Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Restoration Type Descriptions:
Marsh (rest_type = 1)
Salt marshes are typically found along the margins of sounds and estuaries in low, flat, protected areas
which are influenced by daily tidal flows. Natural vegetation common to salt/brackish marshes include
species which are tolerant of frequent regular flooding and high salt concentrations such as: big
cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow cordgrass
(Spartina patens), sawgrass (Cladium mariscoides), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and black needlerush
(Juncus roemerianus). Marsh soils typically have a mucky surface layer which extends downward 30 to
60 inches thick. These organic soils (Typic Medisaprists) may be slighlty acid to moderately alkaline.
Estuarine Shrub/Scrub, Estuarine Forest, Estuarine / Maritime Forest (rest_type = 2)
Estuarine Shrub/Scrub/Forest sites are typically located on the landward margins just above the mean
high tide area. These areas are usually irregularly flooded by wind tides (salt / brackish). Vegetation
found in these areas is heavily influenced by the exposure to salt spray. In areas where salt spray is a
factor, species such as saltmeadow cordgrass, wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), red cedar (Juniperus
virginiana), eastern baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia), live oak (Quercus virginiana) are found. In areas
where salt spray is not as prevalent vegetation such as black willow (Salix nigra), redbay (Persea
borbonia), blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), wild olive (Osmanthus americana), yaupon (Ilex
vomitoria), red maple (Acer rubrum), and loblolly pine, (Pinus taeda).
Maritime Forests sites are usually found on stabilized dune systems located on the sound-side of barrier
islands. Although these areas rarely flood, they are subjected to constant salt spray, wind shear, and poor
soil conditions (low water, nutrient availability). Vegetation common to these dune swale communities
include: loblolly pine, red maple, live oak, laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), wax myrtle, redbay, and red
cedar. Soils found on all the above sites are typically mineral and have a sandy particle size prevalent
throughout the limited horizonal development (e.g., Typic Psammaquents).
Swamp Forest/Bottomland Hardwood (rest_type = 4)
Swamp Forest/BLH sites are found in the floodplains of major rivers and streams and non-riverine swamp
Forests are found in depressional areas. These areas are usually frequently flooded and/or nearly permanently
saturated with groundwater. Vegetation typically found in Swamp Forests include many water-tolerant
hardwoods such as: Bald cypress (Taxodium distichium), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), swamp tupelo
(Nyssa sylvatica, var.biflora), and Carolina ash (Fraxinus caroliniana). Common herbaceous species found
include lizards tail (Saururus cernuus), and arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.). Soils found on Swamp Forest sites
may be organic (Typic Medisaprists) or mineral (Cumulic Humaquepts) and usually contain pockets of sandy
(alluvial) deposits. Bottomland hardwood forests sites are associated with fluvial systems whose hydrology is
primarily controlled by overbank flooding. Vegetation commonly found in bottomland hardwood forests include:
red maple, river birch (Betula nigra), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), american elm (Ulmus
americana), overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), and swamp tupelo. Soils
common to Bottomland hardwood sites are typically young mineral soils (Typic Fluvaquents or
Humaquepts).
Bottomland Hardwood/Headwater Forest (BLH/Hdwtr) (rest_type = 5)
Bottomland hardwood forests sites are associated with fluvial systems whose hydrology is primarily
controlled by overbank flooding. Vegetation commonly found in bottomland hardwood forests include:
red maple, river birch (Betula nigra), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), american elm (Ulmus
americana), overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), and swamp tupelo. Soils
common to Bottomland hardwood sites are typically young mineral soils (Typic Fluvaquents or
Humaquepts).
Headwater sites are often found along intermittent and/or the upper end of perennial streams (first
order). Headwater sites may be irregularly flooded by surface runoff although much of the hydrology of
headwaters is typically controlled by seasonally high water tables (groundwater). Species common to
headwater forest include: red maple, sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), loblolly pine, tuliptree
(Liriodendron tulipifera), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), and greenbriar (Smilax spp). Soils typical of
Headwater sites often have an upper horizon with significant amounts of organic matter and an illuvated
clay horizon (argillic horizon) (e.g., Typic Humaquults).
Wet Flat (rest_type = 6)
Wet Flat sites are located on the broad, flat (in the Coastal Plain) interstream divides. Typical hydrology
for Wet Flats is controlled by seasonally high water tables from local groundwater input. Local rainfall
may have an impact on the site's hydrology if the area is slightly depressional. Vegetation common to
Wet Flats include: loblolly pine, sweetgum, red maple, willow oak (Quercus phellos), water oak
(Quercus nigra), blackgum, longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), horsesugar (Symplocos tinctoria), hollies
(Ilex spp.), and giant switchcane (Arunidaria gigantea). Soils of Wet Flatwoods are typically mineral
which contain numerous redoximorphic features (from the fluctuating water table) with a significant clay
layer (s) in the lower horizons (e.g., Typic Paleaquults).
Pocosin (rest_type = 7)
Pocosin sites are found on slightly raised elevations on interstream divides. They also may be found in
depressional areas such as Carolina Bays or swales. Pocosins are dominated by broad-leaved evergreen
shrubs. Vegetation typical of Pocosins include: pond pine (Pinus serotina), sweet bay (Magnolia
virginiana), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), hollies, blueberry, fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), sweet
pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), ti-ti (Cyrilla racemiflora), and laurel-leaf greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia).
Soils on Pocosins may either be organic or mineral. Many of the organic soils of Pocosins have a deep
peat layer (Typic Medisaprists) while the mineral soils typically include a water restrictive (spodic)
horizon (e.g., Typic Endoaquod).
Site Type Descriptions:
wd_class = 1
Data combination: Soils-hydric; Unfiltered Landsat-Ag./Bare Grass, low density vegetation on soils or
NWI polygons supporting forested vegetation (restoration types 4-7 or NWI name containing 'FO'), or
disturbed land; NWI -upland, PEM1A, PSS1A not on pocosin soils (restoration type 7), or PSS1C not
on pocosin soils (restoration type 7)
Site Type: Drained and Cleared (generally prior converted farmland)
Level of Disturbance: Restoration
wd_class = 2
Data Combination: Soils-hydric; Unfiltered Landsat-Ag./Bare Grass, low density vegetation on soils or
NWI polygons supporting forested vegetation (restoration types 4-7 or NWI name containing 'FO'), or
disturbed land; NWI - all wetland polygons; Overlaps ditch buffer
Site Type: Drained and Cleared
Level of Disturbance: Restoration
wd_class = 3
Data Combination: Soils-hydric; Unfiltered Landsat-Ag./Bare Grass, low density vegetation on soils or
NWI polygons supporting forested vegetation (restoration types 4-7 or NWI name containing 'FO'), or
disturbed land; NWI - all wetland polygons
Site Type: Drained and Cleared
Level of Disturbance: Restoration
wd_class = 4
Data Combination: Soils-hydric; NWI- all NWI polygons with a "d" modifier
Site Type: Ditched, not cleared
Level of Disturbance: Enhancement
wd_class = 5
Data Combination: Soils-hydric; Filtered Landsat-Pine; NWI-uplands
Site Type: Managed Pineland
Level of Disturbance: Restoration or Enhancement
wd_class = 6
Data Combination: Soil-hydric or 'water'; NWI - PFO5G or "h" modifier except L1UB3Hh,
L2EM2K3H, L2AB3K3h, PEM2Kh, or 'RB'
Site Type: NWI impounded area
Level of Disturbance: Usually restoration
wd_class = 7
Data Combination: Soil-hydric or 'water'; NWI -"x" or "s" modifier except 'RB'
Site Type: NWI excavated area
Level of Disturbance: Restoration, enhancement, or creation
wd_class = 8
Data Combination: Soils-hydric; Unfiltered Landsat-Natural vegetation (codes 9-11, 14-17); NWI -
Upland, PEM1A, PSS1A not on pocosin soils (restoration type 7), or PSS1C not on pocosin soils
(restoration type 7); Overlaps ditch buffer
Site Type: Partially drained, not cleared
Level of Disturbance: Enhancement
wd_class = 9
Data Combination: Soils-hydric; Overlaps ditch buffer; NWI - Wetland; Data combination # not 1-8
Site Type: Partially drained, not cleared
Level of Disturbance: Enhancement