Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 4. Biological ResourcesNative sassafras trees have beenutilized for timber, medicines, tea, anddying fabrics; they also provide foodfor a variety of wildlife species; notethe non-native hosta in the lower leftcorner, a commonly used landscapingplant“breathe,” the process of photosynthesis converts water andcarbon dioxide from the atmosphere into sugar for the plants’growth and oxygen, which is released back into the air. Thecarbon removed from the atmosphere is stored, or sequestered,in the plant components (leaves, stems, branches, roots, etc.)When leaves or trees are downed, the carbon is contributed tothe soil matter. Carbon dioxide is also released back into theatmosphere through respiration and the decomposition oforganic matter. This natural exchange of carbon, along withother greenhouse gases (including those released from theburning of fossil fuels and gas combustion), contributes to the“greenhouse effect.”In the absence of greenhouse gases, the earth would be acold, desolate planet that harbors no life. Excess greenhousegases contribute to the opposite effect, global warming.Human activities, such as deforestation, poor agriculturalpractices, vehicle exhaust, and the burning of fossil fuels havegreatly increased the contribution of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The preservation of forests,maintenance of riparian forest buffers, and forest management practices that leave residual trees to growat a faster rate aid in the storage of carbon from the atmosphere into plant and soil materials. In the grandscheme of things, this will contribute to the prevention or hindrance of global warming.Protecting and maintaining available woodlots and “green” space throughout the watershed isespecially important in this rapidly developing region north of the city of Pittsburgh. Few large,contiguous (uninterrupted) forest blocks remain in the watershed. Most of the forest tracks of theConnoquenessing are fragmented by roads, urban and residential development, and different land uses. Itwill be imperative to protect what remains for the continued health, livability, and community appeal ofthe region.Sustainable forestry practices and the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) when utilizingforest resources will ensure the future health of forest ecosystems throughout the watershed. Often,foresters and landowners desire the quickest and greatest monetary return from a timber harvest, resultingin poor forestry practices. Clear-cuts eliminate all vegetation in a cut area, while high-grading removesthe largest, most valuable timber in the lot. While both of these practices will provide a substantial return,they are neither ecologically or economically sensible, and the return is a one-time gain. A forest ofeconomic value may take 20 years or more to regenerate. In addition, all of the best potential seed sourcesare eliminated from the area. Service Foresters are available to assist private and public landowners withtechnical advice on sustainable forest management. Certified foresters provide cost-share assistance,Forest Stewardship Plans, regional planning, education, and assistance with tree planting and riparianbuffer restoration (DCNR Bureau of Forestry, 2007).By selectively planning a harvest with a certified forester, one can ensure the continual return fortheir investment. Trees can be harvested on a staggered schedule to provide recurring income. The bestquality trees can be left to reseed the area. Nearby, competing trees of less value can be removed to allowremaining trees a greater allocation of resources and nutrients, ensuring a faster growth rate and higherquality of wood. As tree leaves continue to fall to the ground each autumn, the soil is amended withorganic matter and nutrients, which also contribute to better growth rates. Erosion and sedimentation arereduced by leaving trees to stabilize the soil.4-4