Agricultural, geological, and descriptive sketches of lower North Carolina, and the similar adjacent lands

Ruffin, Edmund

doi:10.5962/bhl.title.36486

Cited by 4 publications

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“…Before the advent of pulp-producing tree farms, its dominance over extensive areas was indicative of cutover and abandoned land. Ruffin's (1861) observations in 1840-1860 indicate extensive stands of loblolly pine on "exhausted and abandoned soils," but the tree was uncommon in original or relatively uncut forests (Ruffin 1861:262). From just above the fall line to the coast, loblolly covered "almost every exhausted and abandoned space" regardless of soil, drainage, or other factors (Ruffin 1861:263).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Short History of a Flat Place: Three Centuries of Geomorphic Change in the Croatan National Forest

Phillips

1997

Annals of the Association of American Geographers

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Despite flat terrain, extensive forests, and little urbanization, there has been extensive landscape change in the Croatan area of North Carolina's lower coastal plain in the past 300 years. Culturally-accelerated erosion, sedimentation, and geomorphic change are documented, including mean historic upland surface lowering of 15 to 25 cm, and historic alluvial sedimentation of 70 to more than 200 cm. This recent environmental history is significant beyond the Croatan because it illustrates three critical points. First, human agency can result in rapid and significant geomorphic change, even in geologically stable areas where traditional geomorphic risk factors such as slope and climate variability are low. Second, geomorphic change may not leave obvious visible clues. The scarcity of apparent landform change in the coastal plain has traditionally left the impression that culturally-induced geomorphic change has been minimal, when in fact such changes are comparable to those in other regions generally recognized as having undergone serious land degradation. Third, the impacts of human agency on geomorphic processes can be difficult to recognize when those impacts are intertwined with other geomorphic changes. In the Croatan, some human impacts are similar to those associated with Holocene sea level rise, though greatly accelerated. This makes historic change difficult to distinguish from longer-term Quaternary environmental changes.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Short History of a Flat Place: Three Centuries of Geomorphic Change in the Croatan National Forest

Phillips

1997

Annals of the Association of American Geographers

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“…On much the larger portion, perhaps nineteen-twentieths of all the cultivated and even highest surface of the whole region, the drainage is much worse and still more insufficient.'' He suggested it would be more effective to adapt the modern English system of drainage which would help lower water tables and reduce swampy conditions (Ruffin 1861). Ruffin also provided suggestions for plowing and maintaining artificially drained lands (Fig.…”

Section: History Of Agricultural Drainage In Eastern North Carolinamentioning

confidence: 99%

The 1909 North Carolina Drainage Act and Agricultural Drainage Effects in Eastern North Carolina

O’Driscoll

2012

Journal of North Carolina Academy of Science

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Over the last two centuries, agricultural drainage in eastern North Carolina has transformed extensive wetlands to productive croplands. At the start of the drainage movement in the early 1900s, approximately 200,000 hectares (one half million acres) of drained agricultural lands existed in North Carolina. The 1909 North Carolina Drainage Act allowed for more extensive drainage projects. Drainage districts provided effective drainage outlets for farms and reduced flooding for the district. The districts dramatically increased the extent of drained lands during the 20 th century. Currently, it is estimated that over 2 million hectares (five million acres) of drained agricultural lands exist in North Carolina, with the majority in the Coastal Plain. Agricultural drainage has contributed to huge gains in agricultural productivity in the region. However, this drainage has contributed to regional stream water quality impairment, altered stream hydrology, and wetland conversion. Over the last three decades, much work has been focused on reducing watershed nutrient exports in eastern North Carolina. Several major strategies have been used to decrease the environmental impacts of agricultural drainage, including: agronomic management practices; controlled drainage; riparian and wetland buffers; and channel alterations. Management of agricultural drainage during the 21 st century will play a crucial role in regional stream, wetland, and coastal ecosystem health.

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Black Markets

Hilliard¹

2013

Masters, Slaves, and Exchange

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Agricultural, geological, and descriptive sketches of lower North Carolina, and the similar adjacent lands

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

A Short History of a Flat Place: Three Centuries of Geomorphic Change in the Croatan National Forest

A Short History of a Flat Place: Three Centuries of Geomorphic Change in the Croatan National Forest

The 1909 North Carolina Drainage Act and Agricultural Drainage Effects in Eastern North Carolina

Black Markets

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