There are
five types of habitats
that have been established in the Biological Reserve in addition to
the natural habitats that already exist there.
The Hardwood Forest Habitat
The Hardwood Forest Habitat is being developed to resemble a mixed
mesophytic forest, which can be found on moist, fertile soils in
some parts of the mountains of the southeastern states. The Hardwood
Forest Habitat contains more than 40 species of trees that are
native to eastern North America, and almost all of them lose their
leaves in the fall. Some of the trees that can be found in this part
of the Biological Reserve are American Elm (Ulmus americana), Winged
Elm (Ulmus alata), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Black Cherry
(Prunus serotina), Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), and
Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera).
Many small plants in hardwood forests bloom early in the year before
the leaves of the trees have fully developed and while a lot of
light can still reach the forest floor. Some of the small plants in
the Hardwood Forest Habitat that bloom in late winter or early
spring are Trout Lily (Erythronium umbilicatum), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria
canadensis), and Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera).
The Savannah
The Savannah is being developed to resemble a wet Longleaf Pine
savannah like those that can be at some places on the coastal plain
of the Carolinas. Some of the plants that can be found in the
Savannah are Pink Sundew (Drosera capillaris), Round-leaved
Thoroughwort (Eupatorium rotundifolium), and Maryland Meadow Beauty
(Rhexia mariana).
The Mountain Valley
The Mountain Valley is being developed to resemble forests that can
be found in low-elevation valleys in the southern Appalachian
Mountains. Some of plants that can be found in the Mountain
Valley are Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Eastern
Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), Tulip Tree (Liriodendron
tulipifera), and Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum).
The Southern Forest
The Southern Forest is an area that is being developed to resemble
southern mixed hardwood forest, a type of forest that can be found
in a few places on the coastal plain of the southeastern United
States. Some of the plants in the Southern Forest are Southern
Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Water Oak (Quercus nigra),
and Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor).
The Sandhills Habitat
The Sandhills Habitat is being developed to resemble a Longleaf Pine
forest like those that can be found in the Sandhills Region of the
Carolinas. Sandy, dry, infertile soils are characteristic of the
Sandhills Region. Most of the large trees in the Sandhills Habitat are Loblolly Pines
(Pinus taeda) but there are also some young Longleaf Pines (Pinus
palustris) there. The Sandhills Habitat contains many plants
that bloom in the summer and the fall. Some of the plants that can
be found in the Sandhills Habitat are Carolina Wiregrass (Aristida
stricta), Curlyleaf Yucca (Yucca
filamentosa), Grass-leaved Golden Aster (Pityopsis
graminifolia) and
Sandhill Chaffseed (Carphephorus bellidifolius).
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