Additionally, the overall SCDNR study of marsh
hammocks revealed the astonishing species diversity of
both plants and animals. Several rare or endangered plants
currently exist in the hammock environment because of
unusual soil composition, influenced by the accumulation
of shells left on some islands from Native American tribes.
Spotty wetland areas on many hammocks allow amphibians
to flourish in spite of an otherwise pervasive saltwater
atmosphere. Salamanders, frogs, and newts must have
access to freshwater in order to reproduce. Mammals are
also attracted to the islands because they provide a degree of
security that developed areas do not. Migratory birds can be
seen resting on hammocks while wading birds wait patiently
for the tide to recede.
And lastly, aren’t those islands beautiful to look at, either
from the river, a car, or while on a hike or a bike! Truly
oases rising up in the middle of the marsh, they are an
iconic part of the Kiawah landscape. The importance of
respecting and preserving these little bits of land cannot be
overemphasized. NK
Sources: “An ecological characterization of coastal hammock
islands in South Carolina,” Whitaker, J. David; South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division,
(South Carolina State Library, 2004-12-01). YouTube, South
Carolina Hammock Islands, “Presentation by Billy McCord”
published by the Kiawah Conservancy, 2015.
WINTER/SPRING 2018 • VOLUME 39
In 2004, the Marine Resources Division of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)
published a report entitled “An Ecological Characterization
of Coastal Hammock Islands in South Carolina.” Biologists
focused on hammocks located near Folly Beach, Kiawah
Island, and the ACE Basin, even though back barrier islands
can be found all along the South Carolina coast. In 2008, the
Kiawah Conservancy sponsored a lecture by Billy McCord,
one of the department’s scientists, who did much of the
research on Kiawah. He spoke in detail about all of Kiawah’s
marsh hammocks, some of which are developed and some
of which are preserved by the Conservancy. While the
initial study was conducted almost 15 years ago, the findings
are certainly relevant today, even though there has been
additional development on a few of the hammocks. Specific
findings for the hammocks on Kiawah are:
• • They are likely breeding habitats for the eastern painted
bunting
• • They may be critical nesting areas for the diamondback
terrapin
• • They may provide critical habitat for mammals such as
otter, mink, and bobcat. (Mr. McCord actually found an
otter camp on one of the islands.)
41