Reestablishment of \u3cem\u3eCrataegus\u3c/em\u3e Species Associated With Tennessee Gas Pipeline LLC’s Northeast Upgrade Project Loop 323 in High Point State Park

The Botany Department of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania was contracted by CH2M to provide, in as much as possible, identifications to species level of Crataegus (hawthorn) trees growing in proximity to the expanded natural gas pipeline right-of-way,designated Northeast Upgrade Project Loop 323 (NEUP Loop 323), through High Point State Park in Sussex County, New Jersey. In addition to species identification, seed collection was identified as a task to be completed in the initial phase of this project

Baseline Studies of Aquatic Plants and Water Quality in Selected State Park Lakes

This project was undertaken as a baseline study of aquatic plant species and water quality in a set of six state parks lakes selected by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. Inventories were conducted at these lakes during the field season of 2014. Water quality parameters were measured in these lakes by staff from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Lakes Program between 2007 and 2015. Specimens of all species observed were collected and deposited in the herbarium at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. For various reasons cited in this report, the value of conducting detailed aquatic plant species/water quality analyses at these lakes was very limited. Nonetheless, this project accomplished its main goal of serving as a plant diversity baseline against which future studies can be compared

Botanical Survey of Big Elk Creek Section White Clay Creek Preserve

Big Elk Creek Section, White Clay Creek Preserve consists of 748 acres of which more than 60% is hayfields and associated open areas. The remainder is forested slopes and floodplains along Big Elk Creek and several tributary streams. The highly fragmented nature of the forest means that edge habitat predominates. As a consequence, invasive shrubs and vines are abundant. Overbrowsing by deer is also a serious problem which threatens the ability of the existing forests to regenerate due to the obliteration of native shrub and understory layers. Forest floor wildflowers have been reduced to small, widely scattered fragments. Despite the highly human-modified landscape and the intense browsing pressure, populations of six plants classified by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program currently are present. This indicates a loss of three species since 2002 when a survey documented nine PNHP-classified plant species at the site. Another problem is created by heavy use of the site by equestrians. Trails are torn up and stream bank erosion has occurred where stream crossings have been established. One recently activated trail cuts through a population of Maryland golden aster, a Pennsylvania endangered plant. Recommendations Reduce deer density throughout Work with agricultural lease holder to identify Maryland golden aster (Chrysopsis mariana) and downy lobelia (Lobelia puberula) sites and avoid mowing them at critical times Reroute recently established horse trail that threatens a Maryland golden aster subpopulation. Establish designated stream crossings for equestrian use Conduct site specific surveys of breeding bird activity in the hayfields and consider management adjustments to enhance the breeding success of grassland bird species

Field Surveys of Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Species of Special Concern in Eastern Pennsylvania

Aquatic Plant Surveys were carried out at 30 sites and resulted in documentation of 38 occurrences of PNDI-listed vascular plants of which 31 were new and 7 were updates of EOs that had been described previously. Field reports have been submitted to DCNR Bureau of Forestry and PNDI-East. One hundred fifty herbarium specimens were collected and deposited in the herbarium of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania (see complete list attached). Ten of the lakes we surveyed were included in the DEP/EPA water quality sampling program for 2002. We are coordinating with this program in order to be able to compare water quality data with plant inventory data at some future date. We presented two aquatic plant identification workshops to foster an appreciation of the diversity and ecological importance of aquatic plants. We also met with lake residents at many of the lakes we surveyed. We conducted additional field surveys in Montgomery County. Four field visits and numerous telephone and/or email consultations were held regarding PNDI reviews

Critical Resources of Bald Mountain Section Lehigh Gorge State Park

The 1539-acre Bald Mountain Section was added to Lehigh Gorge State Park in 2011. It is a forested ridge which buffers the scenic Lehigh River Gorge and affords spectacular views. The tract also includes a pond and associated wetland community created by a dam on Indian Run, a tributary of the Lehigh. Dry oak - heath forest covers the ridge with the exception of the lower slope on the northeast end which supports a hemlock - white pine forest. Over browsing by deer has eliminated the shrub layer and/or created a distinct browse line in much of the site. Wildflower diversity has also been affected. Non-native, invasive species are limited to the vicinity of the former farmstead at the entrance from Lehigh Gorge Drive. A small colony of common reed (Phragmites australis) which has become established in the wetland above the pond should be targeted for removal. Existing woods roads provide good access for hiking including several vistas of the Lehigh Gorge. We recommend a continuation of low intensity use with vehicle access restricted to hunters during deer season. Other than exploring a possible link to the Penn Haven Planes, we do not recommend creation of new trails. A decision to remove the dam on Indian Run should be based on safety concerns. In terms of impact on the vegetation, the wetland plant communities would decline and the adjacent hemlock – white pine forest type would expand down slope. The exposed pond bed would likely be colonized by invasive species such as common reed (Phragmites australis) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)

Survey of Tidal Marsh Natural Area, Neshaminy State Park

Neshaminy State Park is the only unit of the Bureau of State Parks that lies in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. There is little coastal plain in Pennsylvania, and only a few remnants that retain natural vegetation. As a result any significant fragments that remain are very likely to contain PNDI-listed plants and/or plant communities. This is certainly true of Neshaminy State Park. In addition the park lies along both sides of the Neshaminy Creek at its confluence with the Delaware River Estuary. Some of the best remaining fresh water tidal marsh habitat on the Pennsylvania side of the estuary lies along the Neshaminy Creek in the park. An 8-acre tract of tidal marsh adjacent to the park along State Road has recently been purchased by the Natural Lands Trust and will soon be transferred to the park. The park also includes populations of several rare coastal plain plants of upland areas or non-tidal wetlands including willow oak, wild bean, jointweed, broom-sedge, and round­-leaved eupatorium. In addition we discovered populations of smartweed dodder and American holly

Natural Resource Inventory and Management Recommendations Whites Mill Property Salford Township, Montgomery County

The Whites Mill Tract, approximately 100 acres in size, was purchased by Salford Township in 1998 as open space. It is located in a forested landscape comprising about 10,000 acres that stretches across upper Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Because of the extensive contiguous forested area, this region is the target of several efforts to protect the natural resources and its ecological integrity (see Figure 1). The Natural Lands Trust (NLT) and the Montgomery County Conservancy have collaborated to secure conservation easements on the 1700 acre Musser Scout Reservation in the Unami Creek Valley. NLT is also working with Milford Township, Bucks County to extend protection efforts upstream along the Unami and Ridge Valley Creeks. Marlborough Township, Montgomery County recently purchased the Camp Skymount property, which is located about three-quarters mile upstream from Whites Mill pond. NLT\u27s Fulshaw-Craeg Preserve is located approximately one mile downstream. In addition NLT holds conservation easements on a number of private properties in the area

Varden Conservation Area Vegetation Inventory

A vegetation inventory of the Varden Conservation Area has revealed 338 species of vascular plants of which 17.5% (59 species) are not native to Pennsylvania. Small populations of two species of concern were discovered: Wild red currant (Ribes triste -PE) and ginseng (Panax quinquefolius - PV). The predominant natural plant community is hemlock (white pine) - northern hardwood forest at 141 acres. Conifer plantations occupy 50 acres. Wetland communities occur along Middle Creek and in swales and depressions in more upland areas. Palustrine forest types include red maple - blackgum palustrine forest and hemlock - mixed hardwood palustrine forest. Shrub dominated wetlands fall into the category of highbush blueberry - spiraea palustrine shrublands. Hayfields occupy 49 acres. Over browsing by deer is evident in forested areas throughout in the form of sparse shrub layers, herbaceous layers dominated by hay-scented fern, and sparse representation of many forest wildflower species. Recommendations include increased efforts to reduce deer density and adoption of hayfield management practices to encourage grassland birds. Targeted invasive species control and avoidance of any further fragmentation of forested areas, which are already bisected by utility rights-of-way, is also recommended. In addition, opportunities should be sought to expand the conservation area by acquiring adjacent forest and wetland areas

Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center Vegetation Inventory

A study of the vegetation of Jacobsburg Environmental Center has documented the presence of 507 species of vascular plants of which 375 are native Pennsylvania plants and 132 (25.7%) are introduced species. Five types of native forest communities were mapped including Hemlock –(white pine) –red oak mixed hardwood forest, Red oak –mixed hardwood forest, Pitch pine –mixed hardwood forest, Bottomland palustrine hardwood forest, and Sycamore –(river birch) –box-elder floodplain forest. Successional forest types were also found to be common reflecting earlier agricultural and industrial uses of much of the area that is now the Environmental Education Center. Data collected in Henry’s Woods, which has been described as a remnant of old growth forest, documented the composition and size of trees present and raised issues of the future of the tract. Major recommendations include 1) continuation of efforts to control invasive species and 2) increased deer hunting to reduce the selective browsing that is reducing species diversity and retarding forest regeneration in Henry’s Woods and elsewhere in the Center