introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

(Solidago rugosa). Other species included a bent-grass species (Agrostis sp.), heart-leaved tearthumb(Polygonum sagittatum), a violet species (Viola sp.), northern awned sedge (Carex gynandra),woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), a rush species (Juncus sp.), and bog clubmoss (Lycopodiellainundata). The margins of the wetland were slightly higher, and were dominated by needle-andthreadgrass (Brachyelytrum erectum), bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), New York fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis), and a lowbush blueberry species (Vaccinium sp.). The core habitat areaincludes the wetland habitat and 250 m of surrounding upland area, which may be used by differentspecies of amphibians.This area has not been surveyed to document animal inhabitants. It is potential habitat for amphibiansand also may host aquatic or semi-aquatic insects such as dragonflies and damselflies. Much of thebiodiversity of wetlands often consists of these taxa. Some of these species primarily inhabitwetlands, while others also depend on upland areas surrounding a wetland for habitat. Becauseamphibians may depend on surrounding habitat up to a distance of 159-290 meters (Semlitsch andBodie 2003), the core habitat area includes the wetland plus 250 m of surrounding forest that may beutilized by amphibians.Supporting Landscape Area—The supporting landscape is the immediate watershed above thewetland; the condition of this area influences the quality of the water draining into the wetland. Thesurrounding forest consisted of plantations of introduced conifer species, with white spruce (Piceaalba) on one side, and red pine (Pinus resinosa) on the other.Threats and StressesWater color and sediment in the wetland suggests iron deposition, which may indicate the wetland isreceiving acid mine drainage pollution from nearby strip mined areas.RecommendationsCore Habitat Area—The wetland should be assessed to determine if it is receiving acid mine drainageand how severe the problem is. Amphibian and invertebrate surveys are also recommended to gatherbaseline data for future management decisions, as much of the diversity of wetlands often consists ofthese taxa. The utility of the adjacent forest area as habitat for native species might be improved bythe establishment of native forest communities in place of exotic conifer species.Supporting Landscape Area—To maintain good water quality for the wetlands, appropriate erosioncontrol BMPs should be applied if forest cover is disturbed, and toxic materials (automotive fluids,petrochemicals, solvents, detergents, fertilizers, chemical pest controls) should not be released withinthe Supporting Landscape Area. Preservation of forest cover in this area, especially in such a patternas to connect the wetland with surrounding forested areas, is likely to enhance prospects for the longtermhealth of this habitat.Parker Dam Beaver Ponds BDADescriptionThis site recognizes two wetland complexes, both beaver-influenced, in the headwaters of Mud Run.The South Wetland Core Habitat Area is a wetland complex consisting of several ponds, with damsbetween them, along a tributary channel to Mud Run. At the edge there is a zone of shallow water anddeep sediment, with aquatic and emergent vegetation, including rattlesnake mannagrass (Glyceriacanadensis) and two species of bur-reed (Sparganium chlorocarpum and Sparganium americanum).102