[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                                                               Task 21 FY 90
                                                               Final Work Product




             CRITICAL NATURAL AREAS, EkEMPLARY WETLANDS, AND ENDANGERED
                        SPECIES HABITATS IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA










                                       77













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                              (Old growth cypress - tupelo swamp)







                  Department of Conservation and Recreation
         QH      1 of Natural Heritage
         76.5
         v8      Heritage Technical Report 92-14
         R393    18, 1992'
         1993











                                                                                    ADMINISTRATION
                                                                                    NATURAL HERITAGE
                                                                                    PLANNING AND RECREATION RESOURCES
                                                                                    SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
                                                                                    STATE PARKS
                               COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
                             DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION

                                             DIVISION OF NATURAL HERITAGE

                                         Main Street Station. 1500 East Main Street - Suite 312
                            TDID (804) 796-2121 Richmond. Virginia 23219 (804) 786-7951 FAX: (804) 371-2674
                                                                         March 27, 1992
              Ms. Laura Lower                                                    Received by:
              Coastal Resources Management Program                           Council on the Environment
              Virginia Council on the Environment
              202 North 9th Street
              Richmond, VA 23219                                                 MAR 30 1992



              Dear Laura:


                    On behalf of the Department of Conservation and RecreafIbh-,'-"'I'--am pleXsed
              to provide you with the final report, Critical Natural Areas, Exemplary Wetlands,
              and Endangered Species Habitats in Southeastern Virginia, in fulfillment of NOAA
              grant number NA90AA-H-CZ796. During the 1992 field season, we will continue our
              inventory of natural areas in this region under a grant from the Albemarle-
              Pamlico Estuarine Study, and will provide you with a copy of that final report,
              due in the fall of 1992. The Department looks forward to future involvement in
              the protection and management of natural areas identified through this study.



                                                                         Sincerely,




                                                                         Thomas L. Smith
                                                                         Acting  Division Director





              CC. J. Robert Hicks, Jr.
                    Randall G. Waite














                CRITICAL NATURAL AREAS,  EXEMPLARY WETLANDS, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITATS
                                          IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA:



                  RESULTS OF THE 1991 INVENTORY ENCOMPASSING PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, SURRY
                    COUNTY, ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, CHESAPEAKE CITY, SUFFOLK CITY, AND
                                            VIRGINIA BEACH CITY



                                                FINAL REPORT



                                                                     Property of CSC Library




                                                Submitted to:



                              Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program
                                        Council on the Environment
                                     903 Ninth Street Office Building
                                           Richmond, VA 23219

                                                                    U , S . DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
                                                                    COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
                                                                    2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
                                                Prepared by:        CHARLESTON , SC 29405-2413


                               Thomas J. Rawinski and J. Christopher Ludwig
                           Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
                                      Division of Natural Heritage
                                    1500 East Main Street, Suite 312
                                           Richmond, VA 23219



                                                March, 1992





              This report should be cited as follows:

              Rawinski, T. J. and J. C. Ludwig. 1992. Critical natural areas, exemplary wetlands,
      010     and endangered species habitats in southeastern Virginia: Results of the 1991
      >       inventory encompassing Prince George County, Surry County, Isle of Wight County,
              Chesapeake City, Suffolk City, and Virginia Beach City. Natural Heritage Tech.
      4--@ Cz
              Rep. 92-14,   Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of
              Natural Heratage, Richmond. 87 pp.
      _Q @



































                   This report was funded, in part, by the Virginia Council on the
                   Environment's Coastal Resources Management Program through grant
                   number NA90AA-H-CZ796 of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
                   Administration under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as
                   amended.












                                                    TABLE OF CONTENTS



               INTRODUCTION   ..................................................................            1
                  Virginia's Division of Natural Heritage        ....................................       1
                  Elements of Natural Diversity. . - *      .... **** ... **,***,,*,*,**,,*,,*;*,,,,**   ...I

               METHODS  ............................................................            ........... 4
               RESULTS   ........................................................................           7
               SITE REPORTS
               Disputanta (Prince George Co.)      ...............................................          10
               Blackwater River - Below Route 603 (Surry and Sussex Cos.)            ...................    13
               Blackwater River - Above Route 620 (Isle of Wight Co.)           .......................     15
               Zuni Macrosite
                  South Zuni Sandhills (Isle of Wight Co.)       ....................................       17
                  Antioch Swamp Barrens (Isle of Wight Co.)        ......                        .........  20
                  Blackwater Ecologic Preserve (Isle of Wight Co.)         ............................     23
                  Horse Swamp Barrens (Isle of Wight Co.)        ....................................       27
               Cat Ponds (Isle of Wight Co.)      ................................................          30
               Muddy Cross Ponds (Isle of Wight Co.)        ........................................        33
               Northwest River Macrosite
                  Upper Section (Chesapeake City)      ............................................         36
                  Northwest River Park (Chesapeake City)       .....................................        39
                  Southwestern Marshes (Chesapeake City)       .....................................        42
                  Smith Creek (Chesapeake City)     ...............................................         45
               Dismal Swamp Macrosite
                  Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Chesapeake & Suffolk Cities)..48
                  Northwest Section (Chesapeake & Suffolk Cities)         .............................     53
                  Smith Ridge (Chesapeake City)     ..............................................          56
               Seashore State Park and Natural Area (Virginia Beach City)..           *''******   ........  59
               False Cape State Park (Virginia Beach City)         ..................................       63
               North Landing River Macrosite
                  Southern Marshes (Virginia Beach City)       .....................................        68
                  North Landing River Natural Area Preserve (Virginia Beach City)            ............   71
                  North Pocosin (Virginia Beach City)       ........................................        74
                  West Neck Creek (Virginia Beach City)       ......................................        77
                  North Pocaty (Chesapeake City)      .............................................         80
                  Gum Swamp (Chesapeake & Virginia Beach Cities).
                                                                          .............................     83


               RECOMMENDATIONS   ............................................         ..................    86












                                              INTRODUCTION


                   In May 1991, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation,
             through its Division of Natural Heritage, was contracted by the Virginia
             Council on the Environment's Coastal Zone Resources Management Program to
             conduct a natural heritage inventory in the southeastern Virginia counties of
             Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight, and the cities of Chesapeake,
             Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. Southeastern Virginia contains an extraordinary
             concentration of the Commonwealth's natural heritage resources; approximately
             one third of Virginia's rare plant species occur within the Chowan River
             watershed, an area encompassing only 8% of Virginia's land mass. The goal of
             this inventory was to identify important rare plant and animal sites and
             exemplary natural communities, with a particular emphasis on wetland habitats.
             This work addresses the issue of natural area preservation and conservation,
             as currently being drafted in the Albemarle-Pamlico Comprehensive Conservation
             Management Plan. .

                  This report describes the findings of the 1991 natural heritage
             inventory. The information presented here will become part of a more
             comprehensive natural area report being prepared for the entire Virginia
             portion of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Region (Figure 1).

             Virginia's Division of Natural Heritage

                   The Virginia Natural Area Preserves Act of 1989 (SlO.1-209 et seg. of
             the Code of Virginia) directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to
             "preserve the natural diversity of biologicalresources of the Commonwealth."
             The Act further establishes the Virginia Natural Heritage Program (now called
             the Division of Natural Heritage) and requires the Department to develop a
             natural heritage plan, produce an inventory of the Commonwealth's natural
             heritage resources, maintain a natural heritage data bank of inventory data,
             and provide for the protection and stewardship of natural areas. The Division
             of Natural Heritage fulfills this mandate as the Commonwealth's principal
             collector and manager of data on 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" (SlO.1-209 of the Code of Virginia). The Division of
             Natural Heritage is part of a network of 84 natural heritage data centers
             established throughout much of the Western Hemisphere.

             Natural Heritage.Resources

                  Each natural heritage resource is assigned a rank that indicates its
             relative rarity or status (Table 1). The primary criterion for ranking
             natural heritage resources is the number of extant occurrences, i.e. the
             number of known distinct localities or populations. Other important ranking
             criteria are the number of individuals at each locality, the total number of
             individuals state-wide, the condition of the occurrences, the number of
             protected occurrences, and threats. These "S-ranks" apply specifically to
             Virginia; global ranks, or "G-ranks", reflect species status on a global, or
             range-wide scale.


                                                    1












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                                                            Figure 1. Map of the entire Albemarle-Pamlico planning region in Virginia,
                                                                                       showing the Coastal Resources Management Program region
                                                                                       investigated in 1991 (shaded area).










              Table 1.  Definition of Natural Heritage state rarity ranks (S-ranks). Global
                        ranks (G-ranks) are similar, but are based on range-wide status.
                        Ranks for most community types have not been generated due to on-
                        going community classification efforts. The S and G ranks should
                        not be interpreted as legal designations.


              Sl    Extremely rare;  usually 5 or fewer occurrences in the state,! or may have
                    few remaining individuals; often especially vulnerable to extirpation.

              S2    Very rare; usually between 5 and 20 occurrences; or with many
                    individuals in fewer occurrences; often susceptible to becoming
                    endangered.

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

              S4    common; usually >100 occurrences, but may be fewer with many large
                    populations; may be restricted to'only a portion of the state-, usually
                    not susceptible to immediate threats.

              S5    Very common; demonstrably secure under present conditions.

              SA    Accidental in the state.


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

              SN    Regularly occurring migrants or transients species which are non-
                    breeding, seasonal residents, (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.


              NOTE: Sometimes ranks are combined (e.g. SlS2) to indicate intermediate or
              somewhat unclear status. Elements with uncertain taxonomic validity are
              denoted by the letter,     after the global rank.










                                                      3










                  Subspecies and varieties are assigned 'IT-ranks", in addition to their G-
             rank. Taken together, these ranks give an instant picture of the rarity of
             the natural heritage resource. Rarity ranks used by the Division of Natural
             Heritage are not legal designations, and they are continuously updated to
             reflect new information.


                  The landscape unit that supports a particular natural heritage resource
             is called an element occurrence. The Division of Natural Heritage!has mapped
             over 5500 element occurrences in the Commonwealth. Information on the
             location and quality of these element occurrences is computerized within the
             Division's Biological and Conservation Databases (BCD), and additional
             information is recorded on maps and in manual files. Each element occurrence
             is ranked to differentiate large, outstanding occurrences from the small,
             vulnerable ones. Species occurrences are ranked in terms of quality,
             condition, viability, and defensibility. Community occurrences are ranked by
             their overall natural condition and size.

                   Element ranks' and element occurrence ranks form the basis for ranking
             the significance of entire sites. Site biodiversity ranks (B-ranks) are used
             to prioritize protection efforts among the sites; each B-rank is defined
             below:


                   Bl     Outstanding Significancq: only site known for an
                          element, an excellent occurrence of a Gl species, or
                          the world's best example of a community type.

                   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 Significange: 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, or state-rare species.


             Note: Sites supporting rare subspecies or varieties are considered slightly
                    less significant than sites supporting similarly ranked species.




                                                 METHODS


                   Division of Natural Heritage staff approach natural heritage inventories
             in a systematic manner. In general, the most threatened geographical areas,
             habitats, and species receive inventory priority. The inventory is conducted
             in six stages:

                                                     4











             1)    Review of aerial photographs and maps. 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, both the
                   oldest available photographs and the most recent ones are studied.
                   Comparing these two sets of photographs helps determine how.long forests
                   and other vegetation types have been in their current condition. To aid
                   in their interpretation, the photographs are compared with topographic,
                   wetlands, and soils maps.

             2)    Gathering existing informatio . Museum collections are visited by
                   Natural Heritage staff and specimen label information is recorded 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. Maps of public lands (federal, state and
                   local) within the survey area are gathered, and the distribution of
                   natural heritage resources is examined (Figure 2). Local naturalists,
                   soil conservationists, foresters, and college faculty are consulted for
                   additional information. During this stage, some PNAs are eliminated
                   from further consideration while others are added.


             3)    Aerial reconnaissance. Selected PNAs are studied in more detail by
                   aerial reconnaissance using small aircraft. Typically, this is done in
                   the early spring or late fall when the ground is visible through the
                   trees. Flights are especially useful in the rapidly changing landscape
                   of southeastern Virginia. Flying allows the quick review of many tracts
                   that would take days to visit by car and on foot. The primary goal of
                   this stage is to eliminate from consideration the sites that have been
                   recently destroyed, and to begin prioritizing the remaining PNAs for on-.
                   the-ground survey.

             4)    Initial ground survey. During the initial ground survey, ownership
                   information is verified, conspicuous element occurrences are documented,
                   land use activities are described, and if necessary, follow-up visits
                   are planned.

             5)      orough inventory of the PNA. During this stage, detailed information
                   is collected on the rare species or exemplary natural community present
                   at a site. Portions of a site not visited on foot are evaluated on the
                   basis of aerial photographs and other information. The area of land
                   needed to protect the special biological features features is
                   determined. Threats and past or-present disturbances are also noted.
                   Element occurrence data are transcribed onto Division maps, and entered
                   into the BCD databases.


             6)    COMRilation of results and Rreparation of final report. As fieldwork is
                   completed, Division biologists review the information gathered. Based
                   on a review of all natural heritage resources present, 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 final report.

                                                    5




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                                                                                       NATURAL HERITAGE RESOUR
                                                                                                  SOUTHEASTERN VIRGIN














                                       1, E G E' ND


                             ELEMENT TYPE    EXTANT HISTORIC


                             AN I W1
                             CO KDAUN I TV               &
                             OTHER                       A
                             PLANI                       A       @v                 A                                                              b


                                   :TNKNT CONE ERVATIGM & RECREATION
                                            1E
                                   I OF NATURAL HER I WAGE 1." 1992







                                                          mu
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                                                  Figure 2. Map showing            the distribution         of  natural heritage resourc
                                                                  southeastern Virginia.













                                                 RESULTS


                  Results of the natural heritage inventory are presented by way of 24
             detailed site reports. The site reports are arranged by larger landscape
             units (rdacrosites) and municipality. Each site is described using the
             following standard reporting format:


             SITE NAME: Most site names reflect a geographical locality or the prevalent
             type of vegetation.

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

             BIODIVERSITY RANK: The overall significance of the natural area in terms of
             the rarity of the natural heritage resources and the quality of their
             occurrences. As discussed earlier, these ranks range from Bl (outstanding
             significance) to B5 (general biodiversity significance).

             LOCALITY: The city or county.

             QUADRANGLE AND QUADRANGLE CODE: The name of the USGS 7.5' quadrangle(s) on
             which the natural area occurs. The quadrangle code contains information on
             latitude and longitude, and identifies the location of the quadrangle.

             LOCATION: Specific information on site location and directions to the site.

             NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE: A synopsis of the rare species and
             significant natural communities that occur on the site.
             SITE 6ESCRIPTION: A brief narrative describing the site, its significant
             elements, vegetation, habitat, and current land use.

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The preliminary conservation planning boundary
             delineated in this report includes all known occurrences of natural heritage
             resources and the adjacent lands required for their immediate protection.
             This information field explains the basis for particular boundaries.

             THREATS: Potential and actual threats to the site and its elements.


             14ANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: A summary of the major issues and factors that
             should be considered in management of the site for its natural heritage
             values.


             CURRENT STATUS: A summary of ownership and the degree of protection currently
             afforded the site.


             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The desired level of protection actions needed.

             REFERENCES: Pertinent literature.





                                                   7










               SITE MAP: The site map shows the conservation planning boundary which
               contains all known element occurrences and the land determined to be important
               for the long-term maintenance of these elements. The following factors are
               considered when drawing these boundaries:

               0   the extent of current and potential habitat for rare species and exemplary
                   natural communities,
               0   species movement and migration corridors,
               0   maintenance of surface water quality within the site and the      surrounding
                   watershed,
               0   maintenance of the hydrologic integrity of the groundwater, e.g. by
                   protecting recharge zones,
               9   land intended to mitigate off-site impacts,
               0   land or activities necessary to preclude or minimize invasive exotic
                   species, and
               0   land necessary for management activities, such as prescribed burning.

               The boundaries are intended for conservation planning purposes, and at the
               very least should prevent the inadvertent destruction of the natural areas.
               Many rare species are sensitive to disturbance, or may be sought out by
               collectors. Precise element locations within site boundaries are therefore
               not given in this report. Virginia law includes Natural Heritage Resources
               under a limited exemption to the requirements of the Freedom of Information
               Act.


                    The individual site reports focus on the most significant natural areas
               in the region, and consequently the less significant sites (such as those
               supporting roadside populations of globally-secure, state-rare species) are
               intentionally excluded. Due to the limitations imposed by an eight-month
               inventory, not all of the potential natural areas in the region were field
               checked. Future discoveries of significant natural areas in the study region
               are expected, particularly in western Suffolk.






















                                                        8




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                                                 DISPUTANTA



              SIZE:       ca. 50 Acres                   BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B2


              LOCALITY:   Prince George County

              QUADRANGLE: Disputanta North               QUADRANGLE CODE: 3707622!

              LOCATION: The site is located at the headwaters of Otterdam Swamp along Hines
              Road (Rt. 625) approximately 1 mile southwest of Lebanon Church.

                                 NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                GLOBAL STATE          VA     ELEMENT
                                                                RARITY RARITY USFWS   LEGAL  OCCURRENCE
              SCIENTIFIC NAME           COMM ON NAME            RANK   RANK   STATUS  STATUS RANK


              plants:
              RUDBECKIA HELIOPSIDIS     SUN-FACING CONEFLOWER    G2     Sl     C2              B



              SITE DESCRIPTION: The cleared right-of-way along this stretch of Hines Road
              provides habitat for Virginia's only known population of the globally-rare
              sun-facing coneflower (Rudbeckia heliopsidia), a species unknown north of this
              site. The habitat is seasonally inundated, and organic soils exist over a
              clay-rich substratum. The herbaceous vegetation at the site is very diverse
              with 72 species noted by Wright (1989). Cut-over pine-oak flatwoods and pine
              plantations surround the site.

              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the rare
              plant population, its habitat, and surrounding buffer which may provide
              additional habitat for the coneflower. The forested land within the boundary
              was delineated using NHAP color-infrared photography, #509-52 taken on 4/2/84.

              THREATS: Roadside mowing by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
              periodically reduces the amount of woody vegetation present at the site, and
              this activity appears to be somewhat beneficial to the coneflower.. Succession
              to woody vegetation is therefore a threat, as are ditching, herbicide
              spraying, and collection.

              MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Monitor roadside management activities to ensure
              the health of the coneflower population. Investigate the use of prescribed
              burning as a management technique.

              CURRENT STATUS: The site is privately owned, but the roadside is managed by
              VDOT*


              PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Frequent contact with VDOT personnel and the
              landowner is needed to ensure that right-of-way management or other activities
              do not harm the rare coneflower population. Strong levels of protection are
              recommended for this site.


                                                     10







             REFERENCE'S:
             Wright, R.A.S. 1989. Field survey for the sun-loving coneflower, Rudbeckia
             heliopsidis Torrey and Gray in Virginia. unpublished rep. submitted to The
             Nature Conservancy through the Virginia Natural Heritage Prog., Richmond.






















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                                                                                               12













                                       BLACKWATER RIVER - BELOW ROUTE 603



             SIZE: ca. 620 Acres                        BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B2


             LOCALITY: Surry County and Sussex County

             QUADRANGLE: Dendron                         QUADRANGLE CODE: 370761&

             LOCATION: The site is located along the Blackwater River between the Route 603
             bridge and the Route 31 bridge. The Surry - Sussex County line follows the course
             of the Blackwater River through the middle of the site.


                                    NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                GLOBAL  STATE         VA      ELEMENT
                                                                RARITY  RARITY USFWS  LEGAL   OCCURENCE
             SCIENTIFIC NAME                                    RANK    RANK   STATUS  STATUS RANK


             communities:
             EUTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED PALUSTRINE FOREST          S3?                    A



             SITE DESCRIPTION: According Gary Williamson,, recognized authority on wetland
             forest vegetation, this site has more pristine bald cypress (Taxodium
             distichum) - water tupelo (Nyssa aguatica) vegetation than any other area
             encountered in Virginia. It is in fact one of the very best old growth
             cypress swamps in the United States. Canopy trees are consistently over 100
             feet tall for a distance of two miles along the Blackwater River. Larger
              ypress trees are 180 to 200 cm diameter at breast height, and"such trees are
             estimated to be at least 600 years old. The swamp shows only occasional signs
             Cof disturbance from logging, and much of it could be characterized as virgin
             forest.


             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary contains the
             extraordinary old growth forest plus a modest amount of upland buffer land
             necessary to mitigate negative impacts to the forest from adjacent land uses.

             THREATS: Logging, ditching, and disruptions of the natural flow regime of the
             Blackwater Riv er constitute threats to this site,


             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: No active management is needed,, but    the general
             health and vitality of the forest should be monitored to permit early
             detection of perturbations.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site supports one of the Nation's best
             cypress-tupelo swamps, and as such represents an irreplaceable and awe-
             inspiring natural treasure, Permanent protection is needed,




                                                     13









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                                                                                                               14












                                      BLACKWATER RIVER - ABOVE ROUTE 620



              SIZE: ca. 1000 Acres                       BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B2


              LOCALITY: Isle of Wight County and.Southampton County

              QUADRANGLE: Raynor                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607687

              LOCATION: The site inludes the Blackwater River and its associated wetlands upstream
              from the Route 620 bridge.

                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                 GLOBAL STATE          VA     ELEMENT
                                                                 RARITY RARITY USFWS    LEGAL OCCURENCE
              SCIENTIFIC NAME                                    RANK   RANK    STATUS STATUS RANK


              communities:
              EUTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED PALUSTRINE FOREST          S3?                   A



              SITE DESCRIPTION: The site encompasses a five-mile riparian corridor along
              the Blackwater River. It supports a large expanse of old growth bald cypress
              (Taxodium distichum) - water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) bottomland forest (see
              cover illustration). Four state-champion trees are here, including Virginia's
              largest cypress. The site is comparable to the Blackwater River site located
              below Route 603 (described previously in this report). Both areas are highly
              significant because they contain some of the very best old growth cypress
              swamp vegetation remaining in the United States.

              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary contains the
              extraordinary old growth forest plus a modest amount of upland buffer land
              necessary to mitigate negative impacts to the site.

              THREATS: Some of the adjacent uplands were logged recently. Continued
              logging here would compromise the defensibility of the old growth swamp forest
              by increasing the frequency of blow-down, altering light regimes,.encouraging
              the spread of exotic plants, and increasing sediment load to the wetland
              system.

              MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: No active management of this site is needed, but
              the general health and vitality ofthe forest should be monitored.

              CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

              PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: This site is comparable to the old growth cypress
              swamp located below Route 603. As such, it deserves immediate conservation
              attention.






                                                     15


















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                                      ZUNI MACROSITE - SOUTH ZUNI SANDHILLS



              SIZE: ca. 250 Acres                        BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B4
                                                          * adjacent to a B2 site-
              LOCALITY: Isle of Wight County

              QUADRANGLE: Zuni                           QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607677

              LOCATION: The site is located south of Zuni, north of Antioch Swamp, west    of Route
              614, and east of the Blackwater River.


                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              OLIGOTROPHIC WOODLAND                                        Sl      -      -       C


              plants:
              ASIMINA PARVIFLORA        DWARF PAW-PAW             G5       S2      -      -       CD
              DESMODIUM STRICTUM        PINELAND TICK-TREFOIL     G2G4     S2      -      -       BC
              QUERCUS INCANA            BLUE-JACK OAK             G5       S2      -      -       BC
              QUERCUS LAEVIS            TURKEY OAK                G5       S2      -      -       AB
              QUERCUS MARGARETTAE       SAND POST OAK             G5       S2      -      -       AB



              SITE DESCRIPTION: This   site was once a large expanse of xeric sandhill
              vegetation. Now it is fragmented by dirt roads, houses,     agricultural fields,
              a power line, and cut-over forests. Turkey Oak (Quercus     laevis) is abundant
              throughout the remaining undisturbed tracts, where it is    a component of a rare
              type of Oligotrophic Woodland. A 20 by 20 meter sample plot of this
              vegetation had an impressive total of six oak species, three of which are
              rare. Attractive wildflowers such as eastern prickly-pear (Opunti humifusa).,
              sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis), and grass-leaved golden-aster (Chrysopsis.
              graminifolia) adorn the sandy roadsides. This area will likely support
              several rare animals, particularly moths, butterflies, and tiger beetles.
              Immediately south of this site lies Antioch Swamp Barrens, a B2 site.

              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the known
              tracts of Oligotrophic Woodland plus some additional surrounding lands that
              provide necessary buffer. The boundary was drawn from aerial photograph
              interpretation and limited field surveys. Some houses, fields, yards, and
              roads exist within the boundary - these should be excluded during conservation
              planning at this site.

              THREATS: The primary threat is continued development of undisturbed tracts
              for housing. Also, clear-cutting will significantly degrade the natural .
              character of the forest and woodland vegetation, especially if followed by

                                                      17










             herbicide treatment and pine plantations. The rare plants and significant
             community have been maintained in the past by fire - without continued fire
             the characteristic species and the community will undoubtedly be supplanted by
             less desireable, more common species. A small area is grazed by livestock.
             Increased land clearing for pasture will be detrimental to the rare species.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Management agreements and stronger levels of
             protection are needed for the best remaining tracts. One landowner has
             expressed an interest in managing natural heritage resources through the
             Forest Stewardship Program. Prescribed burning should be used to enhance rare
             species populations. Landowners might favor prescribed burning as a way of
             clearing undergrowth and creating greater opportunities for passive recreation
             in the woodlands, e.g. horseback riding.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Management agreements and stronger levels of
             protection are needed for the best remaining woodland tracts. Landowners
             should be informed about the site's significance.




































                                                  18






















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                                      ZUNI 14ACROSITE - ANTIOCH SWAMP BARRENS



             SIZE: ca. 320 Acres                         BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B2


             LOCALITY: Isle of Wight County

             QUADRANGLE: Zuni                            QUADRANGLE CODE: 360767-7-,

             LOCATION: The site lies east of the Blackwater River, north of the Blackwater
             Ecologic Preserve, west of Route 614, and south of Antioch Swamp.

                                    NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                 GLOBAL STATE           VA    ELEMENT
                                                                 RARITY RARITY USFWS    LEGAL OCCURENCE
             SCI ENTIFIC NAME           COMMON NAME               RANK   RANK   STATUS  STATUS RANK


             communities:
             OLIGOTROPHIC FOREST                                          Sl              -      A


             plants:
             QUERCUS INCANA              BLUE-JACK OAK              G5    S2              -      D
             QUERCUS LAEVIS              TURKEY OAK                 G5    S2              -      B
             QUERCUS MARGARETTAE         SAND POST OAK              G5    S2              -      B


             SITE DESCRIPTION:   This site contains one of Virginia's best   examples of  a
             mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) - turkey oak Quercus laevis) forest. The
             pines are impressive in stature, especially considering that they inhabit dry
             sandhill soils. As seen from Route 614, the pines rise high above the lower
             hardwoods. As viewed from the adjacent Blackwater Ecologic Preserve, three
             rare oak species are evident, A detailed inventory of the site has not been
             performed. The site has a great potential for additional rarities, especially
             if managed by prescribed burning.

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The extent of the mature pine stand.was readily
             determined from aerial photographs. Antioch Swamp is a convenient boundary
             separating this site from the South Zuni Sandhills Site which lies to the
             north, The southern boundary coincides with the northern boundary of the
             Blackwater Ecologic Preserve. The western border coincides with the lowland
             along the Blackwater River, which would serve as an effective fire break
             during prescribed burning.

             THREATS: Logging (especially if followed by herbicide treatment and
             conversion to pine plantation), lack of fire, and land development constitute
             threats to this important site.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: A thorough biological inventory is recommended,
             to be followed by management recommendations. Because the rare oaks at the
             site depend on fire for their continued survival, a prescribed burning program


                                                     20










              in the future would be highly desireable. Many additional rare plants will
              likely appear at the site as a result of prescribed burning management.

              CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

              PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site warrants the highest possible
              protection, not only for the mature forest.and rare plants present, but
              because it is adjacent to the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve. Together these
              two sites would form a larger, more diverse, and more defensible core natural
              area preserve.


























































                                                   21





















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                                    SITE NAME: ZUNI MACROSITE                                ANTIOCH SWAMP BARRENS
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                                                                                                               22














                              ZUNI MACROSITE - BLACKWATER ECOLOGIC PRESERVE



              SIZE: 319 Acres                              BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B2


              LOCALITY: Isle of Wight County

              QUADRANGLE: Zuni                             QUADRANGLE CODE: 360767

              LOCATION: The site lies north of Route 614 and west of Horse Swamp. The
              northwestern tip of the site abuts the Blackwater River, but most of the western
              boundary lies approximately 0.5 to 0.7 mile east of this river.

                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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

		  communities:			      
		  OLIGOTROPHIC WOODLAND             -                   -     Sl      -         -     AB
		  
		  plants:
		  AIMINA PARVIFLORA		DWARF PAW-PAW		 G5	  S2      -         -     C
		  CALYCANTHUS FLORIDUS		SWEET SHRUB			 G5T4TS S2	    -         -     C
		  CAPHEPHORUS BELLIDIFOLIUS	SANDY-WOODS CHAFFHEAD	 G4     S1      -         -     B
		  CARPHEPHORUS TOMENTOSUS	WOOLY CHAFFHEAD		 G4	  S1      -         -     C
		  HABENARIA BLEPHARIGLOTTIS   WHITE FRINGED ORCHIS	 G4     S2      -         -     D
		  HETEROTHECA GOSSYPINA		COTTONY GOLDEN-ASTER	 G5	  S1      -         -     D
		  JUNCUS ABORTIVUS		PINE BARREN RUSH		 G4G5	  S1      -         -     D
		  KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLI		SHEEP-LAURL			 G5	  S2S3    -         -     A
		  POLYGONELLA POLYGAMA		OCTOBER-FLOWER		 G3G5	  S1      -         -     A
		  PINUS PALUSTRIS			LONG-LEAF PINE		 G4G5   S2      -         -     B
		  PYXIDANTHERA BARBULATA	FLOWERING PIXIE-MOSS	 G4	  S	    -         -     A
		  QUERCUS LAEVIS			TURKEY OAK			 G5     S2      -         -     A
		  QUERCUS MARGARETTAE		SAND POST OAK		 G5     S2      -         -     BC
		  SABATIA CALYCINA		COAST ROSE-GNETIAN	 G4     S1S2    -         -     U
		  SARRAGENIA PURPUREA		NORTHERN PITCHER PLANT   G5     S2      -         -     C
		  SEYMERIA CASSIOIDES		SEYMERIA			 G5     S2      -         -     B
		  SISYRINCHIUM ALBIDUM		WHITE BLUE-EYED GRASS	 G7	  S1      -         -     U
		  VACCINUM CRASSIFOLIUM		CREEPING BLUEBERRY	 G4G5   S1      -         -     CD
		  XYRIS CAROLINIANA	  CAROLINA YELLOW-EYED-GRASS	 G4G5	  S1      -         -     A

		  animals:
		  AMBYSTOMA MABEET		MABEE'S SALAMANDER	 G4     S2      -         -     C
  		  CHOLOGASTER CORNUTA	      SWAMPFISH			 G5	  S3      -         -     A
		  LAMPSILIS RADIATA		EASTERN LAMPMUSSEL	 G5	  S2      
		  LEPTODEA OCHRACHEA		TIDEWATER MUSKET		 G4	  S3	    -         -     D
		  LIGUMIA NASUTA			EASTERN PONDMUSSEL	 G4	  S3      -         -     U
		  TANTILLA CORONATA	SOUTHEASTERN CROWNED SNAKE	 G5	  S2?     -         -     A



									23












 	  

              








             Note: Several other rare species have' been reported from this site. These have yet
             to be reverified.



             SITE DESCRIPTION: The site contains the only protected occurrence of
             extremely rare long-leaf pine (Pinus Ralustris) - turkey oak (Quercus laevis)
             woodland in Virginia. The area is managed as an ecological preserve, and a
             large number of rare species are present, many of which have respanded
             favorably to recent prescribed burning. Frost and Musselman (1987) provide a
             detailed description of this site and its vegetation.

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary coincides with the
             Old Dominion University property boundary. This is somewhat unusual, but in
             this case, the additional lands most important for the long term viability and
             defensibility of the Preserve have been identified in the descriptions of the
             two adjacent sites, Horse Swamp Barrens and Antioch Swamp Barrens.

             THREATS: The primary threat to the site is insufficient fire and successional
             conversion to less desireable vegetation. Another serious threat-Iis
             development of surrounding lands. Off-site sand mining and ditching could
             directly affect the natural hydrology of the preserve. If houses are built
             adjacent to the preserve, prescribed burning might be viewed as a hazard to
             public safety, and the burning activity halted. At the very least, adjacent
             homes would necessitate that large fire breaks be created on the preserve, and
             that lands near the edge of the preserve not be burned.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: When first decribed by M.L. Fernald in 1936
             (Fernald 1937), the site supported a phenomenal assemblage of rare plants,
             apparently because the area was burned frequently. Only recently has
             prescribed burning been reintroduced to the site, and the beneficial
             consequences have been dramatic. Many rare species populations have
             increased. However, prescribed burning needs to be continued at frequent
             intervals because, 1) some fire-dependent plant species noted by Fernald have
             yet to reappear (these may be present in the soil seed bank), 2) some rare
             plants at the site remain more or less restricted to sandy roadside habitats,
             apparently because conditions are not yet suitable in the woodland vegetation
             away from the roads, and 3) natural reproduction of long-leaf pine remains
             very spotty.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is owned by Old Dominion University, and is managed
             as a natural area.


             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Highly significant natural areas lie immediately
             to the north (Antioch Swamp Barrens) and to the south (Horse Swamp Barrens) of
             the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve. Every effort should be made to protect
             these adjacent areas to mitigate future negative impacts to the Blackwater
             Ecological Preserve. By d oing so, a truly viable and defensible natural area
             preserve will be formed.






                                                   24












             REFERENCES:


              ernald, M.L. 1937. Local plants of the inner Coastal Plain of southeastern
             Virginia. Rhodora 39:321-366.
             F


             Frost, C.C. and L.J. Musselman.. 1987. History and vegetation of the Blackwater
             Ecologic Preserve. Castanea 52:16-46.

















































                                                   25












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                                  QUAMUW=:                  ZUNI

                                                                                     SCALE 1:24000
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                                                                                                     26













                                       ZUNI MACROSITE - HORSE SWAMP BARRENS



              SIZE: ca. 150 Acres                         BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B2

              LOCALITY: Isle of Wight.Count y

              QUADRANGLE: Zuni                            QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607677!

              LOCATION: The Site includes the downstream section of Horse Swamp and surrounding
              uplands in the area south and east of Route 614, and north of Route 603. To the
              north lies the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve.


                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES  SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                 GLOBAL STATE           VA     ELEMENT
                                                                 RARITY RARITY USEVS    LEGAL  OCCURENCE
              SCIENTIFIC NAME           COMMON NAME              RANK     RANK  STATUS  STATUS RANK


              communities:
              OLIGOTROPHIC  FOREST                                         Sl       -       -     BC


              plants:
              CARPHEPHORUS BELLIDIFOLIUS  SANDY-WOODS CHAFFHEAD     G4     Sl       -       -     D
              RALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA         SHEEP-LAUREL              G5     S2S3     -       -     A
              PINUS PALUSTRIS             LONG-LEAF PINE            G4G5   S2       -       -     CD
              PYXIDANTHERA BARBULATA      FLOWERING PIXIE-MOSS      G4     Sl       -       -     C
              QUERCUS LAEVIS              TURKEY OAK                G5     S2       -       -     AB
              .QUERCUS MARGTARETTAE       SAND POST OAK             G5     S2       -       -     AB
              VACCINIUM CRASSIFOLIUM      CREEPING BLUEBERRY        G4G5   Sl       -       -     D
              ZORNIA BRACTEATA            VIPERINA                  G5?    Sl       -       -     BC



              SITE DESCRIPTION: The site contains an extremely    rate type  of Oligotrophic
              Forest characterized by long-leaf pine (Pinus palustris) and turkey oak
              (Quercus laevis). Long-leaf pine' and understory plants such as creeping
              blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium), flowering pixie-moss,(Py2iidanthera
              barbulata), and sheep-laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) indicate a fire-maintained
              vegetation type sometimes called "pine barren". This example, at the northern
              range limit of long-leaf pine and lacking a number of southern plant species,
              should be regarded as a globally endangered community type., Fire has played a
              major role in creating and maintaining the distinctive vegetation.
              Unfortunately, the area has not burned for many years, and therefore the rare
              plants lack vigor and are reproducing poorly.

                   Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) presently dominates the forest. Recent
              selective logging has created canopy openings, giving the vegetation a
              woodland structure.


              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
              encompasses the full extent of rare pine barren vegetation, plus surrounding
              lands which must be protected to ensure the long term viability and

                                                      27










             defensibility of the site. The northern boundary coincides with Horse Swamp,
             just south of Route 614. The Blackwater Ecological Preserve and a recent
             clear-cut lie to the north of the site. The boundary was drawn from aerial
             photograph interpretation and limited field surveys.

             THREATS: Future logging will likely destroy this natural community and its
             rare plant populations. Another threat to the entire natural community is
             lack of fire; this is preventing long-leaf pine regeneration. Ditching and
             residential or industrial development are also serious threats.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Several prescribed burns are needed to enhance
             the rare species populations. As fires create open soil habitats, the number
             of rare plant species here will likely increase dramatically. Virtually all
             of the rare plant species found at the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve (literally
             across the road) should be expected to colonize the Horse Swamp Barrens site
             following prescribed burning. Lowland areas within the pine barren currently
             support sphagnous thickets of pond pine (Pinus serotina), laurel-leaf
                                                                             .virginiana
             greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia), and sweetbay magnolia (Majznolia
             With fire, these wet areas would be converted to open, bog-like environments
             and exceptional rare plant habitat. Managers of the Blackwater Ecologic
             Preserve possess the technical and scientific expertise needed to manage pine
             barrens. If protected, the Horse Swamp Barrens could be efficiently managed
             in conjunction with the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve.

             CURRENT STATUS: 'The site is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site is among the highest protection
             priorities in southeastern Virginia. Because it is immediately adjacent to
             the Blackwater Ecologic Preserve, this area could contribute to forming a
             larger, more diverse, and more defensible natural area preserve.

























                                                   28

















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                             QUACRANGLE:             ZUNI

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                                                                                         29














                                                     CAT PONDS



              SIZE: ca. 95 Acres                          BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B4


              LOCALITY: Isle of Wight County

              QUADRANGLE: Benns Church                    QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607685

              LOCATION: The site is clearly   named, Cat  Ponds, on the topographic map. It lies
              approximately I mile northwest  of Wills Corner in the area north of Route 600, east
              of Route 602, and west of Route 10.


                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETIAND             G3?     sl              -      C


              plants:
              ELEOCHARIS MEIANOCARPA    BLACK-FRUITED SPIKERUSH G4         S2      -       -      BC
              ELEOCHARIS TRICOSTATA     THREE-ANGLE SPIKERUSH      G3G4    Sl      -       -      D
              LUDWIGIA BREVIPES         LONG BEACH SEEDBOX         G4G5    S2      -       -      D
              PANICUM HEMITOMON         MAIDENCANE                 G5?     Sl      -       -      A


              animals:
              AMBYSTOMA MABEEI          MABEE'S SALAMANDER         G4      Sl      -       LT     C
              AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM        TIGER SALAMANDER           G5      Sl      -       LE     C
              ATLIDES HALESUS           GREAT PURPLE HAIRSTREAK    G5      S3      -              C
              SIREN INTERMEDIA          LESSER SIREN               C5      SU      -              B



              SITE DESCRIPTION: When   discovered by  botanist M.L. Fernald 54 years ago, the
              seasonal ponds at this site were apparently pristine and supported a great
              variety of rare plants (Fernald, 1938). Recently, adjacent land uses have
              seriously degraded the ponds. With every heavy rain, the largest and most
              significant pond is being filled by sediment from a ditch draining the roads
              and driveways of a new housing development.    This pond was also deepened in
              the past, (perhaps to create permanent water   for a fishery or for livestock),
              and a small dike constructed at its outlet.    If this small fragile dike of
              sand is damaged, the entire pond would drain   into an adjacent sand pit.

                   The next largest pond is situated next to agricultural land and is
              partially within a power line right-of-way. Nutrient enrichment is a serious
              threat here.


              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary encloses the two
              largest and best remaining seasonal ponds, plus minimal upland buffer.


                                                      30










             THREATS: Threats are drainage (if a small dike breaks), dredging for fishery
             enhancement, nutrient enrichment from agricultural lands, housing development,
             sand mining, power line construction and-right-of-way maintenance, and
             sedimentation.


             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: The many threats here have synergistically
             coalesced to cast a menacing shadow of doom over the entire area.. If this
             site continues to be degraded, management will become a moot issue. Buffer
             strips of natural vegetation need to be established around each pond, and the
             condition of the small dike monitored or improved.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in  private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The long term viability of this site is in doubt.
             Recent logging and planned development have already doomed the ponds to the
             north. Protection efforts should be focused on the ditch leading into the
             largest pond. Buffer zones of natural vegetation should be established.



             REFERENCES:


             Fernald, M.L. 1938. Noteworthy plants of southeastern Virginia. Rhodora
             40:364-491. (pp. 370-371)
































                                                   31



















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                                                                                                     32












                                                MUDDY CROSS PONDS



              SIZE: ca. 115 Acres                        BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B4 or B3


              LOCALITY: Isle of Wight County

              QUADRANGLE: Benns Church                   QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607685

              LOCATION: The site lies north of Route 644, beginning ca. 1 mile northwest of Muddy
              Cross. It includes several seasonal ponds which lie east of the pipeline right-of-
              way.


                                    NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              MESOTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED
                   PALUSTRINE FOREST                                       Sl                   BC


              plants:
              ELEOCHARIS TRICOSTATA     THREE-ANGLE SPIKERUSH      G3 G4   Sl                   C



              SITE DESCRIPTION: The site contains five seasonal    ponds which support unusual
              bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) vegetation. Cypress typically occurs along
              river bottoms, but here this species thrives in seasonal pond habitats.
              Evidently, the hydroperiod is similar to that found on river bottoms. The
              ponds are in relatively good condition, though the surrounding upland forest
              is young, One pond abuts Route 644.

                   The wetland community is difficult to evaluate because of its unusual
              characteristics. The task of classifying community types, distinguishing one
              type from another, assessing occurrence quality, and determining overall state
              status is formidable in cases such as this.


                   One rare plant, three-angle spikerush (Eleocharis tricostata), occurs at
              the site. A zoological inventory has not been conducted, but we strongly
              suspect that the wetlands will contain rare salaman  ders, dragonflies, or
              damselflies.


              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary encompasses the
              cluster of seasonal ponds, plus the upslope land which drains into them.
              Additional upland buffer is included to mitigate future negative impacts to
              the site.


              THREATS: Drainage, filling, siltation and water quality degradation represent
              the greatest threats to these wetlands. Road maintenance or expansion
              activities along Route 644 would impact one of the wetlands.

                                                     33












             MANAGEMENT RECOIMIIDATIO119: No active management is needed*  Management in
             this case means protecting the site from extrinsic threat factors.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.


             PROTECTION RECOM14ENDATIONS: This site should not be overlooked in the
             protection planning process. Zoological inventories will likely yield
             rarities, thereby increasing the significance of the site. A voluntary
             protection agreement with the landowner should be secured to safeguard the
             site's biological significance over the short term. Long-term protection
             options should also be explored.












































                                                   34










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                                 NORTHWEST RIVER MACROSITE - UPPER SECTION



              SIZE: ca. 1285 Acres                        BIODIVERSITY RANK:   B4


              LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake

              QUADRANGLE: Moyock                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607652

              LOCATION: The site includes the wetland adjacent to the Northwest River, upstream of
              Rt. 168 and downstream of Walnut Road, directly northwest of the community of
              Northwest.


                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETIAND                                 -      BC
              SUBMESOTROPHIC FOREST                                                    -      U


              plants:
              BOLTONIA ASTEROIDES       ASTER-LIKE BOLTONIA      G5     S2             -      D
              STEWARTIA MALACHODENDRON  SILKY CAMELLIA           G4     S2             -      B



              SITE DESCRIPTION: Here,   the Northwest.River is bordered by forested wetlands
              dominated by bald cypress (Taxodi     distichum), water tupelo (Nyssa aguatica),,
              black gum (Nyssa biflora), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), sweet gum (Liguidambar
              styraciflua), and red maple (Acer rubrum). The site is extensive and serene,
              providing an enjoyable canoe trip.

                   Within the bottomland, upland forests occur on slightly-elevated
              "islands". One island, approximately three acres in size, was visited and two
              natural heritage resources were found; silky camellia (Stewartia
              malachodendron), and a noteworthy Submesotrophic Forest containing an
              impressive total of 21 woody plant species. Evidently, these islands were
              never cleared for agriculture, and the forests they support probably
              represent, or approximate, presettlement conditions (logging has taken place,
              but recovery of the vegetation seems complete).

                   Significant herbaceous wetlands occur along the unnamed northern branch
              of the river. Here, among the stands of twigrush (Cladium mariscoides), grows
              the rarity, aster-like boltonia (Boltonia asteroides). Woody plants such as
              red maple and waxmyrtle (Myric cerifera) seem to be increasing in these
              marshes, possibly as a result of fire suppression (Cecil Frost, personal
              communication).

              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes all
              element occurrences, their habitat, and a buffer of adjacent land necessary to

                                                      36










             mitigate impacts from off-site land use activities. Much of the site was
             delineated using NHAP color-infrared photograph #325-172 taken on 4/24/82.

             THREATS: Common reed (Phragmites australis), a potentially invasive grass,
             occurs in some of the marshes, but there is no cause for concern because here
             the much maligned plant appears to be a natural component of the vegetation.
             Common reed fails to form dense stands in this region of the Northwest River,
             and to the appreciative eye, the plant adds striking beauty to the marsh
             vegetation. If common reed does increase in these marshes, the increase will
             likely be the result of hydrologic perturbations or similar disturbance.
             Logging is a threat to the Submesotrophic Forest and the silky camellia.
             Woody species may be increasing in the marsh, and this is cause for concern.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Monitor the rate of woody species encroachment
             and possible spread of Phragmites to determine whether the rare species and
             marshes are threatened. Investigate the use of prescribed burning as a
             management technique.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site is part of an integrated Northwest River
             ecosystem, and therefore protection efforts here will contribute to the
             protection of this larger, more significant landscape unit.
































                                                   37




















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                                                                                        38













                          NORTHWEST RIVER MACROSITE - NORTHWEST RIVER PARK



             SIZE: ca. 790 Acres                         BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B4


             LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake

             QUADRANGLE: Moyock                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607652

             LOCATION: The site  includes Northwest River Park and adjacent forested tracts along
             the northeast side  of the Northwest River, upstream from Smith Creek and downstream
             of Rt. 168; about 3 miles northeast of the community of Northwest.

                                    NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


             plants:
             CAREX DECOMPOSITA         EPIPHYTIC SEDGE          G3G4    Sl      3C            BC
             STEWARTIA MALACHODENDRON  SILKY CAMELIA            G4      S2                    B


             animals:
             CROTALUS HORRIDUS
               ATRICAUDATUS            CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE    G5TUQ   Sl                    C
             EUPHYES DUKESI            SCARCE SWAMP SKIPPER     G3G4    S2                    U



             SITE DESCRIPTION: This   site includes a large forested   tract in and adjacent
             to Northwest River Park. The upland forests are a mix     of loblolly pine (Pinus
             taeda), oaks (Quercus spp.), and American beech (Fagus    grandifolia). The rare
             shrub, silky camelia (Stewartia malachodendron), is found throughout portions
             of the forest which have not been logged in the last 60 to 100 years.

                  Forested wetlands bordering Indian Creek, Smith Creek, and the Northwest
             River adjoin the uplands. These swamps are dominated by a mixture of bald
             cypress (Taxodi    distichum), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), black gum (Nyssa
             biflora), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer rubr ), and
             loblolly pine, A rare plant, epiphytic sedge (Carex decomposita), grows in
             the swamp bordering the Northwest River. This species is known from only one
             other Virginia watershed, and is somewhat rare globally. Canebrake
             rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus) are also present.

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
             forested habitat for the rare species in and directly adjacent to Northwest
             River Park. Because the Park's activities are integral to the viability of
             the rare species populations, park facilities are included in the boundary for
             this site. Forested tracts adjacent to the park were delineated with NHAP
             color-Infrared photograph #325-172 taken on 4/24/82.



                                                     39











             THREATS: Threats are minimal to the site and its rare species. Outdoor
             recreationists sometimes kill rattlesnakes; numerous "rattles" are displayed
             at a nearby store.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Maintain current land use.


             CURRENT STATUS: Northwest River Park is managed by the City of Chesapeake as
             a park for nature study and low-impact recreational use. A campground and
             small lake are also within the park. The remainder of this site is privately
             owned.


             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site is part of the Northwest River wetland
             ecosystem, and therefore protection efforts here will contribute to the
             protection of a larger, more significant landscape unit.










































                                                   40
















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                                                                                                   41













                                 NORTHWEST RIVER MACROSITE - SOUTHWESTERN MARSHES



               SIZE: ca. 1065 Acres                        BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B3


               LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake

               QUADRANGLE: Moyock                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607652

               LOCATION: The site includes the wetland on the west side of the Northwest.River,
               upstream of the North Carolina line and downstream of Rt. 168; about 2 miles east of
               the community of Northwest.


                                      NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


               communities:
               LOW HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND                                                C
               MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND                                         C


               plants:
               CAREX DECOMPOSITA         EPIPHYTIC SEDGE           G3G4   S1     3C             BC
               CLADIUM JAMACIENSIS       SAWGRASS                  G5     S1     -        -     BC
               ELEOCHARIS ROSTELIATA     BEAKED SPIKERUSH          G5     S1     -        -     B
               ERIOCAULONDECANGULARE     TEN-ANGLE PIPEWORT        G5     S1     -        -     BC
               LOBELIA ELONGATA          ELONGATED LOBELIA         G3G5   S1     -        -     A
               LUDWIGIA ALATA            WINGED SEEDBOX            G3G4   S1     -        -     B
               PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA   SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-
                                           HEAD                    G4G5   S2     C2       -     A
               UTRICULARIA PURPUREA      PURPLE BLADDERWORT        G4     S2              -     A
               UTRICULARIA VULGARIS      GREATER BLADDERWORT       G5     S2              -     B



               SITE DESCRIPTION: This   site is quite similar to   the Smith  Creek  site across
               the river, but has a different suite of rare species. Along this stretch of
               the Northwest River, wind tides cause regular water level fluctuations and the
               water is fresh to very-slightly brackish. Plant species richness is high, and
               a mosaic of different vegetation types exists.

                    Robust emergent marsh covers much of the area, but certain low marshes
               support an interesting mix of plants including beaked spikerush (Eleocharis
               rostellata), ten-angle pipewort (Eriocaulon decangulare), winged seedbox
               (Ludwigia alata), elongated lobelia (Lobelia elongata), and twigrush (Cladium
               mariscoides). These low marshes represent two broad community types, Low
               Herbaceous Palustrine Wetland and Mid-height Herbaceous Palustrine Wetland.

                    Woody species such as red maple (Acer rubrum), swamp rose (Rosa
               Ralustris), and waxmyrtle (ftrica cerifera) seem to be increasing in some of


                                                       42











             the marshes. Less frequent fire in the marshes is probably contributing to
             the woody plant invasion problem (Cecil Frost, personal communication).

                  The forested wetland at the site supports the rare plant, epiphytic sedge
             (Carex decomposita), a species known from only one other Virginia watershed.

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
             wetland communities, rare species, and forested upland buffer. Forested
             tracts adjacent to the areas surveyed in the field were delineated with NHAP
             color-infrared photograph #325-172 taken on 4/24/82.

             TRREATS: Without regular fire, woody species may supplant some of the rare
             herbaceous species. Common reed (Phragmites australis), a potentially
             aggressive marsh grass, occurs in many of the marshes. In some parts of the
             Northwest River, this grass does not appear to be increasing, while in other
             sections it is forming large dense clones. This species should be closely
             monitored, and disturbances to the wetland vegetation - which favor common
             reed - avoided. Logging does not seem to be an immediate threat due to the
             marginal condition of the wetland timber resource.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Introduceregular prescribed burning management.
             Monitor the woody species and common reed in the marsh.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site is part of the Northwest River wetland
             ecosystem, and therefore protection efforts here will contribute to the
             protection of a larger, more significant landscape unit.




























                                                    43










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                                                       SITE NAME: NORTHWEST RIVER MACROSITE - SOUTHWESTERN MARSHES
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                                                                                                                                                                                                 44












                                      NORTHWEST RIVER MACROSITE - SMITH CREEK



              SIZE ca. 640 Acres                          BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B3


              LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake

              QUADRANGLE: Moyock                          QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607652

              LOCATION: The site includes the wetland on the east side of the Northwest River,
              upstream of North Carolina line and downstream of Smith Creek; about 3 miles east of
              the community of Northwest.


                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              LOW HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND                                          -     C
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND                                   -     C


              plants:
              CAREX DECOMPOSITA         EPIPHYTIC SEDGE           G3G4   Sl     3C       -     BC
              CLADIUM JARACIENSIS       SAWGRASS                  G5     Sl              -     BC
              ERIOCAULON DECANGULARE    TEN-ANGLE PIPEWORT        C5     Sl                    BC
              LOBELIA ELONGATA          ELONGATED LOBELIA         G3G5   Sl                    A
              PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA   SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-
                                          HEAD                    G4G5   S2     C2             A
              UTRICULARIA VULGARIS      GREATER BLADDERWORT       G5     S2                    B


              animals:
              LIMNAOEDUS OCULARIS       LITTLE GRASS FROG         G5     S3                    B
              RANA VIRGATIPES           CARPENTER FROG            C5     S3                    AB



              SITE DESCRIPTION:   This site is quite similar to   the Southwestern Marshes site
              but has a different mix  of rare species. Along this stretch of the Northwest
              River, wind tides cause  regular water level fluctuations and the water is
              fresh to very-slightly brackish water. Plant species richness is high within
              a mosaic of different wetland vegetation types.

                   Tall robust emergents such as big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroidtS),
              common reed (Phragmites australis), broad-leaf cattail (TyRha latifolia),
              narrow-leaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), and black needlerush (Juncus
              roemerianus) dominate most of the marshes. Areas of "low marsh" vegetation,
              occur away from creek channels. Here one finds the rare ten-angle pipewort
              (Eriocaulon decangulare) and elongated lobelia (Lobelia elongata).

                   Many of the marshes are being invaded by woody species such as red maple
              (Acer rubrum), swamp rose (Rosa Ralustris), and waxmyrtle (tyrica cerifera).

                                                      45










              Cecil Frost (personal communication) believes that the suppression or
              cessation of fire in the marshes is a major cause for the woody plant
              increase.


                  The forested wetlands at the site support bald cypress (Taxodium
              distichum), water tupelo (Nyssa aguatica), black gum (Nyssa biflora), loblolly
              pine (Pinus taeda), sweet gum (Liguidambar styraciflua), and red maple. The
              rare plant, epiphytic sedge (Carex decomposita) occurs on the border of the
              swamp forest. Two rare amphibians, little grass frog (Limnaoedus ocularis)
              and carpenter frog (Rana virgatipes) occur throughout the wetland.

              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
              wetland communities, the rare species, and upland buffer, Forested tracts
              adjacent to the areas surveyed in the field were delineated with NHAP color-
              infrared photograph #325-172 taken on 4/24/82.

              THREATS: Lack of regular burning is an indirect threat to the marsh
              vegetation. Without fire, woody species may supplant some of the rare
              herbaceous species. Common reed (Phragmites australis), a potentially
              aggressive grass, occurs in many of the marshes. In some parts ofthe
              Northwest River this grass does-not appear to be increasing, while in other
              sections it is forming large dense clones. This species should be closely
              monitored, and disturbances to the wetland vegetation - which favor the common
              reed - avoided. Logging does not seem to be an immediate threat due to the
              marginal condition of the wetland timber resource.

              MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Introduce regular prescribed burning. Monitor
              woody species and common reed in the marsh.

              CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

              PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site is part of the Northwest River wetland
              ecosystem. Protection efforts here will contribute to the protection of a
              larger, more significant landscape unit.





















                                                   46
















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                                                                                                  47











                       DISMAL SWAMP MACROSITE - GREAT DISMAL SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFGE REFUGE



               SIZE: ca. 75,000 acres                         BIODIVERSITY RANK:         B2

               LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake and City of Suffolk

               QUADRANGLE:  LAKE DRUMMOND                     QUADRANGLE CODE:    3607654
                            CORAPEAKE                                             3607655
                            DEEP CREEK                                            3607663
                            LAKE DRUMMOND NW                                      3607664
                            SUFFOLK                                               3607665
                            BOWERS HILL                                           3607674
                            CHUCKATUCK                                            3607675


               LOCATION: The site covers a vast area of land between Bowers Hill and Deep Creek to
               the north, US Rt. 17 to the east, the North Carolina line to the south, US routes
               13/58/460 to the northwest, and Suffolk City routes 642 and 604 on the west.

                                         NATU RAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE


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


               communities:
               POCOSIN                                                       SlS2              -    A


               plants:
               ILEX CORIACEA               BAY-GAIL HOLLY            G5      S1                -    U
               VIOLA ESCULENTA             SALAD VIOLET              G4G5    Sl                -    U
               TRILLIUM PUSILLUM           DWARF  TRILLIUM           G3      S2        C2      -    U
               LISTERA AUSTRALIS           SOUTHERN TWAYBLADE        G4      S2S3              -    B


               animals:
               AMBYSTOMA MABEEI            MABEES SALAMANDER         G4      Sl                LT   x
               STEREOCHILUS MARGINATUS     MANY-LINED SALAMANDER     G5      S3                -    C
               SIREN INTERMEDIA            LESSER SIREN              G5      SU                -    A
               LIMNOTHLYPIS SWAINSONII     SWAINSON'S WARBLER        G4      S2                -    B
               SOREX LONGIROSTRIS          DISMAL SWAMP SOUTH-
                 FISHERI                     EASTERN SHREW           G5T2    S2        LT      LT   A
               PLECOTUS RAFINESQUII        EASTERN BIG-EARED BAT     G4      Sl        C2      LE   C
               SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI          DISMAL SWAMP SOUTHERN
                  HEILALETES                 BOG LEMMING             G5T3    S3        3C      -    A
               STYGOBROMUS ARAEUS          AMPHIPOD                  G?      S2        C2      -    D
               CHLOROCHROA  DISMALIA       DISMAL SWAMP STINKBUG     Gl      Sl        C2      -    H
               NEONYMPHA AREOLATUS
                  AREOLATUS                DAMSELFLY                 G5T4    S2S4      -       -    U
               CORDULEGASTER OBLIQUUS      ARROWHEAD  SPIKETAIL      G4      S1        -       -    B
               CORDULEGASTER FASCIATUS     SPIKETAIL                 G2?     Sl        -       -    B
               EPITHECA COSTALIS           DRAGONFLY                 G3G4    Sl        -       -    B
               SOMATOCHLORA FILOSA         DRAGONFLY                 G5      Sl        -       -    U


                                                             48












              S014ATOCHLORA PROVOCANS    DRAGONFLY               G3G4    Sl                    U
              LIBELLULA AURIPENNIS       DRAGONFLY               G5      Sl                    U
              MITOURA HESSELI            HESSEL'S HAIRSTREAK     G3G4    S2S3     3C           A
              NASIAESCHNA PENTACANTHA    CYRANO DARNER           G5      Sl                    A



              SITE DESCRIPTION: The Great Dismal Swamp is by     far the largest   contiguous
              tract of forest in the coastal plain of Virginia. Most of the site is
              forested wetland occurring on organic soils overlying nearly impermeable sands
              and clays of the Yorktown Formation (Oaks and Whitehead, 1979). Just north of
              the middle of the swamp is a 3100 acre natural lake, Lake Drummond. The
              surrounding land is densely vegetated in various mesophytic and wetland plant
              communities. Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) once dominated
              much of the swamp, but today, due to various human perturbations, the dominant
              trees are redmaple (Acer rubr ) and black gum (Nyssa biflora). Bald cypress
              (Taxodium distichum) was also more common historically, but now it is abundant
              only along the lake shore and open waterways.

                   Other significant habitats of the Dismal Swamp include upland "islands",
              largely composed of American beech (Fagus grandifolia), tulip poplar
              (Liriodendron tulipifera), swamp white oak Quercus michauxii), and American
              holly (Ilex opaca). A few tracts of rare pocosin vegetation, dominated by
              pond pine (Pinus serotina), inkberry (Ilex glabra), and tall ericaceous
              shrubs, occur here, as do small, remnant areas of canebrake. Canebrakes
              historically covered much of the Dismal Swamp, reflecting a history of
              frequent fire.

                   Many rare and noteworthy species inhabit the Dismal Swamp. The Dismal
              Swamp southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris fisheri) is a federally
              threatened subspecies restricted to the Dismal Swamp area. Other local
              endemics include the southern bog lemming (Synaptomys cooperi haletes) and the
              Dismal Swamp short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda telmalestes). The Swamp
              provides a large amount of habitat for migrating birds, such as the declining
              neotropical-migrant species. The rare Swainson's warbler (Limnothlypis
              swainsonii) is one of 84 bird species which breed here (Meanley, 1973). Black
              bears (Ursus americanus) are thriving in the Swamp. A population of the
              canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus), a state endangered
              subspecies, also occurs here.

                   In spite of its rather prominent place in zoological discussions,
              information on invertebrate life remains scanty. The Dismal Swamp green stink
              bug (Chlorochroa dismalia) was described from a single specimen collected in
              1938 and has not been seen since. Hessell's hairstreak (Mitoura hesselli), a
              rare moth that feeds on Atlantic white cedar, occurs here.

              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION:     The boundary for this site includes all element
              occurrences and coincides with the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife
              Refuge, to the North Carolina border. Adjacent private lands, not delineated,
              may need to be protected to mitigate impacts from off-site land use
              activities,





                                                      49










             THREATS: Most of the remaining portion of Dismal Swamp is protected within
             the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. However, threats continue in
             the forms of altered hydrology, altered water quality, and disruption of a
             natural fire regime. Groundwater extraction is a potential threat of
             undetermined consequences.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Much has been written about management
             prescriptions for the Great Dismal Swamp (Oland, 1987). To the extent
             possible, the natural hydrologic regime should be restored. Also, regular
             prescribed burning would be very beneficial to a number of rare species, and
             to the fire-maintained plant communities such as pocosin and Atlantic white
             cedar swamp.

             CURRENT STATUS: Much of the area is protected within the Great Dismal Swamp
             National Wildlife Refuge. A 43,200 acre tract within the refuge (encompassing
             Lake Drummond) was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1972. Significant
             privately owned tracts exist along the periphery and -north of the Feeder
             Canal.


             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Protection efforts for privately owned tracts
             should continue, particularly along the Suffolk Escarpment. A full array of
             protection tools should be applied.


             REFERENCES:


             Frost, C.C., H.E. LeGrand, Jr., R.S. Schneider. 1990. Regional inventory for
             critical natural areas, wetland ecosystems, and endangered species habitats of
             the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine region: Phase 1. A report to the Environmental
             Protection Agency. A/P Study Project No. 90-01. 462 pp.

             Levy, G.F. 1991. The vegetation of the Great Dismal Swamp: a review and an
             overview. Virginia J. Sci. 42:411-417.

             Meanley, B. 1973. Additional notes on Dismal Swamp birds. Raven 44:3-4.

             Meanley, B. 1979. An analysis of.the birdlife of the Dismal Swamp. Pages 261-
             276 in P.W. Kirk, Jr., editor. The Great Dismal Swamp. University Press of
             Virginia, Charlottesville.

             Mitchell, J.C., and D. Schwab. 1991. Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus-
             atricaudatus Latreille). Pages 462-464 in J.N. McDonald and T. Skware,
             editors. Virginia's Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium /
             Coordinated by Karen Terwilliger. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co.,
             Blacksburg, VA.

             Oaks, R.Q., Jr., and D.R. Whitehead. 1979. Geologic setting and origin of the
             Dismal Swamp, southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Pages 1-
             24 in P.W. Kirk, Jr., editor. The Great Dismal Swamp. University Press of
             Virginia, Charlottesville.

             Oland, J.P. 1987. Forest management plan. unpublished report on file with the
             Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk, VA. 129 pp.

                                                    50










             Pague, C.A., and J.C. Mitchell. 1991 *Mabee's salamander (Ambystoma mabeei
             Bishop). Pages 427-429 in J.N. McDonald and T. Skware, editors. Virginia's
             Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium / Coordinated by Karen
             Terwilliger. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co., Blacksburg, VA.

             Whitehead, D,R, and R.Q. Oaks, Jr. 1979. Developmental history of the Dismal
             Swamp. Pages 25-43 in P.W. Kirk, Jr., editor. The Great Dismal Swamp.
             University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville.














































                                                   51


















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                                                                                                                                                   52












                                    DISMAL SWAMP MACROSITE - NORTHWEST SECTION



              SIZE: ca. 3,500 Acres                       BIODIVERSITY RANK: B3

              LOCALITY: City of Chesapeak  e and City of Suffolk

              QUADRANGLE: Bowers Hill                     QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607674
                           Chuckatuck                                         3607675


              LOCATION: The site includes the forested wetland and adjacent habitats bounded by
              US Routes 58/13/460 on the south, the Hampton Roads Airport and Willow Lakes
              development on the east, the Norfolk and Southern Railroad tracks on the north, and
              Virginia Route 337 on the west.



                                      NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE


                                                                GLOBAL STATE          VA     ELEMENT
                                                                RARITY RARITY USFWS-   LEGAL OCCURRENCE
              SCIENTIFIC NAME            COMMON NAME            RANK   RANK   STATUS   STATUS RANK


              animals:
              SOREX LONGIROSTRIS         DISMAL SWAMP SOUTH-
               . FISHERI                    EASTERN SHREW        G5T2   S2        LT     LT   A
              SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI         DISMAL SWAMP SOUTHERN
                 HEIALETES                  BOG LEMMING          G5T3   S3        3C     -    A
              CROTALUS HORRIDUS
                 ATRICAUDATUS            CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE   G5T5Q Sl                LE   B



              SITE DESCRIPTION: The site is an extension of     the Great Dismal  Swamp. Upland
              habitats support mixed pine-hardwood forest, Extensive wetland      areas are
              dominated by black gum (Nyssa biflora), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), and
              red maple (Acer rubr ). Three rare animal species occur here. The Dismal
              Swamp southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris fisheri) population is one of
              only three known outside of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
              Densities of the shrew have been shown to be high in the early successional
              forests surrounding the airport (Padgett, 1991). The endemic southern bog
              lemming (SyLiaRtoLnys cooperi haletes) occupies graminoid habitats such as
              powerline rights-of-way, while the state-endangered canebrake rattlesnake
              (Crotalus horridus articaudatus) occurs throughout. Hunters who use the area
              reported several of these rattlesnakes during the 1980's (D. Schwab, pers.
              comm.), and therefore a viable population likely exists.

              BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes all
              element-occurrences and a buffer of adjacent habitat which is needed to
              protect the ecological system. The forested areas included in the protection
              boundaries were delineated with NHAP color-infrared photographs taken in 1982-
              1984*





                                                      53










             THREATS: Threats are drainage and intensive timber management. This tract
             was ditched in the past, but a significant amount of wetland habitat remains
             relatively intact today. The canebrake rattlesnake continues to be threatened
             by deliberate killing.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Maintaining and enhancing the forest vegetation
             for the benefit of the rare species is a central management consideration.
             Large clear-cuts, fragmentation, and single-species plantations should be
             discouraged. Furthermore, the natural hydrology should be restored, to the
             extent possible. Fire was a natural disturbance at this site, and regular
             prescribed burning should be used to simulate, or approximate, original forest
             conditions.


             CURRENT STATUS: The tract is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: This site should be protected and managed to
             ensure the continued existence of the rare mammals.


             REFERENCES:


             Mitchell, J. C., and D. Schwab. 1991. Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus
             atricaudatus Latreille). Pages 462-464 in J.N. McDonald and T. Skware,
             editors. Virginia's Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium /
             Coordinated by Karen Terwilliger. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co.,
             Blacksburg, VA.

             Padgett, T.M. 1991. The identification, distribution, and status of the
             threatened Dismal Swamp shrew (Sore longirostris fisheri). M.S. Thesis. Old
             Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. 59 pp.


























                                                   54








                                                                    S= NAME: DISMAL SWAMP MACROSITE - NORTHWEST SECTION
                                                                    QUACPANZZ: BOWERS HILL AND CHUCKATUCK

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                                       DIS14AL SWA14P MACROSITE - SMITH RIDGE



              SIZE: ca. 2,500 Acres                       BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4

              LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake

              QUADRANGLE: Lake Drummond, SE               QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607653

              LOCATION/DIRECTIONS: From U.S. Route 17, take a farm road approximately 2 miles
              north of the North Carolina/Virginia state line. Drive east across the farm until a
              north-south ditch is encountered. Drive south until a road across the ditch is
              reached, The site is bounded to the north by upland vegetation, to the west by the
              ditch, to the south by another ditch and the state line, and to the east by the U.
              S. Naval Reservation.


                                      NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE


                                                               GLOBAL STATE          VA      ELEMENT
                                                               RARITY RARITY USFWS-   LEGAL  OCCURRENCE
              SCIENTIFIC NAME           COMMON NAME            RANK    RANK   STATUS STATUS  RANK


              plants:
              ILEX CORIACEA             BAY-GAIL HOLLY          G5      Sl               -    U
              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES    ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR    G5      S2               -    B


              animals:
              SOREX LONGIROSTRIS        DISMAL SWAMP SOUTH-
                FISHERI                   EASTERN SHREW         G5T2    S2       LT      LT   B
              CROTALUS HORRIDUS
                ATRICAUDATUS            CANEBRAKE RATTLESNAKE   G5T5Q   Sl               LE   B


              SITE DESCRIPTION: The presettlement vegetation    at this site was probably a
              mosaic of Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) swamp and canebrake.
              Some small areas of pond pine (Pinus serotina) - Atlantic white cedar pocosin
              and remanant stands of cane (Arundinaria gigantea) remain today amid deciduous
              swamp vegetation dominated by sweet gum (LiguidambaK styraciflua) and red
              maple (Acer rubrum).

                   Logging took place at the turn of the century, and again about 55 years
              ago. Large ditches were dug around the periphery, but several square miles in
              the center of the natural habitat remain unditched. In addition to the
              significant communities, the area supports one of only four known populations
              of the Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew (Sore longirostris fisheri).
              Canebrake rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus) occur throughout the
              forest and are reported to be fairly common by hunters and workers on the
              adjacent naval reservation.

              'BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION:   The boundary includes all element occurrences, p    lus
              buffer to mitigate impacts from off-site land uses. NHAP color-infrared
              photographs taken in 1982 were used to delineate the site boundary.

                                                      56












             THREATS: A large tract on the western border the site was converted to
             farmland during the 1980's. The same farm is currently proposed as a site for
             a regional landfill. Intensive timber management and increased drainage
             threaten the forest communities and the rare species. The distinctive pocosin
             vegetation is dependent on fire, so fire suppression constitutes a threat.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:   Maintenance or restoration of a natural
             hydrological regime and the reintroduction of fire are.necessary to maintain
             the existing element occurrenes. Senseless killing of canebrake rattlesnakes
             by outdoor recreationists should be strongly discouraged.

             CURRENT STATUS.: A small portion of this site is in public ownership. Most of
             the site is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Any of several protection tools should be used to
             protect the natural heritage resources. The status of the proposed regional
             landfill should be closely monitored.


             REFERENCES:


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

             Mitchell, J. C., and D. Schwab. 1991. Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus
             atricaudatus Latreille). Pages 462-464 in J.N. McDonald and T. Skware,
             editors. Virginia's Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium /
             Coordinated by Karen Terwilliger. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co.,
             Blacksburg, VA.

             Rose, R. K, T. Padgett, and C. A. Pague. 1988. Status survey of amphibians,
             reptiles, birds, and mammals of Naval Security Group Activity Northwest,
             Chesapeake, Virginia. Unpublished rep. on file with the Atlantic Division,
             Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Norfolk, VA. 66 pp.



















                                                   57

















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                                      QUAMRANCU: LAKE DRUMMOND, SE
                                                                                 SCALE ':_2d000


                                                    i0oo      .1      :000    :3w
                                                                                        .000                      iow      '100 _EE_.












                                                                                              58














                                        SEASHORE STATE PARK AND NATURAL AREA



              SIZE: 2220 Acres                             BIODIVERSITY RANK:     B2


              LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach

              QUADRANGLE: Cape Henry                       QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607681

              LOCATION: The site encompasses Seashore State Park and Natural Area at Cape Henry.


                                      NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              OLIGOTROPHIC FOREST              -                     -     S4       -       -       A
              OLIGOTROPHIC   WOODLAND          -                     -     S2?      -               BC
              OLIGOTROPHIC  SCRUB              -                     -     S2?      -       -       B
              DWARF SCRUB                      -                     -     Sl?      -       -       BC
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS   UPLAND VEGETATION              -     S3       -       -       B
              OLIGOTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED PALUSTRINE FOREST       S3?      -       -       A
              OLIGOTROPHIC SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED PALUSTRINE SCRUB        S3?      -       -       B
              OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED PALUSTRINE FOREST                     S2?      -       -       BC


              plants:
              CAREX WALTERIANA           		WALTER'S SEDGE             G4     SlS2      -       -       B
              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES            ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR       G4     S2        -       -       C
              DESMODIUM STRICTUM                PINELAND TICK-TREFOIL      G2G4   S2        -       -       D
              EUPHORBIA AMMANOIDES              A SPURGE                   G3G4   S2        -       -       U
              GALIUM HISPIDULUM                 COAST BEDSTRAW             G5     SlS2      -       -       U
              HYDROCOTYLE BONARIENSIS           A PENNYWORT                G5     S1        -       -       C
              IVA IMBRICATA                     SEA-COAST MARSH-ELDER      G5?    S1S2      -       - 
              OSMANTHUS AMERICANUS              WILD OLIVE                 G5     Sl        -       -       AB
              PHYSALIS VISCOSA                  STICKY GROUND-CHERRY       G4G5   S2        -       -       C
              PSILOCARYA SCIRPOIDES             LONG-BEAKED BALDRUSH       G4     Sl        -       -       U
              QUERCUS HEMISPHAERICA             DARLINGTON'S OAK           G5     S2        -       -       U
              QUERCUS INCANA                    BLUE-JACK OAK              G5     S2        -       -       A
              QUERCUS MARGARETTAE               SAND POST OAK              G5     S2        -       -       BC
              STIPULICIDA SETACEA               PINELAND SCALY-PINK        G4G5   S1        -       -       BC
              TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES              SPANISH MOSS               G5     S2S3      -       -       A
              UTICULARIA GEMINISCAPA        HIDDEN-FRUITED BLADDERWORT     G4G5   S2        -       -       U
              UTRICULARIA PURPUREA              PURPLE BLADDERWORT         G5     S2        -       -       U


              animals:
              BRACHYMESIA GRAVIDA               FOUR-SPOTTED PENNANT       G5     Sl        -       -
              DEIROCHEYS RETICULARIA            EASTERN CHICKEN TURTLE     G5T5   Sl        -       LE      A
              EPITHECA COSTALIS                 A BASKETTAIL               G3G4   Sl        -
              RANA VIRGATIPES                   CARPENTER FROG             G5     S3        -       -       A
              SATYRIUM KINGI                    KING'S HAIRSTREAK          G3G4   S2S3      -       -       B


                                                           59
 











             Note: Additional rare species have been reported, but these have not been reverified

             SITE DESCRIPTION: This site contains a superlative natural area with many
             exemplary plant communities and rare species. Sandy beaches, dune grasslands,
             live oak (Quercus virginiana) scrub, mature upland forest, bald cypress
             (Taxodium distichum) swamps, evergreen bay swamps, 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. Campsites, beaches, a nature
             center, and an extensive trail system afford many and varied recreational
             opportunities. The flora, fauna, and natural vegetation have been very well
             documented as a result of recent biological inventories.

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary coincides with the
             State Park boundary. This is justified because the state park is surrounded
             by developed or intensively utilized land.

             THREATS-: Expansion of recreational facilities would likely degrade the
             remaining coastal dune grassland and live oak thicket. Another threat is dune
             stabilization. In its original state, Cape Henry was an integrated landscape
             unit that was shaped by continuous dune formation. Presently, seaside roads
             and buildings, particularly at Fort Story Military Reservation, have all but
             halted the natural growth and spread of dunes, resulting in the rapid
             succession to woody vegetation. Species demanding open sandy habitats are
             therefore at risk because these habitats are not being replenished.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Successful management of the natural heritage
             resources here will rely upon careful monitoring of species population status
             and studies of habitat utilization. The on-going study of the eastern chicken
             turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) is exemplary in this regard. The study
             showed that this rare turtle depends upon a variety of habitats at Seashore
             State Park. The feeding, nesting, and over-wintering habitats must each be
             protected.

                  Monitoring programs for some of the more sensitive plants should be
             initiated. For instance, pennywort (Hydrocotylg bonariensis), may or may not
             be vulnerable to camp ground disturbance. Is the plant there because of the
             disturbance, or in spite of the disturbance? What should be done to enhance
             this population?

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in public ownership; most of the area is managed
             as a natural area within a registered National Natural Landmark.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The current balance between recreational use and
             natural area protection should be maintained. General management/protection
             recommendations from Clampitt et al. (1992) include; 1) protect groundwater
             quality and hydrology, 2) direct and control human access and use to minimize
             environmental disruption, 3) control exotic species, 4) monitor and manage
             natural heritage resources, and 5) continue research efforts.





                                                   60













             REFERENCES:


             Clampitt, C.A. 1-991. The upland plant communities of Seashore State Park,
             Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia J. Sci. 42:419-435.

             Clampitt, G.A., K.A. Buhlmann, J.C. Ludwig, C.A. Caljouw, C.A. Pague, and M.L.
             Lipford. 1992. An inventory of the natural communities, and rare, threatened
             and endangered species of Seashore State Park and Natural Area, Virginia
             Beach, Virginia. Natural Heritage Tech. Rep. # 92-17. Virginia Dept. of
             Conservation and Recreation, Div. of Natural Heritage, Richmond.

             Egler, F.E. 1942. Checklist of the ferns and flowering plants of the Seashore
             State Park, Cape Henry, Virginia. New York State College of Forestry,
             Syracuse, NY. 60 pp.

             Fernald, M.L. 1935. Midsummer vascular plants of southeastern Virginia.
             Rhodora 37:278-413, 423-454.

             Fernald, M.L. and L. Griscom. 1935. Three days of botanizing in southeastern
             Virginia. Rhodora 37:128-157, 167-189.

             Wright,, J.B., L.J. Musselman, G.F. Levy, and J.L. Kernell. 1990. The vascular
             flora of Seashore State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Rhodora 92:90-102.
































                                                   61







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                                                FALSE CAPE STATE PARK



              SIZE: ca. 1750 Acres                         BIODIVERSITY RANK:     B2


              LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach

              QUADRANGLE: Knotts Island                    QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607558
                           North Bay                                          3607568

              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.


                                      NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              LOW HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND   			   -      -       -       -      A                                            
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUSUPLAND VEGETATION                 -      -       -       -      A          
              OLIGOTROPHIC FOREST                                    -      -       -       -	   A
              OLIGOTROPHIC SCRUB                                     -      -       -       -      U

              plants:
              ASTER ELLIOTTII            ELLIOTT'S ASTER           G3G4   Sl        -       -  	   B
              CAREX RENIFORMIS           RENIFORM SEDGE            G4?    Sl        -       -      H
              DICHROMENA COLORATA        WHITE-TOPPED SEDGE        G4G5   Sl        -       -      AB
              ELEOCHARIS HALOPHILA       SALT-MARSH SPIKERUSH      G4     Sl        -       -      C
              ELEOCHARIS RADICANS        ROOTED SPIKERUSH          G5     Sl        -       -      H
              ELEOCHARIS ROSTELLATA      BEAKED SPIKERUSH          G5     Sl        -       -      C
              ERIGERON VERNUS            WHITE TOP FLEABANE        G5     Sl        -       -      AB
              EUPHORBIA AMMANNOIDES      A SPURGE                  G3G4   Sl        -       -      B
              FIMBRISTYLIS CAROLINIANA   CAROLINA FIMBRY           G4     Sl        -       -      C
              GALIUM HISPIDULUM          COAST BEDSTRAW            G5     S2        -       -      H
              HETEROTHECA GOSSIPYNA      COTTONY GOLDEN ASTER      G5     Sl        -       -      A
              IRESINE RHIZAMATOSA        EASTERN BLOODLEAF         G5     S1S2      -       -      H
              IVA IMBRICATA              SEA-COAST MARSH-ELDER     G5?    SlS2      -       -      A
              JUNCUS ELLIOTTII           BOG RUSH                  G4G5   SlS2      -       -      C
              JUNCUS MEGACEPHALUS        BIG-HEAD RUSH             G4G5   S2        -       -      A
              LILAEOPSIS CAROLINENSIS    CAROLINA  LILAEOPSIS      G3     Sl        -       -      A
              LIMOSELLA SUBULATA         MUDWORT                   G4     Sl        -       -      H
              LIPPIA NODIFLORA           NODDING FROG-FRUIT        G5     Sl        -       -      C
              LOBELIA ELONGATA           ELONGATED LOBELIA         G3G5   Sl        -       -      B
              LUDWIGIA ALATA             WINCED SEEDBOX            G3G4   Sl        -       -      D
              LUDWIGIA BREVIPES          LONG BEACH SEEDBOX        G4G5   S2        -       -      A
              PASPALUM DISTICHUM         JOINT PASPALUM            G5     Sl        -       -      C
              PHALARIS CAROLINIANA       MAY GRASS                 G5?    Sl        -       -      H
              PHYSALIS VISCOSA           STICKY GROUND-CHERRY      G4G5   S2        -       -      B
              QUERCUS HEMISPHAERICA      DARLINGTON'S OAK          G5     S2        -       -      A

                                                           63
 










              RHYNCHOSPORA FASCICULARIS
                                        FASCICULATE BEAKRUSH     G5      S2                    A
              SPIRANTHES ODORATA        SWEETSCENT IADIES'-
                                        TRESSES                  G5      S2                    C
              TILIANDSIA USNEOIDES      SPANISH MOSS             G5      S2                    B
              VACCINIUM MACROPCARPON    LARGE CRANBERRY          G4      S2S1                  C


              animals:
              ARDEA HERODIAS            GREAT BLUE HERON         G5      S3                    U
              CARETTA CARRETA           LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE    G3      SlS2   LT      LT     U
              IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS         LEAST BITTERN            G5      S2                    U
              OPHISAURUS VENTRALIS      EASTERN GLASS LIZARD     G5      Sl                    U
              PEROMYSCUS LEUCOPUS EASTI PUNGO MOUSE              G5Tl    Sl     C2             U


              SITE DESCRIPTION: False Cape State Park is managed by      the Virginia Department
              of Conservation and Recreation's Division of State Parks.     The Park is without
              question an ecological treasure, and represents one of the    most significant
              undisturbed barrier beach systems along the Atlantic coast. The northern
              portion of the Park is somewhat disturbed, however, as a result of intensive
              wildlife management practices. The vegetation forms complex patterns of
              interdigitating zones. Beyond the unvegetated sandy beach lies a primary dune
              dominated by sea oats (Uniola paniculata). The next zone is dominated by
              beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata), beach panic grass (Panic      amarum),
              seabeach evening primrose (Oenother humifusa), and spurge (Eul)horbia
              polygonifolia). Toward the center, a dune and swale topography creates
              alternating upland and wetland habitats. Active dunes here are sparsely
              vegetated with beach heather (Hudsonia tomentosa) and other species tolerant
              of the very dry, shifting sand environment. Seasonally-inundated pools, known
              as interdunal swales, contain a very rich assemblage of plant life. Prevalent
              species in these wetlands are narrow-leaved goldenrod (Euthamia-tenuifolia),
              Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana), beak-rushes (Rhynchospora spp.), and the
              carnivorous plant, spatulate-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia). Tyndall and
              Levy (1978) provide an excellent description of the swale vegetation. Dune
              scrub thickets with live oak Quercus virginiana), waxmyrtle (Llyrica
              cerifera), and bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) are common between thehigh
              dunes and low swales.


                   A large and somewhat interrupted maritime forest dominated by loblolly
              pine (Pintis taeda) 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, and a variety of dominance types
              exist. Prevalent marsh species include big cordgrass (Spartina cyLlosuroides),
              narrow-leaved cattail (TYRha angustifolia), Olney's bulrush (Scirpus olneyi),
              common reed (Phragmites australis), and black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus).

                   The botanical significance of False Cape was first noted by M.L. Fernald
              (1935; 1936; 1940; 1947) Presently, the large number of rare plant species
              recorded from the Park confirms Fernald's assessment; very few areas of
              similar size in Virginia can boast such a richness of rare plants (29 species

                                                      64











             in all). Furthermore, most of the rare plant populations at False Cape are
             thriving, as indicated by the numerous occurrence ranks of A and B in the
             natural heritage resources summary table, shown above.

                  Rare animals include Virginia's only breeding site for the loggerhead sea
             turtle (Caretta caretta), one of four sites in the world for the Pungo mouse
             (PeroMyscus leucopus easti), and the only known Virginia population of eastern
             glass lizards (ORhisaurus ventralis).

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary for this site
             includes all of False Cape State Park.

             THREATS: Common reed may pose a threat to some of the the rare marsh plants.
             This grass quickly invades disturbed wetlands and has formed dense, scattered
             stands throughout the Park's marshes. Rare plants of the interdunal swales
             might be threatened by rooting activities of feral hogs, and grazing by deer
             and horses. These impacts are currently being assessed.

                  A long-term threat to the herbaceous vegetation and its rare plants is
             succession to scrub and forest vegetation. Observations suggest that sand
             movement and dune migration are critical processes which maintain the open,
             herbaceous vegetation. Any activities which interfere with these natural
             processes (such as berm construction) therefore constitute serious threats.

                  A final threat may be generally referred to as land use. False Cape
             State Park has tremendous recreational development potential, but intensified
             human use would likely place the natural heritage resources at greater risk.
             Fortunately, the current level of recreational use does not appear to threaten
             the long-term maintenance of natural heritage resources at the site.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: To reduce the threat of common reed expansion,
             mechanical disturbance to wetland habitats should be kept at a minimum or
             avoided altogether; such disturbance is favorable to the rapid spread of this
             invasive plant. Common reed should be closely monitored. Feral hog impacts
             are not precisely known, but since the hogs (and horses) are not native to the
             barrier beach ecosystem, their activities may threaten the natural heritage
             resources. Currently, recreational hunting is being used to keep the hog
             population in check, and we recommend that this activity be continued.
             Adjustment to the hunting regulations may be necessary if intensified hog
             impacts threaten the rare plants at the site. Lastly, the interdunal swales
             should be monitored to determine if the herbaceous species are threatened by
             succession.to woody vegetation.

             CURRENT STATUS: False Cape State Park is managed as a park for nature study
             and low-impact recreation. A small number of buildings including a contact
             station, park personnel 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.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Maintain current type and intensity of land use.

                                                    65














             REFERENCES:


             Fernald, M.L. 1935. Midsummer vascular plants of Southeastern Virginia.
             Rhodora 37:378-414, 423-454.

             Fernald, M.L. 1936. Plants from the outer coastal plain of Virginia. Rhodora
             38:376-404, 414-452.

             Fernald, M.L. 1940. A century of additions to the flora of Virginia. Rhodora
             42: 355-416, 419-498, 503-521.

             Fernald, M.L. 1947. Additions to and subtractions from the flora of Virginia.
             Rhodora 49:85-115, 121-142, 145-159, 175-194.

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

             Ludwig, J.C., J.B. Wright, and N.E. Van Alstine. 1990. The rare plants of
             False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach City, Virginia. Pages 249-256 in H.G.
             Marshall and M.D. Norman, editors. Proceedings of the Back Bay Ecological
             Symposium, Virginia Beach, 1990. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.

             Tyndall, R.W., and G.F. Levy. 1978. Plant distribution and succession within
             interdunal depressions on a Virginia barrier dune system. J.Elisha Mitchell
             Sci.-Soc. 94:1-15.





































                                                   66








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                                                                                                 67











                                NORTH LANDING RIVER MACROSITE - SOUTHERN MARSHES.



              SIZE: ca. 3570 Acres                       BIODIVERSITY RANK:     B3


              LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach

              QUADRANGLE: Creeds                         QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607651

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


                                    NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND                                   -     B


              plants:
              CIADIUM JAMACIENSIS       SAWGRASS                 G5     Sl       -       -     B
              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES    ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR     G4     S2       -       -     D
              LOBELIA ELONGATA          ELONGATED LOBELIA        G3G5   Sl       -       -     A
              LUDWIGIA ALATA            WINGED SEEDBOX           G3G4   Sl       -       -     B
              PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA   SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-
                                          HEAD                   G4G5   S2       C2      -     A
              SPIRANTHES ODORATA        SWEETSCENT LADIES'-
                                          TRESSES                G5     S2               -     B
              STEWARTIA MAJACHODENDRON  SILKY CAMELIA            G4     S2               -     B



              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 very-slightly brackish. Plant
              species diversity is very high, and wetland vegetation types form a complex
              mosaic.


                   Marsh vegetation is dominated by robust emergents such as big cordgrass
              (SRartina cynosuroides), common reed (Phragmites australis), broad-leaf
              cattail (Typha latifolia), narrow-leaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), black
              needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), and the rare sawgrass (Cladi      Jamaciensia).
              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
              (Acer rubrum), swamp rose (Rosa palustris), and waxmyrtle (ftrica cerifera).
              Cecil Frost, who studied this wetland system, believes that the lack of
              frequent fire in the marshes is a major reason for the woody plant increase
              (personal communication).

                                                     68











                  The swamp forests are characterized by bald cypress (Taxodi
             distichum), black gum (Nyssa biflora), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), sweet gum
             (Liguidambax: styraciflua), and red maple. Some upland forest is included in
             this site, providing habitat for the rare shrub, silky camellia (Stewartia
             malachodendron).

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
             community, rare species, and buffer necessary to mitigate imapcts from off-
             site land uses. Areas not field-checked were  delineated using NHAP color-
             infrared photograph #313-147 taken on 4/2/82.

             THREATS: Common reed, which can be invasive,  may be threatening the natural
             vegetation of the marshes. Logging threatens  the forest vegetation. Woody
             species encroachment into the marsh, possibly resulting from less frequent
             fire, is cause for concern.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Monitor woody species and common reed in the
             marsh. Prescribed burning should be conducted on a regular basis.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

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































                                                   69
















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                                                                                                                                     70












                    NORTH LANDING RIVER MACROSITE       NORTH LANDING RIVER NATURAL AREA PRESERVE



               SIZE:  1900 Acres                             BIODIVERSITY RANK:      B3


               LOCALITY: 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 North
               Landing River. It is bordered to the north by a large creek channel (locally
               referred to as Alton's Creek). The western boundary more or less follows the edge
               of upland vegetation. The southern border is Blackwater Creek, and the eastern
               borderis the North Landing River.


                                       NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE


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


               communities:
               MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETIAND                                      -      B
               OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED PALUSTRINE WOODLAND                            -       -      B


               plants:
               ASTER ELLIOTTII            ELLIOTT'S ASTER            G3G4   Sl       -       -      H
               CLADIUM JAMACIENSIS        SAWGRASS                   G5     S1       -       -      B
               CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES     ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR       G4     S2       -       -      B
               ELEOCHARIS ROSTELLATA      BEAKED SPIKERUSH           G5     Sl       -       -      H
               JUNCUS MEGACEPHALUS        BIG-HEAD RUSH              G4G5   S2       -       -      H
               KALMIA ANGUSTIFOLIA        SHEEP-LAUREL               G5     S2S3     -       -      AB
               LOBELIA ELONGATA           ELONGATED LOBELIA          G3G5   S1       -       -      A
               LUDWIGIA AIATA             WINGED SEEDBOX             G3G4   S1               -      H
               PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA    SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-
                                            HEAD                     G4G5   S2       C2      -      A
               SPIRANTHES ODORATA         SWEETSCENT LADIES'-
                                            TRESSES                  G5     S2               -      B
               VACCINIUM MACROCARPON      LARGE CRANBERRY            G4     S2               -      H


               animals:
               IXOBRYCHUS EXILIS          LEAST BITTERN              G5     S2               -      U



               SITE DESCRIPTION: Pungo    Ferry Road bisects the    site and affords  a marvelous
               e
               pportunity to observe the gradient of wetland vegetation. Dense, nearly
               impenetrable pocosin gives way to palustrine scrub, and then to robust
               mergent marsh bordering the North Landing River. The pocosin is one of
               Virginia's finest examples. It has burned frequently in the past and
               presently supports a woodland dominated by pond pine (Pinus serotina), tall
               ericaceous shrubs, and Virginia chain-fern (Anchistea virginica). The marshes

                                                         71










             are exposed to water level fluctuations resulting from wind tides, and the
             water is fresh to very-slightly brackish. The upland forest at the site
             appears to be unusual and is worthy of further study.

             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
             communities and rare species within the Natural Area Preserve. Large units of
             wetland immediately to the north and south of the site are not included in the
             site boundary because these areas, North Pocosin and Southern Marshes,
             respectively, are described as separate sites in this report.

             THREATS: The lack of fire is the major threat to the rare pocosin vegetation.
             Also,, road maintenance or expansion constitute threats if accompanied by
             perturbations to the natural hydrology of the wetland. Common reed
             (Phragmites australis), an aggressive grass, occurs along Pungo Ferry Road and
             in a large area south of the road, "where it is going great guns" (Chris
             Clampitt, personal communication).

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Develop and implement a prescribed burning
             management plan to maintain the distinctive pocosin vegetation and its rare
             species . Monitor the rare species populations and the spread of common reed

             CURRENT STATUS: The site managed as a natural area preserve by the Virginia
             Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Natural Heritage. 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: Protection of the adjacent wetland and upland
             areas would contribute to forming a larger, more viable and defensible,
             natural area preserve. Impacts from surrounding agricultural lands can be
             mitigated by encouraging sound soil and water management practices.


             REFERENCES:


             Caljouw, C.A. and S. Hobbs. 1991. Management plan for the North Landing River
             Preserve System. unpublished rep. on file with the Virginia Dept. of
             Conservation and Recreation, Div. of Natural Heritage, Richmond. 13 pp.

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












                                                   72










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                                   NORTH LANDING RIVER MACROSITE - NORTH POCOSIN



              SIZE: ca. 2700 Acres                         BIODIVERSITY RANK:     B3


              LOCALITY: City of Virginia Beach

              QUADRANGLE: Pleasant Ridge                   QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607661

              LOCATION: The site embraces a large wetland situated 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 RESOURCES SUMMARY-TABLE

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


              communities:
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND                                          B
              OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED PALUSTRINE WOODLAND                                        A


              plants:
              CAREX WALTERIANA           A SEDGE                  G4      SlS2    -       -     B
              CLADIUM JAMACIENSIS        SAWGRASS                 G5      Sl      -       -     B
              CLEISTES DIVARICATA        SPREADING POGONIA        G4      SlS2    -       -     D
              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES     ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR     G4      S2      -       -     B
              KALKIA ANGUSTIFOLIA        SHEEP-LAUREL             G5      S2S3    -       -     A
              LOBELIA ELONGATA           ELONGATED LOBELIA        G3G5    Sl      -       -     A
              PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA    SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-
                                           HEAD                   G4G5    S2      c2      -     A
              VACCINIUM MACROCARPON      LARGE CRANBERRY          G4      S2              -     H



              SITE DESCRIPTION:    This  site is noteworthy for  its low  pocosin, a peatland
              community locally referred to as "juniper bog". This community is extremely
              rare in Virginia. It is characterized by rare orchids and sedges, knee-high
              heaths, and young Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) trees.
              Surrounding the low pocosin is an extensive area of forested pocosin dominated
              by pond pine (Pinus serotina), high-bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbos ),
              laurel-leaf greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia), and Virginia chain-fern (Anchistea
              virginica). Frequent fire has 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 on foot
              due to the extremely thick vegetation.




                                                      74










             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes all
             element occurrences and their habitat, and a limited amount of buffer land.
             Large units of wetland immediately to the north and south of the site are not
             included in the site boundary because these areas, North Pocaty and North
             Landing River Natural Area Preserve, respectively, are described as separate
             sites in this report. Lands not surveyed in the field were delineated using
             NHAP color-infrared photograph #313-149 taken on 4/2/82.

             THREATS: Lack of fire is the major threat to the rare pocosin vegetation.
             Additional threats are any perturbations to the natural hydrology of the
             wetland, such as ditching. Common reed (Phragmites australis), a potentially
             aggressive grass, might have a negative impact in the marshes.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Develop and implement a prescribed burning
             management plan to maintain the distinctive pocosin vegetation and its rare
             species. Monitor rare species populations and the spread of common reed.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.


             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Protection of this site would contribute
             significantly to forming a larger, more viable-and defensible, natural area
             preserve along the North Landing River. Impacts from surrounding agricultural
             lands can be mitigated by encouraging sound soil and water management
             practices.


             REFERENCES:


             Frost, C.C. 1989. History and status of remnant pocosin, canebrake and white
             cedar wetlands in Virginia. Unpublished report on file with the Virginia
             Natural Heritage Program, Richmond. 110 pp*
























                                                  75













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                                 NORTH LANDING RIVER MACROSITE - WEST NECK CREEK



              SIZE: ca. 4500 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 the east
              side of the North Landing River and both sides of West Neck Creek, west of Princess
              Anne Road, north of the Pungo Ferry Road, and south of Indian River Road.

                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES.-SUMMARY TABLE


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


              communities:
              MID-HEIGHT HERBACEOUS PALUSTRINE WETLAND                                  -     B
              OLIGOTROPHIC SATURATED PALUSTRINE FOREST                                  -     B


              plants:
              CAREX DECOMPOSITA         EPIPHYTIC SEDGE          G3G4   Sl      3C      -     C
              CIADIUM JAMACIENSIS       SAWGRASS                 G5     Sl      -       -     B
              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES    ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR     G4     S2      -       -     B
              LILAEOPSIS CAROLINENSIS   CAROLINA LILAEOPSIS      G3     Sl      -       -     D
              LOBELIA ELONGATA          ELONGATED LOBELIA        G3G5   Sl      -       -     A
              PASPALUM DISTICHUM        JOINT PASPALUM           G5     Sl      -       -     C
              PHYSOSTEGIA LEPTOPHYLLA   SLENDER-LEAVED DRAGON-
                                          HEAD                   G4G5   S2      C2      -     A
              STEWARTIA MALACHODENDRON  SILKY CAMELIA            G4     S2              -     B



              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, deciduous swamp forest,
              and Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) swamp. The cedar swamp is
              particularly significant because it represents a regionally rare vegetation
              type much reduced from its former extent. A population of the globally-rare
              epiphytic sedge (Carex decomposita) occurs in the swamps along West Neck
              Creek. Some upland forest habitat, occurring as islands amid the vast swamp,
              supports the rare shrub, silky camellia (Stewartia malachodendron).

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


                                                      77











             THREATS: The lack of fire is a major threat to the rare marsh and Atlantic
             white cedar vegetation. Additional threats are salt water intrusion and any
             perturbations to the natural hydrology of the wetland, such as ditching.
             Common reed (Phragmites australis), a potentially aggressive grass species,
             might have a negative impact.

             MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: The marshes and cedar swamp communities 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.

             CURRENT STATUS: The site is in private ownership.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Protection of this site would help form a larger,
             more viable and defensible natural area preserve along the North Landing
             River. Impacts from surrounding agricultural lands should be mitigated by
             encouraging sound.soil and water management practices.


             REFERENCES:


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
































                                                   78







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                                                                        79













                                   NORTH LANDING RIVER MACROSITE - NORTH POCATY



              SIZE: ca. 3,000 acres                       BIODIVERSITY RANK: B4

              LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake

              QUADRANGLE: Pleasant Ridge                  QUADRANGLE CODE: 3607661

              LOCATION:    The site encompasses a large wetland area situated west of the North
              Landing River and north of the Pocaty River. 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          VA      ELEMENT
                                                                RARITY RARITY USFWS -LEGAL    OCCURRENCE
              SCIENTIFIC NAME           COMMON NAME             RANK   RANK    STATUS STATUS  RANK


              communities:
              POCOSIN                                                    SlS2             -    C


              plants:
              LOBELIA ELONGATA           ELONGATED LOBELIA       G3G5    Sl               -    D
              CHAMAECYPARIS THYOIDES    ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR     G5      S2               -    U



              SITE DESCRIPTION: The southern portion of this     site includes a  forested
              pocosin, while the northern portion is predominantly deciduous swamp forest.
              Field work at this site was more or less restricted to the marshes bordering
              creek channels, where the rare plant, elongated lobelia (Lobelia elonzata),
              was discovered. 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
              community, rare plants, and a limited amount of upland buffer. Like other
              sites along the North Landing River, this site is integral to the protection
              of the entire wetland ecosystem.

              THREATS: Fire is a natural and necessary process within the marsh and
              pocosin. Without fire, the pocosin would become very thickly vegetated and
              Atlantic white cedar would decrease. The canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus
              horridus atricaudatus) has been reported from the general area, and if
              present, this species would be threatened by collection/killing.

              MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: Develop and implement a prescribed burning
              management plan to maintain the distinctive pocosin vegetation and rare plants
              such as Atlantic white cedar.





                                                      80










             CURRENT STATUS: Two tracts 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 area, including
             all of the upland buffer is privately owned. The North Landing River (and
             associated bottomlands) from the North Landing Road, downstream, is designated
             as a state scenic river.


             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: Protection of this site would help form a larger,
             more viable and defensible natural area preserve along the North Landing
             River. Impacts from surrounding agricultural lands and residential
             development should be mitigated by encouraging sound soil and water management
             practices.


             REFERENCES:


             Mitchell, J. C., and D. Schwab. 1991. Cane brake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus
             atricaudatus Latreille). Pages 462-464 in J.N.' McDonald and T. Skware,
             editors. Virginia's Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium /-
             Coordinated by Karen Terwilliger. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co.,
             Blacksburg, VA.



































                                                   81


















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                                                                          82













                                    NORTH LANDING RIVER MACROSITE - GUM SWAMP



             SIZE: ca. 4330 acres                        BIODIVERSITY RANK:    B3


             LOCALITY: City of Chesapeake and City of   Virginia Beach

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

             LOCATION: The Cum Swamp   site covers a large area of land along the North Landing
             River, north of the Intracoastal Waterway, and includes Stumpy Lake (see map). The
             conservation planning boundary established for this site is provisional due to the
             large amount of land involved and the limited on-the-ground field survey conducted.
             Future refinements to this map will be needed.


                                     NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE


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


             plants:
             TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES      SPANISH MOSS            G5      S2              -    H
             TRILLIUM PUSILLUM         DWARF TRILLIUM          G3      S2      C2      -    U


             animals:
             ARDEA HORDIAS             GREAT BLUE HERON        G5      S3              -    A
             CASMERODIUS ALBUS         GREAT EGRET             G5      S2              -    A
             WADING BIRD NESTING
                COLONY                 MIXED COLONY                    S3              -    A
             SOREX LONGIROSTRIS        DISMAL SWAMP SOUTH-
                FISHERI                   EASTERN SHREW        G5T2    S2        LT   LT    C
             SYNAPTOMYS COOPERI        DISMAL SWA14P SOUTHERN
                HALETES                   BOG LEMMING          G5T3    S3        3C         B
             NASIAESCHNA PENTECANTHA   CYRANO DARNER           G5      S1                   H



             SITE DESCRIPTION: The site contains an extensive swamp encompassing Stumpy
             Lake and the portion of Gum Swamp above Indian River Road. The swamp is
             dominated by bald cypress (Taxodium distich ), black gum (Nyssa biflora),
             black willow (Salix nigra), and red maple (Acer rubr ). Nesting colonies of
             great blue herons (Ardea herodia) and great egrets (Casmerodius albus) occur
             here. Stumpy Lake, a Norfolk City reservoir, is bordered by bald cypress.
             The forest along the wetland - upland ecotone is likely habitat for canebrake
             rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus), a state endangered species.
             The Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris fisheri) and the
             Dismal Swamp southern bog lemming (SynaRtopys cooperi haletes) have been
             collected in this area.



                                                    83










                  The canal dug for the Intracoastal Waterway is a prominent disturbance
             feature at the site.


             BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The conservation planning boundary includes the
             natural heritage resources and a limited upland buffer. Adjustments to the
             site boundary will likely be made in the future, pending additional field
             inventory.

             THREATS: The threats are somewhat difficult to assess because impacts from
             the many adjacent land use activities have not yet been thoroughly
             characterized. Nevertheless, any hydrologic disruption would constitute a
             threat, as would increasing development of surrounding upland habitat. The
             nesting colonies of herons and egrets and the rattlesnakes would most
             certainly suffer from increased human contact.

             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. Baseline information on all of the rare
             species is needed.

             CURRENT STATUS: Most of the site is in private ownership. Cum Swamp is a
             major drainage of the North Landing River, a State Scenic River. Stumpy Lake
             is owned and operated by the City of Norfolk as a water reservoir.

             PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: The site is part of the significant North Landing
             River wetland ecosystem and should receive a strong level of protection.


             REFERENCES:


             Rose, R.K. and T,M. Padgett. 1991. Southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris
             fisheri Merriam). Pages 562-564 in J.N. McDonald and T. Skware, editors.
             Virginia's Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium / Coordinated by
             Karen Terwilliger. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co., Blacksburg, VA.






















                                                   84



















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                                                                                               85
















                                             RECOMONDATIONS



             1. Participate fully in the development of local protection tools. Most of
                the 24 natural areas described in this report are unprotected. The
                Division of Natural Heritage and the Council on the Environment will
                continue to seek the advice and utilize the expertise of local officials in
                evaluating practical and effective protection options. Also, continued
                field work is necessary to refine site conservation planning boundaries and
                to identify new sites. In the-fall of 1992, the Division will work in
                partnership with the City of Virginia Beach to refine the conservation
                planning boundaries, develop a geographic information system data layer,
                and initiate a land owner contact program. Proposals have been developed
                to expand this protection planning work to include Northwest River wetlands
                and the entire Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study Region in Virginia.
                Finally, the Division hopes to develop site management plans for Department
                of Conservation and Recreation lands and Nature Conservancy lands within
                the North Landing River and Northwest River wetland systems. These plans
                will address topics such as prescribed burning, exotic species control, and
                rare species monitoring.

             2. Include the Division of Natural Heritage in the review of projects in or
                near natural areas. The site boundaries contained in this report are
                provided for planning purposes only, and are not regulatory in nature. As
                proposed development projects come before the localities, project maps
                should be compared with the site maps in this report. The Natural Heritage
                staff offers its 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 possible.


             3. Expand public awareness of the need for protecting natural areas. The
                rapid rate of human population growth and intensified land use activities
                throughout southeastern Virginia have placed natural lands in jeopardy.
                Natural areas not only provide biological diversity values, but they also
                provide recreational opportunities for the public, and, in general, add to
                the quality of life in the region. Increasingly, the public has
                acknowledged the importance of natural areas within Seashore State Park and
                False Cape State Park. Through a variety of educational programs and
                materials, these Parks are bringing needed attention to natural area
                values. The North Landing River Natural Area Preserve represents a
                breakthrough in natural area protection and awareness; this area was
                established specifically for its outstanding natural history values. A
                recent public opinion survey of 300 adult citizens in Virginia indicated
                that 82% were in favor of land conservation. The many unprotected natural
                areas throughout southeastern Virginia can only benefit from the increased
                awareness of natural area values - citizens are realizing that
                inappropriate land use activities are steadily destroying their natural
                heritage.

                                                   86










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

            5.  Properly manage natural areas in southeastern Virginia. The first step is
                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's Division of Natural Heritage
                is interested in working with other,agencies and organizations to conduct
                research and develop techniques for maintaining or restoring natural areas.












































                                                   87































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