Reports and Studies 2014 Review: 1975 Environment of Kiawah Report | Page 31

Summary & Analysis of the 1975 Kiawah Environmental Report 

Page 31

FOREST COMMUNITIES OF KIAWAH ISLAND
Overview of the 1975 Report
At the center of Kiawah Island is a 3200 acre tract of high ground supporting maritime thickets and forests. The maritime forest is the most stable ecosystem on the
island and frequently the community most conducive to habitation by both people
and wildlife. Because of the extreme importance of these areas to the stability of the
entire island, an analysis of the woody flora was conducted.
The 1975 study examined the species composition and distribution of the forests on Kiawah Island. Dissections of forest sections due to construction, roadways
and clearing of understory plantings could cause a severe change in habitats. This
report gave the condition of forests in 1975 and some management advice for the
future.
Two transects of each forest type were set up based on aerial pictures. Each area
was evaluated as to plant type, canopy configuration and size density.
The forests were divided into four groups: Oak/Pine Forests, Mixed Oak Hardwood Forests, Palmetto Forests, Oak Thicket and miscellaneous wooded areas. Soil
types were anglicized and vegetation lists were created. The most critical community
was listed as Low