Carolina Environmental Diversity Explorations

Hurricanes on sandy shorelines · By Dirk Frankenberg

Maritime forest residences

house in a maritime forest

Figure 16. This house is sheltered by maritime forest. (Photograph by the author. More about the photograph)

Building a house on a salt marsh may not be wise decision, but if you must live on a barrier island, building in the other major vegetated habitat is probably the best choice you have. Figure 16 shows a house sited within the maritime forest. Note how the roof line of this house has been designed to extend the shape of the forest canopy. This is a very good idea from an environmental standpoint, because the forest canopy has grown in this shape under the influence of natural winds and salt spray. Structures that stick up above the canopy are exposed to the full force of both. This house avoids that because the air moving above the forest canopy will move above the roof as well.

Definitions

salt marsh n.
A low coastal grassland frequently overflowed by the tide.
barrier island n.
A long, relatively narrow island running parallel to the mainland, built up by the action of waves and currents and serving to protect the coast from erosion by surf and tidal surges.
maritime forest n.
A forested community affected by salt spray, usually located on the mainland side of a barrier beach or island. [more]
forest canopy n.
The uppermost layer in a forest, formed by the crowns of the trees.
salt spray n.
Moisture-laden wind that contains salt crystals; a salty moisture that is carried by the wind.