WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATION IN CAROLINA BAYS IN A 10-YEAR PERIOD

Many Carolina bays are wetlands and are an important component of the diverse flora and fauna on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Knowledge of the hydrology of these depressions helps us to better understand the role of wetlands bays in the regional ecology. This paper reports on findings from a 10-year study on five dozen Carolina bays in which a hydrographic database was constructed. It illustrates the significant effect of fluctuating water levels in Carolina bays to their ecological functioning. Variations in water level are linked to water table, vegetation differences, micro-climatic conditions, and soil characteristics such as permeability.