Old Growth Bald Cypress – Tupelo Forest
Map of Bald Cypress conservation efforts. (Wardley, 2023).
The southern portion of the Blackwater River watershed, particularly the Blackwater River Preserve, is host to one of the best remaining examples of an old growth bald cypress – tupelo forest in the South East. Individual bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) trees may be upwards of 800 years old. Such sites offer valuable insight into the climate patterns of North America prior to colonization by Europeans (T.N.C. , n.d.). The dominant species composition is a combination of Taxodium distichum, Nyssa aquatica (Water Tupelo) and Nyssa biflora (Swamp Tupelo). These species coexist in a complicated relationship of competition and succession. In sites that were historically logged, the two species of Nyssa tend to become more dominant due to their ability to rebound quicker from disturbance regimes. Typically forests of this type are seasonally or semi permanently flooded up to 3 ft deep for parts of the year. (VA DCR, n.d.).
Water tupelo in Isle of Wight County, VA (Fleming, n.d.)
Resources
Bourne, Jr., J. K. (2023). One of the most resilient trees on Earth is dying in droves. National Geographic. retrieved October 11, 2024. https://nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/forest-bald-cypress-climate-change-sea-level-rise?rnd=1731434183631&loggedin=true
Fleming, G. P. (n.d.). Bald Cypress – Water Tupelo Brownwater Swamp -CEGL007431. Department of Conservation and Recreation. [Photograph]. retrieved October 12, 2024. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/photos/bald-cypress-tupelo-swamps/pa1-17-061810d-antiochpinesnap062.jpg
National Geographic. (2023). One of the most resilient trees on Earth is dying in droves. National Geographic. [Photograph]. retrieved October 11, 2024. https://nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/forest-bald-cypress-climate-change-sea-level-rise?rnd=1731434183631&loggedin=true
National Geographic. (2023). One of the most resilient trees on Earth is dying in droves. National Geographic. [Photograph]. retrieved October 11, 2024. https://nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/forest-bald-cypress-climate-change-sea-level-rise?rnd=1731434183631&loggedin=true
National Geographic. (2023). One of the most resilient trees on Earth is dying in droves. National Geographic. [Photograph]. retrieved October 11, 2024. https://nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/forest-bald-cypress-climate-change-sea-level-rise?rnd=1731434183631&loggedin=true
The Nature Conservancy. (n.d.) The Blackwater River Preserve. The Nature Conservancy. retrieved October 10, 2024. https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/blackwater-river/
United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. (2024). Mature and Old-Growth Forests: Definition, Identification, and Initial Inventory on Lands Managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fs_media/fs_document/Mature-and-Old-Growth-Forests.pdf
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. (n.d.) The Natural Communities of Virginia Classification of Ecological Groups and Community Types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. retrieved October 12, 2024. https://dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/ncpa1
Wardley, R. (2023). One of the most resilient trees on Earth is dying in droves. National Geographic. [Map]. retrieved October 11, 2024. https://nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/forest-bald-cypress-climate-change-sea-level-rise?rnd=1731434183631&loggedin=true