S1                    H
                         LONG BEACH SEEDBOX                LUDWIGIA BREVIPES                G4G5    S2S3                  AS
                         VIVIPAROUS SPIKERUSH              ELEOCHARIS VIVIPARA              G5      S1                    H


                         * VERTEBRATES
                         KING RAIL                         RALLUS ELEGANS                   G40     S2                    8
                         LEAST BITTERN                     IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS                G5      S2                    U


                         * INVERTEBRATES
                         A DAMSELFLY                       ENALLAGMA DURUM                  G5      S2                    C
                         SAFFRON SKIPPER                   POANES AARONI AARONI             G4T4    S3                    U
                         STRIPE-WINGED BASKETTAIL          EPITHECA COSTALIS                G4      S1                    C



                         SITE DESCRIPTION: Black Gut is a small freshwater                          pond behind the dunes
                         at Sandbridge. It          is connected to Back Bay by two ditches and to Brinsons
                         Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh) by a third ditch, which appears to be mostly
                         overgrown.         These ditches allow water (and aquatic organisms) to move
                         between Black Gut and Back Bay when wind tides change the water level in
                         Back Bay.        The open water in Black Gut supports submerged and floating
                         vegetation, including American lotus.                      Surrounding the open water are
                         marshes supporting a high diversity of freshwater plants. Farther away
                         from the water's edge are swamps dominated by young red maples, black gum,
                         bald cypress and loblolly pine.


                         BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
                         encompasses Black Gut proper and the surrounding marshes and wooded


                                                                            B 5














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  wetlands that help maintain the hydrologic integrity of Black Gut. These
                  include the lands north of Sandbridge Road east of Scopus Marsh Creek,
                  south of Dam Neck Naval Reservation and west of Sandbridge.

                  THREATS: Black Gut is threatened by the invasion of exotic species (e.g.,
                  common reed, carp) that disrupt or displace native species, by degradation
                  of the water by nutrient-rich runoff from adjacent developments or faulty
                  septic systems, and by conversion of the freshwater system to a brackish
                  water system by ditches.


                  CURRENT STATUS: The site lies within the approved boundary of Back Bay
                  National Wildlife Refuge, which has recently acquired land within the
                  natural area. The remaining land is in private ownership.

                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:    Educate the private landowners about the
                  significance of the site     and work with them to obtain voluntary
                  protection.   Determine the  amount of upland buffer that is needed to
                  protect the wetlands on this site. Acquisition and proper management by
                  the Refuge could help protect the significant resources of this natural
                  area.


                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Maintain water quality and evaluate effects
                  of existing ditches on salinity and nutrient content of the water.
                  Control exotic species that are adversely affecting the rare species.






























                                                     B 6








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                                                                                                                            Scale        1:24,000

                                                                                                                                                  B 7












                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                      BACK BAY WATERSHED -- CAMP PENDLETON DUNS AND SWALE NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach     BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5


                  LOCATION:   This site lies on the Atlantic coast southeast of Lake
                  Christine on Camp Pendleton.

                  SITE DESCRIPTION: This site contains significant remnants of interdunal
                  swale and dune communities from the beach and open foredunes to the
                  maritime forest in the back dunes. These habitats are increasingly rare
                  and also support ten rare plant species and at least one rare animal.

                  CURRENT STATUS: This site is contained within Camp Pendleton. A report
                  on the rare, threatened and endangered species of Camp Pendleton was
                  submitted to natural resources personnel on the base by the Department of
                  Conservation and Recreation in 1990.



















































                                                      B 8













                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                         BACK BAY WATERSHED -- CAMPBELL LANDING NATURAL AREA




                          SIZE: ca. 770 acres                                  BIODIVERSITY RANK: B3


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: Knotts Island                                     QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607558
                                             North Bay                                                              3607568

                          LOCATION: Campbell Landing Natural Area lies on the western shore of Back
                          Bay. It is bounded on the north by Mill Landing Road and on the south by
                          the main boat canal of Trojan Wildlife Management Area.


                                                          NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                              GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA         ELEMENT
                                                                                              RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL     OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                   RANK   RANK    STATUS STATUS  RANK


                          * PLANTS
                          CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS               LILAEOPSIS ATTENUA7A              G3     SIS2           C       AS
                          LONG BEACH SEEDBOX                LUDWIGIA BREVIPES                 G4G5   S2S3                   H
                          SEASIDE HELIOTROPE                HELIOTROPIUM CURASSAVICUM         G5     S1                     H


                          * VERTEBRATES
                          DISMAL SWAMP BOG LEMMING          SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI HELALETES      G5T3   S3                     U



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: This site includes a band of herbaceous wetlands
                          (marshes) along the west shore of Back Bay. Within the marshes are low
                          spots of open water or short Bedges on soupy muck.                              These marshes are
                          crossed in places by ditches or canals, which have served as a point of
                          invasion for common reed. Elsewhere the native vegetation is reasonably
                          intact and the marshes are dominated by cattails, three-square bulrush
                          black needlerush, or big cordgrass with a variety of subordinant species.

                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
                          wetland habitat of the rare species known from this site.

                          THREATS:        The presence of common reed, an aggressive invasive exotic
                          species, is the most serious threat to this site.                             The construction of
                          additional canals or ditches, which alters the hydrology and nutrient
                          regime, is another threat.

                          CURRENT STATUS: The southern part of the Bite is within Trojan Wildlife
                          Management Area and the rest of the site is in private ownership.

                          PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Educate the landowners about the significance
                          of their lands and work with them to voluntarily protect them.



                                                                             B 9




 I
 I               VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY
 I               MANAGEMENT RECOMUMATIONS: Control common reed and unnatural input of
                 nutrients and sedimentB.
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                            CAMPBELL LANDTNG        NATURAL AREA
                            Scale 1:24,000














                  VIRGINIA REACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                    BACK BAY WATERSHED -- DAN NECK HELICOPTER PAD WETLANDS NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach    BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5

                  LOCATION: East of Brinsons Inlet Lake (Lake Tecumseh) on Fleet Combat
                  Training Center Dam Neck.


                  SITE DESCRIPTION: This site encompasses a small wetland that is inhabited
                  by a rare amphibian and an uncommon plant.

                  CURRENT STATUS: This site is entirely within Fleet Combat Training Center
                  Dam Neck. A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species of Dam
                  Neck was submitted to natural resources personnel on the base by the
                  Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.















































                                                    B 12














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                        BACK BAY WATERSHED -- DAN NECK INTERDUNAL SWALE NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach    BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5

                  LOCATION: At the south end of Fleet Combat Training Center Dam Neck, on
                  the Atlantic coast.


                  SITE DESCRIPTION: This site includes significant interdunal swales that
                  support large populations of three rare plants, a rare mammal and a rare
                  bird. Several uncommon plant species also occur here.

                  CURRENT STATUS: This site is entirely within Fleet Combat Training Center
                  Dam Neck. A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species of Dam
                  Neck was submitted to natural resources personnel on the base by the
                  Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.












































                                                    B 13














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                       BACK BAY WATERSHED -- DAN NECK MIDDLE BEACH DUKES NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach    BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4

                  LOCATION: On the Atlantic coast, northeast of Brinsons Inlet Lake (Lake
                  Tecumseh) on Fleet Combat Training Center Dam Neck.

                  SITE DESCRIPTION: This site contains a relatively natural coastal dune
                  habitat, which has become rare in southeastern Virginia. It supports a
                  rare small mammal and a globally rare invertebrate.

                  CURRENT STATUS: This site is entirely within Fleet Combat Training Center
                  Dam Neck. A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species of Dam
                  Neck was submitted to natural resources personnel on the base by the
                  Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.







































                                                    B  14














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                      BACK BAY WATERSHED -- DAM NECK NORTHERN DUNE & SWALE NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach      BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5*


                  LOCATION:   On the Atlantic Coast east of Redwing Lake on Fleet Combat
                  Training Center Dam Neck.


                  SITE DESCRIPTION: This site includes a small interdunal swale as well as
                  the most significant maritime forest on Dam Neck.      This areas supports
                  five plant species that are rare in Virginia as well as two that are
                  uncommon.


                  CURRENT STATUS: This site is entirely within Fleet Combat Training Center
                  Dam Neck. A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species of Dam
                  Neck was submitted to natural resources personnel on the base by the
                  Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.













































                                                      B 15














                    VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                  BACK BAY WATERSHED -- FALSE CAPE NATURAL AREA



                    LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach       BIODIVERSITY RANK: B2


                    LOCATION:   The site includes all of False Cape state Park, which is
                    located north of the North Carolina state line and south of Back Bay
                    National Wildlife Refuge.

                    SITE DESCRIPTION: False Cape is an ecological treasure, and represents
                    one of the most significant undisturbed barrier beach systems along the
                    Atlantic coast. The vegetation forms complex patterns of interdigitating
                    zones, including an unvegetated sandy beach, a primary dune dominated by
                    sea oats, a maritime grassland, dune-and-swale topography with alternating
                    uplands and wetlands, and large, active dunes.            Seasonally-inundated
                    pools, known as interdunal swales, contain a very rich assemblage of plant
                    life.   Dune scrub thickets with live oak, wax myrtle, and bayberry are
                    common between the high dunes and low swales.          A large and somewhat
                    interrupted maritime forest dominated by loblolly pine and live oak is
                    interspersed with dune thicket vegetation. The maritime forest is one of
                    the region's finest. Swamp forests with diverse woody vegetation grade
                    into the marshes of Back Bay.      The marsh vegetation indicates somewhat
                    brackish conditions. The large number of rare plant species recorded from
                    the Park indicates the site's significance; very few areas of similar size
                    in Virginia can boast such a richness of rare plants (29 species),
                    Furthermore, most of the rare plant populations at False Cape are
                    thriving. Several rare animals also occur here, including Virginia's only
                    known breeding site for the loggerhead sea turtle, one of four sites in
                    the world for the Pungo mouse, and the only known Virginia population of
                    eastern glass lizards.

                    CURRENT STATUS:     False Cape State Park is managed by the Virginia
                    Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of State Parks for
                    nature study and low-impact recreation.        A small number of buildings
                    including a contact station, park staff dwellings, and an environmental
                    education center are located within the park. The northern portion of the
                    site has been somewhat disturbed to enhance waterfowl habitat.              The
                    remainder of the site is remarkably pristine, except for a few sand roads,
                    trails, and a powerline right-of-way.















                                                         B 16













                          VIRGINIA REACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                            BACK BAY WATERSHED -- MUDDY CREEK NATURAL AREA




                          SIZE: ca. 400 acres                                BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: North Bay                              QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607568


                          LOCATION: Muddy Creek Natural Area                 is located along the western shore of
                          Back Bay roughly 2.5 miles southeast of Pungo.


                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY  TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                      SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK   RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                          * PLANTS
                          CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS              LILAEOPSIS ATTENUATA             G3     SlS2          C       BC
                          CROW-POISON                      NOTHOSCORDUM BIVALVE             G4     S2                    H



                          SITE DESCRIPTION:             Muddy Creek Natural Area encompasses two small
                          tributaries of Back Bay: Muddy Creek and Ashville Bridge Creek.                                   Near
                          their mouths, the creeks are lined by marshes dominated by cattails,
                          three-square bulrush and black needlerush.                        The upstream sections are
                          lined by bald cypress and red maple, most of which are young replacements
                          for larger trees that were logged earlier this century. Scattered creek-
                          front homes and boat landings disturb the otherwise remote feel of the
                          creeks, but do not appear to be significantly degrading these blackwater
                          creeks.


                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
                          includes the least disturbed wetlands along Muddy Creek and Ashville
                          Bridge Creek, which are bounded by Sandbridge Road on the north, Now
                          Bridge Road on the west, North Muddy Creek Road on the south, and Back Bay
                          on the east.
                          THREATS:       The major threats 'to this site are increasing development                            of
                          the adjacent uplands, clearing of the wetland forests, and the expansion
                          of common reed.


                          CURRENT STATUS: The site is largely within the approved boundary of Back
                          Bay National Wildlife Refuge, but the majority of the site is in private
                          ownership.

                          PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:                Educate the private landowners about the
                          significance of their lands and work with them to voluntarily protect
                          them. Determine the extent of upland buffer that is required to protect


                                                                          B 17














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  the significant wetland habitat. Acquisition and proper management by the
                  Refuge could help protect the significant resources of this natural area.

                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:    control invasive exotic species that are
                  damaging the significant natural resources of the site.       Identify the
                  minimum upland buffer necessary to maintain the wetlands and work with
                  adjacent landowners to maintain appropriate vegetation within the buffers.



























































                                                     B 18







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                                                                                                                        Scale        1:24,000














                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                           BACK BAY WATERSHED -- NAWNEY CREEK NATURAL AREA



                          SIZE: ca. 610 acres                                BIODIVERSITY RANK: B3


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: North Bay                              QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607568
                                            Pleasant Ridge                                             3607661


                          LOCATION:       Nawney Creek Natural Area lies in the center of the western
                          shore of Back Bay. It is bounded on the north by Hill Landing and on the
                          south by Mill Landing Road.


                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                      SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK   RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                          * PLANTS
                          CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS              LILAEOPSIS ATTENUATA             G3     SlS2          C       AB



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: This site includes Nawney                      (or Nanney) Creek, a small
                          tributary to Back Bay. Portions of the creek have been dredged, while
                          others remain in the natural channel.                    Most of the creek is lined by a
                          broad band of cattail marshes with patches dominated by three-square
                          bulrush or common reed. Similar marshes occur north of the mouth on the
                          west shore of Back Bay.               The upper reaches of the creek flow through
                          swamps of bald cypress and red maple.                       Runoff from pig farms on the
                          uplands appears to be increasing the nutrient and sediment loads of what
                          probably once was a blackwater creek.


                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
                          significant wetland habitat of the rare plant that inhabits this site.

                          THREATS:      Water pollution and the spread of common reed, an aggressive
                          invasive exotic species, are the most notable threats to this site.

                          CURRENT STATUS: The majority of the site is within the approved boundary
                          of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.                     While several tracts have been
                          acquired recently by the Refuge, the rest of the site is in private
                          ownership.


                          PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:                Educate the private landowners about the
                          significance of their lands and work with them to voluntarily protect
                          them. Determine the extent of upland buffer that is required to protect
                          the significant wetland habitat. Acquisition and proper management by the
                          Refuge could help protect the significant resources of this natural area.


                                                                          B 20













                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Control common reed and unnatural input of
                 nutrients and sediments.








































































                                                  B 21



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                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                        BACK BAY WATERSHED -- NORTH BAY NARSHES NATURAL AREA




                          SIZE: ca. 1360 acres                               BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: North Bay                              QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607568


                          LOCATION: The North Bay Marshes Natural Area is located at the north end
                          of Back Bay, roughly 2 miles southwest of Sandbridge.



                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA       ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL   OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                      SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK   RANK   STATUS STATUS RANK


                          * COMMUNITIES
                          THREE-SQUARE BULRUSH--CATTAIL    ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION         S3                   8
                            OLIGOHALINE MARSH


                             PLANTS
                          WINGED SEEDBOX                   LUDWIGIA ALATA                   G3G4   S1                   8C



                          SITE DESCRIPTION:            This site lies at the north                 end of Back Bay and
                          includes a series of open-water channels and ponds                     surrounded by marshes.
                          Extensive areas of the marshes are dominated by black needlerush or common
                          reed. Elsewhere are patches variously composed of three-square bulrush,
                          big cordgrass, saltmarsh cordgrass, cattails and other grass-like plants.
                          Some of the channels have been dredged to allow boats to enter the ponds.
                          The resulting dredge spoil has been placed alongside the channels,
                          allowing woody plants such as wax myrtle, loblolly pine, and red bay to
                          take hold.          Dredging appears to have allowed common reed to get
                          established within the marshes, and this aggressive exotic has displaced
                          many acres of native species.


                          BOUNDARY JUSTIVICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this Bite
                          includes the marsh habitat of the rare plant that is known from the site.
                          The site is bounded on the north by Sandbridge Road, on the west by
                          Colchester Road, on the south by Back Bay, and on the east by Sandbridge.

                          THREATS:      The major threat to the rare species inhabiting this site is
                          the expansion of common reed. Also threatening the site is development
                          along the upland edges, which often increases nutrient and sediment loads.







                                                                          B 23














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  CURRENT STATUS: The site is entirely within the approved boundary of Back
                  Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which has recently acquired several small
                  parcels within the natural area. The majority of the site is in private
                  ownership.

                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:   Educate the private landowners about the
                  significance of their lands and work with them to voluntarily protect
                  them. Acquisition and proper management by the Refuge could help protect
                  the significant resources of this natural area.


                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:   Work to control or eradicate common reed.
                  Seek ways to maintain or improve water quality.




















































                                                    B 24






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                                                                                                                                    Scale         1:24,000
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                                                                                                                                                              B 25














                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                          BACK BAY WATERSHED -- PORPOISE POINT NATURAL AREA




                          SIZE: ca. 780 acres                                  BIODIVERSITY RANX: BS


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: North Bay                                QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607568


                          LOCATION: Porpoise Point Natural Area is located on the northwest shore
                          of Back Bay between Ashville Bridge Creek and Beggar's Bridge Creek. It
                          is roughly five miles southeast of Pungo.


                                                          NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY T  ABLE



                                                                                              GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA         ELEMENT
                                                                                              RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL     OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                   RANK   RANK    STATUS STATUS  RANK


                             COMMUNITIES
                          THREE-SQUARE BULRUSH--CATTAIL     ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION          S3                     C
                             OLIGOHALINE MARSH


                             PLANTS
                          ELONGATED LOSELIA                 LOBELIA ELONGATA                  G3G5   S1                     BC
                          WINGED SEEDBOX                    LUDWIGIA ALATA                    G3G4   S1                     BC


                          * VERTEBRATES
                          KING RAIL                         RALLUS ELEGANS                    G4Q    S2                     U



                          SITE DESCRIPTION:           This site lies at the northwest end of Back Bay and
                          includes a series of open-water channels and ponds surrounded by marshes.
                          Extensive areas of the marshes are dominated by black needlerush or common
                          reed.       Elsewhere are patches variously composed of big cordgrass,
                          saltmarsh cordgrass, cattails and other grass-like plants. Some of the
                          channels have been dredged to allow boats to enter the ponds.                                        This
                          appears to have allowed common reed to get established within the marshes,
                          and this aggressive exotic has displaced many acres of native Species.
                          The site includes upland pine forests, some of which have been logged in
                          recent years. Nestled within the forest is a small freshwater pond.

                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
                          includes the marsh habitat of the rare species that are known from the
                          site. The site is bounded on the north by Back Bay and Horn Point Road,
                          on the west by Muddy Creek Road, on the south by Back Bay and Beggar's
                          Bridge Creek, and on the ea             st by Back Bay.


                          THREATS:       The major threat to the rare species inhabiting this Site is
                          the expansion of common reed.




                                                                            B 26














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  CURRENT STATUS:   The site is in private ownership., but lies entirely
                  within the approved boundaries of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.


                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Educate the landowners about the significance
                  of their lands and work with them to voluntarily protect them. Determine
                  the amount of upland buffer needed to protect the significant wetlands.
                  Acquisition of the marshes by the Refuge could help ensure that these
                  wetlands are protected and managed so that the rare species continue to
                  inhabit them.


                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:   Work to control or eradicate common reed.




























































                                                    B 27



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                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                    RACK BAY WATERSHED     SOUTHEAST REDWING LAKE WETLANDS NATURAL AREA



                 LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach     BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5


                 LOCATION: Southeast of Redwing Lake on Fleet Combat Training Center Dam
                 Neck.


                 SITE DESCRIPTION: This site encompasses two small freshwater marshes that
                 support a rare amphibian.

                 CURRENT STATUS: This site is entirely within Fleet Combat Training Center
                 Dam Neck, A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species of Dam
                 Neck was submitted to natural resources personnel on the base by the
                 Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.
















































                                                    B 30














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                BACK BAY WATERSHED -- WASH FLATS NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach     BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4


                  LOCATION:   Wash Flats Natural Area lies on the Atlantic coast between
                  False Cape State Park and Sandbridge.


                  SITE DESCRIPTION:    This site consists of coastal dunes and interdunal
                  swales, which have historically supported many rare plant and animal
                  species. Recent surveys have failed to relocate some of these species,
                  possibly because much of this area has been converted to managed
                  impoundments.

                  CURRENT STATUS: Most of this natural area is within Back Bay National
                  Wildlife Refuge.
















































                                                      B 31













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                        NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED



                  LOCALITYs City of Virginia Beach     BIODIVERSITY RANK: B2
                             City of Chesapeake

                  LOCATION:  This large site covers much of the southwestern quarter of the
                  City of Virginia Beach, plus portions of Chesapeake City.

                  SITE DESCRIPTION: The North Landing River Watershed encompasses extensive
                  forested, scrub and herbaceous wetlands that line the North Landing River,
                  its two major tributaries (West Neck Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway)
                  and several small tributaries. The uplands are predominantly agricultural
                  or rural residential, but there are scattered woodlots, campgrounds and
                  other natural or semi-natural areas.      Many rare species are known to
                  inhabit this ecosystem, which is one of the most diverse and extensive in
                  southeastern Virginia.

                  CURRENT STATUS: The land in this area is primarily in private ownership,
                  including roughly 4000 acres in private conservation lands. Smaller areas
                  are owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the localities.








































                                                     B 32













                           VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                 NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- EASTERN WETLANDS NATURAL AREA



                           SIZE: ca. 2,040 acres                              BIODIVERSITY RANK: B3


                           LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach

                           QUADRANGLE: Pleasant Ridge                         QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607661
                                              Creeds                                                     3607651


                           LOCATION: The Eastern Wetlands Natural Area is located along the eastern
                           shore of the North Landing River south of West Neck Creek and north of the
                           Pungo Ferry causeway.


                                                          NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                                             GLOBAL  STATE USFWS VA       ELEMENT
                                                                                             RARITY  RARITY LEGAL LEGAL   OCCUR.
                           COMMON NAME                      SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS RANK


                           * COMMUNITIES
                           ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR SWAMP       OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED FOREST            S1                   C
                           ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR SWAMP       OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED FOREST            S1                   D
                           BIG CORDGRASS OLIGOHALINE        ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION          S5                   AS
                             14ARSH
                           SWEET BAY--RED BAY SHRUB SWAMP   OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED SCRUB             S2                   A
                           THREE-SQUARE BULRUSH--CATTAIL    ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION          S3                   A
                             OLIGONALINE MARSH


                             PLANTS
                           ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR             CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES           G4      S2                   D
                           ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR             CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES           G4      S2                   AS
                           ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR             CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES           G4      S2                   U
                           ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR             CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES           G4      S2                   8
                           CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS              LILAEOPSIS ATTENUATA             G3      SlS2          C      AS
                           SAWGRASS                         CLADIUM KARISCUS SSP JAMAICENSE  G5T5    S1                   A
                           SILKY CAMELLIA                   STEWARTIA MALACHODENDRON         G4      S2                   A
                           SLENDER-LEAVED  DRAGON-HEAD      PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA          G4G5    S2     C2            A
                           WINGED SEEDBOX                   LUDWIGIA ALATA                   G3G4    S1                   8


                           * VERTEBRATES
                           LEAST BITTERN                    IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS                G5      S2                   CD


                             INVERTEBRATES
                           GREAT PURPLE HAIRSTREAK          ATLIDES HALESUS                  G5      S3                   C



                           SITE DESCRIPTION: This site encompasses extensive                         forested wetlands and
                           low uplands, with small pocket marshes along the                          North Landing River.
                           The forested wetlands include one relatively large stand of Atlantic white
                           cedar and several smaller ones.                   The Atlantic white cedar swamps are
                           particularly significant because they represent a regionally rare
                           vegetation type much reduced from its former extent. They are surrounded
                           by a larger hardwood swamp dominated by swamp tupelo, red maple, bald
                           cypress, and loblolly pine with patches Of Btirub-dominated wetlands.


                                                                            B 33














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  Within the swamp are slightly raised sandy islands dominated by American
                  beech, sweetgum, loblolly pine, white oak and red maple. These islands
                  provide habitat for silky camellia and may also be inhabited by canebrake
                  rattlesnakes. Several rare plants and a rare bird inhabit the marshes.

                  BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
                  encompasses the forested wetlands and the included or adjacent forested
                  uplands that harbor the rare species. It is bounded on the north by West
                  Neck Creek natural area, to which it is ecologically connected.

                  THREATS: The major threat to this site is logging, which can destroy rare
                  organisms and their habitat both directly and through removal of the
                  canopy and alteration of the wetland hydrology.

                  CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

                  PROTECTION RECOMMMATIONS: Educate the landowners about the significance
                  of the resources on their land and work towards voluntary or permanent
                  protection of the site. Determine how much upland buffer is required for
                  the protection and management of the significant wetland communities and
                  rare species.   Along with several others, this site is integral to the
                  protection of the North Landing River ecosystem.

                  MANAGEMENT RECOMCMATIONS: The marshes and Atlantic white cedar swamp
                  communities require periodic fire for their long-term maintenance.
                  Develop and implement a prescribed burning management plan. Monitor rare
                  species populations.
































                                                     B 34









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                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                          SEDGE ISLAND NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach     BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5

                  LOCATION.- Sedge Island natural area is located in the southwestern corner
                  of Back Bay.

                  SITE DESCRIPTION:    This site is an irregu 1 arly- shaped marsh island,
                  dominated by waist-high grasses.     The edge of the island is lined by
                  switchgrass and big cordgrass.    In the interior are shallow ponds and
                  marshes covered by low-growing sedges. Three rare plants and a 'rare bird
                  inhabit these high-quality marshes. Similar wetlands appear to occur on
                  the adjacent MacKay Island National Wildlife Refuge. Future inventories
                  of this refuge are likely to reveal additional natural heritage resources.


                  CURRENT STATUS:   Sedge Island is a part of Trojan-Pocahontas Wildlife
                  Management Area, owned by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
                  Fisheries.
















































                                                     B 29














                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                       NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED - GUN SWAMP NATURAL AREA



                          SIZE: ca. 4,150 acres                              BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4


                          LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake and City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: Pleasant Ridge                         QUADRANGLE CODE:          3607661
                                             Fentress                                                  3607662
                                             Princess      Anne                                        3607671
                                             Kempsville                                                3607672


                          LOCATION: The Gum Swamp Natural Area covers a large area along the North
                          Landing River, north of the Intracoastal Waterway and south of Elbow Road.



                                                           NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUINARY TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                      SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS RANK


                          * COMMUNITIES
                          WATER TUPELO--BALD               EUTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY                S4                   8
                             CYPRESS/CAROLINA ASH SWAMP       FLOODED FOREST


                             PLANTS
                          SPANISH MOSS                     TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES             G5      S2                   8C
                          VIRGINIA LEAST TRILLIUM          TRILLIUM PUSILLUM VAR            G3T2    S2     C2            BC
                          * VERTEBRATES                       VIRGINIANUM
                          DISMAL SWAMP BOG LEMMING         SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI HELALETES     G5T3    S3                   U
                          DISMAL SWAMP SOUTHEASTERN SHREW  SOREX LONGIROSTRIS FISHERI       G5T20   S2     LT     LT     C
                          GREAT BLUE HERON                 ARDEA HERODIAS                   G5      S3                   U
                          GREAT EGRET                      CASMERODIUS ALBUS                G5      S2                   U


                          * INVERTEBRATES
                          SAFFRON SKIPPER                  POANES AARONI AARONT             G47`4   S3                   U
                          SCARCE SWAMP SKIPPER             EUPHYES DUKESI                   G3G4    S2            C      U
                          SOOTY AZURE                      CELASTRINA EBENINA               G4      S3S4                 U



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: The            site contains an extensive swamp above Indian River
                          Road. The swamp is dominated by bald cypress, water tupelo, swamp tupelo
                          and red maple.           Nesting colonies of great blue herons and great egrets
                          occur here. The canal dug for the Intracoastal Waterway is a prominent
                          disturbance of this wetland.


                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
                          natural heritage resources.                Given the large amount of land involved and
                          the limited on-the-ground field survey conducted, the boundaries for this
                          site will need future refinements.




                                                                           B 36














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  THREATS:   The Southeastern Expressway is proposed to cross the North
                  Landing River in or near this site.      Construction of this highway or
                  ditches and other hydrologic disruptions or increasing development of
                  surrounding upland habitat could substantially alter this site.           In
                  particular, the nesting colonies of herons and egrets would most certainly
                  suffer from increased human disturbance.

                  CURRENT STATUS: The Nature Conservancy owns more than 100'0 acres of this
                  site. The rest of the site is in private ownership.


                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site, and adjacent upland buffer, is part
                  of the significant North Landing River wetland ecosystem and should
                  receive strong protection.

                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:    The forested portions of this site should
                  remain in their natural state. Such conditions would benefit most rare
                  species currently known from the area.













































                                                      B 37





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                          VIRGINIA BEACH'NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY


                                    NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- MORSE POINT NATURAL AREA




                          SIZE: ca. 140 acres                                BIODIVERSITY RANK: BS


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: Creeds                                 QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607651


                          LOCATION: Morse Point Natural Area lies on the eastern shore of the North
                          Landing River just north of the North Carolina state line.


                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL  STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY  RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                      SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                          * PLANTS
                          CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS              LILAEOPSIS ATTENUATA             G3      SlS2          C       CO
                          ELONGATED LOSELIA                LOSELIA ELONGATA                 G3G5    S1                    AS
                        @SAWGRASS                          CLADIUM MARISCUS SSP  JAMAICENSE G5T5    S1                    A



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: Morse Point is a small marsh along the North Landing
                          River.       It is dominated by black needlerush, with forested wetlands
                          towards the uplands.              Scattered bald cypress and wax myrtle line the
                          river.     The marsh has been reduced by dredging and filling to create a
                          campground and boat ramp.

                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary presented here
                          includes the wetlands surrounding the known rare plant populations.

                          THREATS:      Continued dredging could eliminate the rare plants from this
                          small marsh.          Wakes from large boats may be degrading the shoreline
                          habitat for the rare plants at this site.

                          CURRENT STATUS: This site is in private ownership.

                          PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONSs               Notify landowners of the presence of rare
                          species and work with them to              protect their habitat.


                          MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:               Work to prevent the spread of common reed
                          into this site and monitor the effects of boat wakes on the rare plants.










                                                                           8 39








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                                                                                                           B 40



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                           VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                     NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- NORTH POCATY NATURAL AREA



                           SIZE:     ca. 3,290 acres                           BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5


                           LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake
                                           City of Virginia Beach


                           QUADRANGLE: Pleasant Ridge                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607661


                           LOCATION: The site encompasses a large forested wetland situated north
                           of the Pocaty River.             While the majority of the site lies south and west
                           of the North Landing River in Chesapeake City, the northern boundary
                           includes several hundred acres on the north share of the river, in
                           Virginia Beach. The western boundary coincides with the wetland bordering
                           Route 165 and extends southward along the edge of the upland vegetation.



                                                           NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                                              GLOBAL  STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                              RARITY  RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                           COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                           * PLANTS
                           ELONGATED LOSELIA                 LOBELIA ELONGATA                 G3G5    S1                    AB
                           SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-HEAD        PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA          G4G5    S2     C2             A


                           * VERTEBRATES
                           GREAT BLUE HERON                  ARDEA HERODIAS                   G5      S3                    U
                           GREAT EGRET                       CASMERODIUS ALBUS                G5      S2                    U



                           SITE DESCRIPTION: This            site is an extensive, unfragmented deciduous swamp
                           forest with small marshe's along the North Landing and Pocaty Rivers.
                           Field work at this site was largely restricted to the marshes bordering
                           creek channels, where the rare plants occur.                               Much of the thickly
                           vegetated swamp interior remains unexplored, but several reconnaissance
                           flights over the area showed the vegetation to be in excellent condition.

                           BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
                           extensive forested wetlands and the rare plant habitat.                                   Along with
                           several other sites this site is integral to the protection of the North
                           Landing River ecosystem.


                           THREATS: There are no apparent, direct threats to the natural heritage
                           resources of this site. However, disruption of the hydrology or nutrient
                           regime by ditches, increased runoff from the uplands, and the like could
                           substantially alter the wetland communities over the long term.





                                                                             B 41














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  CURRENT STATUS: Two large   tracts, covering more than 1000 acres, within
                  this site are owned by The   Nature Conservancy. A small area near North
                  Landing Road is managed by  the U.S. Navy as part of the Fentress Landing
                  Area. The remainder of the site is privately owned. The North Landing
                  River (and associated bottomlands) downstream from North Landing Road is
                  designated as a state scenic river.

                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Protection of this site and adjacent upland
                  buffer would help form a larger, more viable and defensible preserve along
                  the North Landing River.

                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: impacts from surrounding agricultural lands
                  and residential development should be mitigated by encouraging sound soil
                  and water management practices and maintaining vegetated upland buffers.

















































                                                     B 42








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                                                                                                                                                                                                                 B 43














                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                    NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED - NORTH POCOSIN NATURAL AREA



                          SIZE: ca. 2,630 acres                                BIODIVERSITY RANK: B3


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE. Pleasant Ridge                           QUADRANGLE CODE-. 3607661
                                              Creeds                                                     3607651


                          LOCATION: The site embraces a large forested wetland west of the North
                          Landing River, south of the Pocaty River, and north of the North Landing
                          River Natural Area Preserve. The western boundary roughly coincides with
                          the edge of the upland vegetation.


                                                          NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                              GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                              RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                   RANK   RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                             COMMUNITIES
                          FETTER-BUSH--SHEEP LAUREL LOW     OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED SCRUB             S1                    BC
                             POCOSIN
                          POND PINE/FETTER-BUSH TALL        OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED WOODLAND          S1                    A
                             POCOSIN
                          BIG CORDGRASS OLIGOHALINE         ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION          S5                    AB
                             MARSH
                          THREE-SQUARE BULRUSH--CATTAIL     ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION          S3                    A
                             OLIGOHALINE MARSH


                             PLANTS
                          A SEDGE                           CAREX STRIATA                     G4     SlS2                  AB
                          ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES            G4     S2                    A
                          CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS               LILAEOPSIS ATTENUATA              G3     SlS2           C      0
                          ELONGATED LOBELIA                 LOBELIA ELONGATA                  G3G5   S1                    AB
                          SAWGRASS                          CLADIUM MARISCUS SSP   JAMAICENSE G5T5   SI                    A
                          SHEEP-LAUREL                      KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA               G5     S2S3                  A
                          SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-HEAD        PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA           G4G5   S2     C2             A
                          SPREADING POGONIA                 CLEISTES DIVARICATA               G4     S1                    D
                          SWEETSCENT LADIES"TRESSES         SPIRANTHES ODORATA                G5     S2                    A
                          WINGED SEEDBOX                    LUDWIGIA ALATA                    G3G4   S1                    8


                          * VERTEBRATES
                          CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE             CROTALUS HORRIDUS ATRICAUDATUS    G5TUQ  S1             LE     U
                          LEAST BITTERN                     IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS                 G5     S2                    D



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: This            site is noteworthy for            its low pocosin, a peatland
                          community locally referred to as 5uniper bog.                       This community is extremely
                          rare in Virginia. It is characterized by rare orchids and sedges, knee-
                          high heaths, and young Atlantic white cedar trees. Surrounding the low
                          pocosin is an extensive area of tall pocosin dominated by pond pine,
                          highbush blueberry, laurel-leaf greenbriar, and Virginia chain-fern.



                                                                            B 44














                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                   Frequent fires have played an important. ecological role in maintaining
                   these pocosin communities, and regular prescribed burning will be required
                   in the future. Elsewhere on the site, robust emergent marsh, shrub swamp,
                   and deciduous swamp forest vegetation exist.       Much of the area has not
                   been explored due to the extremely thick vegetation.

                   BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes all
                   known element occurrences and their habitat.         Large units of wetland
                   immediately to the north and south of this site are described as separate
                   natural areas: North Pocaty and Pungo Ferry Pocosin.

                   THREATS: Lack of fire is the major threat to the rare pocosin vegetation.
                   Additional threats include ditching, which alters the natural hydrology
                   and introduces invasive exotic species such as common reed.


                   CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

                   PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Protection of this site and adjacent upland
                   buffer would contribute significantly to forming a larger, more viable and
                   defensible, natural area preserve along the North Landing River.


                   MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Develop and implement a prescrib       ed burning
                   management plan to maintain the distinctive pocosin vegetation and its
                   rare species. Monitor rare species populations and the spread of common
                   reed.   Impacts from surrounding agricultural lands can be mitigated by
                   encouraging sound soil and water management practices and maintaining
                   vegetated upland buffers.































                                                        B 45





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                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                     NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- OAKU14 CREEK NATURAL AREA




                          SIZE:     ca. 440 acres                              BIODIVERSITY RANK: B3


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: Creeds                                   QUADRANGLE CODEs 3607651


                          LOCATION: Oakum Creek natural area lies north and east of Munden Point
                          Park on the eastern shore of the North Landing River.


                                                           NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                              GLOBAL  STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                              RARITY  RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                   RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                          * PLANTS
                          CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS               LILAEOPSIS ATTENLIATA             G3      SlS2           C      8
                          ELONGATED LOSELIA                 LOSELIA ELONGATA                  G3G5    S1                    AS
                          SAWGRASS                          CLADIUM MARISCUS SSP  JAMAICENSE  G5T5    S1                    A



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: Oakum Creek is a small, slow-moving, tight ly-meandering
                          tributary to the North Landing River.                        Several small ponds have been
                          dredged within the marshes that border the creek.                                Over most of its
                          length, the creek flows through nutrient-rich marshes, but a bald cypress-
                          swamp has formed near its mouth. The marshes are dominated by cattails
                          and big cordgrass with common reed near'dredged areas. The rare plants
                          are found near the mouth of the creek, especially where sheltered from
                          storm waves and boat wakes by bald cypress knees. The uplands north and
                          east of Munden Point Park (not surveyed) support a surprisingly species-
                          rich forest, which may provide habitat for rare plants or butterflies.

                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary presented here
                          includes the wetlands along Oakum Creek plus the adjacent forested
                          uplands.


                                ATS: Wakes from large boats may be degrading the shoreline habitat
                          for the rare plants at this site.


                          CURRENT STATUS: A portion of the natural area lies within Munden Point
                          Park, with the remainder of the site in private ownership.

                          PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:                 Expansion of Munden Point Park could help
                          protect the rare species that occur here.

                          MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:                 Work to control the spread of common reed
                          and monitor the effects of boat wakes on the rare plants.



                                                                            B 47




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                         VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                              NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- PINEY GROVE CHURCH NATURAL AREA




                         SIZE: ca. 510 acres                                 BIODIVERSITY RANK: BS


                         LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach

                         QUADRANGLE: Creeds                                  QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607651


                         LOCATION: Piney Creek Church natural area lies on the eastern shore of
                         the North landing River upstream of the mouth of Blackwater Creek and
                         downstream of the new Pungo Ferry bridge.


                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RESOUIRCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                         COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK   RANK    STATUS STATUS RANK


                         * COM14UNITIES
                         BIG CORDGRASS OLIGONALINE         ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION         S5                    AB
                            MARSH
                         THREE-SQUARE BULRUSH--CATTAIL     ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION         S3                    A
                            OLIGOHALINE MARSH


                            PLANTS
                         SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-HEAD        PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA          G4G5   S2      C2            A



                         SITE DESCRIPTION:             The water level in the marshes at this site is
                         relatively high, and coastal arrowhead is a common subordinant under the
                         big cordgrass and cattails. In the northern section and along the western
                         edge of the island, common reed is abundant, dominating hundreds of square
                         yards.

                         BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary presented here
                         includes the wetlands adjacent to the North Landing River and several
                         small tributaries.


                         THREATS: Wakes from large boats may be degrading the shoreline habitat
                         for the rare plants at this site. Dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway
                         and construction of -the new bridge have disturbed the wetlands and allowed
                         common reed to proliferate.

                         CURRENT STATUS: A portion of the natural area is owned by the US Army
                         Corps of Engineers, with the remainder of the site in private ownership.

                         PROTECTION RECOMIENDATIONS:                   Notify landowners of the presence of
                         significant wetlands and rare species and work with them to protect their
                         habitat.





                                                                           B 49














                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                 14ANAGEMENT RECOMIENDATIONS: Work to control the spread of common reed
                 and monitor the effects of boat wakes on the rare plants.
































































                                                   B 50





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                                                                                                                                                                           B 51














                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                               NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- PUNGO PERRY POCOSIN NATURAL AREA




                          SIZE: ca. 2200 acres                                 BIODIVERSITY RANK: B2


                          LOCALITYs City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: Creeds                                   QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607651
                                             Pleasant Ridge                                              3607661

                          LOCATION: The site lies to              the north and south of Pungo Ferry Road, west
                          of the North Landing River. It is bordered to the north by a large creek,
                          locally known to as Alton's             Creek. The western boundary generally follows
                          the edge of upland vegetation. The southern border is Blackwater Creek,
                          and the eastern border is the North Landing River.



                                                          NATURAL HERITAGE RESOMCE SLMARY TABLE



                                                                                              GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA         ELEMENT
                                                                                              RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL     OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                   RANK   RANK    STATUS STATUS  RANK


                          * COMMUNITIES
                          POND PINE/FETTER-BUSH TALL        OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED WOODLAND          S1                     A
                             POCOSIN


                             PLANTS
                          ASTER-LIKE BOLTONIA               BOLTONIA ASTEROIDES               G5     S2                     H
                          ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES            G4     S2                     A
                          BIG-HEAD RUSH                     JUNCUS MEGACEPHALUS               G4G5   S2                     H
                          ELLIOTT'S ASTER                   ASTER PUNICEUS VAR ELLIOTTII      G5T3T4 S1                     U
                          LARGE CRANBERRY                   VACCINIUM MACROCARPOIN            G4     S2                     H
                          SHEEP-LAUREL                      KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA               G5     S2S3                   A


                          * VERTEBRATES
                          CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE             CROTALUS NORRIDUS ATRICAUDATUS    G5TUQ  S1             LE      U


                          * INVERTEBRATES
                          GREAT PURPLE HAIRSTREAK           ATLIDES HALESUS                   G5     S3                     U
                          SAFFRON SKIPPER                   POANES AARONI AARON[              G4T4   S3                     U
                          SCARCE SWAMP SKIPPER              EUPHYES DUKESI                    G3G4   S2             C       A



                          SITE DESCRIPTION:             Pungo Ferry Road bisects the site and                         affords a
                          marvelous opportunity to observe the gradient of wetland vegetation.
                          Dense, nearly impenetrable pocosin gives way to shrub swamp, and then to
                          robust emergent marsh bordering the North Landing River. The pocosin is
                          one of Virginia's finest examples of this community type. It has burned
                          frequently in the past and currently supports a woodland dominated by pond
                          pine, tall ericaceous shrubs, and Virginia chain-fern. The marshes are
                          exposed to wind tides, and the water is fresh to very-slightly brackish.




                                                                            B 52














                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                   The upland forest within the forested wetlands at this site appears to be
                   unusual and is worthy of further study.


                   BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
                   significant natural community and habitat for the rare species.

                   THREATS: The primary threat facing this site is the lack of fire, which
                   is necessary to maintain the pocosin community. Common reed, an invasive,
                   exotic species may be threatening the natural vegetation of the marshes.

                   CURRENT STATUS: Most of the site is owned and managed by the Virginia
                   Department of Conservation and Recreation as the North landing River
                   Natural Area Preserve. The preserve is a dedicated natural area, which
                   provides the strongest level of protection to natural heritage resources
                   through formal recognition and stringent legal safeguards against
                   conversion to inappropriate uses.  Additional lands are privately owned.

                   PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: To ensure that the natural heritage resources
                   on this site persist, and to allow for safe management, the remainder of
                   the site, including upland buffers, needs to be given permanent legal
                   protection.

                   MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Develop and implement a management plan that
                   includes prescribed burning.    Monitor the health of the pocosin, the
                   associated rare species and common reed in the marsh.


































                                                     B 53





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                             VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                    NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- SOUTHERN MARSHES NATURAL AREA




                             SIZE: ca. 4,170 acres                                   BIODIVERSITY RANX: B3


                             LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                             QUADRANGLE: Creeds                                      QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607651


                             LOCATION:        The site includes the wetland on the west side of the North
                             Landing River, mostly east of Blackwater Road; north of the North Carolina
                             state border, and south of Blackwater Creek.


                                                               NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                                     GLOBAL  STATE USFWS VA          ELEMENT
                                                                                                     RARITY  RARITY LEGAL LEGAL      OCCUR.
                             COMMON NAME                         SCIENTIFIC NAME                     RANK    RANK    STATUS STATUS   RANK


                             * COMMUNITIES
                             BIG CORDGRASS OLIGOHALINE           ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION             S5                      AS
                                MARSH
                             SPIKERUSH SHORT OLIGOHALINE         ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION             S1                      AS
                                MARSH
                             THREE-SQUARE BULRUSH--CATTAIL       ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION             S3                      A
                                OLIGOHALINE MARSH


                                PLANTS
                             ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR                CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES              G4      S2                      BC
                             CAROLINA BOLTONIA                   BOLTONIA CAROLINIANA                G2Q     S1                      U
                             EPIPHYTIC SEDGE                     CAREX DECOMPOSITA                   G3G4    S1              C       D
                             SAWGRASS                            CLADIUM MARISCUS SSP    JA14AICENSE G5T5    S1                      A
                             SILKY CAMELLIA                      STEWARTIA MALACHODENDRON            G4      S2                      8
                             SLENDER-LEAVED   DRAGON-HEAD        PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA             G4G5    S2      C2              A
                             SWEETSCENT LADIES"TRESSES           SPIRANTHES ODORATA                  G5      S2                      A
                             WINGED SEEDBOX                      LUDWIGIA ALATA                      G3G4    S1                      8


                             * VERTEBRATES
                             CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE               CROTALUS HORRIDUS ATRICAUDATUS      G5TUQ   S1              LE      U
                             DISMAL SWAMP BOG LEMMING            SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI HELALETES        G5T3    S3                      U
                             KING RAIL                           RALLUS ELEGANS                      G4Q     S2                      U
                             LEAST BITTERN                       IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS                   G5      S2                      U
                             VIRGINIA RAIL                       RALLUS LIMICOLA                     G5      S2                      U



                             SITE DESCRIPTION: The               site experiences regular water                  level fluctuations
                             resulting from wind tides and is part of the large wetland ecosystem along
                             the North Landing River. The water is fresh to slightly brackish. Plant
                             species diversity is very high, and wetland communities form a complex
                             mosaic.         The marshes are dominated by robust emergents such as big
                             cordgrass, common reed, southern cattail, narrow-leaf cattail, black
                             needlerush, and the rare sawgrass. Areas of low marsh contain a diverse
                             mix of plants, including several rare species. Many of the marshes are
                             being invaded by woody species such as red maple, swamp rose, and wax


                                                                                  B 55















                   VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                   myrtle. The lack of frequent fire in the marshes is -a major reason for
                   the increase in woody plants. The swamp forests are characterized by bald
                   cypress, swamp tupelo, loblolly pine, sweetgum, and red maple.          Some
                   upland forest is included in this site, providing habitat for the rare
                   shrub, silky camellia.

                   BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
                   upland and wetland habitat for the rare species.

                   T REATS: Common reed, an invasive, exotic species may be threatening the
                   natural vegetation of the marshes.        Logging threatens the forest
                   vegetation. The encroachment of woody species into the marsh, possibly
                   resulting from a.reduced fire frequency, is cause for concern.

                   CURRENT STATUS: The Nature Conservancy has recently acquired two tracts,
                   totalling more than 1000 acres, within this site. The rest of the site
                   is in private ownership.

                   PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS:   This site and adjacent upland buffers are
                   part of the significant North Landing River ecosystem, and protection
                   actions here will have direct bearing on the larger landscape unit.

                   MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Monitor woody species and common reed in the
                   marsh.   Work with the landowners to develop a management plan that
                   includes prescribed burning.


































                                                      B 56




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                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                                     NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- STUMPY LAKE NATURAL AREA



                          SIZE: ca. 2,530 acres                              BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach
                                         City of Chesapeake

                          QUADRANGLE: Kempsville                             QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607672
                                            Fentress                                                   3607662


                          LOCATION: Stumpy Lake lies at the head of Gum Swamp, north of Elbow Road,
                          which crosses below the southern dam creating the lake.


                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RE SOURCE SLWART TABLE



                                                                                            GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA        ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL    OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                      SCIENTIFIC NAME                  RANK   RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


                          * PLANTS
                          SPANISH MOSS                     TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES             G5     S2                    H


                          * VERTEBRATES
                          CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE            CROTALUS HORRIDUS ATRICAUDATUS   G5TUQ  S1            LE      C


                          * INVERTEBRATES
                          A MILLIPEDE                      PSEUDOPOLYDESMUS PALUDICOLIS '   G1     S1            SSC     H
                          PAPER PONDSHELL                  ANODONTA IMBECILLIS              G5     S2                    U



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: Stumpy Lake is a Norfolk City                      reservoir created         at the
                          head of Gum Swamp. It is lined by bald cypress, which is joined                                in the
                          west arm of the lake by water tupelo to form an open-canopy, deep-water
                          swamp. A golf course has been built on part of the adjacent uplands, but
                          a seasonally-wet forest has been left to the west of the golf course. The
                          north end of Stumpy Lake is a very eutrophic, mucky shrub swamp dominated
                          by Carolina willow with a dense mat of duckweed and water fern. Stumpy
                          Lake is inhabited by a rare mussel and there are recent reports of
                          canebrake rattlesnakes and several rare plants near the lake.

                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
                          includes Stumpy Lake proper as well as the adjacent forested areas that
                          provide habitat for the rare species.

                          THREATS z      The Southeastern Expressway is proposed to cross the North
                          Landing River in or near this site.                     Construction of this highway or
                          ditches and other hydrologic disruptions or increasing development of
                          surrounding upland habitat could substantially alter this site. Continued
                          development of the surrounding areas directly threatens the rare species.




                                                                          B 58














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  Runoff from developments may indirectly threaten the rarities by degrading
                  the water in the lake.


                  CURRENT STATUS: Stumpy Lake Reservoir is owned and operated by the City
                  of Norfolk as a backup water source. The adjacent golf course is owned
                  by the City of Virginia Beach and leased to a concessionaire. The rest
                  of the site is in private ownership.

                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Verify the presence of rare species in the
                  forests and try to protect their habitat.

                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:    Work with Norf olk City and Virginia Beach
                  City to ensure that management of the reservoir, golf course and
                  surrounding public lands does not reduce the habitat for the rare species.
















































                                                     B 59





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                                                                                                                                                  B    60
                                                          to














                          VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                             NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED -- UPPER WEST NECK CREEK NATURAL AREA



                          SIZE: ca. 1,610 acres                              BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5


                          LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                          QUADRANGLE: Princess Anne                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607671


                          LOCATION:        In the f loodplain of West Neck Creek in the vicinity of
                          Princess Anne Road south to Indian River Road.


                                                         NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY  TABLE


                                                                                            GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA       ELEMENT
                                                                                            RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL   OCCUR.
                          COMMON NAME                     SCIENTIFIC NAME                   RANK   RANK   STATUS STATUS RANK


                          * VERTEBRATES
                          DISMAL SWAMP BOG LEMMING        SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI HELALETES      G5T3   S3                   D
                          DIS14AL SWAMP SOUTHEASTERN SHREW SOREX LONGIROSTRIS FISHERI       G5T2Q  S2     LT     LT     C



                          SITE DESCRIPTION: The floodplain of West Neck                     Creek is     a mix of young to
                          maturing forests dominated by red maple, sweetgum, black gum and loblolly
                          pine. West Neck Creek has been channelized and the berm is overgrown in
                          grasses, greenbriars, and shrubs. Several powerline and pipeline right-
                          of-ways cross the site and support similar vegetation. The uplands are
                          being developed, especially along London Bridge Road. The Dismal Swamp
                          southeastern shrew, which is listed as an endangered species under federal
                          law, inhabits this site.


                          BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
                          includes the forested wetlands along West Neck Creek in the vicinity of
                          known sites for the Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew plus a corridor of
                          similar habitat that connects with the West Neck Creek natural area
                          immediately to the south.

                          THREATS: Filling or draining the wetlands are the primary threats to this
                          site.


                          CURRENT STATUS: Much of this site is owned by the City of Virginia Beach.
                          The remainder of the site is in private ownership.


                          PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Work with landowners and state and federal
                          regulatory agencies to perpetuate habitat (including buffers) for the
                          Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew and Dismal Swamp bog lemming.


                          MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Work with landowners and state and federal
                          regulatory agencies to perpetuate habitat for the Dismal Swamp
                          southeastern shrew.


                                                                          B 61



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                                              B 62














                           VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                    NORTH LANDING RIVER WATERSHED - WEST NECK CREEK NATURAL AREA



                           SIZE: ca. 1,780 acres                                  BIODIVERSITY RANK: B3


                           LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach


                           QUADRANGLE: Pleasant Ridge                             QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607661
                                               Creeds                                                          3607651


                           LOCATION: The site includes the wetland and adjacent                               forested upland on
                           both sides of West Neck Creek from Indian River Road south to its mouth.


                                                            NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE



                                                                                                 GLOBAL STATE USFWS VA           ELEMENT
                                                                                                 RARITY RARITY LEGAL LEGAL       OCCUR.
                           COMMON NA14E                       SCIENTIFIC NAME                    RANK    RANK    STATUS STATUS   RANK


                           * COMMUNITIES
                           BIG CORDGRASS OLIGOHALINE          ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION            S5                      AB
                              14ARSH
                           THREE-SQUARE RULRUSH--CATTAIL      ESTUARINE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION            S3                      A
                              OLIGOHALINE MARSH


                              PLANTS
                           ELONGATED LOSELIA                  LOSELIA ELORGATA                   G3G5    S1                      AB
                           EPIPHYTIC SEDGE                    CAREX DECOMPOSITA                  G3G4    S1              C       C
                           JOINT PASPALUM                     PASPALUM DISTICHUM                 G5      S1                      D


                           * VERTEBRATES
                           CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE              CROTALUS HORRIDUS ATRICAUDATUS     G5TUQ   S1              LE      H


                           * INVERTEBRATES
                           A DAMSELFLY                        ENALLAGMA DURUM                    G5      S2                      C
                           SAFFRON SKIPPER                    POANES AARONI AARONT               G4T4    S3                      U
                           SCARCE SWAMP SKIPPER               EUPHYES DUKESI                     G3G4    S2              C       8



                           SITE DESCRIPTION: This site, like others along the North Landing                                      River,
                           experiences water level fluctuations resulting from wind tides. The water
                           is fresh to very-slightly brackish. Plant species richness is quite high,
                           and several vegetation types exist:                       marsh, shrub swamp, and deciduous
                           swamp forest. A population of the globally-rare epiphytic sedge occurs
                           in the swamps along West Neck Creek.

                           BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
                           communities, rare species.                  This site represents a critical unit of land
                           within the large North Landing River wetland ecosystem.

                           THREATS:        The lack of f ire is a major threat to the natural marshes.
                           Additional threats are saltwater intrusion as a result of locks in the
                           upstream reach of the creek and perturbations to the natural hydrology of


                                                                               B 63













                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



                  the wetland, such as ditching.      The introduction of common reed in
                  disturbed sites could drastically alter the marshes.

                  CURRENT STATUS: The City of Virginia beach owns a small portion of the
                  north end of this site, the rest is in private ownership.


                  PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Protection of this site and adjacent upland
                  buffer would help form a larger, more viable and defensible preserve along
                  the North Landing River.

                  MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: The marshes require periodic fire for their
                  long-term maintenance.     Develop and implement a prescribed burning
                  management plan.    Monitor rare species populations and the spread of
                  common reed.    Impacts from surrounding agricultural lands should be
                  mitigated by encouraging sound soil and water management practices and
                  maintaining vegetated upland buffers.














































                                                     B 64







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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               B 65














                  VIRGINIA BEAC13 NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                           CAPE HENRY NATURAL AREA


                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach    BIODIVERSITY RANX: B2

                  LOCATION: The site encompasses Seashore State Park and Fort Story.

                  SITE DESCRIPTION: This site contains a superlative natural area with many
                  exemplary plant communities and rare species.        Sandy beaches, dune
                  grasslands, live oak scrub, mature maritime forest, bald cypress and
                  evergreen bay BwaMPB, and interdunal ponds provide a variety of habitats
                  for rare and unusual species, most of which are at or near their northern
                  range limits here.   Within Seashore State Park, campsites, beaches, a
                  nature center, and an extensive trail system afford many and varied
                  recreational opportunities.     While the flora, fauna, and natural
                  communities of Seashore State Park have been very well documented as a
                  result of recent biological inventories, substantially less is known about
                  the current state of natural heritage resources within Fort Story.

                  CURRENT STATUS: The site is in public ownerBhip; most of Seashore State
                  Park, a registered National Natural Landmark, is managed as a natural
                  area.

















































                                                     B 66













                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                          CHUB LAKE NATURAL AREA



                 LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach    BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5

                 LOCATION: Northwest corner of Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.

                 SITE DESCRIPTION: This site encompasses a maritime forest, a beach dune
                 system and a freshwater lake.      Two rare plants inhabit the upland
                 communities, and numerous waterfowl use the lake during the winter.

                 CURRENT STATUS:     This site is entirely within Little Creek Naval
                 Amphibious Base. A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species
                 of Little Creek NAB was submitted to natural resources personnel on the
                 bass by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.
















































                                                   B 67














                 VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                    LITTLE CREEX CHANNEL NATURAL AREA



                 LOCALITY: City of  Virginia Beach   BIODIVERSITY RANX: B5

                 LOCATION:   This site lies next to Chesapeake Bay on the east side of
                 Little Creek Channel within Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.


                 SITE DESCRIPTION: This site includes a section of beach where a rare bird
                 nests in some years.

                 CURRENT STATUS:    This site is entirely within Little Creek Naval
                 Amphibious Base. A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species
                 of Little Creek NAB was submitted to natural resources personnel on the
                 base by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.
















































                                                   B 68














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                       LITTLE CREEK DUNES NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach    BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5

                  LOCATION: This site lies along the northern edge of Little Creek Naval
                  Amphibious Base and is divided into two sub-areas by the public beach.

                  SITE DESCRIPTION:   This site includes the least-disturbed beach, dunes
                  interdunal swales, and maritime forest on the base. Three species of rare
                  or uncommon plants inhabit this site.

                  CURRENT STATUS:     This site is entirely within Little Creek Naval
                  Amphibious Base. A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species
                  of Little Creek NAB was submitted to natural resources personnel on the
                  bass by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in 1990.













































                                                     B 69














                  VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY




                                        OCEANA SANDPITS NATURAL AREA



                  LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach    BIODIVERSITY RANK: B5

                  LOCATION: This site is located in the northeastern section of Naval Air
                  Station Oceana.


                  SITE DESCRIPTION: This site is an old borrow pit that is inhabited by a
                  rare dragonfly.

                  CURRENT STATUS: This site is entirely within Naval Air Station Oceana.
                  A report on the rare, threatened and endangered species of NAS Oceana was
                  submitted to natural resources personnel on the base by the Department of
                  Conservation and Recreation in 1990.






















































                                                     B 70









































                                        APPENDIX C.







                            scientific names of common species
                                referred to in the report.











               VIRGINIA BEACH NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY



               Common Name               Scientific Name

               American beachgrass       Ammophila breviligiilata
               American beech            Faggs grandifolia
               American holly            Ilex opaca
               American lotus            NeYum@o lutea
               Atlantic white  cedar     Chamaecyparis thvoides
               bald cypress              Taxodium distichium
               bayberry                  Myrica Pensylvanica
               big cordgrass             Spartina cynosuroides
               black gum                 Nyssa sylvatica
               black needlerush          Juncus roemerianus
               bluejack oak              ouercus incana
               broomsedge                Andropogon virainicus
               carp                      cyprinus carpio
               Carolina willow           Salix caroliniana
               cattails                  Typha spp.
               common reed               Phraqmites australis
               duckweed                  Lemna spp.
               green briar               Smilax spp.
               hickory                   Carva spp.
               highbush blueberry        Vaccinium corymbosum
               lance-leaf arrowhead      Sagittaria falcata
               laurel-leaf greenbrier    Smilax laurifolia
               live oak                  ouercus virainiana
               loblolly pine             Pinus taeda
               narrow-leaf cattail       Typha angustifolia
               pond pine                 Pinus serotina
               red bay                   Perea borbonia
               red maple                 Acer rubrum
               saltmarsh cordgrass       Sioartina alterniflora
               sea oats                  Uniola Paniculata
               sourwood                  Oxydendrum arboreum
               southern cattail          Typha domingensis
               southern red oak          Quercus falcata
               swamp rose                Rosa Palustris
               swamp tupelo              Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
               sweetgum                  Liauidambar styraciflua
               switchgrass               Panicum virgatum
               three-square  bulrush     Scirpus americana
               tulip poplar              Liriodendron tulipifera
               twig rush                 Cladium mariscoides
               Virginia chain-fern       Anchistea virginica
               Virginia pine             Pinus virginiana
               water fern                Azolla caroliniana
               water oak                 ouercus nigra
               water-tupelo              Nyssa aauatica
               wax myrtle                Myrica cerifera
               white oak                 Ouercus alba


                                             C 1




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