Editing Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina (section)

== Ecology ==
Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina is home Lake Waccamaw, a [[state park]] and [[wildlife refuge]]. The majority of Lake Waccamaw's [[revenue]] comes from [[tourism]] and tours around the park, as well as research projects conducted on the Lake's [[Endemism|endemic]] species. A wide range of animal species resides in the town of Lake Waccamaw, due to the town being right next to the lake. For having a high [[pH]] and [[alkalinity]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://defendgaia.org/bobk/wacbay.html|title=History of lake Waccamaw, North Carolina|website=defendgaia.org|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> Lake Waccamaw is one of the few lakes that can harbor endemic species, which are species only native to one graphic region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/endemic-species|title=Endemic Species {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=April 12, 2019}}</ref>

[[Red-cockaded woodpecker|Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers]], [[Swallow-tailed kite|Swallow-Tailed Kites]], and [[American black bear|Black Bears]] are animal species that take refuge on land in [[Lake Waccamaw State Park]]. The Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers population has shrunk a measurable amount due to timber harvesting and the maturing of the pine forest that neighbor the lake. The Swallow-Tailed Kite population is the most dense in the town of Lake Waccamaw than in the entire state of North Carolina. Black bears roam the town area and the forest of Lake Waccamaw. The forest are a perfect environment for them because of the opportunity for den sites, food, and coverage from the weather.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/refuge/waccamaw/wildlife_and_habitat.html|title=Wildlife and Habitat - Waccamaw - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|website=www.fws.gov|access-date=April 12, 2019}}</ref> [[Brown-headed nuthatch]]es, [[Parula|parula warblers]], and [[white-eyed vireo]]s are also other bird species that inhabit the town and its surroundings.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-waccamaw-state-park/ecology|title=Ecology {{!}} NC State Parks|website=www.ncparks.gov|access-date=April 12, 2019}}</ref>

Aquatic life is very diverse in Lake Waccamaw. There are many fish species the [[Waccamaw darter|Waccamaw Darter]], the [[Waccamaw killifish|Waccamaw Killfish]], and the [[Waccamaw silverside|Waccamaw Silverside]].<ref name=":5" /> [[Alligator]]s are part of the ecosystem of Lake Waccamaw. There was an uplift on a ban on alligator hunting in March 2018. The ban was removed after being enforced for over 40 years. The reason for the ban was that the alligators were getting over hunted, but now the population is back to normal.<ref name=":2" /> Bullfrogs, [[leopard frog]]s, and [[cricket frog]]s roam the damp environments around Lake Waccamaw. The [[Waccamaw fatmucket]] and Waccamaw Spike, which are mollusks, is a prominent in the filtration of the water in the lake. The [[Adiantum capillus-veneris|Venus-hair fern]], [[Epidendrum magnoliae|green-fly orchid]], [[Eriocaulon parkeri|seven-angled pipewort]], Narrowleaf yellow pond lily, and water arrowhead are native plants of town Lake Waccamaw.<ref name=":5" /> These are considered rare. In 2012, residents reported, and researchers at [[N.C. State University]] confirmed, that the invasive aquatic weed [[hydrilla]] had infested {{convert|600|acre}} of Lake Waccamaw.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncparks.gov/newsroom/press-releases/treatment-of-lake-waccamaw-hydrilla-infestation-set-begin|title=Treatment of Lake Waccamaw for hydrilla infestation set to begin|last=Peek|first=Charlie|access-date=April 12, 2019}}</ref> There are two known endemic snail species, the Waccamaw amnicola and the Waccamaw Siltsnail.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-waccamaw-state-park/ecology|title=Ecology {{!}} NC State Parks|website=www.ncparks.gov|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref>

The terrain of the town is also very diverse with [[Swamp|forested wetlands]], [[tidal marsh]]es, and [[longleaf pine]] forests. The tidal marshes filter pollution of the water and in the 18th and 19th, was used for rice farming. The longleaf pine forest are home to the birds, bears, deer, and other animals the reside in the area of Lake Waccamaw. [[Controlled burn|Prescribed burning]] is used to keep the growth of the forest under control. Forested wetlands are critical in reducing the risk of flooding and shelter for all organisms. They provide opportunities for feeding on these organisms when the water rises.<ref name=":4" />