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CHAPTER 4 - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan<br />

Chapter 4. Biological Resources<br />

and is composed of a young second growth mixed deciduous community. The valley community<br />

extends onto a floodplain, adding to the diversity of the site.<br />

Rare Occurrences: This site contains a significant mesic central forest community.<br />

Threats and Stresses: Land use practices upslope from the valley pose a potential threat. A<br />

majority of the upland has been planted for sod, which requires continuous removal of the sod<br />

and part of the topsoil leading to erosion concerns.<br />

Recommendations: A forested buffer should be established and maintained upslope of the valley<br />

and stream to reduce impacts associated with the farming practices occurring on the land above.<br />

Waddell Floodplain BDA<br />

Significance: Moderate to High<br />

Location: Forward Township<br />

Description: West of Vic-nor Valley, along the Connoquenessing Creek, lies this forested<br />

floodplain community with a high level of biodiversity. The site is characterized by an abundance<br />

of vernal pools and herbaceous vegetation, along with rich, mesic soils. Red oaks, red maples,<br />

and black cherry trees dominate this maturing second-growth mixed deciduous forest. Other than<br />

past logging and occasional flooding, this high quality wetland is relatively undisturbed.<br />

Rare Occurrences: A floodplain forest community of significance occurs at this site.<br />

Threats and Stresses: There seem to be no apparent threats to the site at the time of the study.<br />

Lying adjacent to the creek on one side and a contiguous upland forest on the other, the site is<br />

somewhat protected from surrounding land uses.<br />

Recommendations: Maintain the forested buffer, both upland and along the creek and limit<br />

logging to within 100 meters of the floodplain.<br />

Wahlville Hillside BDA<br />

Significance: Moderate<br />

Location: Jackson and Forward townships<br />

Description: This steep slope community along<br />

Connoquenessing Creek is a significant natural feature<br />

of Butler County that has not been disturbed by<br />

logging due to the inaccessibility of the site. The old<br />

growth trees occurring in this red oak-mixed<br />

hardwood forest community seem to be stunted due to<br />

harsh conditions, and therefore are not accurately A pair of mallard ducks wade in a stream<br />

representative of their age. The community is<br />

dominated by white oak, sugar maple, and shagbark hickory. The hillside has moist seepage areas<br />

and downed trees offer a variety of habitat and opened the canopy up to allow natural succession<br />

to occur.<br />

Rare Occurrences: A red oak-mixed hardwood forest community occurs at this site.<br />

Threats and Stresses: Logging, the biggest threat to this BDA, and ATV usage have impacted the<br />

upland forest area. A scarcely used road traverses the bottom edge of the hill, but doesn’t pose a<br />

major threat; and cottages occupy the floodplain between the road and the creek.<br />

Recommendations: Maintain a forested buffer around the hillside community, so it may expand<br />

and continue to be self-sustaining.<br />

Semiconon Valley LCA<br />

Significance: Low<br />

Location: Connoquenessing and Franklin townships<br />

Description: This Land Conservation site is located south of Moraine State Park. It is owned by<br />

Lutherlyn and managed as a church camp for educational and recreational purposes. It is forested<br />

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