Chapter 4 Habitats
4.3.12 Upland Seepages and Spray Cliffs 4.3.12.1 Ecosystem Description
The communities included in upland seepages and spray cliffs are wetlands that occur on sloping uplands and can be found across the state. The soils are generally saturated permanently or for long periods. They are generally fairly small and contrast sharply with adjacent communities, though boundaries may be gradational. Communities in this ecosystem group include the following (Schafale 2024) . • High-elevation boggy seep • Hillside seepage bog • Low elevation seep (typic, montane, bedrock, Piedmont/Mountain sprinmghead, and floodplain subtypes) • Piedmont boggy streamhead • Rich montane seep • Spray cliffs Spray cliffs are areas kept wet by spray from waterfalls. The other three community types are fed by groundwater seepage and their soils are saturated for much or all of the year, but they are seldom, if ever, flooded. Most spray cliff areas are vertical cliffs, but gentle slopes, talus, and soil at the base of cliffs are also included. Vegetation is very patchy, reflecting the patchiness of soil accumulations. The microclimate is generally moderated by the flowing water and sheltered position of the cliffs. Though water flow may vary with rainfall, these are probably among the most stable environments in North Carolina. Trees rooted in crevices and between rocks often grow to large size and may shade the entire area. The bare wet rocks generally have a great diversity of mosses and liverworts. Herbs in small soil pockets include a wide variety of forbs, ferns, and sedges. The rarest type is the hillside seepage bog. These communities are wet enough to have boggy vegetation. The vegetation is generally a patchy mix of shrubs and herbs with an open tree canopy. Many species characteristic of the Coastal Plain occur in these communities. Fire may have played a role in keeping hillside seepage bogs open enough to allow persistence of light- requiring bog species. Low elevation seeps, occurring in uplands or edges of floodplain throughout much of the state, are also very wet but differ in vegetation. The factors which cause these differences are poorly known. Trees such as Red Maple may be present, or the seep may be shaded by canopy species from adjacent forests.
4 - 207
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator