The P.D.Q.

1. The P.D.Q. An ecosystem which gets its name from the three rivers that surround it. The Dee River, the Queen River, and the Paumassee in the middle.

2. Species at risk: Largemouth Bass Longleaf Pine Population Pine Salamanders- Amphibian-Reptile Community- About 170 species of reptiles and amphibians Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Coastal Fox- Gopher Tortoise Wild Turkey Shortnose Sturgeon- Endangered species of fish

3. The Ecosystem's Characteristics: The PDQ ecosystem gets its name from the three rivers that surround it. The Dee River lies to the north, the Queen River to the south, and the Paumassee in the middle. The Paumassee is the longest of the three and originates in the Piedmont range. The other two rivers originate in lowland swamps. All three rivers converge before dumping into the Atlantic Ocean. The climate of PDQ is that of cool winters and hot, wet summers. It is considered to be a humid sub-tropical climate. The longleaf pine is the dominant tree species in the region and because of this the area is highly dependent on fire.

4. Resources within; and some of their isues - Low productivity rivers - Dee & Queen - Recently hog production facilities along Queen River - Hog production treatment discharged into river - pfisteria-related disease outbreaks associated with intensive animal agriculture along Queens and nearby drainages - Facilities have advanced treatment Three Rivers – Paumausee, Dee and Queen - Paumausee is aHigh productivity river - Paumausee Sound - Good natural harbor in colonial times, today recreational boating, commercial fishing and tour boats prevail - Intracoastal Waterway (1950) - Future similar to that of Hilton Head/Myrtle Beach

5. Resources contd... Ecosystem – humid subtropical zone, - Cool winters, hot, wet summers Land - Pine plantations and agriculture/crop land cover 50% of PDQ - Major paper firms, 20% of land use (50,000-200,000 acres/company) - Crops include corn, soybean, peanuts, tobacco, cotton, and field veg. - Fox Swamp Wildlife Management Area - Major source for Queen River - 20,000 acre wildlife area, mostly forested - Manages for primarily wild turkey - other uses; logging, hunting, trapping, and fishing - High Times which is 20,000 acres, mixed with pine plantations, active farms and native longleaf and hardwood stands - Operated by Low Country Land Conservancy - Golf Courses - 5 new courses in last 15yrs (mammoth, including condominium development, hotel and conference centers) - 3 new courses currently being planned (certified as ecologically sustainable)

6. Resources contd... - Longleaf pine savanna - Dominate upland ecosystem - Most diverse floristic ecosystem, over 100 vertebrates tied to floral ecosystem - Home to large number of amphibians and reptiles (170 species) - Red-cockaded Woodpecker - Encourages old growth management - Dependent on frequent, cool fires for maintenance of understory - Highly desirable to wood products industry - Plagued by 2 management issues - Wildfires and genetic diversity (lowest in the species range) - Pocosins (swamp on a hill) - Peat like soils, habitat for reptiles and amphibians, moisture-loving plants - Pine salamander depends on condition of pocosins - Many cleared and drained - Wildlife - Coastal Fox, Gopher Tortoise, Wild Turkey, Shortnose Sutrgeon, Red- cockaded Woodpecker

7. Resources contd... Coastal region - Barrier islands (4) - John Muir Nat. Wildlife Refuge (87 miles along coast) - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Created for waterfowl and shorebirds - Plans to expand, and implement community-based management Camp Frasier (1930s) app. 100,000 acres - Extensively used military training center - currently dumps waste oil and solvents in Dee River floodplain (unknown chemicals in past) New Scotland -River Front - Riverfront Old Market - 1900s era feature - artists’ colony - “black historical region”

8. Wilbur Boyd -Heads Farm Bureau -represents agricultural interests of community Wisdom Meats -pork processing company Barbara Ladd -Heads sustainable forestry program Jolene Chan -John Muir Refuge manager -appointed by US Fish and Wildlife Service HighMark Inc. -Interested in developing golf courses in the area -want their courses certified as “ecologically sustainable” Several Paper Firms -own 20% of PDQ P.D.Q. Key Players: Sonny Tymes -former NFL player -leads efforts to preserve landscapes and lifestyles -owns 20,000 strip of land (High Tymes) General James Aberdeen aka “General Jim” -Heads Camp Fraser -but, puts military first Harold Smith -New Scotland’s Mayor Joe Danley -Head of PDQ tourism council

9. What you see, is what you get. • Land use significantly changed vegetation and landscape • - Habitat loss and fragmentation • Pollution • Over-exploitation of resources Historical land use (colonial times onward): - Plant crops (and, more recently, livestock) - Lumber production - Development ***But Military base and privately held land preserve some native  natural communties ***

10. Wish you were here... Working in this ecosystem would be great because there is ample opportunity for: -great climate -fishing -game hunting -many trees and forests -as well as lots of animal species