Little Wambaw Swamp
Location
County: Charleston
Forest: Francis Marion National Forest, Francis Marion-Sumter National Forests
District: Wambaw
View a searchable map for the Little Wambaw Swamp RNA.
Related Reports and Publications
- Dombois, D. Mueller. 1962. Visits with European ecologists (November 2 to December 6, 1960). For. Chronicle, “News and Views” section, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 155-156.
Ecological and Physical Description
Creek swamp in the Little Wambaw Swamp Scenic Area. The area is subject to intermittent flooding during any season but probably most deeply and for longer durations during the dormant season. Flooded conditions are the rule with depths rarely averaging more than 16 inches. Primarily virgin swamp area in Carolina Low Country; relatively uniform stand of bottomland hardwood swamp dominated by swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora), baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica).
The swamp is close enough to the Atlantic Ocean to have the rather humid oceanic climate typical of the South Carolina low country. Precipitation is heaviest during the summer and averages about 50 inches a year, with a 280 day growing season.
Low lying area, relatively youthful geologic age and low position account for immature stream development and poor drainage.
Headwater area for several creeks, not subject to flooding inundation as are river bottom alluvial swamps, but serves as a collecting basin from surrounding uplands; no well-defined waterways through swamp. “Green reservoir” for ducks and other water fowl. A fishing lake at Awandaw, formed by damming a stream that emerges from the general area of Little Wambaw Swamp may have some effect on the swamp’s natural drainage regimen.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia virginiana | Sweet bay | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Myrica cerifera | Southern bayberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Leucothoa axillaris | Common Shrub Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Feral hogs | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Bobcat | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Red fox | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Mink | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Weasel | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Gray squirrel | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Cottontail rabbit | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Wood rat | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Cotton rat | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Wood duck | Common Bird Species | |||
| White ibis | Common Bird Species | |||
| Egret | Common Bird Species | |||
| Heron | Common Bird Species | |||
| Pileated woodpecker | Common Bird Species | |||
| Turkey | Common Bird Species | |||
| Robin | Common Bird Species |