Environments and Ecosystems of North Carolina*

Guest Lecturer:


Joseph J. Luczkovich. Ph.D.
Institute for Coastal and Marine Resources and Department of Biology, N-418, East Carolina University
252-328-1759 (ICMR) or 328-1847 (Biology)
luczkovichj@mail.ecu.edu
 *Written with David Knowles, Department of Biology, East Carolina University
NEW!  Click link below for PowerPoint Slide show from Dr. Luczkovich's Lectures 12 and 17 Sep 2001
ECOSYSTEMS_NC.ppt
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This is a 24 MB file!!

Introduction

What is an Ecosystem?

What is Biodiversity?

North Carolina Ecosystem Survey (Slide show)

North Carolina is located within thetemperate deciduous forest global biome, however, a great variety of forest and non-forest ecosystems may be found within the state. The temperature and moisture regimes throughout North Carolina are relatively consistent but topography, elevation, soils, hydrology, disturbance and land use history combine to influence ecosystem and community composition, structure, and function.

The outline that follows provides you with a brief overview of the major terrestrial and freshwater habitats of North Carolina (see Shafale and Weakley 1990).  There are three main physiographic regions in North Carolina: the Appalachian Highlands, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain. Each of these regions has a different geological and ecological history.


Map of the physiographic regions of NC



Appalachian Highlands

Geology: (2500’-6000’); 400 million years old; metamorphic rock with igneous intrusions; acidic, shallow Entisols and Inceptisol on slopes, Ultisols in basins

Ecosystem types:


Piedmont Plateau

Geology (200’ - 2500’); remnant metamorphic mountains, dissected plateaus, highly weathered Ultisols; upper soil horizons eroded, mass wasting of soils is occurring still today (soils are eroding into the rivers)

Ecosystem types:


Coastal Plain

Geology: (0’ - 200’) sedimentary rock layers (limestone) underlying deep Ultisol soils; marine deposition

Ecosystem types:

 
Aquatic Ecosystems

Human changes in NC Ecosystems

Bibliography
 

Benner, B. and T. McCloud. 1987. Paddlers Guide to Eastern North Carolina. Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham, AL. 259pp.

Beyer, F. 1991. North Carolina: The Years Before Man: A Geologic History. Carolina Academic Press, Durham NC, 244pp.

de Hart, A. 1996. North Carolina Hiking Trails. Appalachian Mountain Club, Boston.

Duncan, W.H. and M.B. Duncan. 1988. Trees of the Southeastern United States. University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA. 322pp.

Jackson J. B. C.  (and 18 others) et al. 2001.  Historical overfishing and the recent collapse of coastal ecosystems.  Science. Vol. 293 (27 July 2001): 629-638.

Justice, W.S. and C. R. Bell. 1968. Wild Flowers of North Carolina. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 217pp.

Kephart, H. and J. Casada. 1988. Camping and Woodcraft: A Handbook for Vacation Campers and Travelers in the Wilderness. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, TN.

Lawson, John. 1709.  A new voyage to Carolina; containing the exact description and natural history of that country: together with the present state thereof and a journal of a thousand miles, travel'd thro' several nations of Indians, giving a particular account of their customs, manners, etc.. Reprinted in 1966.  Readex Microprint Coprporation.   258 pp.

Manooch, C.S. and D. Raver. 1991. Fisherman's Guide: Fishes of the Southeastern United States. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, NC. 362pp.

Martin, W.H., S.G. Boyce, A.C. Echternacht (eds.). 1993. Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States: Lowland Terrestrial Communities. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 502 pp.

Martin, W.H., S.G. Boyce, A.C. Echternacht (eds.). 1993. Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States: Upland Terrestrial Communities. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 373 pp.

National Geographic Society. 1987. Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 2nd Edition. The National Geographic Society, Washington. 464pp.

Shafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.

Simpson, B. and A.C. Simpson. 1997 Into the Sound Country: A Carolinian's Coastal Plain. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 288pp.

Radford, A. E., H. E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 1183pp.

Van Doren, M. (ed.). 1928. Travels of William Bartram. Dover Publications, New York. 414 pp.

Wells, B.W. 1967. The Natural Gardens of North Carolina. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 458pp.
 

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