introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

atlantica), northern long sedge (Carex folliculata), (dominant in patches), bladder sedge (Carexintumescens) (dominant in patches), tawny cotton grass (Eriophorum virginicum), northern bogclubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata), a willow-herb species (Epilobium leptophyllum), cranberry(Vaccinium macrocarpon), round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), skunk cabbage(Symplocarpus foetidus), small green woodland orchid (Platanthera clavellata), woolgrass (Scirpuscyperinus), northern awned sedge (Carex gynandra), water horehound (Lycopus virginicus), cowheat(Melampyrum lineare), marsh St. John’s-wort (Triadenum fraseri), Polystichum moss, three-seededsedge (Carex trisperma), broad leaf cattail (Typha latifolia), rattlesnake mannagrass (Glyceriacanadensis), and cinnamon- or interrupted- fern (Osmunda sp.). Shrubs are scattered in these lowareas.Several small beaver ponds are present; typical herbaceous plant species include: three-way sedge(Dulichium arundinacea), a bur-reed species (Sparganium chlorocarpum), needle spike-rush(Eleocharis acicularis), Carex (scoparia?), and leafy bulrush (Scirpus polyphyllus). In the zone abovethe sphagnum, shrubs are more prevalent and in some areas dominat. Species include steeplebush(Spiraea tomentosa), maleberry (Lyonia sp.), lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium,Vaccinium pallidum), speckled alder (Alnus incana), huckleberry (Gaylusaccia baccata), andsweetfern (Comptonia peregrina). Lowbush blueberry is dominant in many areas. This higher shrubzone appears to experience great seasonal fluctuation in moisture level, from possible inundation inthe spring to very dry conditions later in the summer. The herbaceous layer reflects these conditionsthrough the prevalence of dry-adapted species, including: running pine (Lycopodium clavatum),bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens), needle-and-thread grass(Brachyelytrum erectum), poverty grass (Danthonia sp.), broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), flatbranchedground pine (Lycopodium obscurum), a sedge species (Carex debilis), and hawthorne(Crataegus sp.).Surveys have not been conducted to document animal species utilizing the wetland; it may providesuitable habitat for amphibians, as well as semi-aquatic insects such as dragonflies and damselflies.Some of these species primarily inhabit wetlands, while others also depend on upland areassurrounding a wetland for habitat. Because amphibians may depend on surrounding habitat up to adistance of 159-290 meters (Semlitsch and Bodie 2003), the core habitat area includes the wetlanditself plus 250 m of surrounding forest that may be amphibian habitat.The Supporting Natural Landscape is the immediate watershed of the wetland; much of it is forested.The watershed influences the water quality of the wetland, and its current forested condition supportsthe long-term viability of the wetland community (Mensing et al. 1998, Findlay and Bourdages 2000,Spackman and Hughes 1995, Barclay 1980, Karr and Schlosser 1978).Threats and StressesCore Habitat Area—Amphibians are sensitive to the physical structure and microclimatic conditions(i.e., temperature, moisture level) on the forest floor. Forest canopy removal within this area maynegatively impact the quality of the habitat for amphibians by increasing temperatures and decreasinghumidity on the forest floor. Compaction, removal or disruption of herbaceous growth and organicdebris, or other direct disturbances to the structure of the forest floor may also degrade the habitat foramphibians.Supporting Natural Landscape—Use of chemical weed and pest controls within the watershed of thewetland may harm wetland flora and fauna.83