MARITIME FOREST
Over the course of several millennia , barrier islands have accreted seaward and created upland areas behind the dune system ( Moslow , 1980 ). This creates conditions that allow for the recruitment of terrestrial plants , which eventually transition to form mature plant communities . These communities are referred to as maritime forests . Within the maritime forest on barrier islands are canopy trees , mostly oaks , pines , and palmetto palms , with a variety of understory trees , shrubs , and groundcovers . Maritime forests provide a host of ecosystem services for natural processes and protect the local community .
Intact forests naturally regulate water resources and facilitate water and nutrient recycling by slowly introducing water to the ground . This reduces stormwater runoff from the soil surface and improves environmental quality . These forests effectively act as ‘ sponges ’ by holding water , treating it , and slowly releasing it into surrounding aquatic areas over time . Additionally , forests on barrier islands provide protection from severe weather and aerosol salt spray , both of which can significantly affect human infrastructure and buildings . Over the past 50 years , development has fragmented the maritime forest on Kiawah Island . However , the initial planning efforts to preserve natural habitat on the Island through the development process has protected portions of the forest and promoted the use of lush landscaping to benefit wildlife .
Many species of mammals and reptiles make the forests their home , and thousands of birds migrate to maritime forests each year ( NOAA , 2021 ). Moreover , the strong root systems in these forests stabilize soils to resist washing away during heavy storms and help to retain and cleanse upland runoff before it can migrate into the high marsh . Vegetation in maritime forests is well adapted to coastal conditions , but it remains susceptible to strong winds , saltwater intrusion , periodic tidal flooding , and salt spray . The overall resilience of the maritime forest is influenced by the magnitude of environmental stressors on the system and the ability of the barriers , undergrowth , and old growth to properly function and recover when damaged .
The community has become increasingly concerned about flooding and standing water . Both are a result of increased runoff from impervious surfaces and the lack of a significant downhill gradient to move surface runoff more efficiently . Reducing the amount of standing water on roads and properties is a high priority of Kiawah Island in terms of flood mitigation . In 2020 , the Kiawah Conservancy and College of Charleston , with funding from the Town of Kiawah Island , initiated a long-term effort to monitor
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