introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIPLawrence Township spans from the Elk-Clearfield county line south past the West Branch SusquehannaRiver to Little Clearfield Creek, its southern boundary. The watershed divide between the West Branchand the main stem of the Susquehanna River falls across the northern end of the township; Laurel Run,Saunders Run, Little Laurel Run, and Little Medix Run flow north into the main stem, while waterwaysto the south flow into the West Branch. The northern two-thirds of the township has highly contiguousforest cover, and makes up part of the Moshannon State Forest LCA (see pg. 34), one of the largestcontiguous forest blocks in Pennsylvania. In this area, there are also unique and intact habitats alongLaurel Run and Saunders Run that have been designated as a BDA. In the southern third of the townshipthe landscape is a mixture of strip mines, forest, and urban land. Forested areas at the western edge of thetownship are contiguous with and make up part of the Anderson Creek-Montgomery Run LCA (see pg.33). In other areas forest cover occurs in much smaller patches, except along Little Clearfield Creek,where there is potential for a contiguously forested riparian corridor. Recommendations for improvingecological health in the township are: stewardship of forest land, especially within the LCAs and alongLittle Clearfield Creek, to maintain contiguity and improve ecosystem health; restoration of a forestcorridor along Montgomery Creek between the West Branch and the LCA to improve connectivity;stewardship of BDA areas; and remediation of water quality problems.Dimeling Road BDADescriptionThis area highlights a roadside where there is a population of the Allegheny plum (Prunusallegheniensis), a small tree species that has a very limited global range. The main portion of itsrange is the Appalachian mountains of central Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, and thereis a disjunct population in northern Michigan as well. Clearfield County is the northeastern edge ofthe Appalachian population’s range. The Allegheny plum is often found in dry, sandy open habitats(Natureserve 2000). It may grow singly as a small tree or shrub, or form clonal thickets. The area ofthe BDA is the core habitat for the species.Threats and StressesRoadside maintenance activities could harm this population.RecommendationsHerbicides should not be used along the stretch of road identified in this BDA. Road maintenanceactivities extending beyond the edge of pavement should not be undertaken without consultation witha botanist, to avoid damage or destruction of Allegheny plum trees.Fulton Railroad Tunnel BDADescriptionThis BDA is designated because several individuals of the northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis),an animal species of special concern, were found to be using the tunnel as a winter hibernaculum.This species hibernates in caves and other sheltered environments during the winter. It has fairlyspecific environmental requirements for suitable hibernation habitat, and its use of the tunnel isevidence that it contains some areas with the appropriate temperature and humidity conditions. It isconsidered a species of special concern because a relatively low number of individuals have been114