introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

allegheniensis) dominant in the canopy, and red oak (Quercus rubra) occasional. Rhododendronforms a dense shrub layer, and the herb layer is generally sparse, with occasional clumps ofintermediate wood fern or hay-scented fern. To the west the forest is mixed hardwoods similar toprevious description.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 areas plus 250 m of surrounding forest thatmay be utilized by amphibians.Supporting Natural Landscape—Is the immediate watershed of the seepage wetlands along Laureland Saunders Run; this area influences the quality of the water draining into the wetlands. The site isimportant because the communities of note occur within a relatively mature and intact forestedwatershed, which greatly enhances their future health and viability.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. Extensive canopy removal can also alter the temperature and light conditions in thewetland, leading to changes in the plant and animal species composition. Release of herbicides orpesticides could damage the wetland plant and animal species.Supporting Natural Landscape—Earth disturbing activities or removal of forest canopy within theSaunders Run watershed or the Laurel Run watershed above the seepage communities could result innutrient and sediment pollution of the wetlands and the streams. These activities would beparticularly damaging if conducted in areas of steep slopes, as these are more vulnerable to erosion.A powerline right-of-way crosses Laurel Run near the south end of the core area of the BDA. Runofffrom any chemicals employed to maintain the right-of-way could detrimentally impact the wetlandcommunities in the floodplain. Any bedrock disturbance in the immediate watershed could alter thenatural flow of groundwater that feeds the seepage wetlands. Mining would likely result ingroundwater pollution, and the accumulation of pollutants in the wetlands where the groundwateremerges to the surface.RecommendationsCore Habitat Area—A full forest canopy should be maintained in the core area, and disturbances tothe forest floor avoided. Surveys should be conducted for amphibians and invertebrates, to establishbaseline information about the wetlands’ diversity to guide future management decisions. Much ofthe biodiversity of wetlands is often found in its invertebrate taxa, while both amphibians andinvertebrates can have habitat requirements needing special management.Supporting Natural Landscape—The future health of the natural communities along Laurel Run andSaunders Run, as well as the health of the streams themselves, can best be maintained by stewardingthe health of the surrounding watershed. It is recommended that forest cover removal and any earthdisturbingactivities are avoided in the floodplain and on the steep slopes of the valleys, and that any117