Reports and Studies 2014 Review: 1975 Environment of Kiawah Report | Page 33

Summary & Analysis of the 1975 Kiawah Environmental Report  seeds prolifically. The tree-of-heaven population on Cougar Island should be an eradication priority before it starts to pop-up elsewhere on Kiawah Island. Finally tallow tree is affecting various portions of the island. Tallow tree is far and away the most common invasive species on the island and has the potential to permanently alter the remaining freshwater and temporary wetlands on Kiawah. On Kiawah Island, these wet habitats are even rarer than on a typical barrier island because of the system of ponds that sequester much of the runoff. Temporary or seasonal freshwater wetlands provide habitat for amphibians and possibly turtles. These moist habitats provide drinking water to a variety of animals and support a diversity of plant species when unaffected by tallow tree. Once invaded by tallow tree these wetland ́