Guided by Clemson University’s Cooperative Extension mandate and by the mission of the Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in Georgetown, faculty at the Institute engage in research-based public outreach concerning the ecology and management of natural resources of the South Carolina coastal plain and the preservation of environmental quality in the region. Extension programs and materials are available on a broad range of environmental topics pertinent to South Carolina’s growing coastal communities, for example:
preservation of water quality in lakes and streams – The 2004 publication Life at the Water’s Edge: A Shoreline Resident’s Guide to Natural Lakeshore and Streamside Buffers for Water Quality in South Carolina provides colorful background on the vital functions of riparian vegetation in water quality protection as well as active guidance on shoreline landscaping practices to help protect the health and value of our numerous freshwater bodies from the growing contribution of “non-point-source” pollutants. The richly illustrated publication also emphasizes stewardship of the state’s water-related biological treasures— ranging from the intricate aquatic food webs that depend on clean waters to the native vegetation and wildlife that can thrive in a natural shoreline buffer
prudent use of fire in southeastern forests – Outreach presentations are available to inform decision makers and the wider public—particularly the growing population of residents new to the South Carolina coastal plain—about the complex practical issues surrounding the use of prescribed fire as an ecologically sound and cost-effective tool in forest management and a means to avert the financial, environmental, and public health risks of wildfire hazard within the increasingly fragmented and urbanizing coastal landscape.
restoration of biological diversity within productive pinelands – A forthcoming publication, “ Restoration of Ground-layer Vegetation in Dry-site Longleaf Pine Communities: A Working Guide to Practical Methods ,” synthesizes recently developed techniques from throughout the southeast for restoring the often neglected yet critically important native “prairie” beneath longleaf pine stands, where both a wealth of botanical diversity and the fine fuels that promote safe, efficient burns are concentrated in this valuable but declining ecosystem.
addressing potential risks from invasive species – In coordination with the South Carolina Beach Vitex Task Force, Institute colleagues are helping to assess threats posed to South Carolina’s protective dunes and endangered coastal flora and fauna by the spread of the exotic ornamental plant Beach Vitex ( Vitex rotundifolia ), and to inform the public concerning these risks and the management options developed to counter them.
forest management as affected by natural hazards – Work is in progress to evaluate specific ecological and economic effects of past hurricanes in forests along the southeastern coast in order to assess their implications for present and future forest cover and to assist coastal plain forest resource managers to make informed management decisions within the ecological and economic risks and constraints posed by perennial hurricane hazard.
ecologically based tourism and recreation – The amenities offered by a flourishing coastal landscape alive with native pine stands, coastal wetlands, riparian habitats, and other natural areas can both attract growth and be impaired by development. Contributions to birding and other wildlife festivals and water-related events support a type of tourism with a light environmental “footprint” and strengthen public awareness of our irreplaceable living heritage, the fascinating diversity of ecological interactions in our natural surroundings, and people’s ultimate dependence upon our own environmental connections.
A Sampling of Presentations Available to the Public:
“Life at the Water’s Edge: Natural Lakeshore and Streamside Buffers for Water Quality Protection,” a many-faceted exploration of South Carolina waters and watersheds with practical guidance on landscaping to help prevent non-point-source contamination
“Learning Along Living Arteries: Connecting Coastal Communities with the Health of our Streams,” a look at the ways that pollutants reach rivers and at strategies to preserve water quality through effective actions throughout their watersheds
“Longleaf Pine: Ecology, History, and Management,” an introduction to this rich but diminishing native ecological community
“Forests, Feathers, Flowers, and Fire,” a presentation detailing the natural ecology of longleaf pine communities and the importance of fire management in conserving their remarkable biological diversity
“Why are They Burning the Forests? Prescribed Fire on the South Carolina Coastal Plain,” an exploration of the effects, positive and negative, of fire in wooded areas according to the specific burning conditions, with a focus on the methods used by forest managers to keep southeastern pinelands productive while minimizing risks of wildfire
“Fire and the Ecology of Longleaf Pine Forests,” a participatory learning activity for youth highlighting the distinction between environmentally sound prescribed burning and dangerous uncontrolled wildfire in their effects on animals, plants, and people
“Native Ground-layer Restoration in Longleaf Pine Forests: Why, How, and What to Avoid,” a guide to the importance of the grass and herb layer in the ecology of these forests and the lessons of recent research and management efforts to keep it diverse and functioning
“Ecology and Restoration of Southeastern Depressional Wetlands,” a look at the special hydrology and biology of these significant but little noticed communities
“Monitoring for Biodiversity in Managed Forests: Easy to Preach, Tougher in Practice,” an examination of the complexities involved in developing appropriate measures of ecological health and richness as indicators of sustainable forest management
“Gaining Ground for Wildlife in Longleaf Pine Stands,” a critter’s-eye view of the contrasting conditions for wildlife in differently managed longleaf forests
For Further Information, Contact:
Dr. Lin Roth, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Clemson University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science
PO Box 596
Georgetown , SC 29442-0596
Ph: 843-545-8684
Email: roth@clemson.edu
Back to faculty page
