is a southern magnolia which has very thick, shiny, oval, evergreen 5 to 10 inch-long 2 to 3 inch-wide leaves. The fruit is reddish brown with a fragrant smell. The circle is dominated by large live oaks, many of which have resurrection fern growing on the limbs. Under dry conditions the fronds curl up and turn brown but uncurl and turn green when wet. Scattered on the north half of the circle are some near record size loblolly pines which have pale blue needles bundled into threes and reddish-brown bark.
There is a high diversity of both indigenous and planted tree species on campus including pignut hickory (behind Herty Hall); tallow tree, sugarberry (between Hubert and Kennedy Halls); pecan (next to Kennedy Hall); slash pine (grove next to Griffith Drew Hall); long leaf pine, swamp chestnut oak (grove next to Whiting Hall); water oak, willow oak, Darlington oak, red oak (by Gardner Hall); black tupelo or black gum sweet bay (between NROTC and the Orsot Apartments); Virginia pine (behind Jordan Hall); Shumard oak, Carolina laurel (across from Plant Operations); Bradford pear, red maple, silver maple, dogwoods, lagustrum, mimosa, and many others.
Through the diversity and abundance of insects in the low country is fascinating to a biologist, they are generally regarded as pests, and in some cases, genuine nuisances. The prominent species in the later regard is the small biting midge, affectionately known as sand gnats or "no-see ums" which are occasionally abundant in early spring and late fall near the salt marshes where they breed. Fortunately, their populations are naturally regulated to unnoticeable levels during most of the year.
Mosquitoes, including a saltwater species, would be a significant problem on campus if it were not for the diligent and efficient efforts of the Chatham County Mosquito Control Commission which monitors populations and employs a variety of control methods. In the mid 1980's, the Asian tiger mosquito arrived in Savannah and has spread throughout the county. It is a container breeder and need only a small amount of standing water in which to lay its eggs, even water trapped in folded magnolia leaves. It is not only difficult to reduce its breeding habitat but also more difficult to control adult populations because it is active during the day, and pesticide spraying is only effective during the night.
The two major aquatic habitats on campus are the Placentia Canal, a county-maintained, fresh water drainage system which runs through the campus and drains into the Wilmington River, and the salt marsh estuary. Though they contain the same ecological components (producers, consumers and decomposers), fresh water and marine habitats are distinctly different in terms of their component species. Many amphibians (frogs and a large ell-like amphibian called the two-toed amphiuma) make their home in the canal, but no amphibians are found in marine habitats. Over 100 coastal marine and estuarine fishes have been collected from the salt marsh and nearly two dozen from the canal, but only a few species are at home in both habitats.
The reptilian inhabitants and visitors to the campus include a variety of non-poisonous snakes, lizards, geckos, and turtles. American alligators, though fairly abundant in some parts of the low country, are rare on or near the campus due to the lack of adequate fresh water habitats that they prefer. Natural resource personnel remove small alligators from the area to more suitable locations. The diamond back terrapin, an attractive turtle, lay its eggs on high ground in the salt marsh and several other turtle species are found on campus. Over 250 species of birds inhabit or visit the low country; however, fewer than 30 are seen daily on the campus. From the upland habitat of campus to salt marsh to sounds and beaches, the most commonly observed birds here are the common grackles, boat-tailed grackles, mockingbirds, common crows, fish crows, turkey vultures (buzzards), mourning dove, ground doves, swallows, red-winged blackbirds, cormorants, brown pelicans, five species of her