Hello, Adventurers! Welcome to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If you love outdoor activities such as hiking, paddling, exploring nature and learning about wildlife, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the Coastal Expeditions blog we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts and nature programs. To our return readers, thank you for your support! We commend you for being committed to learning. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Speaking of educational resources, The Outdoor School consists of afterschool programs, weekly camps, school field trips and more! We offer hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, kayaking, and camping. Basically anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. If you are an educator interested in planning a fun trip for the students at your school, do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Our last article was all about raptors! Raptors are a classification of bird species and this classification is reserved for carnivorous birds with long talons and advanced hunting skills. Like whales and other types of birds, raptors begin to make their trek south when cooler temperatures begin in late fall. Fall raptor migration presents a unique opportunity for birders and casual bird watchers to catch a sight of their favorite raptors! We discussed a few interesting raptor traits (i.e. How far can eagles actually see? How long do owls live?) and gave a quick shout out to South Carolina’s resident raptors. Then, we discussed why annual fall migrations are a necessary aspect of survival for raptors before finishing off with a few ways you can enjoy this special time of year. If you haven’t already, be sure to go check out ‘Fall Raptor Migration’! (After you finish reading this article, of course!)

Today, we’re narrowing our scope to our local area: the Lowcountry! The Lowcountry derives its name from its low-lying topography. Located at the southernmost tip of the state, a large part of the Lowcountry sits at or below sea level. Can you believe that? The Lowcountry is known for its seafood, historic places, and favorable climate. We wanted to delve into what makes the Lowcountry special by taking a look at its formation over time. The state of South Carolina is split into different regions based on differences in geographical features. For example, the Blue Ridge region represents the uppermost, westernmost portion of the state, an area which is much more dynamic in terms of topography. Just below the mountainous portion of the state sits the piedmont area, which is characterized by gently rolling hills. Next, there’s the sandhills, which is characterized by its mostly flat, sandy soil. Next, there’s the inner coastal plain, characterized by flat, grassy land and incredibly fertile soil. Before reaching the coastal zone, there’s the outer coastal region, which is flat and filled by many bodies of water (e.g. swamps, rivers, creeks, streams). Finally, the coastal zone is characterized by sandy beaches, barrier islands, and none other than the Atlantic Ocean. Charleston is seated firmly in the coastal zone, along with Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head.

The Lowcountry consists of the bottom two-thirds of the coastal zone and certain areas within the outer coastal zone. A commonly used demarcation for the Lowcountry is the fall line, an imaginary line denoting where the crystalline rock of the piedmont area transitions into the soft sentiment of the coastal plain. This transition area is considered to be the ancient spot of the South Carolina coast. The Lowcountry’s unique position lends itself to certain crops, flora, fauna, and wildlife. Today, we aim to celebrate the distinctiveness of our home and teach you about the natural history of the Lowcountry! If you’re curious about how the Lowcountry came to be what it is today, keep reading!

The Geography and Geology of the Lowcountry 

A majority of the Lowcountry sits just 270 feet above sea level. For this reason, much of the Lowcountry is particularly susceptible to flooding. The Coastal Plain is drained by three major rivers, including the Pee Dee, the Santee, and the Savannah. These rivers formed before the Pleistocene times. For reference, the Pleistocene is often referred to as the Ice Age, and lasted from 2,580,000 to 11,700 years ago. The geography of the Lowcountry is ancient, as is its geology. Underneath the sediment of the sandhills sits ancient crystalline rock. During those times long since passed, Columbian Mammoths roped the swamps near Charleston. These long-tusked fellows were much larger than the African elephants which are now their modern-day counterparts. Likewise, giant whitesharks roamed the seas. These carcharodon megalodons grew up to fifty feet long and sported teeth which were seven feet across. The largest flying bird also called the Lowcountry home. Its name was pelagornis sandersi and it hunted our coast over twenty-seven million years ago!

Over hundreds of years, the coast has shifted back and forth across the state, resulting in the existing variations in sea level. The sediments present in the Lowcountry date back as far as the Cretaceous period (~145 to 66 million years ago), which was characterized by the life and death of dinosaurs, and the Cenozoic period (~66 to present day). The soil of the Lowcountry is considered some of the richest in the state, with high levels of acidity, a loamy texture, and an abundance of organic matter.

The Growth of the Lowcountry

The Lowcountry plays host to a variety of native plants. From red maples to black gums to bald cypresses to live oaks, the coastal region of South Carolina is home to many evergreen and deciduous trees. Flowering perennials such as false indigo and golden canna grow well here, alongside shrubbery including highbush blueberries and wild olive bushes. Reed grass, cane, foxtail, and other types of grasses flourish here. Christmas ferns, southern lady ferns (aptly named), and yellow jessamine vines have their preferred times of year to flourish in our Lowcountry. Of course, who can forget our signature spanish moss and palmetto trees! A full list of plants native to the coastal regions of South Carolina can be found here!

Rice has played a large role in the agricultural history of the Lowcountry. Rice requires plenty of sun, warm temperatures (above 70 degrees Fahrenheit) for three to six months, water-retentive soils, plenty of irrigation and drainage (for harvesting). Not every place is suited for the growth of rice, but the Lowcountry was perfectly suited. That’s why, during the eighteenth century, rice became a major cash crop in the Lowcountry. In fact, rice dominated our entire economy for over a century. You can still see the great impact rice had on the population of the Lowcountry by examining the culture of the Gullah peoples, descendants of the slaves who harvested rice. Rice was considered the “queen crop,” before cotton became the “king.” Harvesting rice, like harvesting cotton or indigo, was backbreaking work. In addition to digging out irrigation canals, removing trees from infested swamps, and sowing the rice seeds, enslaved Africans were also expected to weed and harvest the crop once fully grown. In all, the ancestors of the Gullah Geechee cleared over 40,000 acres of land and dug 780 miles of canals before the rice trade in the Lowcountry died out.

The Future of the Lowcountry

The Lowcountry is an incredibly popular spot for tourists, as our subtropical climate, accessible beaches, and rich culture provide a nice getaway. The population of South Carolina grows larger everyday! As more people and job opportunities move into the Lowcountry, we’re still projected to maintain our current quality of life. The great thing about the Lowcountry is that it provides everyone a chance to slow down and appreciate the genuinely beautiful aspects of life: good food, good views, and good company!

That said, rising sea levels do pose a threat to our way of life here. Two-thirds of the Lowcountry fall within FEMA’s 100-year floodplain, meaning the Federal Emergency Management Agency predicts a 1% annual chance of flooding. This may not seem like a high percentage but, keep in mind, most areas in the US have a far lower chance of flooding. As global warming causes sea levels to rise, the “true coast” of the Lowcountry may shift inward, displaying many of the island populations which have thrived off of the coast of South Carolina for hundreds of years. Similarly, us inlanders might find ourselves living closer to the coast than we originally anticipated. It’s important we learn about the impacts of climate change so we can each do our part to prepare for its eventual effects!

We are dedicated to educating South Carolinians and others about the splendor of the natural world! It’s our pleasure and our honor. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading the brief dive into the natural history of the Lowcountry. Check out our various offerings on our website and find the adventure which suits your spirit best! Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!