LICKING CREEK WOODS

The vegetation at this site in the southwestern-most portion of Franklin County has been significantly influenced by the limestone substrate of the forested hills, creek banks and rocky outcrops in this area. Though aerial observations seem to indicate nothing out of the ordinary in this corner of the county, the incredibly rich herbaceous vegetation found at this site makes it one of the top sites for the conservation of biological diversity in the County. This site contains one animal species of concern and a total of 17 plant species of concern, some species that do not occur anywhere else in the state. These species inhabit a variety of habitat types such as a floodplain forest, moist calcareous shale woods, limestone cliffs, mixed deciduous “rich” woods, mesic upland forest, etc.

In addition to the plant species of special concern, this site also supports a number of species that are more typical of the Ohio River watershed in Pennsylvania and are therefore noteworthy for their occurrence in Franklin County. These species include Short’s Aster (Aster shortii), Dwarf Larkspur (Delphinium tricorne), Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla), Miami-mist (Phacelia purshii), and Toadshade (Trillium sessile). In a study of plant diversity, a total of 253 plant species in 69 families were found within an area of about four hectares at this site. This entire area represents one of the most diverse plant areas in the state (Klotz and Walck, 1993).

Several plant species of concern are found primarily on the rich, forested, calcareous slopes at this site. These include several populations of Jeweled Shooting-star (Dodecatheon meadia), a G5, S2 Pennsylvania-Threatened plant species of concern, a fair-quality population of Limestone Petunia (Ruellia strepens), a G4G5, S2 PA-Threatened plant species of concern, and a small population of Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), a G5, S1 PA-Endangered plant species of concern. This species is most common in the southern Appalachians and Piedmont of North Carolina (NatureServe 2004), but in Pennsylvania, it is currently only known from southern Franklin and Fulton Counties.

Several other plant species of concern were documented along roadways and other artificially maintained habitats. A small population of Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens), a G5, S2 plant species of concern, and several populations of Oblique Milkvine (Matelea obliqua), a G4?, S1 PA-Endangered plant species of concern, were found alongside a road and the adjoining woods. Oblique Milkvine is considered imperiled or critically imperiled throughout much of its range (NatureServe 2003). Three various sized populations of Blunt-leaved Spurge (Euphorbia obtusata), a G5, S1 PA-Endangered plant, were also found along a weedy zone of shale-dominated roads. This species, though occurring more frequently in other parts of the U.S., is currently known only from this location in Pennsylvania. A fair to good quality population of St. Andrew’s Cross (Hypericum stragulum), a G5, S2 plant species of concern, was found on a pipeline right of way with an artificial early successional habitat that simulates a grassland or meadow. The introduced invasive plant species Japanese Honeysuckle is a potential threat to each of these populations.

Rocky limestone outcrops, cliffs and steep slopes provide habitat for several other plant species of concern. Five populations of Allegheny Stonecrop (Sedum telephioides), a G4, S3 PA-Rare plant species of concern, were documented on calcareous cliffs and steep slopes alongside Licking Creek. A small population of Lobed Spleenwort (Asplenium pinnatifidum), a G4, S3 plant species of concern, was found at the crest of a ridge. A fair quality population of a sensitive species of concern was found on a talus opening area at the base of a calcareous cliff. Three populations of Black-stemmed Spleenwort (Asplenium resiliens), a G5, S1 PA-Endangered plant species of concern, were found on a limestone cliff. The Black-stemmed Spleenwort is another species, though occurring in many other states, reaches its northern limit in Pennsylvania. In this state it is currently only known to occur in southern Franklin County.

The rich herbaceous layer on the moist, forested, slopes in this area contains several other plant species of concern. A good-quality population of Large-leaved Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum macrophyllum), a G5, S1 PA-Rare plant species of concern, is at its northern limit in southern Pennsylvania (NatureServe 2003). Also documented in this area are a fair-quality population of a sensitive species of concern; a good-quality population of the saprophytic orchid Spring Coral-root (Corallorhiza wisteriana), a G5, S1 plant species of concern; an undetermined-quality population of a Sedge (Carex shortiana), a G5, S3 PA-Rare plant species of concern; and an undetermined-quality population of Purple Bedstraw (Galium latifolium), a G5, S3 plant species of concern. A fair-quality population of Common Hop-Tree (Ptelea trifoliata), a G5, S2 PA-Threatened plant species of concern, was found in a floodplain forest along Licking Creek.

Threats and Disturbances Threats to all the plant populations, the overall Licking Creek Woods, and the various cliffs associated with this site include trampling and collection of plants, invasive plant species, overbrowsing by deer, logging, and herbicide spraying.

Conservation Recommendations The most significant long-term threat to this area is development, and the best long-term protection for the many species of concern that occur here is to acquire property and conservation easements with the intent of conserving the incredible diversity of plants found here. Local planning and zoning should discourage construction of new residences and roadways in this area. Forested buffers should remain intact for the length of the creek with logging operations refraining from cutting within 100 meters of the creek bank. Stream bank forests help buffer the watershed from the effects of non-point sources of pollution including runoff from agricultural, residential and roadway settings. Maintaining an intact, forested floodplain along the creek can preserve much of the area’s important biodiversity. The effectiveness of the forested creek as a habitat corridor would be diminished by fragmentation of the forest continuity by the construction of houses and additional roadways along the creek. It is also recommended that this site be monitored for the further invasion of exotic plants that could threaten some of the plant populations. However, only hand-removal of exotic plant species is recommended since herbicides could jeopardize many of the populations of plant species of concern. Deer hunting should be encouraged to keep the deer population from increasing to unsustainable levels. This area extends into the state of Maryland, but the overall conservation goals for this site may differ for Maryland due to differences in species rarity rankings across state boundaries. Additional surveys of this site are recommended to determine the extent and current status of previously documented species, and to locate new species of concern.