introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

Threats and StressesFoot traffic on the rock formation could potentially damage the Appalachian gametophytepopulations, although they may be somewhat protected by their tendency to grow deep within therock formation in inaccessible areas. As the Appalachian gametophyte lives only in extremelysheltered conditions within rockhouse formations, it is likely to be very sensitive to any change in themicroclimatic conditions, especially any decrease in moisture levels, or increased exposure to windand temperature variation.RecommendationsThe fern’s safety might be enhanced through signs informing visitors of its presence and describingits habitat and unique characteristics. In order to maintain the microclimate conditions needed by thefern within the rock formation, forest cover surrounding the rocks will need to remain intact.SB Elliot Wetland BDADescriptionThis BDA is designated around a wetland. The plant species composition of the wetland does not fitany of the community types described in the Pennsylvania Terrestrial and Palustrine CommunityClassification (Fike 1999), and thus cannot be easily compared to other wetlands to determine itsuniqueness in the state. However, the plant species composition is similar to other wetlands observedin the high plateau region of the county, suggesting it is unlikely to be of state significance. It is oflocal significance because natural wetlands provide habitat that many species require for survival.Core Habitat Area—The vegetation is mainly herbaceous in the central portion, which appears toremain wet for most of the year. Around the outside edges, which appear to experience very dryconditions later in the season, lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium pallidum)forms a dense thicket. Stumps in the wetland indicate it was forested relatively recently.In the central, saturated portion of the wetland, portions are dominated by patches of northern awnedsedge (Carex gynandra) or northern long sedge (Carex folliculata). Woolgrass and cinnamon- orinterrupted- fern form tussocks. In low areas, there are round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia),bog clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata), and white beaked-rush (Rhynchospora alba). Swampdewberry (Rubus hispidus), tawny cottongrass (Eriophorum virginicum), Sphagnum sp. moss, andPolystichum sp. moss are ubiquitous. Other species include cowheat (Melampyrum lineare), waterhorehound (Lycopus sp.), small green woodland orchid (Platanthera clavellata), broad-leaved cattail(Typha latifolia). In some areas peat accumulations are at least a foot deep. Although the wetland ispredominantly herbaceous, lowbush blueberry, huckleberry and small trees are scattered occasionally.The higher areas at the wetland edges are mainly dense lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium,and scattered Vaccinium pallidum clumps as well), with bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), needleand-threadgrass (Brachyelytrum erectum), northern oatgrass (Danthonia compressa), and teaberry(Gaultheria procumbens) also dominant in places.At northern end and along western border, the transition from wetland to hardwood forest is fairlyabrupt. At southern end, a stream leads out of the wetland, with palustrine hemlock-mixed hardwoodforest immediately surrounding it. Herbaceous species include northern awned sedge (Carexgynandra), northern long sedge (Carex folliculata), bladder sedge (Carex intumescens), three-seededsedge (Carex trisperma), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis),slender manna-grass (Glyceria melicaria), Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginica), and starflower129