4.2 Aquatic Communities
4.2.12 Natural Lakes 4.2.12.1 Ecosystem Description
Natural lakes include Carolina bays and depressions in peatlands that may have been cre- ated by deep peat burns or some other cause. Most are oval in shape, but a few are elongate and appear to be simply wide places along creeks. Tis ecosystem group also includes the deeper water systems that lack vegetation as well as the vegetated natural shoreline communities. Most have tannin-stained water and are fairly low in productivity. Algae, primarily green algae or diatoms, are the primary plants, although a variety of aquatic vascular plants can be present. Fish numbers and diversity are low to very low. A variety of insects and other invertebrate animals spend some or all of their life cycle in the water. Te natural lake shoreline community type includes areas of emergent aquatic plants along lake margins and in wetland areas afected by changes in the lake’s hydrology. It is a het- erogeneous type with much variation. Most shorelines are marshy, dominated by emergent plants such as Maidencane. A few examples are well-developed swamp forests, dominated by Sweetgum, cypress, or a mixture of trees. Te forested shorelines of several lakes are important nesting sites for colonial waterbirds such as herons. While most lakes are naturally very acidic, Lake Waccamaw has limestone outcrops on the lake shore that give the water a neutral pH and high calcium content. A much higher diver- sity of animals is present, including many more fsh species and a diverse mollusk fauna. Seven species of mussels, snails, and fsh are endemic to this one lake, or to the lake and the upper Waccamaw river system. 4.2.12.2 Location of Habitat Natural lakes are found only in the Coastal Plain ecoregion. Tere are 22 natural lakes and examples of systems that provide important wildlife habitat include Lake Mattamuskeet (Hyde County), Lake Ellis Simon (Craven County), and Lake Waccamaw (Columbus County). Te 2005 WAP describes natural lakes in the Coastal Plain ecoregion as a priority habitat (see Chapter 5) (NCWRC 2005) . 4.2.12.3 Problems Affecting Habitats Development and loss of associated riparian habitats are primary concerns. Shorelines are often trampled and shoreline erosion and mowing is a concern in many areas. Point and nonpoint source pollution sources from residential areas and other sources (e.g., water craft engines) are prevalent, and nonpoint source pollution from agriculture and logging is
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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