SHRUB THICKETS
Shrub thickets are densely vegetated habitat transition areas or zones dominated by shrubs and trees , commonly found in three areas on Kiawah . They are on the seaward side of the Island between the dunes and maritime forest ( Maritime Shrub Thicket ), on the inland side between tidal salt marshes and the maritime forest ( Salt Shrub Thicket ), and on hummock islands within the marsh ( SCDNR , 2005 ). The characteristic plant species within these habitats are sea ox-eye daisy , marsh elder , and groundsel tree . They also contain mature vegetation , such as loblolly pines , coastal live oaks , palmettos , and coastal red cedars . Salt Shrub Thickets are occasionally flooded during king tide and severe weather events ( SCDNR , 2005 , Gramling , 2012 ). These areas contain important plant species that not only protect the maritime forests and other inland habitats but also provide shelter , food , and nesting areas for Kiawah ’ s wildlife including bobcats , deer , and birds .
As early as 1974 , bird research has been conducted across our Island . Since 2009 , there has been an extensive effort by the Town ’ s Ornithologist , Aaron Given to monitor bird species in the shrub thickets found on Captain Sam ’ s Spit and Little Bear Island ( 2020 ). Decades of bobcat research and monitoring have also noted shrub thickets as preferred habitats for our resident bobcats ( Roberts , 2007 ; Jordan , 2014 ). The Conservancy has supported efforts to study bobcat populations by the Town ’ s Wildlife Biologist , Jim Jordan , and Dr . Shane Roberts .
Shrub thickets are most threatened by development , sea level rise , king tides , extreme weather events , grey infrastructure such as docks , bulkheads , dikes , boardwalks , and berms , as well as invasive species such as tallow trees ( Gramling , 2012 ; Kiawah Conservancy , forthcoming 2022 ). In addition , shrub thickets serve as a barrier to protect vegetation in the interior maritime forests from exposure to salt spray and to decrease wave action from tidal surge .
For these reasons the Kiawah Conservancy plans to assess and monitor shrub thickets ’ ecological health using measurements determined by researchers and environmental experts and will work collaboratively to help mitigate natural or human threats to their ecological health .
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