introduction - Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

Quehanna Right-of-Way BDADescriptionThis area hosts a population of a plant species of special concern in Pennsylvania, the yellow-fringedorchid. The area of the BDA is core habitat for the population.Threats and StressesAs the plants occur in the vicinity of a powerline right-of-way, the potential impact of ROWmanagement practices on the population should be investigated.RecommendationsNo management needs currently identified.Twelvemile Run Tributaries BDADescriptionThe core areas of this BDA are several wetlands, one of which supports two plant species of specialconcern in Pennsylvania, and the supporting natural landscape area is the watershed that supports thewetlands—as well as the water quality of Twelvemile Run, an Exceptional Value stream (PA-DEP).Two of the wetlands are hemlock palustrine forest communities formed around seepage areas; themore well-developed of these seeps supports a population of creeping snowberry (Gaultheriahispidula), and a population of screwstem (Bartonia paniculata). The third wetland is a largecomplex formed as a result of beaver activity.For discussion of the needs of the Exceptional Value watershed, please see Cole Run BDA above.East Wetland Core Habitat Area—The hemlock palustrine forest seepage area that supports thecreeping snowberry and screwstem is along the easternmost tributary in the BDA. There is anextensive seepage area where two small drainages meet. Many spring channels flow out from slopesin various directions through this area. Generally the water is confined to channel beds, with bankshigher and drier, but in the central portion there are broader low areas with springy sphagnum, whichremain perennially saturated. A few very large white pine (Pinus strobus) are present, and smallerhemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) are common. Goldthread (Coptis trifolia), needle-and- thread grass(Brachyelytrum erectum), and three-seeded sedge (Carex trisperma) are very common under thesomewhat elevated hemlock patches, with swamp dewberry (Rubus hispidus), northern long sedge(Carex folliculata), and bladder sedge (Carex intumescens) also present. In the sphagnous saturatedareas at the center of the wetland, tawny cottongrass (Eriophorum virginicum), creeping snowberry71