Rice fields of South Carolina: A resource inventory and management policy evaluation

Abstract

Abstract Acreages and vegetative cover types of areas identified as former rice fields were determined from topographic maps and aerial photographs with verification by ground checks. Sixteen vegetative cover types were recognized and 74, 113 acres of former rice fields were located. Each drainage system studied had roughly the same acreage, but different proportions of cover types. A questionnaire was sent to selected rice field owners in the inventoried drainage systems and to selected owners in the Ashepoo, Combahee, and South Edisto River drainage system and the Savannah River drainage system. The questionnaire survey indicated that only about 32 percent of the former rice fields were being managed and that the rice fields were being managed for waterfowl. The regulatory and management problems associated with rice field utilization are discussed.