Pocosin is a native American term that means “swamp on a hill”. Pocosins are found on ever so slight peat “domes” that built up over thousands and thousands of years. Most swamps are found in low-lying parts of the landscape, but pocosins are found in the higher parts—another unique characteristic of this rare wetland type. Notice the dark peat layer on top of the gray mineral soil in this recently cut ditch—this site is near the edge, or low end, of a dome where the peat layer is thinner. On Pocosin Lakes Refuge, the peat layer can be 12 feet deep or more near the peak of a dome.