Assessing the Extent and Species Composition of Wet Thicket Habitat Types in Pennsylvania

June 2011

Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program is a partnership of:

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The project was funded by: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wild Resource Conservation Program Grant numbers WRCP-07234 and WRCP-08304

Suggested report citation:

Furedi, M. 2011. Assessing the extent and species composition of wet thicket habitat types in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh, PA.

Table of Contents Table of Contents ...... ii List of Figures ...... iii List of Tables ...... iv Executive Summary ...... v

Introduction ...... 1

Methods...... 2 Study Site Selection ...... 2 Vegetation and Environmental Data Collection ...... 3

Results ...... 4 Site Characteristics...... 4 Vegetation Surveys ...... 8 Plant Communities ...... 9 Circumneutral Shrub Swamp ...... 13 Acidic Mixed Shrub – Sphagnum Wetland...... 14

Literature Cited ...... 16

Appendix 1. Wet thicket site descriptions ...... 18 Appendix 2. List of vascular plants identified at 40 wet thicket sites across Pennsylvania...... 98 Appendix 3. Vegetation plot protocols and associated data sheets ...... 108

ii List of Figures

Figure 1. Ecoregional map of Pennsylvania showing the location of 40 wet thicket sites examined in this project.

Figure 2. The distribution of dominant plant communities found at 40 wet thicket sites across Pennsylvania.

iii List of Tables

Table 1. Location of sites along with the ecoregion and subsection of TNC’s Ecoregion map where the sites occur.

Table 2. Bird species found at wet thicket sites in 2008-2009 and the number of sites where each species was detected.

Table 3. Plant communities found at the 40 wet thicket sites based on modifications of Fike’s Terrestrial and Palustrine Plant Communities of Pennsylvania (1999). If multiple plant communities are listed, the first one represents the dominant community.

Table 4. An overview of general threats associated with the 40 shrubland sites included in this project.

iv Executive Summary

Wet scrub-shrub habitat (or wet thicket) is one type of shrubland habitat that is declining in the northeastern United States. Wet thickets provide important habitat for a variety of species including some birds that are Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and included in Pennsylvania’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). There is currently little information on the extent of naturally-occurring wet thicket habitat in Pennsylvania and only a coarse classification of palustrine shrublands exist. Understanding the extent and types of wet thicket habitat is an important component of conserving and managing these habitats and in protecting priority wildlife species that utilize them. The overall goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of the species composition and distribution of wet thicket habitat in Pennsylvania. Specific objectives were to: 1) identify sites in Pennsylvania that have wet thicket characteristics, 2) collect quantitative data on the plant species composition of wet thicket sites, and 3) use vegetation data to refine the existing plant community classification for wet thicket habitat in Pennsylvania.

Forty sites, located across Pennsylvania, were selected for inclusion in this project based on habitat characteristics and use by bird SGCN. Vegetation data was collected at each site using Natural Heritage sampling protocol developed for the quantitative characterization of plant communities. A total of 222 vascular plant species representing 75 families and 186 genera were recorded across sites. Vegetation data was also used to classify the plant community types found at each site. Some sites were easily classified using the existing plant community classification while other sites could not be described accurately using the existing community types. As a result of this project, two new provisional community types were created for palustrine shrubland communities, circumneutral shrub swamp and acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland.

v Introduction

Wet scrub-shrub-dominated habitats or wet thickets (as this habitat type will be referred to in this document) are one example of the broadly defined shrubland habitat type. Wet thickets include areas that are dominated by woody vegetation less than 6m tall (which includes true shrubs or trees and shrubs that are stunted due to environmental conditions) and have soil or substrate that is at least periodically saturated with or covered by water (Cowardin et al. 1979). Wet thickets can be dense and impenetrable or can consist of a matrix of shrubby cover interspersed by open patches of grasses and forbs. Wet thickets represent one early successional habitat type and are generally the result of natural or anthropogenic disturbance. Examples of naturally occurring wet thickets include drying beaver ponds, wetlands with a scrub-shrub fringe, and treefall gaps and blowdowns in forested stands. Anthropogenic wet thickets include: forest gaps and shrubby forest edges created by silviculture practices, abandoned agricultural fields, and utility right-of- ways.

Wet thickets provide important habitat for a variety of bird species and other early successional wildlife. The characteristic dense, shrub layer of wet thickets provides nesting and foraging protection, whereas, hydric soils conditions provide habitat for invertebrate food sources for birds while helping to maintain an open canopy by retarding the establishment of larger tree species. Due to the successional nature of this habitat type and other contributing factors in the northeastern United States such as aging second growth forests, fragmentation, and changes in farming practices, there is concern over the potential decline in wet thickets and subsequent loss of valuable habitat for birds and other species. Over the past 60 years in eastern North America, open habitats (grasslands, savannah, barrens, and shrublands) have declined by 98%, with shrubland communities comprising 24% of this decline (Tefft 2006). This loss of shrubland habitat creates challenges for those involved with the protection and management of species that rely on this habitat type.

In Pennsylvania, wet thickets provide habitat for some bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) included in Pennsylvania’s State Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) as well as a suite of other species including plants and animals. Alder flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum), willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus), golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera), and American woodcock (Scolopax minor) all utilize this broadly defined habitat type. These species overlap in their habitat use which includes brushy swamps and streams, wet meadows, old fields, and other mesic, brushy habitats found in conjunction with streams, marshes, or ponds (Gill 1992, Mulvihill 1992, McWilliams and Brauning 2000). In addition to being included in Pennsylvania’s WAP, these species have also been identified by Partners in Flight as a species of conservation concern (Dunn et al. 2005). Although these SGCN utilize wet thicket habitat, there is currently little information on the extent of naturally-occurring wet thicket habitat in Pennsylvania and only a coarse classification for palustrine shrublands exists. The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) provides some insight into the distribution of palustrine shrubland habitat in Pennsylvania. However,

1 NWI maps only provide detail at the structural level and not at the plant community level. Additionally, most of the NWI maps for Pennsylvania are at least 25 years old and may not represent the true extent of palustrine shrubland habitat. Since shrublands are a successional community type, some shrublands identified in the NWIs may now have succeeded into young forests. Wet scrub-shrub thickets are included in the plant community classification system used in Pennsylvania, Fike’s Terrestrial and Palustrine Plant Communities of Pennsylvania (1999), but this classification system was developed using qualitative data only and may not contain all wet scrub-shrub thicket types found in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) ecologists have sampled wet scrub-shrub habitat that differs from those described in the current palustrine shrubland classification, thus indicating the need to expand the current classification to include these newly described types. Understanding the extent and types of wet thicket habitat is an important component of conserving and managing these habitats and in protecting priority wildlife species that utilize them.

The overall goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of the species composition and distribution of wet thicket habitat in Pennsylvania. Specific objectives were to: 1) identify sites in Pennsylvania that have wet thicket characteristics, 2) collect quantitative data on the plant species composition of wet thicket sites, and 3) use vegetation data to refine the existing plant community classification for wet thicket habitat in Pennsylvania.

Methods

Study Site Selection

The project was conducted in conjunction with a study that examined the bird usage of wet thicket habitats. The method for site selection was based on the criteria established for the bird usage study. Site selection focused on areas that had specific components of wet thicket habitat based on the definition of palustrine scrub shrub wetlands described by Cowardin et al. (1979). When possible, a two-step approach was used for potential study site selection. First, GIS layers created from bird occurrence data from the Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) and Breeding Bird Survey routes were used to identify breeding bird blocks where at least one of the priority SGCN had been reported. The target SGCN included alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, blue-winged warbler, golden- winged warbler, and American woodcock. Next, NWI digital maps of palustrine habitat (United States Fish and Wildlife Services Wetland Geodatabase) and digital aerial imagery from the PAMAP program (obtained from the Bureau of Topography and Geography - PA TOPOGEO) through the Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access website (http://www.pasda.psu.edu/default.asph) were used to identify potential wet thicket habitat within breeding bird blocks containing priority SGCN. All GIS layers were examined in ArcGIS 9.2 to determine any spatial relationship between breeding bird occurrence data and wet thicket habitat. If it appeared that the occurrence was documented in or adjacent to wet thicket habitats, the wet thicket was considered as a potential field site for inclusion in this study. Due to limited BBA data for the birds of interest to this study, some potential field sites were selected based on the presence of wet

2 thicket habitat solely. If possible, priority was given to sites on State Game Lands or other lands within the PA Game Commission’s Game Management Units (GMUs). However, all public and private lands were considered in the site selection process. Potential field sites were visited in April 2008 and March 2009 to determine inclusion in the study. A total of 40 sites across different physiographic regions in Pennsylvania were selected for the study (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Ecoregional map of Pennsylvania showing the location of 40 wet thicket sites examined in this project.

Vegetation and Environmental Data Collection

Vegetation data was collected at each site. Survey points from the bird data collection efforts also marked the location of vegetation surveys. However, additional vegetation plots may have been added to capture vegetation variation within sites. All vegetation data were collected following accepted Natural Heritage sampling protocols developed for the quantitative characterization of plant communities (Strakosch-Walz 2000) (see Appendix 6 for protocol and associated data sheets). Since all vegetation sampling occurred in shrub-dominated community types, relevé sampling plots of 10m x 10m (100

3 m2) were used. Plots were established within homogeneous vegetation patches that were representative of the community (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 1974). When site conditions did not allow for square plot configurations, rectangular plots were used of dimensions that provided the standard area specified for shrub and herbaceous community types. Each plot was sampled once during the 2008-2009 growing season between July and October. The bulk of the vegetation data were collected during intensive sampling windows of several consecutive weeks, between July and August.

To start, vegetation was visually divided into eight strata: emergent trees (variable height), tree canopy (variable height), tree subcanopy (>5m in height), tall shrub (2-5m), short shrub (<2m), herbaceous, non-vascular, and vines. Percent cover was estimated for each species in each stratum using modified Braun - Blanquet cover classes (Strakosch- Walz 2000). Specimens of unknown species were collected for later identification in the office. All collected specimens were destroyed after identification.

In addition to floristic information, the following environmental variables were recorded at each plot: location, slope, aspect, topographic position, and hydrologic regime. A Garmin 76CSx was used to obtain GPS positions for each plot. The datum used for plot locations was recorded as North American 1983 (NAD83) and the coordinate system was Universal Trans-Mercator (UTM), Zone 17N or 18N. Any unvegetated area of the plot was characterized by the exposed substrate. Notes were taken on the plot representativeness of the surrounding vegetation and any other significant environmental information, such as landscape context, herbivory, stand health, recent disturbance, presence of invasive plant species, or evidence of historic disturbance. A soil pit was excavated near each plot and soil characteristics associated with hydrology were recorded.

For each site, vegetation data was combined from all vegetation plots to provide a composite overview of the vegetation composition of a site or portion of a site. Vegetation data was then used to classify the plant community/communities occurring at each site based on Fike’s Terrestrial and Palustrine Plant Communities of Pennsylvania (1999).

Data from the vegetation plots were entered into the NatureServe PLOTS 2.0 Database System on a Microsoft Access platform during winter 2008-2009. In the PLOTS 2.0 database, species were assigned standardized codes based on the PLANTS 3.5 Database developed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service in cooperation with the Biota of North America Program (USDA, NRCS 2004).

Results

Site Characteristics

Forty wet thicket sites were selected for inclusion in this study. Site selection was generally based on the criteria for palustrine scrub-shrub wetlands established by Cowardin et al. (1979). Sites were distributed across Pennsylvania, with sites occurring in all ecoregions except the North Atlantic Coast ecoregion (Figure 1). A majority of the

4 sites occurred in the High Allegheny Plateau, Central Appalachian Forest, and Western Allegheny Plateau ecoregions (Figure 1; Table 1) and were associated with wetland complexes or lakes. The bias towards most site locations occurring in these ecoregions is due mostly to the distribution of wetlands in Pennsylvania. The once glaciated northwestern and northeastern parts of the state have the greatest concentration of wetlands which correspond to these ecoregions. Few sites were selected in the Great Lakes and Piedmont ecoregions. Only a small portion of Pennsylvania is located in the Great Lakes ecoregion, and although wet thickets are scattered in this ecoregion, Presque Isle State Park was the only site included in the study from this ecoregion. Fewer wetlands occur in the historically unglaciated Piedmont ecoregion and a majority of the land area within this ecoregion in Pennsylvania has been converted for agricultural use or urban expansion. Most sites occurred on public lands.

5 Table 1. Location of sites along with the ecoregion and subsection of TNC’s Ecoregion map where the sites occur.

Site Name County Northing Easting TNC Ecoregion TNC Subsection

Mt. Holly Marsh Cumberland 4441127 313734 Central Appalachian Forest Northern Blue Ridge Mts. Ricketts Glen State Park Luzerne 4576104 391947 High Allegheny Plateau Cattaraugus Highlands State Game Land 57 – Site 1 Sullivan 4579395 396872 High Allegheny Plateau Cattaraugus Highlands State Game Land 57 – Site 2 Sullivan 4581205 394493 High Allegheny Plateau Cattaraugus Highlands Great Marsh – Site 1 Chester 4442660 435308 Piedmont Piedmont Upland Great Marsh – Site 2 Chester 4442865 435505 Piedmont Piedmont Upland Two-mile Run – Site 1 Monroe 4551621 449900 High Allegheny Plateau Pocono Plateau Two-mile Run – Site 2 Monroe 4551427 450547 High Allegheny Plateau Pocono Plateau Two-mile Run – Site 3 Monroe 4552366 450567 High Allegheny Plateau Pocono Plateau French Creek State Park Berks 4449893 432408 Piedmont Gettysburg Piedmont Lowland Moraine State Park – Site 1 Butler 4536098 584248 Western Allegheny Plateau Pittsburgh Low Plateau Moraine State Park – Site 2 Butler 4533816 584727 Western Allegheny Plateau Pittsburgh Low Plateau State Game Land 95 Butler 4543525 595643 Western Allegheny Plateau Pittsburgh Low Plateau State Game Land 214 Crawford 4605646 551811 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau Presque Isle State Park Erie 4668521 573607 Great Lakes Lake Erie Plain Love Hollow Westmoreland 4462602 658094 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. Chestnut Ridge County Park Fayette 4441498 633873 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. State Game Land 111 – Site1 Somerset 4418494 639390 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. Black Moshannon State Park – Centre 4532253 746929 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. Site 1 Black Moshannon State Park – Centre 4529407 746354 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. Site 2

6 Table 1. cont.

Site Name County Northing Easting TNC Ecoregion TNC Subsection

Memorial Lake State Park Lebanon 4475784 364532 Central Appalachian Forest Northern Great Valley Laurel Hill State Park Somerset 4427789 649621 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. State Game Land 111 – Site 2 Somerset 4419252 640058 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. Tobyhanna State Park Monroe 4562794 466240 High Allegheny Plateau Pocono Plateau Bruce Lake Natural Area Pike 4576820 482638 High Allegheny Plateau Pocono Plateau State Game Land 51 Fayette 4414365 620823 Central Appalachian Forest Western Allegheny Mts. Promised Land State Park Pike 4575133 481330 High Allegheny Plateau Pocono Plateau State Game Land 13 Sullivan 4582807 393037 High Allegheny Plateau Cattaraugus Highlands State Game Land 139 Bucks 4473451 473326 Piedmont Gettysburg Piedmont Lowland State Game Land 12 Bradford 4612758 361687 High Allegheny Plateau Cattaraugus Highlands Tioga State Forest – Site 1 Tioga 4621020 342406 High Allegheny Plateau Cattaraugus Highlands Tioga State Forest – Site 2 Tioga 4618602 337295 High Allegheny Plateau Cattaraugus Highlands State Game Land 197 Warren 4650346 619074 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau State Game Land 109 Erie 4648397 583393 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau Erie National Wildlife Refuge Crawford 4625682 585570 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau – Site 1 Erie National Wildlife Refuge Crawford 4604672 585618 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau – Site 2 Wattsburg Fen Erie 4646714 602629 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau Lowville Fen Erie 4655544 596015 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau State Game Land 282 Warren 4649528 654268 Western Allegheny Plateau Allegheny Plateau Bear Meadows Natural Area Centre 4512607 267280 Central Appalachian Region Northern Ridge and Valley

7 As previously mentioned, most wet thicket sites included in this study were part of wetland complexes or were ecotones between lakes and marshes and the surrounding upland forests. The shrub-dominated wet thicket component was often also associated with a more open area of either open water or herbaceous patches with few shrubs. Examples of exceptions to this pattern are: French Creek State Park, Great Marsh – Site 2, Chestnut Ridge County Park, and Love Hollow. The wet thicket at French Creek State Park occupied a gap in the surrounding swamp forest. The site at Great Marsh – Site 2 was part of a successional thicket forming in an old, artificial pond complex. The vegetation of Chestnut Ridge County Park and Love Hollow were probably influenced by surrounding pastures and agriculture.

Soil characteristics provided a cursory overview of the hydrological regime within sites. All sites had standing water at the time of selection in April 2008 and March 2009 but may be prone to different hydrological regimes. Some sites had dried down by the time of vegetation sampling in July through September 2008-2009 when soil conditions were characterized. The soils at a majority of the sites ranged from clay to clay loam to muck. The soils at Presque Isle State Park site differed most in that soils were sandy which is not surprising given that much of Presque Isle is a sandy plain and dune system. Soil moistures varied from somewhat moist to very wet. As expected, sites generally associated with wetlands or lakes had wetter soils and presumably extended hydroperiods compared to sites within a more successional setting. Appendix 1 contains site description summaries for all 40 sites.

Vegetation Surveys

A total of 104 relevé vegetation plots were sampled at the 40 wet thicket sites included in the study. Relevé plots corresponded to bird sample points but were also strategically placed so that the vegetation sampled was representative of the area within the wet thicket. Since multiple plots were usually sampled for each site or portion of a site, data was combined from all plots at a site to develop a composite species list per wet thicket site. A total of 222 vascular plant species representing 75 families and 186 genera were recorded across the 40 wet thicket sites included in the study (Appendix 3). Nearly 70% of the species identified were members of the following families: Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Ericaceae, Poaceae, and Rosaceae.

Plant diversity varied across sites. The sites with the most overall plant diversity (includes both shrub and herbaceous layer) were: Erie National Wildlife Refuge – Site 1 (113 species), Wattsburg Fen (96 species), and Lowville Fen (76 species). Sites with the lowest plant diversity include: Tioga State Forest – Site 1 (5 species), State Game Land 139 (7 species), and State Game Land 57 – Site 2 (13 species).

Although sites varied in plant diversity, some plants commonly occurred across sites. Examples of commonly occurring herbaceous and graminoid species include: sedge species (Carex sp.), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), jewelweed (Impatiens sp), and swamp dewberry

8 (Rubus hispidus). Commonly occurring shrub species include: red maple (Acer rubrum), northern arrow-wood (Viburnum recognitum), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), alder (Alnus sp.), and dogwood (Cornus sp.).

Besides the plant species occurring in vegetation plots, the presence of invasive species and rare species at each site was also noted (see Appendix 1). Sixty percent of the sites sampled had one or more invasive plant species either within the sampled area or noted infestations within the site. Some of the invasive plants noted include: common reed (Phragmites australis), Japanese stilt-grass (Microstegium vimineum), mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum), Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), and garlic-mustard (Alliaria petiolata).

The following rare plants were found while conducting the vegetation surveys: northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus), creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), and Atlantic sedge (Carex sterilis).

Plant Communities

Vegetation plot data were also used to define plant communities found at the sampled wet thicket sites. Plant communities are assemblages of plant populations sharing similar environmental conditions and are distinguished by physiognomy, hydrology, species composition, ecological processes, and distribution (Fike 1999). Palustrine shrubland community types, the category by which Fike (1999) describes wet thicket habitats, were assigned to the plant communities sampled within each wet thicket site (Table 2, Figure 2). Since vegetation surveys points corresponded to the same points used for bird surveys, it was possible for multiple shrubland communities to be sampled within one site. Some sites were easily classified using the existing Fike types for palustrine shrubland communities. Of the existing Fike types, highbush blueberry dominated communities were the most common (Table 2, Figure 2). Eight sites were dominated by highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland. An additional six sites were dominated by highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland. Many of the sites dominated by highbush blueberry also had inclusions of leatherleaf communities (leatherleaf – sedge wetland, leatherleaf – bog rosemary peatland, and leatherleaf – cranberry peatland). The least represented Fike community types were the black willow scrub shrub wetland (2 sites) and the buttonbush wetlands (2 sites). At both sites, the black willow shrub wetland was located streamside and dominated by dense willow with a sparse herbaceous layer. The buttonbush wetland type was found at sites where ponded water remained for most of the year. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) tends to be one of the more flood-tolerant shrub species found in wet thickets.

9 Table 2. Plant communities found at the 40 wet thicket sites based on modifications of Fike’s Terrestrial and Palustrine Plant Communities of Pennsylvania (1999). If multiple plant communities are listed, the first one represents the dominant community.

Site Name Plant Community

Mt. Holly Marsh Circumneutral shrub swamp Ricketts Glen State Park Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland / Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland State Game Land 57 – Site 1 Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland / Leatherleaf – bog rosemary peatland State Game Land 57 – Site 2 Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland Great Marsh – Site 1 Circumneutral shrub swamp Great Marsh – Site 2 Circumneutral shrub swamp Two-mile Run – Site 1 Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland Two-mile Run – Site 2 Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland / Leatherleaf – sedge wetland Two-mile Run – Site 3 Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland French Creek State Park Circumneutral shrub swamp Moraine State Park – Site 1 Circumneutral shrub swamp Moraine State Park – Site 2 Circumneutral shrub swamp State Game Land 95 Circumneutral shrub swamp State Game Land 214 Circumneutral shrub swamp Presque Isle State Park Buttonbush wetland Love Hollow Black willow scrub shrub wetland Chestnut Ridge County Park Circumneutral shrub swamp State Game Land 111 – Site 1 Circumneutral shrub swamp Black Moshannon State Park – Site 1 Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland / Black willow scrub/shrub wetland Black Moshannon State Park – Site 2 Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland Memorial Lake State Park Circumneutral shrub swamp Laurel Hill State Park Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland State Game Land 111 – Site 2 Circumneutral shrub swamp Tobyhanna State Park Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland / Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland Bruce Lake Natural Area Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland / Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland State Game Land 51 Circumneutral shrub swamp Promised Land State Park Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland /Leatherleaf – sedge wetland

10 Table 2. cont.

Site Name Plant Community

State Game Land 13 Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland State Game Land 139 Buttonbush wetland State Game Land 12 Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland / Leatherleaf – sedge wetland /Leatherleaf – cranberry peatland Tioga State Forest – Site 1 Black willow scrub shrub wetland Tioga State Forest – Site 2 Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland State Game Land 197 Circumneutral shrub swamp State Game Land 109 Circumneutral shrub swamp / Cat-tail marsh Erie National Wildlife Refuge – Site 1 Circumneutral shrub swamp Erie National Wildlife Refuge – Site 2 Circumneutral shrub swamp Wattsburg Fen Circumneutral shrub swamp Lowville Fen Circumneutral shrub swamp State Game Land 282 Circumneutral shrub swamp / Buttonbush wetland Bear Meadows Natural Area Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland / Leatherleaf – sedge wetland

11

Figure 2. The distribution of dominant plant communities found at 40 wet thicket sites across Pennsylvania.

12 More than half of the wet thicket sites had shrubland communities that were difficult to describe using Fike’s classification system. Although these communities often had alder (either A. serrulata or A. incana) in the shrub layer and had similar landscape settings, the plant species composition was not accurately depicted by Fike’s two alder palustrine shrubland types (alder – ninebark wetland and alder – sphagnum wetland). Alder was present in the shrub layer, but often in association with other mixed shrubs. Depending on an observer’s location in the community, some shrubs formed monoclonal patches, whereas, other portions of the thicket were more randomly mixed in shrub composition.

Since the shrubland communities at these sites could not be described accurately using existing Fike community types, two provisional types were created using species information and site characteristics from the sites included in this project, circumneutral shrub swamp and acidic mix shrub – sphagnum wetland. The two provisional types are described below.

CIRCUMNEUTRAL SHRUB SWAMP

General Description/Ecological Processes:

This shrub-dominated wetland community occurs in a variety of settings, including the upland edge of marshes, at the wetter edge of red maple wetlands, in small upland depressions, stream floodplains, and at the base of slopes. The community may represent a successional stage, as abandoned agricultural land succeeds into a young forest. The substrate of this community type is generally very poorly drained shallow peat or mineral soil with a thin organic layer. These wetlands are generally seasonally flooded and may remain saturated for much of the growing season. Nutrient enrichment is generally the result of discharge from groundwater or inflow from the surrounding watershed. The pH of these systems is broadly circumneutral to somewhat calcareous, and calciphiles may be present. Many of these wetlands were or are currently influenced by beaver activity or an impoundment history. Grazing (past and present) and previous land use history (e.g., farming) may have also influenced the formation of this community type. Community size ranges from small inclusions to extensive acreage.

Characteristic Vegetation:

This community is characterized by a substantial tall-shrub layer that may be dominated by a single shrub species or a patchwork of mixed shrubs. Shrub species typically found in this community include: alders (A. serrulata, A. incana ssp. rugosa), willows, (Salix spp.), American elder (Sambucus canadensis), dogwoods (Cornus spp.), swamp azalea

13 (Rhododendron viscosum), water-willow (Decodon verticillatus), buttonbush, winterberry (Ilex verticillata), viburnum (Viburnum spp.), meadow-sweet (Spiraea spp.), and swamp rose (Rosa palustris). Scattered seedling/sapling sized trees may be present such as red maple (Acer rubrum). The herbaceous layer can be dense and variable in species composition, including royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), common cat-tail (Typha latifolia), arrow-arum (Peltandra virginica), tussock sedge (Carex stricta), and bedstraw (Galium spp.). A sphagnum layer (Sphagnum spp.) is usually minimal to absent.

Distribution: Entire state

State Rank: S4

National Vegetation Classification Association: Smooth Alder – ninebark Shrubland (CEGL006251); Smooth Alder Swamp Shrubland (CEGL005082); Speckled Alder Swamp Shrubland (CEGL002381)

Sources: PNHP field surveys

Reference Locations: WT.6 – WT.11, WT.31 – WT.32, WT.35, WT.43 – WT.46, WT.51 – WT.52, WT.55 – WT.57, WT.74 – WT.76, WT.77 – WT.79, WT.81 – WT.83, WT.90 – WT.93, WT.96 – WT.99

ACIDIC MIXED SHRUB – SPHAGNUM WETLAND

General Description/Ecological Processes:

This community type typically occurs in upland depressions, along slow-moving streams, or associated with large wetland complexes, frequently influenced by beaver activity or other forms of impoundment. When part of a wetland complex, this community generally occurs at the landward edge of the acidic peat mat where it receives more enriched waters from groundwater discharge and/or inflow from the surrounding watershed. Hydrological conditions can range from temporarily flooded to seasonally flooded, or even saturated. The substrate may be peat or mineral soil with a substantial accumulation of organic matter. The pH of this community type is usually at the lower end of the spectrum as indicated by the presence of more acidophilic species.

14 Characteristic Vegetation:

Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland is characterized by a substantial tall-shrub layer that may be dominated by a single species or a patchwork of mixed species. Shrub species may include alders (A. serrulata, A. incana ssp. rugosa), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), mountain holly (I. mucronata), and leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata). The herbaceous layer may vary from sparse to patchily dense and may be confined to raised hummocks within the community. Swamp dewberry (Rubus hispidus) is often present in the herbaceous layer along with mostly ferns and sedges. A distinguishing characteristic of this community type is the presence of an extensive sphagnum layer (Sphagnum spp.).

Distribution: Entire state

State Rank: S4

National Vegetation Classification Association: Speckled Alder – Mountain Holly/Sphagnum Shrubland (CEGL006158)

Sources: PNHP field surveys

Reference Locations: WT.37 – WT.39, WT.40 – WT.42, WT.49 – WT.50, WT.53 – WT.54

15 Literature Cited

Cowardin, L.M, V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/1998/classwet/classwet.htm (Version 04DEC98).

Dunn, E. H., B. L. Altman, J. Bart, C. J. Beardmore, H. Berlanga, P. J. Blancher, G. S. Butcher, D.W. Demarest, R. Dettmers, W. C. Hunter, E. E. Iñigo-Elias, A. O. Panjabi, D. N. Pashley, C. J.Ralph, T. D. Rich, K. V. Rosenberg, C. M. Rustay, J. M. Ruth, and T. C. Will. 2005. High priority needs for range-wide monitoring of North American landbirds. Partners in Flight Technical SeriesNo. 2. Partners in Flight website: http://www.partnersinflight.org/pubs/ts/02-MonitoringNeeds.pdf

Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Harrisburg, PA. 87pp.

Gill, F.B. 1992. Blue-winged Warbler Species Account. Atlas of breeding birds in Pennsylvania, Univ. of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA.

. 1992. Golden-winged Warbler Species Account. Atlas of breeding birds in Pennsylvania, Univ. of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA.

McWilliams, G.M. and D.W. Brauning. 2000. The birds of Pennsylvania, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.

Mueller-Dombois, D. and H. Ellenberg. 1974. Aims and methods of vegetation ecology. New York: Wiley.

Mulvihill, R.S. 1992. Alder Flycatcher Species Account. D.W. Brauning (editor). Atlas of breeding birds in Pennsylvania, Univ. of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA.

. 1992. Willow Flycatcher Species Account. Atlas of breeding birds in Pennsylvania, Univ. of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA.

Strakosch-Walz, K., Editor. 2000. Instruction manual on heritage field methodology: documenting ecological communities. New Jersey Natural Heritage Program. Trenton, NJ. 86pp.

Tefft, B.C. 2006. Managing shrublands and old fields. Pages 28-35 in J.D. Oehler, D.F. Covell, S. Capel, and B. Long, editors. Managing grasslands, shrublands, and young forest habitats for wildlife a guide for the northeast. The Northeast Upland Habitat Technical Committee Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

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17 Appendix 1. Wet thicket site descriptions

Site Name: Presque Isle State Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Erie North, PA Erie County, Millcreek Twp. Location: Erie, PA 2.5 km from northern limits of city

The wet thicket site at Presque Isle State Park is situated within the Lake Erie Plain Subsection of TNC’s Great Lakes Ecoregion in Erie County, north of the city of Erie. The site is part of the shrub dominated fringe that surrounds the open marsh of Ridge Pond and is similar in vegetational composition to much of the wet thicket habitat surrounding the old pond and marsh complex found on Presque Isle. A portion of the site was sampled, consisting of five vegetation plots. All plots have similar soil characteristics. Soils are sandy, wet to very wet, and mostly poorly drained, suggesting an extended hydroperiod. These plots are probably flooded most of the year. Plots are similar in their vegetational composition (buttonbush wetland). Plots are dominated by thick buttonbush stands with an underlying mixed herbaceous layer. No invasive plant species were identified in the sampled plots. However, common reed was noted in other areas of Ridge Pond and surrounding ponds and marshes.

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19

Site Name: Moraine State Park - Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.6, 7, 8, 9 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Prospect and Mount Chestnut, PA Butler County, Brady Twp. Location: Muddy Creek, PA, 3 km WNW

The first wet thicket site at Moraine State Park is situated within the Pittsburgh Low Plateau Subsection of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Butler County, near Muddy Creek, PA. The wet thicket site lies to the north and south of Burton Road and surrounds most of Duck Pond. The wet thicket is part of a larger wetland complex and only a subsample of the thicket was surveyed. Four vegetation plots were sampled. Soils in all plots are clay, range is soil moisture from somewhat moist to very wet, and well to poorly drained. Except for WT.9, the plots probably experience seasonal or intermittent flooding. WT.9 is located close to Muddy Creek and most likely experiences more extended flooding compared to the other plots. The plots differ somewhat in their species composition but are all part of the circumneutral shrub swamp community. WT.6 is almost entirely dominated by very dense meadow-sweet with some scattered silky dogwood and arrow-wood . The herbaceous layer is minimal beneath the dense shrub layer but jewelweed is the most common species. WT.7 and WT.9 have tall and short shrub layers similar in composition. Both have the following species in common: speckled alder, silky dogwood, mixed willows, and arrow-wood. Additionally, serviceberry and black ash are present in WT.9 and meadow-sweet in WT.7. Both have a dense herbaceous layer of ferns, mixed herbs, and graminoids. The shrub layer of WT.8 is dominated mostly by silky dogwood along with arrow-wood and elderberry. The herbaceous layer is dense with jewelweed and mannagrass being the most dominant species among other mixed herbs and graminoids. Multiflora rose and garlic-mustard were the only invasive species noted at this site.

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21

Site Name: Moraine State Park - Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.10 and 11 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Mount Chestnut, PA Butler County, Franklin Twp. Location: Hickory Corner, PA, 2 km NNE

The second wet thicket site at Moraine State Park is situated within the Pittsburgh Low Plateau Subsection of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Butler County, near Hickory Corner, PA. The wet thicket site is located on the eastern edge of the game propagation area and borders the powerline right-of-way. The wet thicket is part of a larger wetland complex and only a subsample of the thicket was surveyed. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Plots are similar in their soil characteristics. Soils are clay, moist, and somewhat poorly drained. Although the site was flooded during previous visits in the spring, no standing water was noted during the vegetation sampling suggesting the site is prone to seasonal or intermittent flooding. The two vegetation plots differ somewhat in their composition but both represent the circumneutral shrub swamp community. WT.10 is representative of the portion of the wet thicket dominated by low shrubs interspersed with dense herbaceous patches. The shrub layer is dominated by meadow-sweet, silky dogwood, and arrow-wood. The herbaceous layer is composed of mostly jewelweed, common cat-tail, sedges, sensitive fern and other mixed herbs and graminoids. WT.11 is representative of the wet thicket adjacent to the forest edge with patches of dense shrubs surrounded by tall stands of common reed and rice cutgrass. Shrub composition is the same as WT.10. The herbaceous layer differs in that common reed and rice cutgrass dominate but other mixed herbs and graminoids are present. Reed canary-grass is the only invasive noted in the wet thicket but is very abundant and may be a problem for management of this area.

22

23

Site Name: State Game Land 57 - Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.12 and 13 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Lopez, PA Luzerne County, Fairmount Twp. Location: Ricketts, PA, 2.4 km SE

The first wet thicket site at State Game Land 57 is situated within the Cattaraugus Highlands Subsection of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Luzerne County, near Ricketts, PA. The wet thicket site is an example of an isolated wetland of probable glacial origin that may have been impacted by beavers. Because the wet thicket site was so large (>75,000 acres), only a subsample of the northern end of the thicket was included in this project. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Plots are similar in their soil characteristics. Soils are mucky loam with a visible organic matter, very wet, and very poorly drained. The site may be intermittently flooded and soils remain saturated. The two vegetation plots reflect different vegetation communities found in the sampled portion of the wet thicket. In the sampled portion of the wet thicket, the shrub layer is a mix of low and tall shrub patches. WT.12 represents the low shrub dominated patches (leatherleaf-bog rosemary peatland). The shrub layer is almost completely dominated by leatherleaf with few scattered blueberry bushes. The herbaceous layer is sparse and consists of scattered sedges and swamp dewberry. The herbaceous layer is underlain by a continuous sphagnum mat. WT.13 has a tall shrub layer of highbush blueberry and velvetleaf huckleberry (highbush blueberry-sphagnum wetland). The low shrub layer is composed of those shrubs included in the tall shrub layer plus lowbush blueberry, leatherleaf, and black chokeberry. The herbaceous layer is similar to WT.12 with few scattered sedges and swamp dewberry growing through a continuous sphagnum mat. No invasive plant species were noted in the sampled portion of the wet thicket.

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25

Site Name: State Game Land 57 - Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.14 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Lopez, PA Luzerne County, Fairmount Twp. Location: Ricketts, PA, 2.4 km SE

The second wet thicket site at State Game Land 57 is situated within the Cattaraugus Highlands Subsection of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Luzerne County, near Ricketts, PA. The wet thicket site is an example of an isolated wetland of probable glacial origin that may have been impacted by beavers. A single vegetation plot was sampled. Soils within the plot are clay loam, somewhat wet to wet, and poorly drained. Although the site was flooded during previous visits in the spring, no standing water was noted during the vegetation sampling suggesting the site is prone to seasonal or intermittent flooding. Plot WT.14 is representative of the highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland community type that dominates the wetland. The shrub layer is primarily meadow-sweet and highbush blueberry with scattered taller red maple saplings. The herbaceous layer is a mix of mostly graminoids, marsh fern, and swamp dewberry. Sphagnum hummocks are also present. No invasive plant species were noted in the sampled portion of the wet thicket although reed canary-grass was noted in other areas of the wetland complex.

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27

Site Name: State Game Land 214 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.15, 16, 17, 18 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Hartstown, PA Crawford County, Sadsbury Twp. Location: Stewartville, PA 4.0 km E

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 214 is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Hartstown County, near Stewartville, PA. The wet thicket site makes up a portion of the eastern edge of Pymatuning Swamp. The wet thicket serves as an ecotone between the heavily vegetated marsh and a forested band adjacent to a raised unimproved road. Four vegetation plots were sampled. Soil conditions differed among plots. WT.15 and WT.18 both have clay soils that are somewhat moist, and somewhat poorly drained. These plots may be seasonally or intermittently flooded based on the observation that shallow, standing water covered the plots in the spring but only water-filled depressions were present later in the summer during vegetation sampling. The soils of WT.16 and WT.17 are mucky, much wetter and very poorly drained compared to the other two plots. Vegetation is similar among plots and representative of the circumneutral shrub swamp community. The short and tall shrub layer is a mix of dogwoods, willows, winterberry, and swamp rose. The herbaceous layer is diverse and consists of a mix of herbs and graminoids. Multiflora rose and reed canary-grass were the two invasive plant species noted in the wet thicket.

28

29

Site Name: Ricketts Glen State Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.19 and 20 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Red Rock, PA Luzerne County, Fairmont Twp. Location: Heliport, PA, 2.7 km NNE

The wet thicket site at Ricketts Glen State Park is situated within the Cattaraugus Highlands of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Luzerne County, near Heliport, PA. The wet thicket site is located at the eastern end and edges of the dry lake bed of Lake Rose. Although the lake bed is considered dry, a centrally-located stream runs through Lake Rose and contributes to an extended hydroperiod at the eastern end of the site. Two vegetation plot were sampled. WT.19 is representative of the thicket habitat at the eastern end of the dry lake bed where the shrub layer in taller, whereas, WT.20 represents the lake edge thicket habitat dominated by a shorter shrub layer. Soil characteristics are different between the two plots. Soil conditions are much wetter in WT.19. Soils are mucky loam with visible organic matter, very wet, and very poorly drained. This portion of the thicket is probably semi-permanently flooded. The soil in WT.20 is shallower loam, somewhat wet, and somewhat poorly drained. The edge portion of the thicket is probably intermittently flooded. Plot WT.19 represents the highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland community portion of the site. Plot WT.20 represents the edge of the thicket where the highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland community type dominates. The overall wet thicket site is a combination of high and low shrub dominated mostly by highbush blueberry and velvetleaf huckleberry with an underlying variable herbaceous layer. Lowbush blueberry, Canada hemlock, and red maple are also present but far less abundant. Meadow-sweet and steeplebush are also a component of the shrub layer in WT.20. Sphagnum, sedges, and swamp dewberry are the dominant species in the herbaceous layer of WT.19. Cinnamon fern, sedges, and swamp dewberry dominate the herbaceous layer of WT.20. No invasive plant species were noted at this site.

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31

Site Name: Great Marsh – Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.21 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Elverson and Wagontown, PA Chester County, East Nantmeal Twp. Location: East Nantmeal, PA, 2.4 km SW

The first wet thicket site at Great Marsh is situated within the Piedmont Upland of TNC’s Piedmont Ecoregion in Chester County, near East Nantmeal, PA. The wet thicket site is a subsample of a much larger complex of marsh vegetation community types. Plot WT.21 represents the circumneutral shrub swamp community type within this complex. The wet thicket site is located at the southern end of Great Marsh, adjacent to the boardwalk. Marsh Creek runs through this area and impacts the hydrology of the site. The soil in the plot is deep muck, very wet, and very poorly drained. The site is probably permanently flooded. Standing water was present during site visits in the spring and summer. The plot and site is dominated by a dense shrub layer of mostly swamp rose with scattered clumps of silky dogwood and a few red maples. The herbaceous layer is also dense and consists of mixed herbs and graminoids such as sedges, jewelweed, tearthumb, false nettle, and spatterdock. One invasive plant species, common reed, was present in the plot. Large patches of common reed were also noted in the general area along with multiflora rose.

32

33

Site Name: Great Marsh – Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.22 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Elverson and Wagontown, PA Chester County, East Nantmeal Twp. Location: East Nantmeal, PA, 2.4 km SW

The second wet thicket site at Great Marsh is situated within the Piedmont Upland of TNC’s Piedmont Ecoregion in Chester County, near East Nantmeal, PA. The wet thicket site is located in an area on the property where artificial ponds were created to improve duck hunting. Over time, the ponds were filled in with vegetation and now the area exists as different successional stages with multiple small patches of wet thicket habitat. One vegetation plot was sampled at this site, corresponding to the bird sample point. Soil within the plot is clay, somewhat wet, and somewhat poorly drained. The site probably experiences intermittent flooding based on its close proximity to Marsh Creek. Vegetation within the plot is representative of the surrounding wet thicket (circumneutral shrub swamp). A tall and short shrub layer is present dominated by silky dogwood, arrow-wood, Morrow’s honeysuckle, and black willow. The herbaceous layer is patchy but dense. Jewelweed, stinging nettle, rice cutgrass, tearthumb, and halberd-leaved tearthumb are common species in the herbaceous layer. Several invasive plant species were noted in this site. Oriental bittersweet and Morrow’s honeysuckle were present in the plot. Other invasive plants noted at the site include: multiflora rose, mile-a-minute vine, and Japanese stiltgrass.

34

35

Site Name: Two-mile Run – Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.23 and 24 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Blakeslee, PA Monroe County, Tobyhanna Twp. Location: Blakeslee, PA, 2.3 km N

The first wet thicket site at Two-mile Run is situated within the Pocono Plateau of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Monroe County, near Blakeslee, PA. The wet thicket site is part of a complex of isolated wetlands of probable glacial origin that may have been impacted by beavers. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Plots are similar in their soil characteristics. Soils are mucky with some clay loam, wet to very wet, and poorly drained. The site probably experiences intermittent flooding that helps maintain saturated soil conditions. The wet thicket portion of the wetland is similar in vegetation composition (acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland) but differs structurally. The northern end of the wet thicket has a denser tall shrub component (represented by WT.23) compared to the low shrub dominated area represented by WT.24. The tall shrub layer is mostly highbush blueberry, winterberry, and red maple. The low shrub layer is dominated by highbush blueberry and winterberry. Other shrub species include: witherod, lowbush blueberry, smooth winterberry, meadow-sweet, and speckled alder. The herbaceous layer is dense and is composed of mixed sedges, rushes, cinnamon fern, marsh fern, swamp dewberry, and other herbs and graminoids. Both plots have an underlying carpet of sphagnum. No invasive plant species were noted at the site.

36

37

Site Name: Two-mile Run – Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.25 and 26 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Blakeslee, PA Monroe County, Tobyhanna Twp. Location: Blakeslee, PA, 2.5 km NNE

The second wet thicket site at Two-mile Run is situated within the Pocono Plateau of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Monroe County, near Blakeslee, PA. The wet thicket site is part of a complex of isolated wetlands of probable glacial origin that may have been impacted by beavers. Due to the large size of the wet thicket, only the western portion was sampled for this project. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Plots are similar in their soil characteristics. Soils are clay to clay loam, somewhat wet, and somewhat poorly drained. A dense, saturated sphagnum layer blankets the soil surface. The two plots reflect the community differences within the site. The portion of the thicket represented by WT.26 has dense, scattered patches of highbush blueberry surrounded by an equally dense herbaceous layer dominated by sedges and swamp dewberry (Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland). WT.25 is closer to the forest edge and is similar in shrub composition to WT.26 except for a few scattered tree saplings (red maple, gray birch, and serviceberry) and the presence of leatherleaf in the low shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is similar in composition to WT.26. Both plots also have an underlying carpet of sphagnum. Within the Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland community type that dominates this site are inclusions of the Leatherleaf – sedge wetland type. This is captured in WT.25 where leatherleaf forms large patches within and beyond the plot. No invasive plant species were noted at the site.

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39

Site Name: Two-mile Run – Site 3 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.27 and 28 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Blakeslee, PA Monroe County, Tobyhanna Twp. Location: Blakeslee, PA, 3.3 km N

The third wet thicket site at Two-mile Run is situated within the Pocono Plateau of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Monroe County, near Blakeslee, PA. The wet thicket site is part of a complex of isolated wetlands of probable glacial origin that may have been impacted by beavers. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Plots are similar in their soil characteristics but differ in their vegetation composition. Soils are clay-loam to clay, somewhat moist, and somewhat poorly drained. Although the site was flooded during previous visits in the spring, no standing water was noted during the vegetation sampling suggesting the site is prone to seasonal and intermittent flooding. The dominant community type within the wet thicket is a modified Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland with inclusions of other communities not captured in the vegetation plots. WT.27 is representative of the western portion of the wet thicket dominated by a low shrub layer including mostly rhodora, sheep laurel, and highbush blueberry. Shrubs are mostly less than 1.5m in height. Scattered black spruce and gray birch are also present but not documented in the plot. The herbaceous layer is variable and dominated mostly swamp dewberry covering a sphagnum carpet. WT.28 is representative of the eastern portion of the wet thicket. This area is similar in composition to WT.27 but differs mostly in the height and species abundance in the shrub layer. Shrub height is between 1.5 to 2m in height. In addition to the shrub species listed for WT.27, the following shrubs were also noted: highbush blueberry, lowbush blueberry, nannyberry, and arrow-wood. Scattered American larch are also present. The herbaceous layer is similar to the one described for WT.27. No invasive plant species were noted at the site.

40

41

Site Name: Chestnut Ridge County Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.29 and 30 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Donegal, PA Fayette County, Bullskin Twp. Location: Acme, PA, 1.7 km S

The wet thicket site at Chestnut Ridge County Park is situated within the Western Allegheny Mountains of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Fayette County, near Acme, PA. The wet site is located at the southern end of the park, on the south side of County Line Road. The wet thicket is part of a heavily vegetated marsh complex surrounded by agricultural land. Jacobs Creek meanders through the site. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Between the two plots, soils are similar in texture, both clay loam, but differ in soil moisture and soil drainage. Soils from plot WT.29 are wetter and somewhat poorly drained compared to the somewhat moist and moderately well drained soils of plot WT.30. This is probably due to the close proximity of WT.29 to Jacobs Creek. The entire site probably experiences intermittent flooding from Jacobs Creek. The structure and composition of vegetation is similar across plots and represents the Circumneutral shrub swamp community that dominates the site. Speckled alder and arrow-wood dominate the shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is very dense and consists of mostly jewelweed, sedges, skunk cabbage, and to a lesser degree, other mixed herbs. Multiflora rose and reed canary-grass are the two invasive species identified in both plots. In fact, large patches of reed canary-grass are present at the site.

42

43

Site Name: State Game Land 111 – Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.31 and 32 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Mill Run, PA Somerset County, Lower Turkeyfoot Twp Location: Nicolay, PA, 2.4 km NE

The first wet thicket site at State Game Land 111 is situated within the Western Allegheny Mountains of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Fayette County, near Acme, PA. The site is a large thicket (approximately 13 acres) located at the northwestern end of Cranberry Lake. The shrub-dominated thicket serves as an ecotone between the lake and hemlock forest that grades into surrounding agricultural land. Because of the size of the wet thicket site, only a representative portion of the thicket was sampled. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Soils within the site were similar. In both plots, soils are mucky with some clay. Soils are very wet and very poorly drained and probably semi-permanently to permanently flooded. The representative portion of the thicket sampled is dominated by short and tall shrubs with a dense mixed herbaceous layer (Circumneutral shrub swamp community type). However, plots differed in their shrub species dominance. WT.31 (farthest from the lake) is dominated by arrow-wood with secondary shrub species being speckled alder, winterberry, and spicebush. WT.32 (near lake edge) is dominated by speckled alder with secondary occurrences of arrow-wood, spicebush, elderberry, and winterberry. The herbaceous layer is similar and is dominated by mixed ferns and jewelweed in addition to other herbs and graminoids growing on mostly raised hummocks. No invasive plant species were noted at the site.

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45

Site Name: Love Hollow Vegetation Plot(s): WT.33 and 34 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Wilpen, PA Westmoreland County, Fairfield Twp. Location: Fort Palmer, PA, 3.0 km E

The wet thicket site on the east side of Love Hollow Road is situated within the Western Allegheny Mountains of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Westmoreland County, near Fort Palmer, PA. The wet thicket site is a narrow band of wet thicket habitat (less than 30m wide and 400m long) between Love Hollow Road and the upland forest edge. A dirt road bisects the site into a north and south end. Drainage from a small creek forms a small cattail marsh on the north end and a drainage pipe under the road allows for drainage into the south end of the site. A soggy cow pasture marks the southern end of the wet thicket. Two vegetation plots were sampled, one at each end of the small wet thicket. Soils within the plots range from clay loam to clay, moist, and somewhat poorly drained. Both sites are probably intermittently flooded due to close proximity to stream and drainage from the marsh. Vegetation within the plots and across the site is mostly dense short and tall shrub with an underlying herb layer representing the Black willow scrub/shrub wetland community type. The wet thicket has a partial overstory cover (>30%) from trees next to the road and forest edge. The shrub layer is dominated by black willow and silky willow with some multiflora rose throughout and spicebush in the northern end. The herbaceous layer is a mix of species including: jewelweed, sedges, grasses, sensitive fern and other herbs and graminoids. The herbaceous layer in the northern plot is more diverse than the southern one. Multiflora rose was the only invasive plant species identified at the site.

46

47

Site Name: French Creek State Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.35 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Elverson, PA Berks County, Union Twp. Location: Pine Swamp, PA, 1.2 km NW

The wet thicket site at French Creek State Park is situated within the Gettysburg Piedmont Lowland of TNC’s Piedmont Ecoregion in Berks County, near Pine Swamp, PA. Little wet thicket habitat, without a dominant overstory, is present at French Creek State Park. The site selected for this study is a small (less than 2 acres), open (no overstory canopy), shrub-dominated area surrounded by forest. One representative vegetation plot was sampled. Soils within the plot are clay, moist, and somewhat poorly drained. Standing water was noted in the spring during site selection and the bird survey but no surface water was present during the vegetation survey thus indicating that the site experiences seasonal or intermittent flooding. Flooding from Pine Creek is probably responsible for some water input to this site. Within the plot and across the site, swamp rose is the dominant shrub and forms a dense, nearly impenetrable thicket (Circumneutral shrub swamp community type). In areas where swamp rose is thin or absent, a dense, herb layer is present consisting of mostly sensitive fern, tearthumb, jewelweed, common blackberry, rice cutgrass, and other herbs and graminoids. No invasive plant species were noted.

48

49

Site Name: Mount Holly Marsh Preserve Vegetation Plot(s): WT.36 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Mount Holly Springs, PA Cumberland County, South Middletown Twp. Location: Mount Holly Springs, PA, 0.2 km SW

The wet thicket site at Mount Holly Marsh Preserve is situated within the Northern Blue Ridge Mountains of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Cumberland County, near Mount Holly Springs, PA. Although part of a large open sedge meadow and marsh surrounded by upland forest, the wet thicket site itself is less than 2 acres and serves as an ecotone between the sedge meadow and upland forest. One vegetation plot was sampled. Soils within the plot are clay, somewhat wet to wet, and somewhat poorly drained. No standing water was present during vegetation sampling, however, puddles formed when the soil surface and sphagnum carpet was depressed thus indicating saturated soil conditions. The site is probably also prone to seasonal flooding based on the standing water noted in the spring during site selection and bird surveys. Vegetation within the plot and across the site exists as a patchy matrix of mixed shrubs with a dense herbaceous layer. The shrub layer consists of a mix of smooth alder, highbush blueberry, swamp azalea, and buttonbush, among other shrub species. The herbaceous layer is dominated by a mixture of sedges, rushes, and ferns, in addition to other herbs and graminoids. Circumneutral shrub swamp best represents the community type of the wet thicket. Reed canary-grass and Japanese stiltgrass were two invasive plant species noted in the plot and scattered throughout the site.

50

51

Site Name: Black Moshannon State Park - Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.40, 41, 42 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Black Moshannon, PA Centre County, Rush Twp. Location: Antes, PA, 1.3 km SW

The first wet thicket site at Black Moshannon State Park is situated within the Allegheny Mountain Plateau of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Centre County, near Antes, PA. The portion of the wet thicket sampled is part of an extensive wet thicket fringe edging large sections of the lake and most of Black Moshannon Bog Natural Area. The portion selected for this project is located off of Moss-Hanne Trail after the first intersection with Indian Trail. Three vegetation plots were sampled. Plots are similar in their soil characteristics. Soils are clay, somewhat wet to wet, and somewhat poorly drained. WT.41 is closest to the lake edge and subsequently, the wettest plot sampled. Although the site was flooded during previous visits, no standing water was noted during the vegetation sampling suggesting that the site is prone to seasonal or intermittent flooding. The wet thicket is part of a wetland complex composed of multiple plant communities. Plots WT.40 and WT.41 are representative of portions of the wet thicket dominated by speckled alder and arrow-wood (Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland community type). Other shrub species noted include: highbush blueberry, red chokeberry, and silky willow. Scattered taller trees such as red maple and black birch are also present. The herbaceous layer of WT.40 contains sedges, swamp dewberry, common cat-tail, cinnamon fern, and a few other herbs growing on sphagnum covered hummocks. WT.41 is wetter and is mostly dominated by common cat-tail, jewelweed, swamp dewberry, and rice cutgrass. WT. 42 is located in an area of the thicket farther from the lake edge with more upland influence that affects vegetation composition. The shrub layer also has speckled alder and arrow-wood but is dominated more so by meadow-sweet and mixed willows (Black willow scrub/shrub wetland community type). The herbaceous layer contains mostly jewelweed, sensitive fern, and goldenrods. No invasive species noted at this site.

52

53

Site Name: Black Moshannon State Park - Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.37, 38, 39 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Black Moshannon, PA Centre County, Rush Twp. Location: Antes, PA, 4 km SSW

The second wet thicket site at Black Moshannon State Park is situated within the Allegheny Mountain Plateau of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Centre County, near Antes, PA. The wet thicket is part of a larger wetland complex and only a subsample of the thicket was included in this project. The wet thicket site is located near the intersection of the Allegheny Front Trail and Beaver Road and is part of Black Moshannon Bog Natural Area. Three vegetation plots were sampled. A road separates the area represented by WT.37 from the rest of the wet thicket (represented by WT.38 and WT.39). Impounding and disturbance from the road probably contributes to differences between WT.37 and the other plots. Soil conditions differed among plots. The portion of the wet thicket represented by WT.37 is wetter than other areas sampled in the thicket. Soils in WT.37 are muck, wet to very wet, and very poorly drained. Due to its close proximity to a creek, this portion of the thicket probably experiences longer periods of inundation compared to the other areas sampled at this site. The soils in WT.38 and 39 are clay, moist, moderately well drained, and probably experience intermittent flooding. The portion of the wet thicket represented by WT.37 is also different from a vegetation standpoint compared to the other two plots although the entire wet thicket is an Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland community type. The shrub layer is dominated by meadow-sweet, mixed willows, and few arrow-wood. The herbaceous layer consists of mostly scattered sedges growing on sphagnum hummocks. The shrub layers of WT.38 and WT.39 are dominated mostly by arrow-wood and speckled alder. Other shrub species present include: highbush blueberry, possum-haw, red chokeberry, and winterberry. The herbaceous layer is mostly mixed sedges, skunk- cabbage, swamp dewberry, cinnamon fern, and other herbs. Sphagnum hummocks are present throughout the wet thicket site. No invasive plant species were noted in the sampled portion of the wet thicket.

54

55

Site Name: State Game Land 95 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.43, 44, 45, 46 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Hilliards, PA Butler County, Washington Twp. Location: West Sunbury, PA, 4.7 km NE

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 95 is situated within the Pittsburg Low Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Butler County, near West Sunbury, PA. An extensive matrix of wet thicket habitat is maintained at State Game Land 95. Due to the size of the entire thicket, a portion of the site was sampled for this project. The wet thicket site is located west of Harbor Acres Lake and beyond the oil wells. Surrounding the thicket are fields, both agricultural and succeeding ones. Four vegetation plots were sampled. The vegetation plots have similar soil characteristics. Soils are clay, somewhat moist, and somewhat poorly drained. Although the site was flooded during previous visits in the spring, no standing water was noted during the vegetation sampling suggesting the site is prone to seasonal or intermittent flooding. The wet thicket is primarily a Circumneutral shrub swamp community type with some variation in species distribution and abundance among plots. WT.43, 44, and 45 all have similar short and tall shrub layers composed of silky dogwood, arrow-wood, and Morrow’s honeysuckle with a few additional species in lesser abundance. WT.46 had some silky dogwood but is primarily dominated by meadow-sweet. The herbaceous layer is similar among plots and contains a diverse mix of herbs and graminoids. Multiflora rose, Morrow’s honeysuckle, and common reed were invasive plant species noted at the site.

56

57

Site Name: Memorial Lake State Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.47 and 48 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Indiantown Gap, PA Lebanon County, East Hanover Twp. Location: Indiantown, PA 1.8 km NW

The wet thicket site at Memorial Lake State Park is situated within the Pittsburgh Low Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Lebanon County near Indiantown, PA. The wet thicket site is located along the western edge of a mowed field next to a public usage area of the park and Memorial Lake. Two vegetation plots were sampled. WT.47 is representative of the interior portion of the thicket which resembles an old succeeding field with a mix of mostly low shrubs covered with vines and herbaceous species commonly found in fields. WT.48 represents the edge portions of the thicket where the tall shrub layer and herbaceous layer are much denser than the interior thicket. Both plots represent a highly disturbed example of Circumneutral shrub swamp plant community type. Soil conditions are similar between the plots. Soils are clay loam, somewhat moist, and well drained. Although the site was flooded at the time of site selection in early spring, no standing water was noted during both bird and vegetation sampling. Based on soil conditions and the absence of standing water at multiple sampling events, the site likely experiences only brief seasonal flooding and may be more of a moist thicket than a wet thicket. Shrub species are similar between plots and represent well the overall shrub composition of the site. Dominant tall shrub species include white ash and silky dogwood. Other tall shrub species found in lesser abundance in WT.47 include Morrow’s honeysuckle, smooth sumac, and wild black cherry. Similar short shrub species are present with the addition of multiflora rose and autumn olive. Vine species, such as virgin’s-bower, grape species, Japanese honeysuckle, and Virginia creeper, were present and most abundant in the interior portion of the thicket site. The herbaceous layer differed in dominant species between plots. WT.47 was patchy with sparse herbs occurring under the dense shrub clumps and a denser herb layer occurring in less shaded areas. The herb layer represented by WT.47 was representative of a remnant old field community dominated by species such as goldenrods, cinquefoil, mountain-mint, English plantain, Indian hemp, and poison ivy. The herb layer near the edge of the thicket represented by WT.48 was similar in composition to WT.47 but was dominated by mostly poison ivy and goldenrods. Several invasive species were noted at the site including: autumn olive, Morrow’s honeysuckle, and multiflora rose.

58

59

Site Name: Laurel Hill State Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.49 and 50 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Rockwood, PA Somerset County, Middlecreek Twp. Location: New Lexington, PA. 5.5 km N

The wet thicket site at Laurel Hill State Park is situated within the Western Allegheny Mountains of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Somerset County near Lew Lexington, PA. The wet thicket site is located at the southeast edge of the park. The wet thicket is bordered by roads and forested edges to the east and west, a mowed field to the north, and a public, day-use area to the south. Two vegetation plots were sampled, one at each end. The vegetation plots have similar soil characteristics but differ hydrologically and represent an example of Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland plant community. The southern portion of the wet thicket, represented by WT.50, is much wetter than the northern half as indicated by standing water at the time of vegetation sampling. Soils range from clay loam to muck then clay and are wet in WT.49 and very wet in WT.50. Soils are somewhat poorly drained to poorly drained in WT.49 and very poorly drained in WT.50. The wet thicket site probably experiences an extended hydroperiod with a greater hydroperiod in the southern half. Vegetation within the plots and across the sites is mostly dense short and tall shrubs. Northern arrow-wood and silky dogwood dominate the short and tall shrub layers in both plots. Additionally, low sweet blueberry and deerberry are found in WT.49, and meadow-sweet and mountain holly also occur in WT.50. The herbaceous layer is variable across the site. The northern half of the thicket, as represented by WT.49, is dominated by tussock sedge which forms dense patches surrounding the shrub clumps. Swamp dewberry dominates the bases of most shrub clumps. The southern half of the thicket, as represented by WT.50, is dominated by a mix of herbaceous species including tussock sedge, sensitive fern, skunk cabbage, impatiens, and marsh fern. Morrow’s honeysuckle was the only invasive plant noted at the site.

60

61

Site Name: State Game Land 111 – Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.51 and 52 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Kingwood, PA Somerset County, Lower Turkeyfoot Twp. Location: Cranberry Glade Lake, PA 2.3 km N

The second wet thicket site at State Game Land 111 is situated within the Western Allegheny Mountains of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Somerset County, near Cranberry Glade Lake, PA. The wet thicket is located at the northern end of a smaller lake east of Cranberry Glade Lake where site 1 is located. The lake forms the southern border of the thicket while the rest is surrounded by upland forest. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Both plots represent the primary community type present at the site, Circumneutral shrub swamp. The have similar soil characteristics and hydrology. Soils are mucky, very wet, and very poorly draining. Standing water was present in both plots and in other areas of the site suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Vegetation within the plots and across the site is a mix of mostly dense shrubs. Northern arrow-wood and speckled alder are the dominant shrubs in both the short and tall shrub layer. Winterberry and red maple are also present but scattered. The herb layer is also similar within plots and across the site. The herb layer is dominated by mixed sedges, skunk cabbage, and swamp dewberry along with other less abundant herbs and graminoids. Sphagnum hummocks are abundant throughout the site. No invasive species were noted at the site.

62

63

Site Name: Tobyhanna State Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.53 and 54 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Tobyhanna, PA Monroe County, Coolbaugh Twp. Location: Tobyhanna, PA 4.3 km NNE

The wet thicket site at Tobyhanna State Park is situated within the Pocono Plateau of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Monroe County near Tobyhanna, PA. The wet thicket site is located near parking area 5 in the park. The wet thicket forms a fringe around a bowl-like, flooded depression consisting of open water, floating sphagnum mat, and emergent vegetation. The wet thicket serves as a transition between the marsh and the adjacent upland forest and consists of a complex of plant community types. Two vegetation plots were sampled, representing two shrub community types found at the site. WT.53 is representative of vegetation on the east and west sides of the thicket (Acidic mixed shrub – sphagnum wetland community). WT.54 is most representative of vegetation found at the northern end (Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland community). Soils in WT.53 and the surrounding area are mostly muck with organic material, very wet, and poorly draining. Standing water is present and the sphagnum carpet is saturated suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Soils in WT.54 are similar to WT.53 except slightly drier due to the very rocky nature of the northern portion of the thicket. Large rocks cover this area but water is present in the crevices and the sphagnum carpet is saturated also indicating an extended hydroperiod. Both plots have a dense shrub layer comprised of mostly short shrubs although tall shrubs are present along with scattered red maple saplings. Shrub species composition is similar among plots but differs mostly in abundance. WT.53 is dominated by willow species, meadow-sweet, and several ericaceous shrubs. Meadow-sweet and highbush blueberry dominate WT.54 along with species similar to those found in WT.53. The herbaceous layer of WT.53 is denser than WT.54 and consists mostly of sedge species, marsh fern, and swamp dewberry. Sphagnum carpets most of the plot and the surrounding area represented by the plot. The herbaceous layer of WT.54 consists mostly of tussock sedge, swamp dewberry, and Canada bluejoint. Sphagnum forms hummocks on the rocks and bases of shrub clumps. No invasive species were noted at this site.

64

65

Site Name: State Game Land 51 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.55, 56, 57 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Fort Necessity, PA Fayette County, Wharton Twp. Location: Deer Lake, PA 2.3 km N

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 51 is situated within the Western Allegheny Mountains of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Fayette County near Deer Lake, PA. The wet thicket extends along the banks of Glade Run. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket site, only a representative section of the southern portion of the thicket was included in this project. Three vegetation plots were sampled. All plots were located on the eastern side of Glade Run. Soils are similar among plots and are mostly clay loam, vary in moisture regime from dry to wet, and are moderately well drained to well drained. This portion of the wet thicket probably experiences an extended hydroperiod due to intermittent flooding from Glade Run. Overall, the wet thicket is primarily a Circumneutral shrub swamp community with some variation in species distribution and abundance. In WT.55, the tall shrub layer is composed of winterberry and silky dogwood. In addition to those shrubs represented in the tall shrub layer, northern arrow-wood, meadow-sweet, and American elder also occur as short shrubs. The herbaceous layer is dominated by New York fern, swamp dewberry, and skunk cabbage. In WT.56, the tall shrub layer consists of northern arrow-wood and speckled alder. In addition to those shrubs found in the tall shrub layer, winterberry, meadow- sweet, and bushy St. John’s wort. The herbaceous layer is dominated by swamp dewberry, New York fern, tussock sedge, and wrinkle-leaf goldenrod. In WT.57, the tall and short shrub layer is dominated by mountain holly and nannyberry. The herbaceous layer is dominated by New York fern, skunk cabbage, and fowl mannagrass. Multiflora rose was the only invasive species noted at the site.

66

67

Site Name: Bruce Lake Natural Area Vegetation Plot(s): WT.58, 59, 60, 61 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Promised Land, PA Pike County, Palmyra Twp. Location: Blooming Grove, PA 5 km SW

The wet thicket site at Bruce Lake Natural Area is situated within the Pocono Plateau of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Pike County, near Blooming Grove, PA. The wet thicket site is located near the western edge of the Natural Area. The site is an example of an isolated wetland of probable glacial origin that may have been impacted by beavers. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket, only a portion of the thicket was included in this project. Four vegetation plots were sampled. Soils are similar among plots and are mostly mucky loam with organic matter, very wet, and very poorly drained. Standing water was present throughout the portion of the wet thicket sampled and the sphagnum mat was saturated suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Overall, the portion of the wet thicket site included in this project is dominated by dense, short shrubs with the exception of the western edge represented by WT.61 which also has a dominant tall shrub component. The four plots represent two plant communities present at the site, Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland and Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland. A dense, diverse herbaceous layer is also present along with an extensive sphagnum mat. WT.58 and WT.59 are similar in their shrub composition. Dominant shrubs include highbush blueberry, leatherleaf, winterberry, and steeple-bush. WT.60 and WT.61 have the same dominant shrubs as WT.58 and WT.59 except that leatherleaf is absent from the short shrub layer. Highbush blueberry and winterberry are the tall shrubs present in the area of the thicket represented by WT.61. Mixed sedges, marsh fern, swamp dewberry, and swamp-candles are some of the common herbaceous species found in the portion of the wet thicket included in this study. The only invasive plant species noted at the site was reed canary-grass.

68

69

Site Name: Promised Land State Park Vegetation Plot(s): WT.62, 63, 64 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Promised Land, PA Pike County, Palmyra Twp. Location: Blooming Grove, PA 7.5 km SW

The wet thicket site at Promised Land State Park is situated within the Pocono Plateau of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Pike County, near Blooming Grove, PA. The wet thicket site is located north of Lower Lake and encompasses the drainage area from Bear Wallow run. The site is an example of an isolated wetland of probable glacial origin. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket, only a subsample of the thicket was included in this project. Three vegetation plots were sampled. Soils are similar among plots and are mostly mucky loam with organic matter, very wet, and very poorly drained. Standing water was present throughout the portion of the wet thicket sampled and the sphagnum mat was saturated suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Overall, the portion of the wet thicket site included in this project is dominated by short shrub clumps of mostly highbush blueberry and steeple-bush representing a Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland plant community type. Leatherleaf is also present in WT.63 and can also be found in patches throughout the site (Leatherleaf – sedge wetland community). A dense herbaceous layer dominated by mixed sedges, mixed ferns, and swamp dewberry is present both beneath shrub clumps on sphagnum hummocks and in open areas of the thicket. No invasive plant species were noted in the site.

70

71

Site Name: State Game Land 13 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.65 and 66 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Lopez, PA Sullivan County, Colley Twp. Location: Ricketts, PA

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 13 is situated within the Cattaraugus Highlands of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Sullivan County near Ricketts, PA. The wet thicket site is located just west of SR487 and is bisected by a creek. Ephemeral stream channels can be found throughout the site that may alter the microhydrology of the system. Channelization throughout the thicket has also likely altered the microtopography of the site with some areas being elevated and drier while other areas are low and wetter. Because of the somewhat degraded nature of the wet thicket site and the deep creek, only a subsample of the thicket was included in this project. Two vegetation plots were sampled. WT.65 is representative of the eastern portion of the wet thicket, south of the main stream channel. Soils in this area are clay loam with some sand, somewhat wet to very wet, and somewhat poorly drained to very poorly drained. Standing water was present in some areas of the plot and the eastern portion of the site suggesting an extended hydrology for at least the lower lying areas. The eastern portion of the wet thicket is mostly shrub clumps dominated by meadow-sweet and highbush blueberry surrounded by herbaceous patches (Highbush blueberry – meadow-sweet wetland community). Swamp dewberry, reed canary-grass, marsh fern, and soft rush are the most abundant species in the herbaceous layer. WT.66 is located near the western edge of the site and is representative of that portion of the thicket. Soils in this area are mucky loam, very wet, and poorly to very poorly drained. This portion of the thicket is also channelized and contains standing water thus suggesting an extended hydroperiod. The western portion of the site has both a tall and short shrub component dominated by highbush blueberry (Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland community). Northern arrow-wood is also found in the shrub layer along with leatherleaf and meadow-sweet in the short shrub layer. A dense herbaceous layer surrounds the shrub clumps and is dominated by swamp dewberry, tussock sedge, reed canary-grass, and marsh fern. Reed canary-grass and multiflora rose were the only invasive plant species noted at the site.

72

73

Site Name: State Game Land 139 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.67 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Quakertown, PA Bucks County, Richland Twp. Location: Rockhill Station, PA 0.6 km NW

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 139 is situated within the Gettysburg Piedmont Lowland of TNC’s Lower New England/Northern Piedmont Ecoregion in Bucks County near Rockhill Station, PA. The wet thicket site is located just east of Muscrat Road. Because of the extensive size and water depth of the wet thicket, only the portion of the thicket adjacent to the road was included in this project. One vegetation plot was sampled. Soils in the area sampled are mucky clay loam, very wet, and very poorly drained. The entire site was completed inundated during all site visits suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Beaver activity was also contributing to flooding of the site. The plot and surrounding wet thicket is dominated almost entirely by short and tall buttonbush along with scattered red maple, meadow-sweet, and swamp rose (Buttonbush wetland community type). The herbaceous layer that is present above the water surface is sparse and scattered and consists mostly of wool-grass, marsh-purslane, marsh fern, and duckweed. Multiflora rose was the only invasive plant species noted at this site.

74

75

Site Name: State Game Land 12 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.68, 69, 70 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Leroy, PA Bradford County, Leroy Twp. Location: Leroy, PA 4.7 km SE

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 12 is situated within the Cattaraugus Highlands of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Bradford County, near Leroy, PA. The wet thicket site is located in State Game Land 12 off of Carbon Run Road. The site is an example of an isolated wetland of probable glacial origin. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket, only a portion of the thicket was included in this project. Three vegetation plots were sampled. Soils and hydrological conditions are similar among plots. Soils are very wet muck and very poorly draining. Standing water is present and the extensive sphagnum mat is saturated thus indicating an extended hydroperiod. WT.68 (eastern edge) and WT.70 (western edge) represent one plant community type found within the wet thicket at this site. The shrub layer of both plots is dominated by highbush blueberry (Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland community). Other ericaceous shrubs are also present in these plots along with scattered graminoids in the herbaceous layer. WT.69 (centrally located) represents another plant community present within the site, the Leatherleaf – sedge wetland community where leatherleaf dominates the shrub layer along with few scattered sedges in the herbaceous layer. Inclusions of the Leatherleaf – sedge wetland community and Leatherleaf – cranberry peatland are present throughout the site. Plot WT.70 also includes vegetation associated with Leatherleaf – cranberry peatland community such as leatherleaf, cotton-grass, sedges, and small cranberry. An extensive mat occurs throughout all areas sampled within the wet thicket site. No invasive plant species were noted at this site.

76

77

Site Name: Tioga State Forest – Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.71, 72, 73 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Gleason, PA Tioga County, Ward Twp. Location: Fall Brook, PA 3.7 km NE

The second wet thicket site at Tioga State Forest is situated within the Cattaraugus Highlands of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Tioga County, near Fall Brook, PA. The wet thicket site is located off of Fellow Creek Road. The wet thicket forms a fringe around a bowl-like, flooded depression consisting of open water with an outlet, floating sphagnum mat, emergent vegetation and wet thicket. The wet thicket serves as a transition between the marsh and the adjacent upland forest. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket, only a portion of the thicket was included in this project. Three vegetation plots were sampled. All three plots represent the dominant shrub community type found at this site, Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland, with some variation in species distribution and abundance among plots. WT.71 (southern edge) is representative of the slightly upward, gently sloping edges of the bowl-like wetland. Soils are loam mixed with coarse sand, wet, and very poorly drained. No standing water was present but the soil and sphagnum mat was saturated suggesting an extended hydroperiod. The short shrub layer, arising from sphagnum hummocks, is dominated by highbush blueberry, low sweet blueberry, and red chokeberry. The herbaceous layer is dense and dominated by swamp dewberry, sedges, dewdrop, and bunchberry along with other less abundant species. WT.72 is representative of the wet thicket fringe along the western edge of the wetland. Soils are minimal loam, very wet, and very poorly drained. Standing water and a saturated sphagnum mat and hummocks indicate an extended hydroperiod. Few Canada hemlock represent the tall shrub layer. The short shrub layer is dominated by highbush blueberry, red chockberry, mountain holly, and mountain azalea along with other less abundant species. The herbaceous layer is dense and dominated by mostly swamp dewberry, tawny cotton-grass, and marsh fern. WT.73 (representative of the northern edge) is similar to WT.72 in soil characteristics, hydrology, and tall shrub species. The short shrub layer is dominated by highbush blueberry, Canada hemlock, and deerberry. The herbaceous layer is dominated by swamp dewberry, tawny cotton-grass, marsh fern, bunchberry, creeping snowberry, and teaberry. Sphagnum forms an extensive mat and raised hummocks throughout the wet thicket. No invasive plant species were noted at this site.

78

79

Site Name: State Game Land 197 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.74, 75, 76 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Columbus, PA Warren County, Columbus Twp. Location: Bear Lake Borough, PA 5 km W

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 197 is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Warren County, near Bear Lake Borough, PA. The wet thicket site is located off of Alderbottom Road and is accessible by a gated service road. The site is a complex of large, short and tall shrub clumps, extensive sedge-dominated areas, and open marshes. A dense, short and tall shrub fringe occurs alongside the Brokenstraw Creek and the service road at this site. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket, only a portion of the thicket was included in this project. The service road was used to access different areas within the wetland complex. Three vegetation plots were sampled. All three plots represent one of the dominant shrub community types present within the site, Circumneutral shrub swamp, although some variation in species distribution and abundance exists among plots. WT.74 is representative of the wet thicket fringe that edges the Brokenstraw Creek at this site. Soils are mucky, very wet, and very poorly drained. Soils are saturated and form puddles when depressed, suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Speckled alder dominates the short and tall shrub layer with silky dogwood and American elder in lesser abundance. Species found in the dense, diverse herbaceous layer include: jewelweed, mannagrass, halberd-leaf tearthumb, tearthumb, water smartweed, and other species occurring in lesser abundance. WT.75 is representative of the eastern most portion of the wet thicket site included in this project. This area is also adjacent to the Brokenstraw Creek and appears to be a transition zone between the creek bed and upland forest. Soils are clay loam, somewhat wet to wet, and poorly drained. The soil surface was stiffly mucky suggesting intermittent flooding. The shrub layer is mostly tall shrubs dominated by speckled alder. Speckled alder is also present as a short shrub along with silky dogwood and Morrow’s honeysuckle. Species found in the dense, diverse herbaceous layer include: jewelweed, wrinkle-leaf goldenrod, zig zag aster, avens, and other species. Virginia creeper and virgin’s-bower are also present in the vine layer. WT.76 is representative of the wet thicket habitat found along the western edges of the service road beyond the gate. Soils and hydrology are similar to those found in WT.74. Speckled alder and winterberry dominate both the short and tall shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is similar in species composition to the other plots but with a greater abundance of sedges and ferns. Multiflora rose and Morrow’s honeysuckle were the invasive plant species noted at the site.

80

81

Site Name: State Game Land 109 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.77, 78, 79, 80 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Waterford, PA Erie County, Waterford Twp. Location: Waterford Borough, PA 4.0 km N

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 109 is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Erie County near Waterford Borough, PA. The site is a mix of old fields, wet thickets, young forests, and marsh-like areas. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket, only a portion of the thicket was included in this project. Four vegetation plots were sampled. Plots were extremely variable in their species composition but generally represent one plant community type, Circumneutral shrub swamp. Differences among plots are likely due to past disturbance events at the site. In WT.77, soils are clay with some organic matter, wet, and somewhat poorly drained. Soil conditions and nearby drainage ditches suggests that the area represented by WT.77 experiences intermittent flooding. Silky dogwood and silky willow dominate both the short and tall shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is dense and diverse and contains many species likely found in old, succeeding fields. Reed canary-grass, mixed goldenrods, and jewelweed are some of the dominant herbaceous species, but many others are present. WT.78 has similar soil characteristics to WT.77 but differs vegetatively. WT.78 represents a large area dominated by mostly short and tall silky willow. The herbaceous layer of WT.78 is representative of wet, shaded areas. Jewelweed, false nettle, clearweed, and sensitive fern are some of the dominant species present in and around WT.78. WT.79 represents more of a forested swamp with a dense shrub component. Soils are muck, very wet, and very poorly drained. A deep muck layer and standing water is present suggesting semi-permanently to permanently flooded conditions. Moss covered hummocks support most of the short and tall shrub clumps. Canada hemlock and hornbeam are present in the tall shrub layer. Hornbeam, hazelnut, winterberry, and speckled alder dominate the short shrub layer. Canada hemlock and red maple are the few trees present. The herbaceous layer is dense and diverse, and contains many of the species recorded in the other plots plus more such as mixed sedges, cat-tail, and mixed ferns. WT.79 is representative of the cat-tail dominated areas scattered throughout the site (Cat-tail marsh community). Soils are clay, very wet, and poorly drained. Standing water and mucky soils indicate an extended hydroperiod. Silky willow dominates the short and tall shrub layer along with silky dogwood and northern arrow-wood in the short shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is dominated by narrow- leaved cat-tail, jewelweed, clearweed plus many other lesser occurring species. Invasive species noted at the site are reed canary-grass, multiflora rose, and autumn olive.

82

83

Site Name: Erie National Wildlife Refuge – Site 2 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.81, 82, 83 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Sugar lake, PA Crawford County, Randolph Twp. Location: Mt. Hope, PA 1.4 km WSW

The second wet thicket site at the Sugar Lake Division of Erie National Wildlife Refuge is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Crawford County near Mt. Hope, PA. Wet thicket habitat surrounds the northern end of lake located near the intersection of Fowler and Boland Road. The shrub-dominated thicket serves as an ecotone between the lake and surrounding forest blocks and agricultural fields. Because of the extensive size of the wet thicket, only a portion of the thicket was included in this project. Three vegetation plots were sampled. Plots were extremely variable in their species composition but generally represent one shrub community type, Circumneutral shrub swamp. Differences among plots are likely due to location within the site and past disturbance events. WT.81 represents the portion of the wet thicket located along the western edge of the lake, between the lake and a field dominated by goldenrod. Soils are clay loam, wet to very wet, and very poorly drained. Soils are saturated and standing water is present suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Northern arrow-wood, silky dowwood, swamp rose, and meadow-sweet dominate both the short and tall shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is dominated mostly by whorled loosestrife. However, many other species are present, only far less abundant. WT.82 is representative of the wet thicket vegetation at the northern end of the lake but farthest from the lake. A series of small, constructed ponds with dense shrub borders are located in this area. Soils are clay loam, moist, somewhat poorly drained, and represent the driest of the plots sampled within this site. Flooding of these thickets may only occur during high-water events. The tall shrub layer is dominated by silky dogwood, northern arrow- wood, and silky willow. Red raspberry and meadow-sweet dominate the short shrub layer. Virgin’s bower is the dominant vine covering the shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is dominated by mostly swamp dewberry, sensitive fern, and zig zag aster. Other herbaceous species are also present but less abundant. WT.83 is representative of the wet thicket habitat at the northeastern end of the lake, between the lake and a mowed field. Soils are clay loam, wet, and poorly drained. Soils are saturated and stand water is present suggesting an extended hydroperiod. A tall shrub layer is present but minimal and dominated mostly by meadow-sweet. The short shrub layer is also primarily dominated by meadow-sweet. Reed canary-grass is the dominant herbaceous species. Reed canary-grass and multiflora rose were the only invasive plant species noted at the site.

84

85

Site Name: Wattsburg Fen Vegetation Plot(s): WT.84, 85, 86 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Union City, PA Erie County, Amity Twp. Location: Wattsburg, PA 5.5 km SE

The wet thicket site at Wattsburg Fen is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Erie County near Wattsburg, PA. The site is a bowl-like depression with a central area of open water surrounded by a wet thicket fringe. The wet thicket fringe forms an ecotone between open water and the upland forest. The presence of a beaver dam has likely altered the hydrology and vegetation of the site. The western and northern portions of the wet thicket were sampled in this study. Three vegetation plots were sampled. All three plots represent one of the dominant shrub community types found at the site, Circumneutral shrub swamp. Plots were similar in their soil characteristics, hydrology, and vegetation composition. Soils were mucky, very wet, and very poorly drained. Soils are submerged suggesting an extended hydrologic period. Plots were similar in their vegetation composition. All plots had both a short and tall shrub layer. The tall shrub layer was mostly mixed willows except WT.84 which represented more of a transition zone between wet thicket and upland forest. The dominant tall shrubs in WT.84 are northern arrow-wood and hornbeam. The short shrub layer was similar among sites and consists of mostly mixed willows, northern arrow- wood, red-osier dogwood, and other less abundant species. The herbaceous was very diverse among plots and consists of a mix of emergent wetland plants, moist wet thicket species, and old field species. Multiflora rose was the only invasive plant species noted at the site.

86

87

Site Name: Lowville Fen Vegetation Plot(s): WT.87, 88, 89 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Wattsburg, PA Erie County, Venango Twp. Location: Lowville, PA 3.0 km NW

The wet thicket site at Lowville Fen is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Erie County near Lowville, PA. The site is surrounded by succeeding agricultural fields and consists of a bowl-like depression with a central area of open water vegetation zones of varying heights. A wet thicket fringe forms the outer ring of vegetation before transitioning into upland forest. The western half of the wet thicket was sampled in this study. Three vegetation plots were sampled. All three plots represent one of the dominant shrub community types found at the site, Circumneutral shrub swamp. WT.87 is representative of the western edge of the wetland complex adjacent to an old succeeding field. Soils are clay loam, moist, and somewhat poorly drained. This portion of the thicket is drier than other areas of the wet thicket at this site. This portion of the thicket has both a short and tall shrub component. Mixed willows, silky dogwood, and northern arrow-wood dominate the tall shrub layer. Silky dogwood, mixed willows, common blackberry, and red raspberry dominate the short shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is many old field species such as goldenrods and asters. WT.88 is representative of the north end of the wetland complex where meadow- sweet and graminoids are the dominant species. Soils are muck, very wet, and very poorly drained. Standing water is present suggesting an extended hydroperiod. The tall shrub layer is sparse and contains only speckled alder. The short shrub layer is dominated by meadow-sweet, silky dogwood, and willow species. Rice cutgrass, rattlesnake mannagrass, and jewelweed are some of the most dominant species in the dense herbaceous layer. WT.89 is representative of the southern end of the thicket with a predominant tall shrub layer and dense, mixed herbaceous layer. Soils and hydrology are the same as WT.88. The short and tall shrub layers are both dominated by mixed willows, silky dogwood, and northern arrow-wood. The herbaceous layer is dense and diverse. Some dominant species found in the herbaceous layer include jewelweed, false nettle, hairy buttercup, and tearthumb. Multiflora rose was the only invasive species noted at the site.

88

89

Site Name: Erie National Wildlife Refuge – Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.90, 91, 92, 93 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Millers Station, PA Crawford County, Rockdale Twp. Location: Jervis Corners, PA 1 km NNE

The first wet thicket site at the Seneca Division of Erie National Wildlife Refuge is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Crawford County near Jervis Corners, PA. The wet thicket is part of an extensive wetland complex of multiple community types ranging from open water to flood plain forests. The more continuous expanse of wet thicket habitat was located along both the north and south sides of Swamp Road. Due to the large size of the site, only a portion of the thicket was included in this project. Four vegetation plots were sampled. All four plots represent one of the dominant shrub communities found at this site, Circumneutral shrub swamp, although some variation in species distribution and abundance was found among plots. Plots were similar in soil characteristics and hydrological regime. Soils were clay loam, very wet, and very poorly drained. All plots have saturated soils and standing water, indicating an extended hydroperiod. WT.90 is representative of the wet thicket fringe adjacent to the cat-tail dominated areas within the wetland complex. Few tall shrubs are present and consist mostly of speckled alder and pussy willow. The short shrub layer is dense and dominated by swamp rose, meadow-sweet, and diamond willow. The herbaceous layer contains a diverse array of wetland and moist thicket species but is rather sparse overall. WT.91 and WT.92 are representative of the wet thicket habitat at this site with both a dense tall and short shrub layer. In WT.91, The tall shrub layer is dominated primarily by speckled alder and northern arrow-wood. Swamp rose is the dominant short shrub. The herbaceous layer is diverse but dominated mostly by jewelweed, marsh-purlane, and sedge species. In WT.92, the tall shrub layer is mostly silky dogwood and northern arrow-wood. Silky dogwood and meadow-sweet dominate the short shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is similar to WT.91. WT.93 represents the tall and shrub component of an old beaver-modified field. The tall shrub layer is mostly gray dogwood. Gray dogwood, meadow-sweet, and multiflora rose are found in the short shrub layer. Mannagrass, sensitive fern, mixed sedges, and other species are found in the diverse herbaceous layer. Multiflora rose was the invasive species noted at the site.

90

91

Site Name: Tioga State Forest – Site 1 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.94 and 95 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Gleason, PA Tioga County, Ward Twp. Location: Alba, PA, 6 km WNW

The first wet thicket site in the Tioga State Forest is situated within the Cattaraugus Highlands of TNC’s High Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Tioga County near Alba, PA. The site is located in the wetland complex associated with the floodplain and drainage of Rundell Creek that lies parallel to Fallbrook Road. Due to the size and accessibility of the site, only a portion of the wet thicket habitat was included in this study. Two vegetation plots were sampled. Both plots are similar in their soil characteristics, hydrology, and vegetational composition. Soils were muck to clay loam, very wet, and very poorly drained. Saturated soils and standing water indicates an extended hydroperiod. Both plots represent the dominant shrub community present at the site, Black willow scrub/shrub wetland. The wet thicket has both a tall and short shrub component. The tall shrub layer is dominated by mostly silky willow. The short shrub layer also contains silky willow along with meadow-sweet and silky dogwood. The herbaceous layer is sparse beneath the dense shrub layer and consists of mostly jewelweed and tall reedgrass. No invasive plant species were noted at the site.

92

93

Site Name: State Game Land 282 Vegetation Plot(s): WT.96, 97, 98, 99, 100 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: Russell, PA Warren County, Pine Grove Twp. Location: Akeley, PA 2.3 km N

The wet thicket site at State Game Land 282 is situated within the Allegheny Plateau of TNC’s Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion in Warren County near Akeley, PA. This site is located in Akeley Swamp and is part of an extensive wetland complex of multiple community types ranging from open water to flood plain forests. A service road, accessible from Martin Road, was used to access the wet thicket areas included in this study. Due to the extensive size of the wetland complex and deep surface waters, only a portion of the wet thicket habitat was included in this study. Five vegetation plots were sampled. Plots WT.96-99 represent one dominant shrub community found at the site, Circumneutral shrub swamp. WT.100 represents another community type found at the site, Buttonbush wetland. WT.96 represented the driest portions of the wet thicket. Soils were clay loam, wet to very wet, and poorly drained. Saturated soils are present suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Silky dogwood and silky willow are the dominant species in both the tall and short shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is dense and diverse. Jewelweed, sensitive fern, rattlesnake mannagrass, and avens are some of the species found in the herbaceous layer. WT.97, WT.98, and WT.99 are similar in soil characteristics, hydrology, and vegetational composition. Soils are mucky with some organic matter, very wet, and very poorly drained. All three plots and their surrounding areas are inundated, suggesting an extended hydroperiod. Both tall and short shrubs are present in the wet thicket areas represented by these plots. Speckled alder and silky dogwood dominate the tall shrub layer. These species, along with mixed willows and swamp rose, dominate the short shrub layer. Due to the flooded conditions, sampling of the herbaceous layer was based on what plants were growing on sphagnum hummocks at the base of shrub clumps. Ferns, sedges, and mannagrass were some of the species identified in the herbaceous layer. The soil characteristics and hydrology of WT.100 was the same as those for WT.97 – WT.99 but WT.100 differed in vegetational composition. The shrub layer was dominated by mostly buttonbush. Few species were visible in the herbaceous layer due to the deep water covering the soil surface. Duckweed and cat-tail were identified in the plot and the surrounding area. Morrow’s honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and autumn olive were the invasive plant species noted at the site

94

95

Site Name: Bear Meadows Natural Area Vegetation Plot(s): WT.101, 102, 103, 104 USGS 7.5’ Quadrangle: McAlevys Fort Centre County, Harris Twp. Location: State College, PA 10 km SE

The wet thicket site at Bear Meadows Natural Area is situated within the Northern Ridge and Valley of TNC’s Central Appalachian Forest Ecoregion in Centre County near State College, PA. Wet thicket habitat is a part of the extensive wet complex present at Bear Meadows Natural Area. Due to the extensive size of the wetland complex, only a portion of the wet thicket habitat was included in this study. Four vegetation plots were sampled. The four vegetation plots represent the wet thicket habitat found at the eastern end of the wetland complex. The four plots represent one of the dominant shrub communities found at the eastern end of the site, Highbush blueberry – sphagnum wetland. Leatherleaf – sedge wetland is another community type found as inclusions at the eastern end of the site. Soils are similar among plots but vegetation differed in structure and composition. Soils are muck, very wet, and very poorly drained. Standing water is present along with a saturated sphagnum mat, indicating an extended hydroperiod. Hydrology is likely influenced by Sinking Creek which runs through the center of this site. An extensive sphagnum mat is present in all plots. WT.101 and WT.102 are similar in vegetational composition and represent the wet thicket habitat at the northeast end of the site (north of Sinking Creek). Both have shrub layers dominated by highbush blueberry and leatherleaf. The herbaceous layer is dense and dominated mostly by sedges. WT.102 is also dominated by swamp fern and cinnamon fern. WT.103 vegetation is representative of the centrally located wet thicket habitat adjacent to Sinking Creek. The short shrub layer is meadow-sweet, leatherleaf, and shorter highbush blueberry. The herbaceous layer is dominated by mixed sedges. WT.104 is representative of the wet thicket fringe bordering the wetland complex edge. Highbush blueberry dominates the rather sparse tall shrub layer. Scattered black spruce and eastern white pine are also present. The low shrub layer is mostly highbush blueberry and leatherleaf. Tussock sedge, rattlesnake mannagrass, three-way sedge, and marsh fern compose most of the herbaceous layer. No invasive species were noted at the site.

96

97 Appendix 2. List of vascular plants identified at 40 wet thicket sites across Pennsylvania.

Family Scientific Name Common Name

Aceraceae Acer rubrum red maple Acer saccharinum silver maple Adoxaceae Sambucus elderberry Sambucus canadensis American elder Sambucus pubens red-berried elder Viburnum acerifolium maple-leaved viburnum Viburnum cassinoides witherod Viburnum dentatum southern arrow-wood Viburnum lentago nannyberry Viburnum nudum possum-haw Viburnum recognitum northern arrow-wood Alismataceae Sagittaria latifolia wapato Anacardiaceae Rhus glabra smooth sumac Toxicodendron radicans poison ivy Toxicodendron vernix poison sumac Apiaceae Angelica atropurpurea purple-stemmed angelica Cicuta bulbifera water-hemlock Cicuta maculata beaver-poison Daucus carota Queen Anne's-lace Hydrocotyle americana marsh pennywort Pastinaca sativa wild parsnip Sium suave water-parsnip Apocynum Apocynaceae androsaemifolium spreading dogbane Apocynum cannabinum indian-hemp Aquifoliaceae Ilex laevigata smooth winterberry Ilex montana mountain holly Ilex verticillata winterberry Nemopanthus mucronatus mountain holly Araceae Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit Calla palustris wild calla Lemna duckweed Symplocarpus foetidus skunk-cabbage Asclepiadaceae Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed Asclepias tuberosa butterfly-weed Asteraceae Achillea millefolium common yarrow Bidens beggar-ticks Bidens cernua bur-marigold Bidens connata beggar-ticks

98

Family Scientific Name Common Name

Asteraceae Bidens frondosa beggar-ticks Bidens laevis showy bur-marigold Bidens tripartita beggar-ticks Cirsium vulgare bull thistle Doellingeria umbellata flat-topped white aster Erechtites hieraciifolia fireweed Erigeron fleabane Erigeron pulchellus Robin's-plantain Eupatorium throughwort Eupatorium fistulosum hollow joe-pye-weed Eupatorium maculatum spotted joe-pye-weed Eupatorium perfoliatum boneset Euthamia graminifolia grass-leaved goldenrod Helenium autumnale common sneezeweed Leucanthemum vulgare ox-eye daisy Mikania scandens climbing hempweed Packera ragwort Packera aurea golden ragwort Solidago goldenrod Solidago altissima late goldenrod Solidago canadensis Canada goldenrod Solidago gigantea smooth goldenrod Solidago juncea early goldenrod Solidago patula spreading goldenrod Solidago rugosa wrinkle-leaf goldenrod Symphyotrichum aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum panicled aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum calico aster Symphyotrichum novi-belgii New York aster Symphyotrichum prenanthoides zig zag aster Symphyotrichum puniceum purple-stemmed aster Taraxacum officinale common dandelion Vernonia ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis New York ironweed Balsaminaceae Impatiens touch-me-not Impatiens capensis jewelweed Betulaceae Alnus alder

99 Family Scientific Name Common Name

Betulaceae Alnus glutinosa European alder Alnus incana speckled alder Alnus serrulata smooth alder Betula alleghaniensis yellow birch Betula populifolia gray birch Carpinus caroliniana hornbeam Corylus americana hazelnut Boraginaceae Myosotis laxa wild forget-me-not Myosotis scorpioides forget-me-not Campanulaceae Lobelia cardinalis cardinal-flower Cannabaceae Celtis occidentalis hackberry Caprifoliaceae Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii Morrow's honeysuckle Caryophyllaceae Stellaria longifolia long-leaved stitchwort Celastraceae Celastrus orbiculata Oriental bittersweet Ceratophyllaceae Ceratophyllum muricatum hornwort Cladoniaceae Cladonia cup lichen Convolvulaceae Calystegia sepium hedge bindweed Cuscuta dodder Cuscuta compacta dodder Cuscuta gronovii common dodder Ipomoea morning-glory Cornaceae Cornus amomum silky dogwood Cornus canadensis bunchberry Cornus racemosa gray dogwood Cornus sericea red-osier dogwood Cupressaceae Juniperus virginiana eastern red-cedar Cyperaceae Carex sedge Carex atlantica bog sedge Carex bebbii Bebb's sedge Carex comosa sedge Carex crinita short-hair sedge Carex cristatella sedge Carex echinata prickly sedge Carex folliculata sedge Carex gynandra sedge Carex hystericina sedge

100 Family Scientific Name Common Name

Cyperaceae Carex interior sedge Carex intumescens sedge Carex lacustris sedge Carex laxiculmis sedge Carex lupulina sedge Carex lurida sedge Carex rosea sedge Carex scoparia broom sedge Carex sterilis Atlantic sedge Carex stipata sedge Carex stricta tussock sedge Carex tribuloides sedge Carex utriculata sedge Carex vesicaria sedge Carex vulpinoidea sedge Dulichium arundinaceum three-way sedge Eleocharis spike-rush Eleocharis obtusa spike-rush Eriophorum virginicum tawny cotton-grass Rhynchospora alba white beak-rush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani soft-stemmed bulrush Scirpus bulrush Scirpus ancistrochaetus northeastern bulrush Scirpus atrocinctus blackish wool-grass Scirpus atrovirens black bulrush Scirpus cyperinus wool-grass Droseraceae Drosera rotundifolia round-leaved sundew Dryopteridaceae Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas fern Elaeagnaceae Elaeagnus umbellata autumn-olive Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense field horsetail Equisetum fluviatile water horsetail Ericaceae Chamaedaphne calyculata leatherleaf Gaultheria hispidula creeping snowberry Gaultheria procumbens teaberry Gaylussacia baccata black huckleberry Kalmia angustifolia sheep laurel Lyonia ligustrina maleberry

101

Family Scientific Name Common Name

Ericaceae Rhododendron canadense rhodora Rhododendron maximum rosebay Rhododendron prinophyllum mountain azalea Rhododendron viscosum swamp azalea Vaccinium angustifolium low sweet blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry Vaccinium macrocarpon cranberry Vaccinium myrtilloides sour-top blueberry Vaccinium oxycoccos small cranberry Vaccinium pallidum lowbush blueberry Vaccinium stamineum deerberry Fabaceae Amphicarpaea bracteata hog-peanut Apios americana ground-nut Robinia pseudoacacia black locust Fagus grandifolia American beech Quercus oak Quercus bicolor swamp white oak Quercus palustris pin oak Quercus rubra northern red oak Gentianaceae Bartonia virginica bartonia Gentiana linearis narrow-leaved gentian Grossulariaceae Ribes currant Ribes americanum wild black currant Ribes rotundifolium wild gooseberry Hamamelidaceae Hamamelis virginiana witch-hazel Hydrocharitaceae Elodea canadensis common waterweed Hyperiaceae Triadenum marsh St. John's-wort Triadenum fraseri marsh St. John's-wort Triadenum virginicum marsh St. John's-wort Hypericum St. John's wort Hypericum densiflorum bushy St. John's wort Hypericum ellipticum pale St. John's wort Iridaceae Iris iris Juncaceae Juncus rush Juncus brevicaudatus narrow-panicled rush Juncus canadensis Canada rush Juncus effusus soft rush

102

Family Scientific Name Common Name

Juncaceae Juncus nodatus knotted rush Juncus tenuis path rush Lamiaceae Glechoma hederacea ground-ivy Lycopus water-horehound Lycopus uniflorus bugleweed Lycopus virginicus bugleweed Mentha arvensis field mint Prunella vulgaris self-heal Pycnanthemum tenuifolium mountain-mint Scutellaria galericulata common skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora mad-dog skullcap Lauraceae Lindera benzoin spicebush Lycopodiaceae Lycopodiella inundata northern bog clubmoss Lycopodium digitatum fan clubmoss Lycopodium obscurum flat-branched ground pine Lythraceae Decodon verticillatus swamp loosestrife Magnoliaceae Magnolia acuminata cucumber-tree Malvaceae Malva neglecta common mallow Myricaceae Myrica pensylvanica bayberry Lysimachia loosestrife Lysimachia ciliata fringed loosestrife Lysimachia nummularia moneywort Lysimachia quadrifolia whorled loosestrife Lysimachia terrestris swamp-candles Trientalis borealis starflower Nymphaeaceae Nuphar pond-lily Nuphar advena spatterdock Nyssaceae Nyssa sylvatica blackgum Oleaceae Fraxinus ash Fraxinus americana white ash Fraxinus nigra black ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica reed ash Onagraceae Circaea canadensis enchanter's-nightshade Epilobium willow-herb Epilobium ciliatum willow-herb Epilobium coloratum purple-leaved willow-herb Epilobium hirsutum hairy willow-herb

103 Family Scientific Name Common Name

Onagraceae Epilobium leptophyllum willow-herb Epilobium strictum downy willow-herb Ludwigia palustris marsh-purlane Osmundaceae Osmunda cinnamomea cinnamon fern Osmunda regalis royal fern common yellow wood- Oxalidaceae Oxalis stricta sorrel Penthoraceae Penthorum sedoides ditch stonecrop Pinaceae Larix laricina tamarack Picea mariana black spruce Pinus strobus eastern white pine Tsuga canadensis Canada hemlock Plantaginaceae Chelone glabra turtlehead Plantago lanceolata English plantain Poaceae Agrostis bentgrass Agrostis gigantea redtop Agrostis perennans upland bent Agrostis scabra hairgrass Anthoxanthum odoratum sweet vernalgrass Brachyelytrum erectum southern shorthusk Calamagrostis reedgrass Calamagrostis canadensis Canada bluejoint Calamagrostis cinnoides reedgrass Cinna arundinacea wood reedgrass Cinna latifolia drooping woodreed Dichanthelium clandestinum deer-tongue grass Elymus riparius riverbank wild-rye Festuca rubra red fescue Glyceria mannagrass Glyceria canadensis rattlesnake mannagrass Glyceria striata fowl mannagrass Leersia oryzoides rice cutgrass Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass Panicum panic grass Phalaris arundinacea reed canary-grass Phragmites reed Phragmites australis common reed Torreyochloa pallida pale meadowgrass

104 Family Scientific Name Common Name

Poaceae Tridens flavus purpletop tridens Polygonaceae Fallopia scandens climbing false buckwheat Persicaria amphibia water smartweed Persicaria arifolia halberd-leaf tearthumb Persicaria hydropiper smartweed Persicaria hydropoperoides water smartweed Persicaria punctata dotted smartweed Persicaria sagittata tearthumb Persicaria virginiana jumpseed Rumex dock Rumex obtusifolius bitter dock Polypodiaceae Athyrium filix-femina lady fern Dryopteris carthusiana spinulose wood fern Dryopteris cristata crested wood fern Dryopteris intermedia evergreen wood-fern Onoclea sensibilis sensitive fern Pteridium aquilinum northern bracken fern Thelypteris noveboracensis New York fern Thelypteris palustris marsh fern Pontederiaceae Pontederia cordata pickerel-weed Portulacaceae Claytonia virginica spring-beauty Ranunculaceae Caltha palustris marsh-marigold Clematis leather-flower Clematis virginiana virgin's-bower Ranunculus hispidus hairy buttercup Thalictrum meadow-rue Thalictrum pubescens tall meadow-rue Rhamnaceae Rhamnus alnifolia alder-leaved buckthorn Rosaceae Agrimonia agrimony Agrimonia gryposepala agrimony Agrimonia parviflora southern agrimony Amelanchier serviceberry Amelanchier arborea serviceberry Amelanchier laevis smooth serviceberry Crataegus hawthorn Dalibarda repens dewdrop Fragaria virginiana wild strawberry

105

Family Scientific Name Common Name

Rosaceae Geum avens Geum canadense white avens Geum laciniatum rough avens Malus crabapple Photinia chokeberry Photinia melanocarpa black chokeberry Photinia pyrifolia red chokeberry Physocarpus opulifolius ninebark Potentilla cinquefoil Potentilla simplex old-field cinquefoil Prunus plum Prunus serotina wild black cherry Prunus virginiana chokecherry Pyrus pear Rosa multiflora multiflora rose Rosa palustris swamp rose Rubus blackberry Rubus allegheniensis common blackberry Rubus flagellaris northern dewberry Rubus hispidus swamp dewberry Rubus idaeus red raspberry Rubus occidentalis black raspberry Rubus phoenicolasius wineberry Rubus pubescens dwarf raspberry Sanguisorba canadensis American burnet Spiraea meadow-sweet Spiraea alba meadow-sweet Spiraea latifolia meadow-sweet Spiraea tomentosa steeple-bush Rubiaceae Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush Galium bedstraw Galium aparine bedstraw Galium asprellum rough bedstraw Galium palustre marsh bedstraw Galium tinctorium bedstraw Ruscaceae Maianthemum canadense Canada mayflower Salicaceae Populus tremuloides quaking aspen

106 Family Scientific Name Common Name

Salicaceae Salix willow Salix alba white willow Salix discolor pussy willow Salix eriocephala diamond willow Salix lucida shining willow Salix myricoides broad-leaved willow Salix nigra black willow Salix sericea silky willow Sarraceniaceae Sarracenia purpurea pitcher-plant Saxifragaceae Saxifraga pensylvanica swamp saxifrage Saxifraga virginiensis early saxifrage Tiarella cordifolia foamflower Solanaceae Solanum dulcamara trailing nightshade Sparganiaceae Sparganium bur-reed Sparganium americanum bur-reed Sparganium androcladum branching bur-reed Sphagnaceae moss sphagnum Sphagnum sphagnum Typhaceae Typha cat-tail Typha angustifolia narrow-leaved cat-tail Typha latifolia common cat-tail Ulmaceae Ulmus americana American elm Ulmus rubra slippery elm Urticaceae Boehmeria cylindrica false nettle Pilea pumila clearweed Urtica dioica stinging nettle Verbenaceae Verbena hastata blue vervain Violaceae Viola violet Viola cucullata ble marsh violet Parthenocissus Vitaceae quinquefolia Virginia creeper Vitis grape

107 Appendix 3. Vegetation plot protocols and associated data sheets

Plot Location

Within each wet thicket area, one or more plots will be established for vegetation inventory and environmental data collection. The location of vegetation plots will correspond to the location of bird point counts so that the vegetation within the plot is representative of the area where birds were detected during point and callback surveys. All wet thickets will contain at least one vegetation plot. If the vegetation within a wet thicket differs from areas where point and callback surveys were conducted, additional vegetation plots will be added.

Plot Setup

Vegetation plots will be established to compile quantitative vegetation data for wet thickets included in this project. Each vegetation plot will be 10m x 10m in size. (Plot size was determined based on physiognomy (as defined in Strakosch-Walz 2000) so that a 10m x 10m plot was used for the shrub-dominated vegetation.) The center of each plot will be recorded in NAD83 UTM Zone 18N. A photograph of each plot will be taken and appropriately labeled and recorded on the data sheet.

Data Collection

After setting up the plot, all vegetation data will be collected following NatureServe’s accepted natural heritage sampling protocols (Strakosch-Walz 2000) (see below for sample data form and explanation of sections). Vegetation will be visually divided into eight strata: emergent trees (variable height), tree canopy (variable height), tree subcanopy (>5m in height), tall shrub (2-5m), short shrub (<2m), herbaceous, non- vascular, and vines. All species within the plot will be listed and the percent cover will be estimated for each species in each stratum using modified Braun-Blanquet cover classes (Strakosch-Walz 2000). Specimens of species not identifiable in the field will be collected for later identification. After identification, all plant specimens will be destroyed.

In addition to floristic information, other environmental variables will be recorded at each plot, when applicable, including slope, aspect, topographic position, hydrologic regime, and soil stoniness (see below for an explanation of environmental data collection). Any unvegetated area of the plot will be characterized by the exposed substrate. Notes will be taken on the plot representativeness of the surrounding vegetation and any other significant environmental information, such as landscape context, herbivory, surrounding vegetation health, recent disturbance, or evidence of historic disturbance. The vegetation profile and topographic position will be sketched in cross-section to represent the location and setting of the plot.

108 Data Entry and Analysis

Data will be entered in Access-based database that can be easily manipulated to form matrices required for statistical packages such as PC-ORD.

Several multivariate statistical techniques (i.e., two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and non-metric multidimensional ordination analysis (NMS)) will be used to examine the relationship between bird composition and habitat characteristics of those wet thickets included in this study.

Literature Cited

Strakosch-Walz, K., Editor. 2000. Instruction manual on heritage field methodology: documenting ecological communities. New Jersey Natural Heritage Program. Trenton, NJ. 86pp.

109 Quantitative Community Characterization WET THICKETS – VEGETATION SAMPLING A. Identifiers (general EOR information)

1. SITE NAME: ______2. SITE LOCATION: ______3. PLOT ID: ______4. COUNTY NAME: ______5. Lat: N Long: 0 W OR UTM Zone: 18N Datum______Easting: Northing: 6. Directions:

7. Survey date: 8. Last obs: _____ 9. First obs: _____ 10. Surveyors: ______

11. Photos taken : ______(#)______12. Photo Label(s): ______13. Soil sample taken: ______14. Soil Label(s): ______B. Environmental Description 16.Topographic description: 15.Topographic sketch Elevation: ______Slope degrees:______

Slope aspect:______Parent material:

18.Soil moisture regime: 19.Stoniness: ___ Extremely dry ___ Somewhat wet Stone free <0.1% Moderately stony 0.1-1% ___ Very dry ___ Wet Stony 3-15% ___ Dry ___ Very wet Very stony 15-50% ___ Somewhat moist ___ Permanently inundated Exceedingly stony 50-90% ___ Moist ___ Periodically Innundated Stone piles >90% 21.Average texture: 17.Topographic position: 20.Soil drainage: ___ sand ___ clay loam ___ Interfluve ___ Back slope ___ Rapidly drained ___ Somewhat poorly drained ___ sandy loam ___ clay ___ High Slope ___ Step in slope ___ Well drained ___ Poorly Drained ___ loam ___ peat ___ High level ___ Low slope ___ silt loam ___ muck ___ Midslope ___ Toe slope ___ Moderately well drained ___ Very poorly drained ___ other :______Low level ___ Channel wall ___ Basin floor ___ Swale ___ Channel bed ___ Other ( )

22.Soil profile description: note depth, texture, 23.Hydrologic regime: 24.Unvegetated surface: and color of each horizon. Note significant ___Permanently flooded ___Saturated ___% Bedrock ___% Wood ( > 1 cm) changes such as depth to mottling, depth to water ___Intermittently exposed ___Temporarily flooded ___% Large rocks ___ % Litter, duff table, root penetration depth (SOILCOM) ___ Semi-permanently ___Intermittently flooded (cobbles, boulders > 10 cm) Organic horizon depth: ______flooded ___ Artificially flooded ___% Small rocks (gravel, 0.2-10 cm) ___% Water ___ Seasonally flooded ___ Never flooded ___% Sand (0.1-2 mm) ___ % Other: ___% Bare soil Organic horizon type: ______

25.Environmental Comments: Note homogeneity of vegetation, erosion / sedimentation, inundation, etc.

26.Plot representativeness:

110 C. Vegetation 27.System: ______Terrestrial ______Palustrine ______Estuarine 28..Plot ID: WT- 29.Plot dimensions: 10m x 10m 31.Leaf Phenology 33.Overall Plot data Ht range % 30.Leaf Type 32.Physiognomic Type (m) cover ___ Broad-leaf ___ Deciduous ___ Forest ___ Woodland T1 Emergent tree ___ Semi-broad-leaf ___ Semi-deciduous ___ Sparse Woodland ___ Scrub Thicket T2 Tree canopy ___ Semi-needle-leaf ___ Semi-evergreen ___ Shrubland ___ Sparse Woodland T3 Tree sub-canopy ___ Needle-leaf ___ Evergreen ___ Dwarf Shrubland ___ Dwarf Scrub Thicket S1 Tall shrub (2-5m) ___ Broad-leaf herbaceous __ Perennial ___ Sparse Dwarf Shrubland __ Herbaceous S2 Short shrub (0.5- __ Graminoid ___ Annual ___ Non-Vascular ___ Sparsely Vegetated 2m) H Herbaceous ___ Pteridophyte N Non-vascular E Epiphyte Cover Classes (CC) V Vine / liana R = 1 or few (+) = occasional 1 = <5% 2- = 5-12% 2+ = 13-25% 3 = 26-50% 4 = 51-75% 5 = 76+% Species / percent cover: starting with uppermost stratum, list all species and % cover for each in the stratum. For forests and woodlands, list on a separate line below each tree species the DBH of all trees above 10 cm diameter. Separate the measurements with a comma and note whether in cm or inches. After the plot is completed, also list all species not included within the plot but within the cell where the plot is located.

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Data Form (Section A)

Section A should be filled out as completely as possible as described below: 1. Site name – name of the entire general area 2. Site location – name of specific area where plot work is being done 3. Plot ID – unique identification number for plot. 4. County name: - name of county where Park is located 5. GPS location – provide the GPS coordinates for the center of the plot, Easting and Northing in meters (UTM NAD 83) 6. Directions: indicate general position of plot in relation to bird point count (ex. The plot corresponds to point count 1) 7. Survey date – date the survey was completed 8. Last observation – time plot was completed 9. First observation – time plot work began 10. Surveyors – name of person(s) performing the survey 11. Photos taken – indicate whether or not photos were taken and how many 12. Photo labels – record unique labels of photos 13. Soil sample taken – indicate whether or not a composite soil sample was taken from the plot 14. Soil label – record unique soil label

Environmental Description (Section B)

Section B should be filled out as completely as possible as described below, 18-22 should be completed when collecting soil samples (it may be best to sample soils last so as not to damage the vegetation): 15. Topographic sketch – draw a rough diagram showing location of plot, include relationship to any dominant landscape features 16. Topographic description – include elevation (above sea level in meters, take from GPS unit), aspect (using a compass estimate the aspect of the whole site where plot is located, record in degrees of azimuth (0-360) using true north), slope (estimate using Table A), and parent material (obtain from soil charts) 17. Topographic position – indicate position of plot using the provided choices 18. Soil moisture regime – to the best of your ability, indicate soil moisture using the provided choices (see Table B for description of choices). It may be easiest to complete this section after the average soil texture (21) is determined. 19. Stoniness of soil column – record stoniness of soil encountered while taking soil cores based on the choices provided 20. Soil drainage – indicate soil drainage from the choices provided (see Table C for more detail) 21. Average texture – indicate soil texture using basic soil characteristics described in Table D

112 22. Soil profile description – if possible, identify soil horizon type and length from intact soil cores 23. Hydrologic regime – visually determine the hydrological regime of the plot based on the choices provided 24. Unvegetated surface – visually determine the % cover of the unvegetated surfaces provided on the data sheet 25. Environmental comments – include any observational comments 26. Plot representativeness – indicate whether this plot is representative of field or maybe a section of the field

Vegetation (Section C)

Section C should be filled out as completely as possible as described below: 27. System – indicate the system that best describes where the plot is located 28. Plot ID – carryover from #3 29. Plot dimensions – size of plot in meters 30. Leaf type – which term best describes the leaf type of vegetation found in plot 31. Leaf phenology – which term best describes the phenology of vegetation found within plot 32. Physiognomic type – which term best describes the plot 33. Overall plot data – estimate height range for each stratum and % cover using the modified Braun-Blanquet cover classes. Vegetation classes are visually divided into the following eight strata: a. Emergent (individual trees are significantly taller or emergent relative to the general height of the forest canopy) b. Canopy (general forest canopy) c. Sub-canopy (trees with maximum height below general canopy, but taller than 5m in height) d. Tall shrub (saplings and shrubs 2 to 5m in height) e. Short shrub (woody plants under 2m in height, include seedlings and small samplings in this category) f. Herbaceous (grasses, sedges, forbs, and ferns) g. Vines and lianas (perennial woody vegetation with a vine habit) h. Non-vascular (mosses and lichen) 34. Vegetation lists – organizing by stratum, record all vegetation within the plot and their cover class. For tree strata, also record DBH.

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Table A. Slope degrees – if unable to read directly, estimate using this guide.

Code Percent Degrees Slope class A 0 0 flat B 1-9 0-5 gentle C 10-25 6-14 average D 26-49 15-26 rather steep E 50-100 27-45 steep F 101-275 46-69 very steep G >276 >70 abrupt

Table B. Moisture regime

- - Extremely dry: steep eroding sands, rock piles, gravel 0 - Very dry: medium and coarse sands: shallow soils, not influenced by ground water 1 – Dry: deep silty sands and loamy sands, not influenced by ground water 2 – Well-drained: deep sandy loams and loams, not influenced by ground water 3 – Somewhat moist: loams and sandy loams with some rust mottling in lower part of B and C horizon. Moist variants or zonal soil types. 4 – Moist: soil surface above the maximum water level; normal soil profile development hampered because of imperfect drainage. Upper 1-2ft of soil well aerated during vegetative season. On mineral soils a severely mottled to homogenous brown horizon is present. Occurs also on heavy textured soils with perched water table and on dry deep peat. 5 – Somewhat wet: maximum water level at or close to the soil surface. Anaerobic soils; on mineral soils reduced, grey soil matrix with rust mottling, gleysols, some peat soils. 6 – Wet: water level at soil surface for most of vegetative season. Reduced gley layer up to mineral soil surface on mineral soils; mottling usually absent or insignificant. Organic soil, gleysol. 7 – Very wet: water level above soils surface for most part of vegetative season. Minimum water level approximately at soil surface. Organic soil. 8 – Permanently inundated: minimum water level above soil surface, soil permanently inundated.

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Table C. Soil drainage

1. Rapidly drained – The soil moisture content seldom exceeds field capacity in any horizon except immediately after water addition. Soils are free from evidence of gleying throughout the profile. Rapidly drained soils are commonly coarse textured or soils on steep slopes. 2. Well drained – The soil moisture content does not normally exceed field capacity in any horizon (except C for a significant part of the year). Soils are usually free from mottling in the upper 3ft, but may be mottled below this depth. B horizon, if present, are reddish, brownish, or yellowish. 3. Moderately well drained – The soil moisture in excess of field capacity remains for a small but significant period of the year. Soils are commonly mottled in the lower B and C horizons or below a depth of 2ft. The Ae horizon, if present, may be faintly mottled in fine textured soils and medium-textured soils that have a slowly permeable layer below the solum. In grassland soils the B and C horizons may be only faintly mottled and the A horizon may be relatively thick and dark. 4. Imperfectly drained – The soil moisture in excess of field capacity remains in subsurface horizons for moderately long periods during the year. Soils are commonly mottled in the B and C horizons; the Ae horizon, if present, may be mottled. The matrix generally has a lower chroma than in the well-drained soil on similar parent material. 5. Poorly drained – The soil moisture in excess of field capacity remains in all horizons for a large part of the year. The soils are usually very strongly gleyed. Except in high-chroma parent materials the B, if present, and upper C horizons usually have matrix colors of low chroma. Faint mottling may occur throughout. 6. Very poorly drained – Free water remains at or within 12” if the surface most of the year. The soils are usually very strongly gleyed. Subsurface horizons usually are of low chroma and yellowish to bluish hues. Mottling may be present but at depth in the profile. Very poorly drained soils usually have a mucky or peaty surface horizon.

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Table D. Key to soil texture

A1 Soil does not remain in a ball when squeezed …………………………………sand A2 Soil remains in a ball when squeezed ……………………………………………..B B1 Squeeze the ball between your thumb and forefinger, attempting to make a ribbon that you push up over your finger. If soil makes no ribbon…….loamy sand B2 Soil makes a ribbon; may be very short …………………………………………..C C1 Ribbon extends less than 1” before breaking ……………………………………..D C2 Ribbon extends 1” or more before breaking ………………………………………E D1 Add excess water to small amount of soil; soil feels at least slightly gritty ……loam or sandy loam D2 Soil feels smooth …………………………………………………………silty loam E1 Soil makes a ribbon that breaks when 1-2” long, cracks if bent into a ring ……….F E2 Soil makes a ribbon 2+” long; doesn’t crack when bent into a ring……………….G F1 Add excess water to a small amount of soil; soil feels at least slightly gritty ……… sandy clay loam or clay loam F2 Soil feels smooth ………………………………………………silty clay loam or silt G1 Add excess water to a small amount of soil; soil feels at least slightly gritty ………. sandy clay or clay G2 Soil feels smooth ……………

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