Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 4. Biological ResourcesThe following section describes BDAs located within the Connoquenessing Creek watershed (Figure4-1). Specific names and exact locations of rare species are omitted from CNHIs and this report to protectthose species. Complete CNHIs can be downloaded from the PNHP website at:www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us.Butler CountyTable 4-2. Significance Rankings for BDAsSignificance RankDescriptionSites are of exceptional importance for the biological diversity and ecologicalintegrity of the county or region, containing one or more occurrences of state orExceptionalnational species of special concern or a rare natural community of adequate size,condition, and extent. These areas deserve complete and strong protection.HighNotableCountySites are highly important for biological diversity of the county or region, and justlike exceptional sites, contain species of special concern or natural communitiesthat are highly ranked. Typically large and primarily undisturbed, these sitesdeserve strong protection.Sites contain occurrences of species of special concern or natural communities thatare either more common or of smaller size and extent than exceptional or high rankareas, or have activity and disturbance. These sites deserve special protectionwithin the context of their characteristics, degree of disturbance, and place in thecommunity.Sites have great potential for protecting biodiversity in the county, but have not yetbeen found to contain species of special concern or state significant naturalcommunities. Because of their size, undisturbed character, or proximity to othersignificant areas, these sites deserve further study and investigation as possiblehigh or exceptional sites.Connoquenessing Creek Nature Reserve BDASignificance: HighLocation: Jackson Township and Zelienople BoroughDescription: One of the last remaining natural areas near Zelienople, this area is located directlynorth of the town along Connoquenessing Creek. The Ecologically Concerned of Zelienople(E.C.O.Z.) own and manage this forested natural area. A silver maple floodplain forestcommunity exists along the creek, and is dominated by maturing silver maple and Americanbasswood. A variety of herbaceous species are supported by the rich, moist soils in the floodplain.To the north of this floodplain, lies a mature, sugar maple-basswood forest community of red oak,white oak, American basswood, yellow poplar, and sugar maple along the steep, wooded slopesand into the upland areas. Any vernal wetlands and oxbows existing at this site create importanthabitat for wetland plant and animal species.Rare Occurrences: This site contains two significant natural features, a silver maple floodplainforest community and a sugar maple-basswood forest community.Threats and Stresses: Loss of suitable buffer zone surrounding the entire area to allow for theexpansion of the forest communities is the only present threat to the reserve. Commercialdevelopment to the east and west may also impact the quality of the resources within the area.Invasive plant species also are a threat to this site. Many invasives, such as privet, honeysuckle,4-14