Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 4. Biological Resources
CARMEN HILL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AREA
Description: Upland and roadside habitat that supports three small populations of cranesbill. Small tracts
of forest found between open habitats. The 57-acre Salter Preserve that is managed for
environmental education by Potter County is contained within this Biological Diversity
Area.
Significance: Notable
Location: Allegheny and Hebron townships, Potter County
Rare Occurrences: Cranesbill
Threats: Threats to this species are minimal, since the plant appears to occur in disturbed habitats
and may naturally have a low number of occurrences.
1. Destruction of the plant with the use of herbicides and de-icing chemicals along area
roadways.
2. Displacement by invasive, exotic plant species.
Recommendations: 1. Remove non-native invasive plants.
2. Inform roadside maintenance crews about the presences of the rare species and manage
application of chemical controls to avoid the rare species habitat.
3. Roadside mowing should be postponed until plants have flowered and seeds matured,
typically mid June, to ensure a viable seed bank for the next generation.
ELLISBURG COMPLEX BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AREA
Description: Ephemeral/fluctuating natural pool (also known as seasonal pool complex) located on a
relatively high elevation saddle and an area approximately 1,000 feet that is intended to
capture additional critical habitat for wetlands species. The area is located along the divide
of Oswayo Creek, which flows to the Allegheny River, and the West Branch Genesee
River. It is a northern hardwood forest community with some black cherry and eastern
hemlock. The understory is dominated by striped maple and American beech. The largely
continuous forest found within the site is important in maintaining water quality of these
wetlands and the health of adjacent habitats.
Significance: Notable
Location: Genesee Township, Potter County
Rare Occurrences: Ephemeral/fluctuating natural pond
Threats: 1. Changes in hydrologic patterns, light levels, or the contiguity of surrounding habitat may
negatively affect species and communities within the Biological Diversity Area. The
seasonal pools are fed by surface runoff; therefore, any earth disturbance could potentially
alter the hydrological pattern and conditions within the seasonal pool.
2. Disruptions to surrounding habitat may impact populations associated with the seasonal
pool. Conditions of the forest floor, including the presences of woody debris and leaf litter,
moisture levels, and temperature are important to the ability of amphibians to use this
habitat.
Recommendations: 1. Avoid activities that remove the forest canopy or result in earth disturbances within 650
feet of seasonal ponds in order to avoid disrupting natural hydrological patterns in the
ponds and to avoid impacts to potential amphibian populations.
2. Where road clearing or staging areas have already been constructed within the Biological
Diversity Area, ditching and other drainage solutions should be directed toward preserving
the natural drainage of the site and should provide effective erosion control.
3. Periodic inventories for invertebrates and amphibians should be conducted.
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