introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

GRAHAM TOWNSHIPThe landscape of Graham Township falls completely within the West Branch Susquehanna Riverwatershed, and is 69% forested. The most contiguous portion of this forest is recognized as the MoravianRun – Alder Run LCA (see pg. 33). In other portions of the township forest cover is less extensive andoccurs as smaller fragments that do not provide extensive core habitat conditions. Strip mining has alsocaused habitat degradation in some areas that will be difficult to restore to functional forest ecosystem.Aquatic ecosystem health in the township also faces challenges: several waterways in the township,including Alder Run, Moravian Run, Big Run, and Mons Run, are designated as impaired streams by theDEP due to mine drainage pollution. Conservation priorities for ecological health in the landscape of thetownship are stewardship of the Moravian Run – Alder Run LCA to improve forest ecosystem contiguityand health, and remediation of water quality problems in impaired streams.90