CHAPTER 4 - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources Rare Occurrences: This site contains two significant natural communities, a robust emergent marsh community and a silver maple floodplain forest community. Threats and Stresses: The construction of the railroad near the southern end has caused some erosion and filling of the wetland. Active railroad tracks border both communities causing disturbance and erosion concerns. Farms and other land-use practices in the vicinity threaten to limit expansion of the wetland and encroach upon the habitat. Recommendations: These communities represent a significant level of biodiversity and should be protected. A buffer zone around the site should be maintained to aid in that protection. Upslope activities Frogs are common inhabitants of wetlands and they consume a multitude of flying insects should be evaluated for their potential to pollute the site or disturb the wetland and its hydrology. Oneida Lake #1, #2, & #3 BDAs Significance: Moderate Location: Oakland Township Description: Oneida Lake is an artificial lake formed by the damming of Connoquenessing Creek. Wetlands formed at the northernmost end that provide habitat for many species of plants and animals, including one species of special concern. This species requires relatively undisturbed, wet meadows, and open canopy wetland areas. Rare Occurrences: These sites provide habitat for one animal species of special concern. Threats and Stresses: Habitat destruction is the biggest threat to the habitat and species of special concern. Unusual fluctuations in water level could result in flooding or drying out of habitat. Mineral extraction and residential development, both of which occur in the area, could also destroy habitat for this species. Recommendations: Development should be guided away from these sites and activities should be monitored to limit activities, such as strip mining for coal and other minerals and clearing land for development and farming. Further monitoring of this species is recommended. Also, authorities should Wetlands, like this area of Lake Oneida, host a diversity of biological species year round avoid large fluctuations in lake level that may be detrimental to its survival. All disturbances should be limited, especially between April and November. Vic-nor Valley BDA Significance: Moderate Location: Forward Township Description: Downstream from Buhls Channel on Connoquenessing Creek, this valley is characterized by a high diversity of vegetation and a mesic central forest community of maturing second growth that occupies the valley and slopes. An intermittent stream that is bordered by sandstone outcrops adds to the diversity of the site. An unusual geologic feature referred to as a “hogback” forms the valley’s southern slope. The side facing the creek has been recently logged 4-18
Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources and is composed of a young second growth mixed deciduous community. The valley community extends onto a floodplain, adding to the diversity of the site. Rare Occurrences: This site contains a significant mesic central forest community. Threats and Stresses: Land use practices upslope from the valley pose a potential threat. A majority of the upland has been planted for sod, which requires continuous removal of the sod and part of the topsoil leading to erosion concerns. Recommendations: A forested buffer should be established and maintained upslope of the valley and stream to reduce impacts associated with the farming practices occurring on the land above. Waddell Floodplain BDA Significance: Moderate to High Location: Forward Township Description: West of Vic-nor Valley, along the Connoquenessing Creek, lies this forested floodplain community with a high level of biodiversity. The site is characterized by an abundance of vernal pools and herbaceous vegetation, along with rich, mesic soils. Red oaks, red maples, and black cherry trees dominate this maturing second-growth mixed deciduous forest. Other than past logging and occasional flooding, this high quality wetland is relatively undisturbed. Rare Occurrences: A floodplain forest community of significance occurs at this site. Threats and Stresses: There seem to be no apparent threats to the site at the time of the study. Lying adjacent to the creek on one side and a contiguous upland forest on the other, the site is somewhat protected from surrounding land uses. Recommendations: Maintain the forested buffer, both upland and along the creek and limit logging to within 100 meters of the floodplain. Wahlville Hillside BDA Significance: Moderate Location: Jackson and Forward townships Description: This steep slope community along Connoquenessing Creek is a significant natural feature of Butler County that has not been disturbed by logging due to the inaccessibility of the site. The old growth trees occurring in this red oak-mixed hardwood forest community seem to be stunted due to harsh conditions, and therefore are not accurately A pair of mallard ducks wade in a stream representative of their age. The community is dominated by white oak, sugar maple, and shagbark hickory. The hillside has moist seepage areas and downed trees offer a variety of habitat and opened the canopy up to allow natural succession to occur. Rare Occurrences: A red oak-mixed hardwood forest community occurs at this site. Threats and Stresses: Logging, the biggest threat to this BDA, and ATV usage have impacted the upland forest area. A scarcely used road traverses the bottom edge of the hill, but doesn’t pose a major threat; and cottages occupy the floodplain between the road and the creek. Recommendations: Maintain a forested buffer around the hillside community, so it may expand and continue to be self-sustaining. Semiconon Valley LCA Significance: Low Location: Connoquenessing and Franklin townships Description: This Land Conservation site is located south of Moraine State Park. It is owned by Lutherlyn and managed as a church camp for educational and recreational purposes. It is forested 4-19
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CHAPTER 4 - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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