introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

BIGLER TOWNSHIPBigler Township is 81% forested, and about half of the forested area is core forest habitat. A quarter ofthe forest is also roadless core habitat area. However, the core forest habitat areas are not part of largeenough contiguous forest blocks to support viable populations of neotropical migrant bird species, thus noLandscape Conservation Areas were designated in the township. The township is almost all within theClearfield Creek watershed, except for the southeastern corner which is the headwaters of Beaver Run,which flows into Moshannon Creek. Challenges to the ecological health of the landscape include forestfragmentation, degradation of terrestrial habitat from mining in some areas, and degradation of waterquality due to mine drainage. Clearfield Creek, Muddy Run, and Banian Run are classified by the DEP asimpaired streams due to mine drainage impacts. Forest stewardship to improve ecosystem health andforest contiguity, and remediation of water quality problems would be beneficial conservation objectivesfor the township landscape.48