Natural heritage inventory of John H. Kerr Reservoir, Virginia and North Carolina final report

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LIST OF FIGURES
1. Location of John H. Kerr Reservoir in Virginia and North Carolina 11
2. Physiographic context of John H. Kerr Reservoir, Virginia and North Carolina 13
3. Location of conservation sites at Kerr Reservoir, Virginia and North Carolina 47
VIRGINIA
4. Banister River South Unit Wildlife Management Area
Conservation Planning Boundary 51
5. Banister River South Unit Wildlife Management Area
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype) 52
6. Banister River South Unit Wildlife Management Area
Location of Lotus helleri 53
7. Banister River South Unit Wildlife Management Area
Location of Hetaerina titia 54
8. Beaver Pond Creek Flatwoods
Conservation Planning Boundary 59
9. Beaver Pond Creek Flatwoods
Location of Upland Depression Swamp (Virginia) 60
10. Beaver Pond Creek Flatwoods
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) (North Carolina) 61
11. Beaver Pond Creek Flatwoods
Location of Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest (North Carolina) 62
12. Beaver Pond Creek Flatwoods
Location of Upland Depression Swamp Forest (North Carolina) 63
13. Beaver Pond Creek Flatwoods
Location of Xeric Hardpan Forest 64
14. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
Conservation Planning Boundary 68
15. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
Location of Basic Mesic Forest 69
16. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Chinkapin Oak Subtype) 70
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17. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area ^
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Post Oak/Needlegrass Subtype) 71
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18. Buggs Island mi
Conservation Planning Boundary 76
19. Buggs Island U
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest 77
20. Cargills Creek Wildlife Management Area J
Conservation Planning Boundary 81
21. Cargills Creek Wildlife Management Area J
Location of Lotus helleri 82
22. Cargills Creek Wildlife Management Area J
Location of Stackys sp. 1 83
23. Dan River Islands ,
Conservation Planning Boundary 87
24. Dan River Islands j
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment
(Herbaceous Draw-Down Shore Subtype) 88
25. Dan River Islands tt"i
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment
(Woodland Draw-Down Shore Subtype) 89 I
26. Dan River Islands
Location of Hemicarpha micrantha 90
27. Dan River Islands
Location of Rorippa sessiliflora 91 ,
28. Dan River Islands
Location of Sagittaria calycina var. calycina 92 j
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29. Dan River Wildlife Management Area
Conservation Planning Boundary 97 j
30. Dan River Wildlife Management Area
Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest 98
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31. Dan River Wildlife Management Area
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype) 99
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u 32. Dan River Wildlife Management Area
Location of Triadenum tubulosum 100
»- 33. Difficult Creek
Conservation Planning Boundary 106
L 34. Difficult Creek
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) 107
!* 35. Difficult Creek
Location of Cirsium carolinianum 108
U 36. Difficult Creek
Location ofIsoetes hyemalis 109
L 37. Difficult Creek
Location of Marshallia obovata var. obovata 110
[^ 38. Difficult Creek
Location of Porteranthus stipulates (1) 111
[^ 39. Difficult Creek
Location of Porteranthus stipulatus (2) 112
\ 40. Difficult Creek
Location of Porteranthus stipulatus (3) 113
I 41. Difficult Creek
""" Location of Fundulus rathbuni 114
I 42. Difficult Creek
*•" Location of Hetaerina titia 115
| 43. Eagle Point Flatwoods
«» Conservation Planning Boundary 121
j 44. Eagle Point Flatwoods
L Location of Upland Depression Swamp 122
I 45. Gibson Creek
L, Conservation Planning Boundary 126
i 46. Gibson Creek
L Location of Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest 127
\ 47. Gibson Creek
L Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Pin Oak -Willow Oak Subtype) 128
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48. Gibson Creek
Location of Isoetes virginica 129
49. Grassy Creek Flatwoods
Conservation Planning Boundary 134 !
50. Grassy Creek Flatwoods
Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest 135 ]
51. Grassy Creek Flatwoods
Location of Upland Depression Swamp 136
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52. Grassy Creek Flatwoods
Location of Scutellaria leonardii 137
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53. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area
Conservation Planning Boundary 142
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54. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) 143
55. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area
Location of Upland Depression Swamp 144
56. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area
Location of Isoetes hyemalis 145
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57. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area ^
Location of Lotus helleri 146
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5 8. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area ^
Location of Marshallia obovata var. obovata 147
59. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area . •**
Location ofMatelea decipiens 148
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60. Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area «^1
Location of Catocala ulalume 149
61. Hyco Landing ,J
Conservation Planning Boundary 154
62. Hyco Landing «J
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) 155
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^ 63. Hyco River: Rt. 741 to Rt. 738
Conservation Planning Boundary 160
L 64. Hyco River: Rt. 741 to Rt. 738
Location of Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff 161
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L 65. Hyco River: Rt. 741 to Rt. 738
Location of Porteranthus stipulates (1) 162
1^ 66. Hyco River: Rt. 741 to Rt. 738
Location of Porteranthus stipulatus (2) 163
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^ 67. Hyco River: Rt. 741 to Rt. 738
Location of Trifolium rejlexum (1) 164
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[^ 68. Hyco River: Rt. 741 to Rt. 738
Location of Trifolium reflexum (2) 165
L 69. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
Conservation Planning Boundary 173
[^ 70. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest 174
j 71. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
^ Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Green Ash/Buttonbush Subtype) 175
[ 72. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
*■* Location of Carex lupuliformis 176
j 73. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
■* Location of Enemion biternatum 177
j 74. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
U Location of Phacelia covillei 178
I 75. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
L Location of Triadenum tubulosum 179
j 76. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
L Location of Gomphus abbreviatus (upstream location) 180
j 77. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
(^ Location of Gomphus abbreviatus (downstream location) 181
i 78. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
L, Location of Phloeoxena signata 182
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79. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River «»»
Conservation Planning Boundary 192
80. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River *«J
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) 193
81. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River «J
Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (1) 194
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82. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River ,J
Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (2) 195
83. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River ^
Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (3) 196
84. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River ^j
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest 197
85. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River i
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment
(Herbaceous Draw-Down Shore Subtype) 198
86. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment
(Woodland Draw-Down Shore Subtype) 199 j
87. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Green Ash/Buttonbush Subtype) 200 \
88. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Dicliptera brachiata 201 j
89. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Gnaphalium helleri 202 j
90. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Hemicarpha micrantha 203
91. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Paspalum dissectum 204
92. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Rorippa sessiliflora (map 1) 205 j
93. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Rorippa sessiliflora (map 2) 206
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<m 94. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location oiRorippa sessiliflora (map 3) 207
L=» 95. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Rorippa sessiliflora (map 4) 208
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L 96. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Sagittaria calycina var. calycina 209
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L, 97. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Stachys sp. 1 210
(^ 98. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Catocala robinsoni 211
I 99. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Elliptio roanokensis 212
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i 100. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Location of Haliaeetus leucocephalus 213
101. Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
** Possible locations of Lasmigona subviridis 214
j 102. Merifield Wildlife Management Area
•"■• Conservation Planning Boundary 223
I 103. Merifield Wildlife Management Area
^° Location of Marshallia obovata var. obovata 224
i 104. Sandy Creek
«" Conservation Planning Boundary 228
j 105. Sandy Creek
L Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest 229
[ 106. Sandy Creek
L Location of Fundulus rathbuni 230
j 107. Wolf Trap Wildlife Management Area
L, Conservation Planning Boundary 235
j 108. Wolf Trap Wildlife Management Area
L Location of Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment (Typic Subtype) 236
j 109. Wolf Trap Wildlife Management Area
j^ Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype) 237
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110. Wolf Trap Wildlife Management Area
Location of Lotus helleri 238 i
111. Wolf Trap Wildlife Management Area
Location of Zale curema 239
NORTH CAROLINA
112. Beaver Pond Creek Upland Forest j
Conservation Planning Boundary 244 «J
113. Beaver Pond Creek Upland Forest
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) 245 »J
114. Crooked Run Wildlife Management Area |
Conservation Planning Boundary 250 ^
115. Crooked Run Wildlife Management Area
Location of Basic Mesic Forest 251 J
116. Crooked Run Wildlife Management Area
Location of Xeric Hardpan Forest 252 I
117. Crooked Run Wildlife Management Area
Location of Gnaphalium helleri var. micradenium 253 i
118. Crooked Run Wildlife Management Area
Location of Panax quinguefolius 254 j
119. Indian Creek Hardwood Forest
Conservation Planning Boundary 258 j
120. Indian Creek Hardwood Forest
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) 259 j
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121. Indian Creek Hardwood Forest
Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest 260 I
122. Indian Creek Hardwood Forest
Location of Agalinis decemloba 261 I
123. Indian Creek Hardwood Forest
Location of Euphyes bimacula 262
124. Mill Creek Hardwood Forests
Conservation Planning Boundary 266 \
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u 125. Mill Creek Hardwood Forests
Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest 267
•a* 126. Spewmarrow Creek Hardpan Forest at SR 1443
Conservation Planning Boundary 271
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L 127. Spewmarrow Creek Hardpan Forest at SR 1443
Location of Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest 272
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U 128. Spewmarrow Creek Forests (Along SR 1445)
Conservation Planning Boundary 276
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L 129. Spewmarrow Creek Forests (Along SR 1445)
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) 277
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1^ 130. Spewmarrow Creek Forests (Along SR 1445)
Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest 278
I 131. Steele Creek Hardwood Forest
Conservation Planning Boundary 282
| 132. Steele Creek Hardwood Forest
Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest 283
133. Townsville Road Xeric Forest
Conservation Planning Boundary 288
i 134. Townsville Road Xeric Forest
*"• Location of Dry Oak-Hickory Forest 289
135. Townsville Road Xeric Forest
*"* Location of Xeric Hardpan Forest 290
| 136. Townsville Road Xeric Forest
■« Location of Agalinis decemloba 291
! 137. Tungsten Hardwood Forests
U Conservation Planning Boundary 295
j 138. Tungsten Hardwood Forests
L Location of Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff 296
139. Tungsten Hardwood Forests
m Location of Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest 297
| 140. US 15 Hardpan Forest
1^ Conservation Planning Boundary 301
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141. US 15 Hardpan Forest «J
Location of Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest 302
142. Location of Low Elevation Seep tj
Survey Site: Lick Branch Slopes 308
143. Location of Porteranthus stipulatus «J
Survey Site: Peter Creek Slopes 309
144. Location of Siachys sp. 1 ^
Survey Site: Occoneechee Wildlife Management Area 310
145. Location of Triadenum tubulosum ^J
Survey Site: Dan River West of South Boston 311
146. Location of Cicindela trifasciata \
Survey Site: Butcher Creek at Rt. 688 312
147. Location of Basic Mesic Forest ,
Survey Site: Liberty Hill 323
148. Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest I
Survey Site: Staunton Creek Lease Area 324
149. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest ;
Survey Site: Big Bluewing Creek South of Rt. 602 325 ^
150. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest !
Conservation Site: Cargills Creek Wildlife Management Area 326 U
151. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest j
Survey Site: Hyco River Southwest of Rt. 601 Bridge 327
152. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest I
Survey Site: Staunton Creek Lease Area 328 ****
153. Location of Piedmont/Mountain Basic Cliff :
Conservation Site: Lower Roanoke River 329 •*
154. Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype) j
Survey Site: Dan River West of South Boston 330 ^
155. Location of Xeric Hardpan Forest ;
Conservation Site: Grassy Creek Flatwoods 331 «-J
156. Location of Upland Depression Swamp \
Survey Site: Eastland Creek Flatwoods 332 *J
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NORTH CAROLINA
157. Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest
Survey Site: Anderson Creek Forest at SR 1374 333
158. Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest
Survey Site: Anderson Creek Forest Near Powerline 334
159. Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest
Survey Site: Mine Road Upland Forest 335
160. Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest
Conservation Site: Tungsten Hardwood Forests 336
161. Location of Dry Oak-Hickory Forest
Survey Site: East of US 15 337
162. Location of Floodplain Pool
Conservation Site: Spewmarrow Creek Forests (along SR 1445) 338
163. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest
Survey Site: Anderson Creek Forest at SR 1374 339
164. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest
Survey Site: Anderson Creek Forest Near Powerline 340
165. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest
Survey Site: Countryview Lane Hardwood Forest 341
166. Location of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest
Conservation Site: Tungsten Hardwood Forests 342
167. Location of Piedmont Monadnock Forest
Conservation Site: Tungsten Hardwood Forests 343
168. Location of Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest
Survey Site: Johnson Creek Slopes West of SR 1431 344
169. Location of Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest
Conservation Site: Spewmarrow Creek Forests (along SR 1445) 345
170. Location of Bird Nesting Colony (Great Blue Heron Rookery)
Survey Site: Upper Buffalo Creek 346
171. Location of Wading Bird Rookery (Great Blue Heron Nesting Colony)
Survey Site: Flat Creek Heronry 347
172. Location of Fusconaia masoni
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Survey Site: Aarons Creek at Rt. 604 Bridge 351
173. Location of Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Survey Site: Mouth of Buffalo Creek , 352
174. Location of Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Survey Site: West of Staunton River State Park Lease Area 353
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*- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We are grateful to the individuals and organizations who contributed to the 1997-1998 Natural Heritage
j Inventory of Kerr Reservoir and acknowledge their contributions here.
The Natural Heritage inventory of John H. Kerr Reservoir was funded by the US Army Corps of
I Engineers, Wilmington District, Wilmington, North Carolina, under Contract No. DACW54-97-P-3271.
La Work was also conducted under the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Contract No.
C199:97-423 with The Nature Conservancy, and this report represents the completion of Item One under
( the contract. We thank Mark Shaffer, Loring Schwarz, Larry Master, Dale Schweitzer, Denny
L, Grossman, Larry Morse, and Margaret Ormes of The Nature Conservancy for their assistance on this
project.
[^ This inventory could not have been as successful without the assistance of the Resource Management
Section of John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir. York Grow, Wildlife Biologist, was in charge of
; overseeing the project and was invaluable for logistical support and knowledge about the natural
j^ resources of Kerr Reservoir lands. Other Kerr Reservoir personnel who provided logistical support, field
assistance, and/or natural resource information included Chief, Natural Resources, Robert Dennis,
i Wildlife Biologist John Fulton, Forestry Trainees Heather Burke, Heather Campbell,, and Nancy
^ Sumners, Ranger Trainees Susan Warren and Heather Morehead, and Ranger Daniel Hornstein.
Many of the staff of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Natural
I Heritage participated in the inventory or assisted in the completion of this report. Other staff members
who conducted or assisted in field work included Allen Belden Jr., Chris S. Hobson, Anne C. Chazal,
Steve M. Roble, J. Christopher Ludwig, Kathleen M. McCoy, and Crystal D. Nance. J. Christopher
i Ludwig also identified moth specimens. Allen Belden Jr., Kathleen McCoy, Chris Hobson, and Anne
Chazal assisted in phases of this report. Support in the area of data processing and reporting was
provided by Megan G. Rollins, Cathy L. Milholen, and Marylee T. Grabowski. Kevin E. Heffernan
provided guidance on management recommendations. Steven M. Roble and Chris S. Hobson provided
*** many of the photographs of the animal rarities. Leslie D. Trew was responsible for planning the scope of
work and contracting the project. J. Christopher Ludwig handled the overall administration and
coordination of the project and Patricia A. Jarrell managed financial affairs. Faye B. McKinney made
our work easier by handling the multitude of logistical and administrative tasks involved.
Mitchell A. Byrd and Bryan D. Watts of the Center for Conservation Biology at The College of William
and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, conducted aerial surveys for bald eagles and great blue heron
rookeries in March of 1997.
Richard L. Hoffman of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, Virginia, assisted in
zoological field work, identified specimens, and provided his illustration of the ground beetle
Phloeoxena signata for this report. Dale Schweitzer of The Nature Conservancy identified moth
specimens. Thomas F. Wieboldt of the VPI & SU Herbarium participated in several days of inventories
for rare plants and natural communities in 1997. Steve Q. Croy of the US Forest Service provided the
photograph of green floater (Lasmigona subviridis).
Portions of two Virginia State Parks, located on lands leased from the US Army Corps of Engineers,
were surveyed, and we thank Occoneechee State Park Manager Tony Widmer and Staunton River State
Park Manager Tim Vest for site and/or access information.
xvii
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In North Carolina, John Finnegan, Data Manager of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, and
Jeff Beane of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, conducted
amphibian survey work. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Ecologist Mike Schafale assisted
with identification of the natural communities. Jeff and Ann Pippen provided data on the Great Blue
Heron rookery on Flat Creek.
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XV111
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INTRODtJCTlQN
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CO~TYELEMENTS
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Y, SITE REPORTS
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INTRODUCTION TO THE SITE REPORTS
To enhance protection and facilitate management of biodiversity at Kerr Reservoir, boundaries have been
provided for landscape units which merit practical and justifiable recommendation as conservation sites.
A conservation site is a natural area that includes one or more element occurrences and has been
assigned a biodiversity rank of at least B5. Reports follow for 29 conservation sites identified during the
Natural Heritage Inventory. The following standard reporting format is used for each site:
SITE NAME: Site names generally reflect a geographic locality and, in some cases, a prevalent
landscape feature.
SIZE: The approximate acreage within the conservation planning boundary, as determined by
planimeter or grid, is given.
BIODIVERSITY RANK: The overall significance of the natural area, in terms of the rarity of natural
heritage resources and the quality of their occurrences, is indicated. As described in section I, these
ranks range from Bl (very high significance) to B5 (general biodiversity significance).
LOCALITY: The county (or counties) containing the site is listed.
SITE SIGNIFICANCE: This is a designation used only by the North Carolina Natural Heritage
Program and indicates if a site is of significance at the National, State, Regional, County or Local level.
(No Nationally or State significant sites were identified in the North Carolina portion of Kerr Reservoir.)
C= Regional. Sites of regional significance contain natural heritage elements that are represented
elsewhere in the state by better quality examples, but which are among the outstanding examples in their
geographic region of the state. A few better examples (either Nationally or State significant sites) occur
elsewhere in the state.
D= County. Site that contains natural elements that are represented elsewhere in the region by better
quality examples; but which are significant examples in the county. A few better examples occur
elsewhere in the region.
E= Local. Site that contains natural heritage elements that are represented elsewhere in the county by
better quality examples, but which are significant examples in a portion of the county. A few better
examples occur elsewhere in the county.
QUADRANGLE: The name of the USGS 7.5' quadrangle(s) that includes the site is listed.
QUADRANGLE CODE: The code used by DCR-DNH and NC NHP for the quadrangle is listed. The
first five digits of the code represent latitude and longitude (in degrees) of the quadrangle.
LOCATION: Location of the site within Kerr Reservoir, using geographical landmarks, is given.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCE SUMMARY TABLE: This field provides a synopsis of the
natural heritage resources (rare species and significant communities), together with their status ranks
(global, state, USFWS, Virginia and North Carolina legal) and element occurrence ranks. Detailed
44
occurrence data for the rare species and significant communities can be found following each site report. ^
SITE DESCRIPTION: A brief narrative describing the site, its significant elements, vegetation, '
habitat, and current land use is presented. The first reference to a species in a narrative is by common **
name, followed by its scientific name in parentheses. Subsequent references to the same species are by
common name only. For lists of plant and animal species observed within the North Carolina sites see I
Appendix F. *J
BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION: The preliminary conservation planning boundary delineated in this i
report contains all known occurrences of natural heritage resources. For the Virginia sites adjacent ^
buffer lands required for their immediate protection are also included. The boundaries of the North
Carolina sites do not include this buffer. The information field explains the basis for the specific site !
boundaries. l_i
THREATS: Threats to the site and its natural heritage resources are described. These may include both ,
real, imminent threats and potential threats posed by types of land use activities or other factors that J
currently are not impacting the site.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS: This field is a summary of the major issues and factors J
that should be considered in management of the site for its biodiversity and natural heritage resource
values. As a rule, generalized recommendations are provided based on potential threats identified during !
the survey work. The expertise of inventory biologists familiar with each site, as well as, in Virginia, ,J
input from DCR-DNH natural areas program biologists, has been utilized in preparing these
recommendations. However, within the context of a relatively short-term (two year) inventory effort on
large sites, it may be difficult to identify highly specific management strategies. In addition, the J
management needs of a few element occurrences are so obscure that additional study by experts may be
needed. In many cases, monitoring of element occurrences or site factors is recommended to determine j
the best long-term management practices. In all cases, if land use changes or specific high-impact i
actions are proposed within a site's boundary, consultation with DCR-DNH and NC NHP staff is
recommended to assess impacts on the natural heritage resources. Information on invasive alien plant
species prepared by DCR-DNH's Stewardship Section is included in Appendix G, and an article
(Whitney 1987) on the value of old-growth forests is included in Appendix H.
PROTECTION RECOMMENDATIONS: A summary of the actions and priority needed to ensure J
long-term protection of the site and its elements is provided.
REFERENCES: Pertinent literature is listed. !
SITE MAPS: The site map, drawn on copies of the USGS 7.5' quad(s), shows the preliminary
Conservation Planning Boundary. The Conservation Planning Boundary shown on the North Carolina i
conservation sites generally only includes element occurrence boundaries. The boundary shown for the *■*
Virginia sites includes additional land determined to be important for long-term maintenance of the
elements and considers the following factors when drawing these boundaries. \
- the extent of current and potential habitat for rare species and exemplary natural communities;
- species movement and migration corridors; ^i
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- maintenance of surface water quality within the site and the surrounding
watershed;
- maintenance of the hydrologic integrity of groundwater resources;
- land intended to mitigate a wide variety of off-site impacts;
- land or activities necessary to preclude or minimize exotic species; and
- land necessary for management activities, e.g., prescribed burning.
The boundaries are intended for conservation planning purposes and, at the very least, should prevent
inadvertent damage to the natural areas.
ELEMENT LOCATION MAPS: Maps showing the exact location of each element occurrence within
a site are included following the site map. In the case of animal elements, which are often highly mobile
organisms, the maps indicate where actual collections were made and/or specimens were observed.
These location maps are intended to provide Kerr Reservoir natural resource managers with requisite
site-specific information. However, since rare species are often sensitive to disturbance or may be
sought out by collectors, we strongly recommend that this information not be shared with the general
public or with persons not directly involved in the stewardship of these sites.
46
ROANOKE RIVER
BANISTER RIVER
John HKerr Dam and Reservoir
2 0 2 4 Mies
Fig. 3. Location of conservation sites at Kerr Reservoir, Virginia and North Carolina.
47
KEY TO THE CONSERVATION SITES AT JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
REEK
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Virginia
I. Sandy Creek
Lower Roanoke (Staunton) River
Difficult Creek
Cargills Creek Wildlife Management Area
Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area
Dan River Islands
Dan River Wildlife Management Area
Wolf Trap Wildlife Management Area
Banister River South Unit Wildlife Management Area
10. Gibson Creek
II. Hyco River: US 501 to Rt. 744
12. Hyco River: Rt. 741 to Rt. 738
13. Hyco Landing
14. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
15. Eagle Point Flatwoods
16. Grassy Creek Flatwoods (extends into North Carolina)
17. Beaver Pond Creek Flatwoods (extends into North Carolina)
18. Merifield Wildlife Management Area
19. Buggs Island
North Carolina
20. Mill Creek Hardwood Forests
21. Indian Creek Hardwood Forest
22. Crooked Run Wildlife Management Area
23. Steele Creek Hardwood Forest
24. Tungsten Hardwood Forests
25. Townsville Road Xeric Forest
26 Beaver Pond Creek Upland Forest
27. US 15 Hardpan Forest
28. Spewmarrow Creek Forests (along SR 1445)
29. Spewmarrow Creek Hardpan Forest at SR 1443
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SITE REPORTS: VIRGINIA
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BANISTER RIVER SOUTH UNIT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Size: Ca. 320 acres Biodiversity Rank: B4
Locality: Halifax County, VA
Quadrangle: Omega Quadrangle Code: 3607867
Location: This site is located in the Banister River bottomlands from the railroad track north of Rt. 716
to ca. 1 mile south, and from 0.4 mile west of the river channel to 0.1 to 0.2 mile east of the channel.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
GLOBAL STATE VA/NC ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest
(Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype)
PLANTS:
Lotus helleri
Carolina prairie-trefoil
ANIMALS:
Hetaerina titia
Smoky rubyspot
G3
G5
S4?
SI
S2 D
Site Description: This site mostly contains young bottomland forests and abandoned agricultural fields.
A narrow strip of sandy, alluvial forest occurs between the largest old field and the river channel proper
just south of Rt. 716. Within this strip is an old berm, probably constructed to reduce flooding in the
field. The west side of the old field is drained by an old, artificial ditch, which continues to the south
through an impressively old stand of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest. This community was evidently
left in its natural state while most or all of the land around it was cleared. Trees 2.5 to 4.5 feet dbh are
common in this stand, which is dominated by willow oak (Quercus phellos) and pin oak (Quercus
palustris). At least in aggregate, these are the largest trees seen anywhere on Kerr Reservoir property
during two years of DCR-DNH inventory. Although the floodplain retains its original topography here,
near the upper limits of the Kerr Reservoir, the natural flooding regime has been altered since the
Reservoir became operational in 1949. A fair population of the state-rare plant Carolina prairie-trefoil
{Lotus helleri) was found in a barren edge of the brushy old field located just south of Rt. 716. North of
Rt. 716 two individuals of the state rare damselfly smoky rubyspot {Hetaerina titia) were found along
the 20 meter wide river channel of sand/silt/clay. A great blue heron rookery of seven active nests, seen
in March 1997, although not large enough to be considered by DCR-DNH to be a significant colony, is
also present north of Rt 716 and west of the Banister River.
49
1
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes the significant community, rare plant, habitat for the ***
rare damselfly, and sufficient buffer to mitigate future adverse impacts.
Threats: It appears that prolonged flooding related to periodic back ups of the Reservoir has severely ^
curtailed tree reproduction and greatly reduced shrub and herbaceous density and diversity in the old
forest. Further study is needed, but the long-term viability of this community occurrence seems j
questionable. ^
Management Recommendations: The lack of canopy tree (oak) forest reproduction in the old forest, as I
well as the general depauperate nature of its floristics should be studied and remedial action taken if <*i
possible. The old field supporting Carolina prairie-trefoil (Lotus helleri) is actively succeeding to young
trees, and mechanical clearing or prescribed burning will be required to maintain viable habitat for this j
rarity in the future. DCR-DNH Stewardship staff can provide expertise in prescribed burning techniques. ^
Habitat for the rare damselfly should be protected by maintaining good water quality through
maintaining a forested buffer zone and minimizing siltation and contamination from agricultural and
roadside runoff. Monitoring of the damselfly and water quality at this site should be initiated. J
Protection Recommendations: This site merits high protection because of the presence of a globally j
rare plant species, a significant community, and a state rare insect. Protection measures should include uJ
the implementation of management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH when changes in
land use or management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be j
formally incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr Reservoir. ^j
Site Visit Chronology:
1998-07-28 G.P. Fleming J
1998-09-24 A.C. Chazal, C.S. Hobson
References: None j
J
J
50
Fig. 4. BANISTER RIVER SOUTH UNIT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Conservation Planning Boundary (The approximate area of a small Great Blue Heron
Rookery is shown by the shaded section within the site boundary.)
Omega USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
51
©
o
o
to
«i!i i'lTi'iT W#J4 'i'i1 i'mPk ^"^^
^l{j!j!il!'il!l!l!w?jfe!lililil!lM
I.
L
L
U
Fig. 6. BANISTER RIVER SOUTH UNIT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Lotus helleri
Omega USGS 7.5* Quadrangle
3000 ft N
53
I . •"..*- * •
<p§r
Fig. 7. BANISTER RIVER SOUTH UNIT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Hetaerina titia
Omega USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft N
54
«J
L
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
L
CONSERVATION SITE: BANISTER RIVER SOUTH UNIT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
tar
L
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN SWAMP FOREST
(PIN OAK-WILLOW OAK SUBTYPE)
LAST
O8S
EORANK EODATA
PLANTS
LOTUS HELLERI
-CAROLINA PRAIRIE-TREFOIL
1998-07-28 C IMPRESSIVE, MATURE STAND OF
BOTTOMLAND HARDWOODS COVERING
CA. 15 ACRES. DOMINANT CANOPY
TREES > 80 CM DBH ARE COMMON
IN THIS STAND AND SEVERAL
INDIVIDUALS MEASURING OVER 140
CM DBH WERE RECORDED. DOMINANT
AND CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES ARE
QUERCUS PHELLOS (MOST ABUNDANT
CANOPY TREE), QUERCUS
PALUSTRIS, QUERCUS LYRATA,
ULMUS ALATA, TOXICODENDRON
RAD I CANS, ILEX DECIDUA,
BIGNONIA CAPREOLATA, CAMPSIS
RAD I CANS, CAREX TYPHINA,
SAURURUS CERNUUS, AND LEERSIA
VIRGINICA. LONG TERM VIABILITY
IS QUESTIONABLE DUE TO
HYDROLOGIC ALTERATIONS
STEMMING FROM FLUCTUATING
WATER LEVELS IN THE KERR
RESERVOIR.
1998-07-28 C CA. 150 FLOWERING INDIVIDUALS
IN A 5M x 42M AREA.
[££9
ANIMALS
HETAERINA TITIA
-SMOKY RUBYSPOT
1998-09-24 D TWO INDIVIDUALS SEEN.
HABITAT
EXTENSIVE BOTTOMLAND WITH
CLAY-RICH, HARDPAN SOILS
DERIVED FROM LITHIC AND
CRYSTAL METATUFF OF THE HYCO
FORMATION. SOILS ARE VERY
PLASTIC - STICKY WHEN WET AND
SUBANGULAR BLOCKY WHEN DRY.
HYDROLOGIC REGIME IS
SEASONALLY FLOODED BUT HAS
BEEN ALTERED BY FREQUENT
BACK-UPS OF THE KERR
RESERVOIR. IT APPEARS THAT
EXTENDED FLOODING DURING THE
SPRING MONTHS HAS SEVERELY
CURTAILED REPRODUCTION OF THE
CANOPY TREES AND GREATLY
REDUCED SHRUB AND HERBACEOUS
DIVERSITY AND DENSITY.
DRY, BARREN, HARDPAN SOIL
DERIVED FROM CLAY-RICH
TRIASSIC SUBSTRATES. BORDER OF
OLD FIELD PROBABLY COMPACTED
BY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN THE
PAST (VEHICULAR RUTS STILL
EVIDENT). ASSOCIATES INCLUDED
CHAMAECRISTA NICTITANS, DIODIA
TERES, AMBROSIA
ARTEMISIIFOLIA, HELENIUM
FLEXUOSUM, LOBELIA INFLATA,
DICHANTHELIUM ACUMINATUM,
HYPERICUM PUNCTATUM,
POTENTILLA SIMPLEX, LESPEDEZA
CUNEATA, SCUTELLARIA
INTEGRIFOLIA, AND AGROSTIS
PERENNANS. YOUNG QUERCUS
PHELLOS AND ULMUS ALATA WERE
ACTIVELY INVADING THE MAIN
PART OF THE FIELD AND
BEGINNING TO ENCROACH UPON THE
BARREN EDGE HABITAT.
THE RIVER IS ABOUT 20 M WIDE,
OF MODERATE CURRENT, AND IS
ENTRENCHED ABOUT 5-10M . THE
SUBSTRATE IS SAND/SILT/CLAY.
THE UPLANDS ARE BY
HARDWOODS/PINE MIXED FORESTS.
55
XitK
Xis&i
Size: Ca. 220 acres
BEAVER POND CREEK FLATWOODS
Biodiversity Rank: B3
Locality: Mecklenburg County, VA
Granville County, NC
Quadrangle: Clarksville South, Tungsten Quadrangle Code: 3607855, 3607854
Location: This site is located just east of Beaver Pond Creek and extends from 0.4 mile north to 0.7 mile
south of the North Carolina line. It is accessible via a Corps of Engineers Road which leaves NCI 501
just east of the Beaver Pond Creek bridge.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL STATE VA/NC ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Virginia
Upland Depression Swamp
North Carolina
Basic Oak-Hickory Forest
(Typic Subtype)
Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest
Upland Depression Swamp Forest
Xeric Hardpan Forest
S2
S3
su
S2
S3
B
B
B
C
Site Description: This site includes portions of Virginia and North Carolina east of Beaver Pond Creek.
In Virginia this site encompasses an area of nearly level uplands underlain by homblende-plagioclase
gabbro, a mafic metavolcanic rock. Soils here are of the Iredell series and comprised of basic silty clay
surface loams over heavy clay, hardpan subsoils. Most of the site is covered with dry-mesic oak-hickory
and oak-pine forests which have followed agricultural land uses. In the northern portion of the
survey area, some of these forests were quite old (approximately 80 years), yet old plow lines and rock
piles provided hard evidence of major past disturbances. Stands in the southern section are younger and
have a larger pine component. There are also several areas, including several recent clearcuts, in the
southern section that are managed for loblolly pine by the Corps of Engineers. Virtually no plants of any
real interest were found anywhere in the hardwood forests, which mostly have an herbaceous layer
consisting of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolius).
Two seasonally flooded upland depression wetlands were found in Virginia within the upland oak-hickory
forests. The smaller of them, located on the Kerr Reservoir boundary and heavily disturbed by a
clearcut on the adjoining private land, is not considered significant. The larger wetland, covering
approximately one acre and in essentially pristine condition, is probably the finest example of this
community type seen on Kerr Reservoir lands. This wetland, dominated by large willow oaks (Quercus
56
phellos) and overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) up to 3 feet dbh, is a scattered but characteristic community in
hardpan uplands of the southern Piedmont.
'i
In the North Carolina section this site is a relatively flat area over gabbro or diorite. The soils are **
mapped as Iredell and Enon over nearly all of the site. The area features circumneutral soils with high-quality
hardwood forests that are closest to Basic Oak-Hickory Forest, but with some elements of Mesic j
Mixed Hardwood Forest and Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest. The area is quite flat and contains an «**
Upland Depression Swamp Forest and a Xeric Hardpan Forest, as well as a Basic Oak-Hickory Forest
and Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest that are transitional to acidic forests. j
The Basic Oak-Hickory Forest is not present on as rich a soil as those found in southern Granville
County over Iredell or Picture soils, even though Iredell is mapped in part of the area. Some plants .
characteristic of acidic soils are present, but the presence of much eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) «bJ
and American hazelnut (Corylus americana), and a general lack of ericaceous shrubs indicates a basic
rather than acidic natural community. The canopy is mature, with trees up to about 90 feet tall and 1-1.5 j
feet dbh. Dominant in the canopy are white oak (Quercus alba) and a wide array of hickories, including J
considerable sweet pignut hickory (Carya ovalis). The well-developed understory and shrub layers
contain eastern redbud, American hazelnut, and many species characteristic of mesic soils, such as \
American holly (Ilex opaca) and flowering dogwood (Cornusflorida). The herb layer is very sparse; ,J
Virginia creeper is abundant. Although the community extends into Virginia, it was deemed to be not
significant in its Virginia section. ' j
J
Adjacent to the Basic Oak-Hickory Forest, near the eastern edge of the USACE property, is a poorly
drained flat area at the head of a creek. This hardpan flat area can be called a Mixed Moisture Hardpan ,
Forest. It is a transitional community between a wetland and an upland. Willow oaks are frequent, as ^j
are sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), white oak, and southern sugar maple (Acer barbatum).
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniand) is common in the understory, as is eastern redbud.
j
The Upland Depression Swamp Forest lies just west of a logging road and is one to two acres in size. At
the time of the site visits, it was nearly dry. Mature willow oaks and sweetgums are the most common
trees. There is little other vegetation; some gelatinous remains of amphibian egg masses were observed '
on the spring visit.
Adjacent to the depression on the southwest is a small, one to three acre Xeric Hardpan Forest. The \
ground is quite hard. Plants such as post oak (Quercus stellata) and reindeer lichen (Cladonia spp.) are ***
present here but are not common elsewhere in the vicinity. Southern red oak (Quercus falcata) is the
dominant tree, but considerable eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) is also present. i
Two Species of Concern in North Carolina, Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) (G5/S3) and Cooper's
Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) (G5 S3B, S3N) were seen flying overhead but are not included in the summary i
table above or on maps as only nests and roosts are monitored by North Carolina. «"
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes all of the community elements and some additional ;
buffer lands to protect against adverse impacts. ^
Threats: The biggest potential threat at this site is from logging activities, particularly the logging road '
adjacent to the North Carolina Upland Depression Swamp Forest. >**i
57 J
L
k- Management Recommendations: The site needs little active management. Future timber harvests in
loblolly pine stands located near the significant wetland community in Virginia should be carefully
; planned to avoid negative impacts to the wetland. Because the North Carolina upland depression is
1— immediately adjacent to the logging road, it is important that this road not be widened. Care must be
taken to maintain this road such that mud or other sediment does not wash into the depression. The
, hardwood forests should be managed to produce mature forest wildlife habitat. Zoological inventory of
Lr the significant wetland is needed in Virginia.
j Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection due to the presence of several
L state rare communities. Protection measures should include the implementation of management
recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH and NC NHP when changes in land use or
i management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be formally
[^ incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr Reservoir. The North Carolina
portion of the site should be protected as a Registered Natural Heritage Area because of the rarity of
j Upland Depression Swamp Forests; NC NHP will initiate the Registry process. The adjacent hardwood
L forests are also worthy of being included in the Registry.
I Site Visit Chronology:
L Virginia
1997-05-06 G.P. Fleming, N.E. Van Alstine, C.S. Hobson, H.E. LeGrand, Y. Grow
r 1997-07-02 G.P. Fleming, Y. Grow
L
North Carolina
1997-05-15 H.E. LeGrand
I 1997-10-16 H.E. LeGrand
1998-03-11 J. Finnegan, J. Beane, H.E. LeGrand
58
J
-• /■•■■■•■•^CScA'-l.v'rv.i /r^
Fig. 8. BEAVER POND CREEK FLATWOODS
Conservation Planning Boundary
Clarksville South and Tungsten USGS 7.51 Quadrangles
3000ft N
59
>•■*.» i
j
L
L
^jjg
Fig. 9. BEAVER POND CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Upland Depression Swamp (Virginia)
Clarksville South USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
60
Fig. 10. BEAVER POND CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype) (North Carolina)
Clarksville South and Tungsten USGS 7.5' Quadrangles
3000 ft N
61 J
Fig. 11. BEAVER POM) CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest (North Carolina)
Clarksville South and Tungsten USGS 7.5' Quadrangles
3000 ft N
62
Fig. 12. BEAVER POND CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Upland Depression Swamp Forest (North Carolina)
Clarksville South USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
63
L
Fig. 13. BEAVER POND CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Xeric Hardpan Forest (North Carolina)
Clarksville South USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
64
Isai
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: BEAVER POND CREEK FLATWOODS
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-BASIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST
(TYPIC SUBTYPE)
LAST
OBS
1997-10-16
EORANK EODATA
-MIXED MOISTURE HARDPAN FOREST
1997-10-16
-UPLAND DEPRESSION SWAMP
1997-07-02
THE SITE IS NOT AS 'MAFIC
AS SOME BASIC OAK-HICKORY
FORESTS ELSEWHERE IN
GRANVILLE COUNTY (E.G. BUTNER),
BUT THE SCARCITY OF ERICACEOUS
SHRUBS IS EVIDENT. CANOPY IS
MATURE, WITH TREES UP TO 90'
TALL AND 1-1.5 * DBH.
B A POORLY DRAINED FLAT AREA
AT THE HEAD OF A CREEK. NC
NHP CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A
VARIANT OF BASIC OAK-HICKORY
FOREST. IT IS CLEARLY A
TRANSITION BETWEEN AN UPLAND
AND A WETLAND.
A FORESTED, SEASONALLY FLOODED
WETLAND COVERING CA. ONE ACRE.
DOMINANT PLANTS ARE QUERCUS
PHELLOS, QUERCUS LYRATA, ACER
RUBRUM, ILEX DECIDUA, SMILAX
ROTUNDIFOLIA, CAREX
ALBOLUTESCENS, AND CAREX
ALATA. COMMUNITY CONDITION IS
EXCELLENT WITH LITTLE EVIDENCE
OF DISTURBANCE AND SEVERAL OLD
TREES CA. 90 CM DBH.
HABITAT
DOMINANT CANOPY TREES ARE QUERCUS
ALBA AND A WIDE ARRAY OF CARYA
SSP., INCLUDING A CONSIDERABLE
AMOUNT OF CARYA OVAL IS. WELL
DEVELOPED UNDERSTORY AND SHRUB
LAYERS CONTAIN CERCIS, CORYLUS
AMERICANA, ILEX OPACA, CORNUS
FLORIDA. HERB LAYER IS VERY
SPARSE, BUT PARTHENOCISSUS IS
ABUNDANT.
COMMON CANOPY TREES ARE QUERCUS
PHELLOS, QUERCUS ALBA,
LIQUIDAMBAR, AND ACER BARBATUM.
CARPINUS IS COMMON IN THE
UNDERSTORY, AS IS CERCIS.
SEASONALLY FLOODED, POND-LIKE
DEPRESSION SWAMP DEVELOPED ON
UPLAND HARDPAN SOILS.
UNDERLYING BEDROCK IS
HORNBLENDE-PLAGIOCLASE GABBRO
AND SOILS ARE OF THE IREDELL
SERIES.
feffij
J
•UPLAND DEPRESSION SWAMP FOREST
1997-10-16 ONE TO TWO ACRES IN SIZE, JUST
NORTH OF A LOGGING ROAD (WHICH
DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE
IMPOUNDING OF THE WATER). POOL
IS DRY FOR MUCH OF THE YEAR BUT
HOLDS WATER IN THE WINTER.
QUERCUS PHELLOS AND LIQUIDAMBAR
ARE THE CANOPY TREES, AND A FEW
LIRIODENDRON ARE ALSO PRESENT.
ILEX DECIDUA, ROSA PALUSTRIS,
AND CAMPSIS RADICANS ARE THE
SHRUBS AND WOODY VINES IN THE
DEPRESSION. CAEX SSP. ARE THE
MAIN HERBS. EGG MASSES OF
AMPHIBIANS WERE SEEN ON THE
SPRING VISIT (1997-05-15).
feai
-XERIC HARDPAN FOREST
1997-10-16 A RATHER SMALL BUT TYPICAL
EXAMPLE, OVER IREDELL SOIL.
THE GROUND IS QUITE HARD.
SITE IS ADJACENT TO AN UPLAND
DEPRESSION SWAMP FOREST, BOTH
OF WHICH ARE EMBEDDED IN
A BASIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST.
QUERCUS FALCATA IS THE DOMINANT
TREE, BUT SOME QUERCUS STELLATA
IS PRESENT. QUERCUS PHELLOS IS
FAIRLY COMMON. CONSIDERABLE
JUNIPERUS ALSO PRESENT. CLADONIA
SSP. ARE PRESENT AND ARE A GOOD
INDICATOR FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
UNDERSTORY SPECIES PRESENT
INCLUDE DIOSPYROS, CORNUS
FLORIDA, ILEX OPACA, ULMUS
ALATA. SHRUBS PRESENT ARE
SYMPHORIOCARPUS, VACCINIUM
STAMINEUM.
J
65
i?<M1
BLUESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Size: Ca. 330 acres Biodiversity Rank: B3
Locality: Mecklenburg County, VA
Quadrangle: Clarksville North Quadrangle Code: 3607865
Location: This site is located generally on slopes bordering the north side of Kerr Reservoir upstream
from the mouth of Bluestone Creek and within the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area..
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL STATE VA ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Basic Mesic Forest
Basic Oak-Hickory Forest
(Chinkapin Oak Subtype)
Basic Oak-Hickory Forest
(Post Oak/Needlegrass Subtype)
S4?
SI
SI
B
BC
C
Site Description: This site encompasses steep, dissected slopes fronting the Kerr Reservoir and
underlain by Buffalo Granite. The area supports a continuous and rather impressive forest growth
consisting mainly of dry and dry-mesic, acidic oak-hickory forests on the crests and upper south and
west-facing slopes, and rich mesic mixed hardwood forests on the steep, sheltered ravine slopes. These
forests have been undisturbed for the past 50 years, and apparently were cut a considerable time before
that, so that many of the current stands are approaching a relatively mature condition. The most
interesting and significant communities are located on steep, convex, interfluve slope "noses" fronting
the reservoir. These southwest-facing habitats are quite dry, and support thin soils which apparently
derive significant calcium and/or magnesium from the plagioclase, epidote, and diorite in more freshly
weathered granite. Two communities are defined from the noses, a post oak {Quercus sfe//ata)-pignut
hickory {Carya g/a&ra)/eastern needlegrass {Piptochaetium avenaceum) woodland (on two noses) and a
post oak-chinkapin oak {Quercus muehlenbergii) forest (on three noses). The occurrence of chinkapin
oak, especially in co-dominance with post oak, is very rare and noteworthy for the southern Virginia
Piedmont. Many notable calciphiles and basicophiles are associated with these communities, including
crested coralroot {Hexalectris spicata), limestone goldenrod {Solidago sphacelata), sicklepod {Arabis
canadensis), nettle-leaf sage {Salvia urticifolia), nettle-leaf nosebum {Tragia urticifolia), Pursh's wild-petunia
{Ruelliapurshiana\ and Virginia spiderwort {Tradescantia virginiana). A similar, but somewhat
less dramatic, soil influence is reflected in the mesic flora of the ravines. The forests here are
impressively tall and well formed, with mixed canopies of southern sugar maple {Acer barbatum),
American beech {Fagus grandifolia), white ash {Fraxinus americana), tulip-tree {Liriodendron
tulipifera), northern red oak {Quercus rubra), white oak {Q. alba) , and hickory {Carya) spp. The rich
understory, shrub and herbaceous layers include eastern redbud {Cercis canadensis), painted buckeye
66
(Aesculus sylvatica), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), eastern hop-hornbeam <*J
(Ostrya virginiana), wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), black bugbane (Cimicifuga racemosa),
fewflower tick-trefoil {Desmodium pauciflorum), horse-balm {Collinsonia canadensis), common eastern .
brome grass {Bromus pubescens), and many other species. ***
Most of the steeper slopes of the Wildlife Management Area fronting the Reservoir have probably \
always remained forested, with just a few areas showing signs of local past clearing or more extensive uJ
disturbance. Most of the forest in this area was cut in the distant past, and is now in a mature, second-growth
condition. Several wildlife clearings/food plots are located on the ridge crests of the area. On the t
north side of the main ridge crest is a large ravine system which appears to have been cleared at one time J
and now supports weedy, secondary forests of pines and young mesic hardwoods. Several homesteads
were probably located within the WMA in the past. i
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes all community elements and additional buffer lands.
Threats: There are no apparent current threats. J
Management Recommendations: The element occurrences of this site are located in remote areas and j
require little if any management at present. Monitoring of potential pathogenic disturbances such as J
gypsy moth infestations may be need in the future. The hardwood forests should be managed to produce
mature forest wildlife habitat. Such management would contrast sharply with the practice of clearcutting j
hardwoods and replanting to pine monocultures which is prevalent throughout the area. As the Kerr ^
hardwood forests mature and begin to acquire old-growth characteristics, they will be unique in this
region and their biological, scientific, and aesthetic value will be inestimable.
Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection because of the presence of
several state rare communities and a good-quality occurrence of a more common community. Protection
measures should include the implementation of management recommendations and consultation with i
DCR-DNH when changes in land use or management practices are contemplated. The Conservation
Planning Boundary should be formally incorporated into the planning and management documents for
Kerr Reservoir. ,
Site Visit Chronology:
1997-04-17 G.P. Fleming j
1997-04-30 N.E.VanAlstine ^
1997-05-05 G.P. Fleming
1997-05-09 G.P. Fleming I
1997-06-04 G.P. Fleming "*
1997-08-11 G.P. Fleming
1998-07-28 A.C. Chazal, C.S. Hobson, H. Morehead \
1998-07-29 A.C. Chazal, C.S. Hobson, H. Morehead <-J
References: None
L
L
L
L
L
Fig. 14. BLUESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Conservation Planning Boundary
Clarksville North USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
68
lad
Fig. 15. BLUESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Basic Mesic Forest
Clarksville North USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
69
I iw-l
tljj33
L£S9
Fig. 16. BLUESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Chinkapin Oak Subtype)
Clarksville North USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft N
70
Fig. 17. BLUESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Basic Oak-Hickoiy Forest (Post Oak/Needlegrass Subtype)
Clarksville North USGS IS Quadrangle
3000 ft N
71
J
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
L
CONSERVATION SITE: BLUESTONE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-BASIC MESIC FOREST
LAST
OBS
EORANK EOOATA
1998-08-04 B MODERATELY RICH, MATURING
SECOND-GROWTH HARDWOOD FOREST
COVERING CA. 40 ACRES IN
SEVERAL DISCONTINUOUS
SUBOCCURRENCES. MIXED CANOPY
OF ACER BARBATUM, FAGUS
GRANDIFOLIA, FRAXINUS
AMERICANA, LIRIODENDRON
TULIPIFERA, QUERCUS RUBRA,
QUERCUS ALBA, AND CARYA SPP.
CHARACTERIZED BY TALL,
STRAIGHT TREES. MIXED SMALL
TREE/UNDERSTORY STRATA OF
CERCIS CANADENSIS, OSTRYA
VIRGIN IANA, AESCULUS
SYLVATICA, CORNUS FLORIDA,
ASIMINA TRILOBA, LINDERA
BENZOIN, HYDRANGEA
ARBORESCENS, ETC. RATHER LUSH
HERBACEOUS LAYER OF CIMICIFUGA
RACEMOSA, COLLINSONIA
CANADENSIS, DESMODIUM
PAUCIFLORUM, BROMUS PUBESCENS,
ELYMUS HYSTRIX, CYPRIPEDIUM
PUBESCENS, PHEGOPTERIS
HEXAGONOPTERA, HEPATICA
AMERICANA, FESTUCA
SUBVERTICILLATA, SANGUINARIA
CANADENSIS, SAWICULA SMALLII,
AND MANY OTHER SPECIES.
COMMUNITY CONDITION IS VERY
GOOD, WITH RELATIVELY FEW
EXOTICS.
HABITAT
ON STEEP, MESIC, NW TO
SE-FACING RAVINE SLOPES.
UNDERLYING BEDROCK IS BUFFALO
GRANITE, WITH SOME MAFIC OR
CALCAREOUS INFLUENCE FROM
PLAGIOCLASE, EPIDOTE, AND/OR
DIORITE.
-BASIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST
(CHINQUAPIN OAK SUBTYPE)
1998-08-04 BC DRY, OPEN-CANOPY OAK-HICKORY
FOREST COVERING PERHAPS FIVE
ACRES IN AGGREGATE IN THREE
SUBOCCURRENCES. DOMINANT TREES
ARE GNARLED QUERCUS STELLATA
AND QUERCUS HUEHLENBERGII.
DENSE SMALL TREE AND SHRUB
STRATA DOMINATED BY OSTRYA
VIRGINIANA, CERCIS CANADENSIS,
ULMUS ALATA, FRAXINUS
AMERICANA, AND CARYA SPP.
RATHER SPARSE HERBACEOUS
STRATUM WITH PATCHY COVER OF
BIGNONIA CAPREOLATA, VITIS
ROTUNDI FOLIA, AND
PIPTOCHAETIUM AVENACEUM MOST
PREVALENT. COMMUNITY CONDITION
IS GOOD, THOUGH PAST
DISTURBANCES HAVE INCLUDED
SOME LOGGING IMPACTS AND
DESTRUCTION OF A URGE PORTION
ON STEEP, CONVEX, QUITE XERIC
SW-FACING SLOPES ABOVE KERR
RESERVOIR. OPEN CANOPY
CONDITIONS AND GNARLED TREE
GROWTH APPEAR TO BE THE RESULT
OF EDAPHIC CONDITIONS.
UNDERLYING BEDROCK IS BUFFALO
GRANITE. SOILS ARE OF THE
WILKES SERIES, WITH PLASTIC
CLAY SUBSOILS. MAFIC OR
CALCAREOUS SOIL INFLUENCE
DERIVES FROM PLAGIOCLASE,
EPIDOTE, AND/OR DIORITE.
NOTEWORTHY ASSOCIATES INCLUDE
RUELLIA PURSHIANA, ARABIS
CANADENSIS, ARABIS LAEVIGATA,
EUPATORIUM SESSILI FOLIUM,
SCUTELLARIA OVATA, SALVIA
URTICIFOLIA, SOLIDAGO
SPHACELATA, OXALIS PRICEAE
SSP. COLOREA, AND TRAGIA
72
ELEMENT LAST
OBS
EORANK EODATA
OF THE OCCURRENCE BY THE
RESERVOIR IMPOUNDMENT.
HABITAT
URTICIFOLIA.
J
-BASIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST
(POST OAK/NEEDLEGRASS SUBTYPE)
1998-08-04 C DRY, OPEN, OAK-HICKORY
WOODLAND COVERING JUST A FEU
ACRES. DOMINANT TREES, WITH
50-80% CANOPY COVER, ARE
QUERCUS STELLATA AND CARYA
GLABRA. OSTRYA VIRGINIANA,
CHIONANTHUS VIRGINICUS,
HYPERICUM PROLIFICUM DOMINANT
IN SHRUB LAYER. PIPTOCHAETIUM
AVENACEUM OVERWHELMINGLY
DOMINANT (75%+ COVER) IN
HERBACEOUS LAYER. PART OF THE
OCCURRENCE HAS A VERY OPEN,
SAVANNA-LIKE WOODLAND
PHYSIOGNOMY. COMMUNITY
CONDITION VERY GOOD. A LARGE
PORTION OF THE OCCURRENCE WAS
PROBABLY DESTROYED BY THE
RESERVOIR IMPOUNDMENT.
ON STEEP, CONVEX, QUITE XERIC
SW-FACING SLOPES ABOVE KERR
RESERVOIR. SOMEWHAT OPEN TO
OPEN CANOPY CONDITIONS AND
SLOW TREE GROWTH APPEAR TO BE
THE RESULT OF EDAPHIC
CONDITIONS. UNDERLYING BEDROCK
IS BUFFALO GRANITE. SOILS ARE
OF THE WILKES SERIES, WITH
PLASTIC CLAY SUBSOILS. MAFIC
OR CALCAREOUS SOIL INFLUENCE
DERIVES FROM PLAGIOCLASE,
EPIDOTE, AND/OR DIORITE.
NOTEWORTHY ASSOCIATES INCLUDE
HEXALECTRIS SPICATA,
SCHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM ,
HELIANTHUS DIVARICATUS, OXALIS
PRICEAE SSP. COLOREA, CERCIS
CANDENSIS, PENSTEMON CANESCENS
AND TRADESCANTIA VIRGINIANA.
J
ted
73
u BUGGS ISLAND
I Size: Ca. 170 acres Biodiversity Rank: B5
Locality: Mecklenburg County, VA
fe= Quadrangle: John H. Kerr Dam Quadrangle Code: 3607853
j Location: This site consists of the large island in the Roanoke River just downstream from John H. Ken-is,
Dam.
I NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
1:-<TM1
GLOBAL STATE VA ELEMENT
[ RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
^ ELEMENT NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest S5 - - BC
tag
Site Description: The site is a 100+ acre island in the Roanoke River. Virtually the entire island is now
La forested, although the highest and driest portion at the west end appears to have been cleared in the past.
This portion is currently the subject of an archeological study. The narrow, eastern portion of the island
is covered with rather young mixed bottomland hardwoods, including river birch (Betula nigra),
sycamore (Platanus occidentals), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), with a dense shrub layer. In
the central portion, which lies 10-20 feet above the normal river water level, a mature, high quality forest
covers approximately 75 acres. This stand has many trees with diameters-at-breast height (dbh) over 2
feet, a dense small tree/shrub layer of pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and variable but generally rather sparse
herbaceous cover. Exposed rocks and rocky flats are present in several spots along the island's
perimeter, most extensively at the west end.
Boundary Justification: The site boundary coincides with the boundary of the island and includes the
significant community and buffer lands to protect the community from adverse impacts.
Threats: The large Kerr Dam immediately upstream has probably reduced flood frequencies and disrupted
normal ecological processes at this site to some degree and the long-term viability of alluvial forests here is
somewhat uncertain.
Management Recommendations: Ecological studies at this site would be appropriate to answer
questions about the long-term viability of the alluvial forest here. The hardwood forest should be
managed to produce mature forest wildlife habitat. Such management would contrast sharply with the
practice of clearcutting hardwoods and replanting to pine monocultures which is prevalent throughout the
area. As the Kerr hardwood forests mature and begin to acquire old-growth characteristics, they will be
unique in this region and their biological, scientific, and aesthetic value will be inestimable.
Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection due to the occurrence of a
high quality example of a common forest type. Protection measures should include the implementation
74
of management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH when changes in land use or
management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be formally
incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr Reservoir.
Site Visit Chronology:
1997-10-08 G.P. Fleming, N.E. Van Alstine, Y. Grow, T.F. Wieboldt "*
1998-06-17 A.C. Chazal, Y. Grow
1998-06-18 A.C. Chazal, Y. Grow j
References: None
J
|-j::j|I
a
i
J
Fig. 18. BUGGS ISLAND
Conservation Planning Boundary
John H. Kerr Dam USGS 7.5" Quadrangle
3000 ft N
76
Fig. 19. BUGGS ISLAND
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest
John H. Kerr Dam USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
77
J
lisa ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: BUGGS ISLAND
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN BOTTOMLAND
FOREST
LAST
OBS
EORANK EODATA
1997-10-08 BC MATURE BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD
FOREST COVERING CA. 75 ACRES.
MIXED CANOPY DOMINANCE OF
CELTIS OCCIDENTALIS, CARYA
CORDIFORMIS, FRAXINUS
PENNSYLVANIA, AND QUERCUS
PHELLOS WITH AT LEAST EIGHT
OTHER CANOPY SPECIES PRESENT.
ASIMINA TRILOBA DOMINANT IN
SMALL TREE/SHRUB LAYER
THROUGHOUT AND ARUNDINARIA
TECTA DOMINANT LOCALLY IN
SHRUB LAYER. COMMUNITY
CONDITION IS VERY GOOD FOR
THIS TYPE. SOME WEEDS PRESENT
BUT FEWER THAN IN MANY
ALLUVIAL FORESTS. LARGE TREES
OVER 2 FT. DBH FREQUENT IN
STAND.
HA8ITAT
ON A HIGH ALLUVIAL TERRACE
OCCUPYING THE CENTER OF BUGGS
ISLAND. SILTY ALLUVIAL SOILS
ARE VERY WELL DRAINED AND
INFREQUENTLY FLOODED. LARGE
DAM IMMEDIATELY UPSTREAM HAS
PROBABLY REDUCED FLOOD
FREQUENCIES AND DISRUPTED
NORMAL ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES AT
THIS SITE. IN THE LONG TERM,
STAND MAY SUCCEED TO A MORE
MESIC, TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITY
TYPE. NOTEWORTHY ASSOCIATES
INCLUDE QUERCUS SHUMARDII,
ACER BARBATUM, AND CAREX
JAMESII.
78
CARGILLS CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Size: Ca. 80 acres Biodiversity Rank: B4
Locality: Charlotte County, VA
Quadrangle: Buffalo Springs Quadrangle Code: 3607866
Location: This site is located on both sides of Cargills Creek, between Rt. 632 and the Roanoke River,
and within the Cargills Creek Wildlife Management Area.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
GLOBAL STATE VA ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
ELEMENT NAME RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
PLANTS:
Lotus helleri G3 SI - - BC
Carolina prairie-trefoil
Stachys sp.\ G? SI - - C
Yadkin hedgenettle
Site Description: This site features a medium-sized creek and adjacent slopes underlain by Aaron slate,
a subacid metasedimentary rock. For approximately half the distance between Rt. 632 and the Roanoke
River, Cargills Creek flows within its natural banks and its hydrology is intact. In the lower half, the
Creek is increasingly influenced by periodic backwater flooding from the Kerr Reservoir, and near its
mouth this stream is a broad, impounded waterway. On the east side of the stream, slopes are relatively
steep and support nice stands of Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest characterized by American beech (JFagus
grandifolia), southern sugar maple {Acer barbatum), northern red oak {Quercus rubra), white oak
{Quercus alba), flowering dogwood {Cornusflorida), mountain laurel {Kalmia latifolia), little heartleaf
{Hexastylis minor), crested dwarf iris {Iris cristata), etc. This community has not been designated as an
element occurrence because much of the stand is characterized by young to medium-age trees, although
older trees are present, and it covers a rather small, narrow area. If allowed to mature, however, this
forest will be a significant resource in the not too distant future. Most of the upland forests on the west
s^e of me stream have been cut over, and a series of logging roads traverses the site. The rare plant
Carolina prairie-trefoil {Lotus helleri) was found along a 200 meter stretch of the main road through this
site. This species thrives in the barren, compacted gravels of the roadbed and also ranges into several dry
clearings adjacent to the road. A small population of the rare and undescribed species Yakdin
hedgenettle {Stachys sp. 1) was found on the floodplain.
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes all elements and additional buffer lands and extends
downstream to include the forest that will become a significant resource.
Threats: The impacts of occasional use and maintenance of the roadbed on the Carolina prairie-trefoil
population is unknown.
79
fc££j
Management Recommendations: The majority of the Carolina prairie-trefoil population is located
within a periodically graveled roadbed. This roadbed is utilized infrequently, and the impacts of
occasional use and maintenance on Carolina prairie-trefoil are unknown. Such impacts may actually j
favor this species by eliminating competition and creating the requisite barren, compacted soils. u"
However, it would be more ecologically desirable, as well as desirable from a facility management point
of view, to manage adjacent dry clearings and woodlands to support this population. Such management
needs additional study, but might include some clearing of brush and/or prescribed burning. DCR-DNH ^
Stewardship staff can provide expertise in prescribed burning techniques. No active management is
recommended at this time for the Yadkin hedgenettle occurrence other than monitoring the population; I
no evidence of flowering or fruiting was seen in 1998 and the population may be somewhat shade •*"
suppressed. Opening up the canopy, however, could allow invasives such as Japanese honeysuckle
(Lonicerajaponica) to become a threat and so is not recommended at this time. The hardwood forest
should be managed to produce mature forest wildlife habitat.
Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection because of the presence of
two rare species, at least one of which is globally rare. Protection measures should include the *J
implementation of management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH when changes in
land use or management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be j
formally incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr Reservoir. tJ
Site Visit Chronology: j
1997-04-14 G.P. Fleming
1997-08-07 G.P. Fleming ■
1997-08-12 G.P. Fleming J
1998-04-02 C.S. Hobson, A.C. Chazal
1998-08-05 G.P. Fleming, K.M. McCoy
1998-08-10 A.C. Chazal J
1998-09-15 A.C. Chazal
1998-09-16 A.C. Chazal .
References: None
i
J
J
i
J
80 !
Fig. 20. CARGILLS CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Conservation Planning Boundary
Buffalo Springs USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
81
lad
Fig. 21. CARGILLS CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Lotus helleri
Buffalo Springs USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft N
82
J
L
Fig. 22. CARGILLS CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Stachys sp. 1
Clarksville North USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
83
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: CARGILLS CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
ELEMENT
PLANTS
LOTUS HELLERI
-CAROLINA PRAIRIE-TREFOIL
LAST
OBS
1997-08-05
EORANK
BC
EODATA
[1998:
MO
1998:] POPULATION EVEN LARGER
AND MORE VIGOROUS THAN IN
1997. [1997:] HUNDREDS OF
FLOWERING INDIVIDUALS ALONG A
200 M STRETCH OF GRAVEL
ROADWAY. DISTRIBUTION PATCHY.
THE MAJORITY OF PLANTS GREW IN
THE ROADBED, BUT A FAIR NUMBER
GREW ON XERIC BANKS AND
CLEARINGS ALONG THE ROAD.
STACHYS SP 1
-YADKIN HEDGENETTLE
1998-08-05 15 VEGETATIVE STEMS OVER 50
SQ.M. MODERATE VIGOR, NO
FLOWERING OR FRUITING STEMS
FOUND.
HABITAT
XERIC, RED CLAY SOILS AND
COMPACTED GRAVEL IN AND ALONG
AN INFREQUENTLY USED
JEEP/LOGGING ROAD. UNDERLYING
BEDROCK IS AARON SLATE, A
SUBACIDIC METASEDIMENTARY
FORMATION. ASSOCIATED SPECIES
INCLUDED DICHANTHELIUM
LAXIFLORUM, ANDROPOGON
VIRGINICUS, GYMNOPOGON
AMBIGUUS, LESPEDEZA
PROCUMBENS, LESPEDEZA
VIRGINICA, SOLIDAGO NEMORALIS,
ETC.
WELL DRAINED ALLUVIAL FOREST
UNDER YOUNG PLATANUS
OCCIDENTALIS AND LIRIODENDRON
TULIPIFERA WITH CARPINUS
CAROLINIANA AND LINDERA
BENZOIN DOMINANT IN SHRUB
LAYER. HERBACEOUS ASSOCIATES
WERE POLYSTICHUM
ACROSTICHOIDES, LYSIMACHIA
CILIATA, CHASMANTHIUM
LATI FOLIUM, GEUM CANADENSE,
SANICULA CANADENSIS, CAREX
SPP., ETC.
I'W&'I
J
84
DAN RIVER ISLANDS
Size: Ca. 1280 acres
Locality: Halifax County, VA
Quadrangle: Buffalo Springs
Biodiversity Rank: B4
Quadrangle Code: 3607S66
Location: This site includes the lower section of the Dan River and adjacent uplands from ca. 3 miles
northwest to 1.5 mile northeast of Aarons Creek.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL STATE VA ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Piedmont/ Mountain
Semipermanent Impoundment
(Herbaceous Draw-Down
Shore Subtype)
Piedmont/Mountain
Semipermanent Impoundment
(Woodland Draw-Down
Shore Subtype)
PLANTS:
Hemicarpha micrantha
dwarf bulrush
Rorippa sessiliflora
stalkless yellow-cress
Sagittaria calycina var. calycina
long-lobe arrowhead
SI?
SI?
B
G4 SI
G5 SI
G5T5? SI
D
D
D
Site Description: This site encompasses a series of islands and mudflats located at the confluence of the
Dan and Hyco Rivers. The larger islands have floodplain forests which are inundated only during
periods of high water. Some of these islands are edged with extensive mudflats (some have sandy areas
as well) which are exposed only in the late summer and early fall during years of low rainfall. Other,
generally smaller, islands have small woodland cores of black willow {Salix nigra) and'common
buttonbush (Cephalanthus ocddentalis) and, again, often extensive mudflats exposed during periods of
late season low water. One seasonally exposed mud and sand flat located in the Dan River had no woody
vegetation.
The focus of inventory in the area was on mudflat vegetation. These areas are colonized rather sparsely
to quite densely by annual herbs. Dominant species area flatsedge (Cyperus flavicomus), red-root
flatsedge (C. erythrorhizos), a false pimpernel (Lindemia dubia\ and creeping lovegrass (Eragrostis
hypnoides). Other frequently encountered species include scarlet ammania (Ammonia coccinea),
85
toothcup {Rotala ramosior), primrose-willow {Ludwigia decurrens), marsh yellow-cress {Rorippa ***
palustris), green carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata), straw-colored flatsedge {Cyperus strigosus), blunt
spikerush (Eleocharis obiusa), Virginia buttonweed (Diodia virginiana), awned flatsedge {Cyperus
squarrosus), slender fimbry (Fimbristylis autumnalis), fall witchgrass {Panicum dichotomiflorum), ^
horse-tail paspalum {Paspalumjluitans), thinleaf flatsedge {Killinga pumila), dock-leaf smartweed
{Polygonum lapathifolium), and cockle bur (Xanthium strumarium). Rare plants found on the flats are j
dwarf bulrush {Hemicarpha micrantha), long-lobe arrowhead (Sagittaria calycina var. calycina), and ^
stalldess yellow-cress {Rorippa sessiliflora). The latter was also found on the drawn down banks
between the flats and higher forested island habitat.
A woodland community dominated by black willow is located inland from the mudflats in some areas.
Common buttonbush is common in the shrub layer. The substrate here is mud and many of the same !
herbs found on the mudflats are present. On the smaller islands, this may be the only community present <J
with woody species.
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes all rare plants and significant natural communities, J
additional potential habitat for new plant rarities or extensions of current element occurrences, and a
small upland buffer. Portions of this site are within the easements that USACE holds on privately owned
lands.
Threats: Significant changes in the hydrologic regime of the reservoir could effect the extent of the ;
draw-down communities.
Management Recommendations: More inventory work is needed to determine the full extent of the
rare plant populations and communities. The effects of the John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir on the
hydrology of the draw-down communities at this site are not known and warrant study.
Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection due to the occurrence of !
several possibly state rare natural communities and three state rare plant species. Protection measures ^
should include the implementation of management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH
when changes in land use or management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning |
Boundary should be formally incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr ^
Reservoir. As portions of this site are on privately owned easements, full protection of this site would
require cooperative efforts by USACE and the landowner(s). i
Site Visit Chronology:
1997-10-23 A.Belden,N.E.VanAlstine :
References: None
J
86
J
Fig. 23. DAN RIVER ISLANDS
Conservation Planning Boundary
Buffalo Springs and Omega USGS 7.51 Quadrangles
3000 ft
A
N
87
Fig. 24. DAN RIVER ISLANDS
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment
(Herbaceous Draw-Down Shore Subtype)
Buffalo Springs USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
Fig. 25. DAN RIVER ISLANDS
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment
(Woodland Draw-Down Shore Subtype)
Buffalo Springs USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
89
^S6M)//)Mk
^I^WM^^M^^-y-'^ ifrtrfEL
Fig. 26. DAN RIVER ISLANDS
Location of Hemicarpha micrantha
Buffalo Springs USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
90
Fig. 27. DAN RIVER ISLANDS
Location of Rorippa sessiliflora
Buffalo Springs USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
91
Fig. 28. DAN RIVER ISLANDS
Location of Sagittaria calydna var. calydna
Buffalo Springs USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
92
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: DAN RIVER ISLANDS
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN SEMIPERMANENT
IMPOUNDMENT (HERBACEOUS DRAW-DOWN
SHORE SUBTYPE)
LAST
OBS
EORANK EODATA
-PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN SEMIPERMANENT
IMPOUNDMENT (WOODLAND DRAW-DOWN
SHORE SUBTYPE)
1997-10-23 B HERBACEOUS VEGETATION COMPOSED
OF SPECIES WELL ADAPTED TO AN
ANNUAL FLOODING/DRAW-DOWN CYCLE
AND COVERING AT LEAST 40-50
ACRES IN AGGREGATE. EXTENSIVE
ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL HABITAT
REMAINS TO BE EXPLORED. TWO
VARIANTS ARE REPRESENTED, ONE
ON MUDFLATS AND ONE ON SANDY
SUBSTRATES. DOMINANTS INCLUDE
CYPERUS FLAVICOMUS, CYPERUS
ERYTHRORHIZOS, AND ERAGROSTIS
HYPNOIDES THROUGHOUT,
LINDERNIA DUBIA ON MUD FLATS,
AND CYPERUS SQUARROSUS ON
SANDY SUBSTRATES. COMMUNITY
CONDITION IS EXCELLENT.
ALTHOUGH IT OCCURS IN AN
"ARTIFICIAL" HABITAT, THIS
COMMUNITY HAS VERY CONSISTENT
COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OVER
A LARGE AREA AND MAY REPLICATE
DRAW-DOWN COMMUNITIES PRESENT
IN THE PRE-IMPOUNDMENT BASIN.
1997-10-23 C OPEN, SEASONALLY FLOODED
WOODLAND COVERING AT LEAST 3-5
ACRES IN AGGREGATE. EXTENSIVE
ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL HABITAT
REMAINS TO BE EXPLORED. WOODY
DOMINANTS ARE SALIX NIGRA
(TREE LAYER) AND CEPHALANTHUS
OCCIDENTAL IS (SHRUB LAYER).
HERBACEOUS DOMINANTS VARY
SOMEWHAT BUT INCLUDE
ERAGROSTIS HYPNOIDES AND
CYPERUS SPP. GOOD HERBACEOUS
DIVERSITY, WITH BOTH
LIGHT-DEMANDING DRAW-DOWN
SPECIES AND SPECIES OF MORE
SHADED ALLUVIAL HABITATS
PRESENT. COMMUNITY CONDITION
IS EXCELLENT. ALTHOUGH IT
OCCURS IN AN "ARTIFICIAL"
HABITAT, THIS COMMUNITY HAS
VERY CONSISTENT COMPOSITION
AND STRUCTURE OVER A LARGE
AREA AND MAY REPLICATE
DRAW-DOWN COMMUNITIES PRESENT
IN THE PRE-IMPOUNDMENT BASIN.
PROBABLY A LONG-TERM SERAL
STAGE, BUT SUCCESSION TO
HABITAT
ON EXPOSED SANDY SHORELINES
AND LATE-SEASON MUD FLATS
EXPOSED IN THE RIVER CHANNEL.
HABITAT IS LOCATED AT THE
UPPER END OF THE KERR
RESERVOIR, WHERE THE NATURAL
RIVER HYDROLOGY MEETS THE
IMPOUNDED WATERS OF THE
RESERVOIR. THIS CREATES AN
UNUSUAL SITUATION IN WHICH
SHORELINES ARE SUBJECT TO AN
ANNUAL FLOODING AND DRAW-DOWN
CYCLE IMPOSED BY THE
RESERVOIR, WHILE ALSO BEING
SUBJECT TO OCCASIONAL POWERFUL
FLOODS AND ALLUVIAL
DEPOSITION. THE DISTRIBUTION
AND SPATIAL CONFIGURATION OF
THIS COMMUNITY PROBABLY VARIES
CONSIDERABLY FROM YEAR TO
YEAR, WITH DRY YEARS (SUCH AS
1997) EXPOSING THE MOST
EXTENSIVE DRAW-DOWN HABITATS.
ADDITIONAL NOTEWORTHY ASSOCIATES
INCLUDE LEPTOCHLOA PANICOIDES,
PASPALUM FLUITANS, SAGITTARIA
CALYCINA, RORIPPA SESSILI FLORA,
AND HEMICARPHA MICRANTHA.
INNER ALLUVIAL AREAS OF THE
RIVER SHORE, BETWEEN THE OPEN
SHORELINE AND THE UPLAND EDGE.
HABITAT IS LOCATED AT THE
UPPER END OF THE KERR
RESERVOIR, WHERE THE NATURAL
RIVER HYDROLOGY MEETS THE
IMPOUNDED WATERS OF THE
RESERVOIR. THIS CREATES AN
UNUSUAL SITUATION IN WHICH
SHORELINES ARE SUBJECT TO AN
ANNUAL FLOODING AND DRAW-DOWN
CYCLE IMPOSED BY THE
RESERVOIR, WHILE ALSO BEING
SUBJECT TO OCCASIONAL POWERFUL
FLOODS AND ALLUVIAL
DEPOSITION. ADDITIONAL
ASSOCIATES INCLUDE RORIPPA
PALUSTRIS, SAGITTARIA
CALYCINA, AMMANIA COCCINEA,
DIODIA VIRGINIANA, AND
LINDERNIA DUBIA.
Ifrwjii'i
fcsi
93
ELEMENT
-PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN SEMIPERMANENT
IMPOUNDMENT (WOODLAND DRAW-DOWN
SHORE SUBTYPE) CONT'D
LAST
OBS
EORANK EODATA
BOTTOMLAND FOREST APPEARS TO
BE VERY SLOW UNDER EXISTING
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
HABITAT
PLANTS
HEMICARPHA MICRANTHA
-DWARF BULRUSH
1997-10-23 D FOUR FLOWERING/FRUITING PLANTS
WITHIN A ONE SQ. M AREA.
EXTENSIVE UNSURVEYED HABITAT
IN AREA.
EXTENSIVE SEASONALLY-EXPOSED,
FIRM MUDFLAT AROUND SMALL
SALIX NIGRA DOMINATED ISLAND
AT MOUTH OF HYCO RIVER WITH
CYPERUS SQUARROSUS, C.
ERYTHRORHIZOS, AMMANIA
COCCINEA, LINDERNIA DUBIA, AND
FIMBRYSTYLIS AUTUMNALIS.
RORIPPA SESSILI FLORA
-STALKLESS YELLOW-CRESS
1997-10-23 D FOUR FLOWERING/FRUITING PLANTS
SEEN TOTAL: TWO EACH ON TWO
ISLANDS IN DAN R. EXTENSIVE
ADDITIONAL UNSURVEYED HABITAT
PRESENT.
SEASONALLY-EXPOSED ISLAND
BANKS OR MUDFLATS AT ISLAND
EDGES. WITH CYPERUS
FLAVIOCOMUS, LINDERNIA DUBIA,
CARDAMINE PENSYLVANICA,
LUDWIGIA DECURRENS, AND
AMMANIA COCCINEA.
SAGITTARIA CALYCINA VAR CALYCINA
-LONG-LOBE ARROWHEAD
1997-10-23 D FOUR FLOWERING/FRUITING PLANTS
SEEN ON ISLAND IN HYCO RIVER
NEAR MOUTH. ONE ADDITIONAL
FLOWERING/FRUITING PLANT SEEN
ON ISLAND IN DAN RIVER. MANY
ACRES OF ADDITIONAL UNSURVEYED
HABITAT PRESENT.
SEASONALLY-EXPOSED, FIRM
MUDFLATS. IN HERBACEOUS
COMMUNITY OR AT EDGE OF SALIX
NIGRA WOODLAND. WITH CYPERUS
ERYTHRORHIZOS, C. FLAVICOMUS,
LINDERNIA DUBIA, ERAGROSTIS
HYPNOIDES, ETC.
94
L
DAN RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Size: Ca. 840 acres Biodiversity Rank: B4
Locality: Halifax County, VA
Quadrangle: Omega Quadrangle Code: 3607867
Location: This site is located from 0.0 to 2.1 miles east of the entrance road to Dan River Wildlife
Management Area at the terminus of Rt. 806. The general location is north of the Dan River, southeast
of William M. Tuck Airport, and south of Wolf Trap.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL STATE VA ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest - S5
Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest - S4?
(Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype)
PLANTS:
Triadenum tubulosum G4? SI
large marsh St John's-wort
BC
B
Site Description: This site encompasses a large portion of the 600-acre Dan River Wildlife
Management Area and small portions of Kerr Reservoir (Corps of Engineers) and private land to the east.
Large fields within the WMA are managed as wildlife food plots and some parts of the site, including
several near the river, are managed as loblolly pine plantations. Natural Heritage resources are in
portions of the site remaining in natural, forested vegetation. Two significant community occurrences
were documented here. A somewhat fragmented but semi-continuous occurrence of Piedmont/Mountain
Swamp Forest covers mores than 150 acres and is fairly mature in places. A 10-15 acre part of this stand
located near the Dan River in the eastern portion of the site is especially impressive, with 2.5 to 4 feet
dbh trees frequent to common. Near the river, the habitat supporting this community is influenced by
periodic backups of the Kerr Reservoir, which has essentially eliminated canopy tree reproduction and
reduced shrub/herbaceous diversity. Dryish, south facing bluffs bordering the floodplain at the eastern
end of the site support a relatively mature stand of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest with frequent trees in
the 2 to 3 feet dbh range. Exotics are a problem in both community element occurrences. Two
individuals of the state-rare plant large marsh St. John's-wort {Triadenum tubulosum) were also found in
the floodplain forest.
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes the element occurrence and buffer lands.
Threats: Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicerajaponica) is an abundant, invasive exotic in both floodplain
and bluff habitats of this site.
95
Management Recommendations: The hardwood forests should be managed to produce mature forest
wildlife habitat. The impact of reservoir flooding on the long-term viability of the bottomland
hardwoods needs study.
J
Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection because of the presence of
good examples of common natural communities and a state rare plant species. Protection measures
should include the implementation of management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH •"
when changes in land use or management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning
Boundary should be formally incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr
Reservoir.
Site Visit Chronology:
1997-08-07 G.P. Fleming, Y. Grow
1998-08-28 G.P. Fleming, Y. Grow
1998-09-24 A.C. Chazal, Y. Grow j
References: None
i
J
J
96
vo
2 >
Fig. 30. DAN RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest
Omega USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
98
o
o
3!
(i*jj
Fig. 32. DAN RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Location of Triadenum tubulosum
Omega USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000ft
A
N
100
^ii.n-J
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: DAN RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
L
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-DRY-MESIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST
LAST
OBS
1998-08-28
EORANK
BC
EOOATA
MQDERA
-PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN SWAMP FOREST
(PIN OAK-WILLOW OAK SUBTYPE)
PLANTS
TRIADENUM TUBULOSUM
-LARGE MARSH ST. JOHN'S-WORT
RATHER
DRY BUT APPARENTLY
MODERATELY FERTILE MIXED
HARDWOOD FOREST COVERING CA.
30-35 ACRES. CO-DOMINANTS
INCLUDE QUERCUS ALBA, QUERCUS
RUBRA, QUERCUS VELUTINA, CARYA
OVATA, CARYA GLABRA, ACER
BARBATUM, LIRIODENDRON
TULIPIFERA. OSTRYA VIRGINIANA
AND CORNUS FLORIDA ABUNDANT IN
UNDERSTORY. MATURING
SECOND-GROWTH WITH SOME TREES
IN THE 2 TO 3 FT. DBH RANGE.
COMMUNITY CONDITION MOSTLY
GOOD, BUT A FEW AREAS DEGRADED
BY ABUNDANT POPULATIONS OF
LONICERA JAPONICA.
1998-08-28 B ONE SOMEWHAT FRAGMENTED BUT
SEMI-CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE
COVERING 150+ ACRES.
SEASONALLY FLOODED BOTTOMLAND
HARDWOOD FOREST DOMINATED BY
QUERCUS PHELLOS, QUERCUS
PALUSTRIS, FRAXINUS
PENNSYLVANIA, LI QUID AM BAR
STYRACIFLUA, ILEX DECIDUA,
TOXICODENDRON RADICANS, AND
CINNA ARUNDINACEA, ETC.
COMMUNITY CONDITION GOOD BUT A
FEW WEEDY EXOTICS PRESENT.
RELATIVELY MATURE STANDS, WITH
INDIVIDUAL TREES 2 TO 3 FT.
DBH FREQUENT, OCCASIONAL TREES
CA. 4 FT. DBH.
1998-08-28 D TWO STERILE PLANTS A FEW
METERS APART.
HABITAT
MORE OR LESS SOUTH FACING
BLUFFS AND DRY RAVINES
BORDERING THE DAN RIVER
FLOODPLAIN. OCCASIONAL ROCK
OUTCROPS PRESENT. UNDERLYING
BEDROCK IS LITHIC AND CRYSTAL
METATUFF OF THE HYCO
FORMATION. SOILS MODERATELY
FERTILE. ADJACENT AREA ON
PRIVATE LAND HAS BEEN RECENTLY
CLEAR CUT.
SHALLOW, SEASONALLY FLOODED
BASINS BEHIND RIVERFRONT
LEVEE. CLAYPAN SOILS DERIVED
FROM TRIASSIC SUBSTRATES.
RESERVOIR HAS ALTERED THE
NATURAL FLOODING REGIME AND
LIMITED TREE REPRODUCTION AND
UNDERSTORY GROWTH IN PARTS OF
THE OCCURRENCE.
SEASONALLY FLOODED BOTTOMLAND
FOREST DOMINATED BY QUERCUS
PHELLOS, QUERCUS PALUSTRIS,
FRAXINUS PENNSYLVANIA, PI LEA
PUMILA, ETC. AREA WHERE PLANTS
WERE GROWING HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT
HYDROLOGICALLY MODIFIED,
RESULTING IN POOR TREE
REPRODUCTION AND A LACK OF
DIVERSE HERBACEOUS FLORA.
101
DIFFICULT CREEK
&**■?
Size: Ca. 1300 acres
Locality: Halifax County, VA
Quadrangle: Clover, Buffalo Springs
Biodiversity Rank: B2
Quadrangle Code: 3607876, 3607866
Location: This site includes the floodplain and slopes adjacent to Difficult Creek from ca. 0.3 mile
downstream of Rt. 720 to the mouth of Difficult Creek and the powerline right-of-way west of Difficult
Creek, north and south of Rt. 719. Most of the acreage of this site lies outside the USACE boundary,
but numerous rarities and a portion of the significant community lie at least partially within the USACE
boundary.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL STATE
RARITY RARITY USFWS
RANK RANK STATUS
VA ELEMENT
LEGAL OCCURRENCE
STATUS RANK
Element occurrences at least partially within the USACE boundary
COMMUNITIES:
Basic Oak-Hickory Forest - S3
(Typic Subtype)
PLANTS:
Cirsium carottnianum
Carolina thistle
Isoetes hyemalis
winter quillwort
Marshallia obovata var. obovata
obovate marshallia
Porteranthus stipulates (1)
American ipecac
Porteranthus stipulates (2)
American ipecac
Porteranthus stipulates (3)
American ipecac
ANIMALS:
Fundulus rathbuni
speckled killifish
Hetaerina titia
smoky nibyspot
G5
G2G3
G4G5T?
G5
G5
G5
G4
G5
SI
SI?
S2
SI
SI
SI
S2
S2
(SC)
B
A
C
B
C
D
D
D
Other element occurrences within larger site but outside USACE boundary
PLANTS:
Echinacea laevigata G2 S2 LE
smooth coneflower
BC
102
Eryngium yuccifolium \ar. yuccifolium G5T? S2 - - B "**
rattlesnake-master
Marshallia obovata \ar. obovata G4G5T? S2 BC \
obovate marshallia tsi
Porterantkus stipulates G5 SI - - CD
American ipecac j
ANIMALS: **
Cicindela splendida G5 S2 - -
splendid tiger beetle |
Site Description: This site includes slopes and floodplain habitat along Difficult Creek and the J
powerline right-of-way west of Difficult Creek, north and south of Rt. 719. Much of this site is outside «»
of the Kerr Reservoir boundaries. Although a sizeable area is over Aaron Slate, the heart of this site is
over a basic rock type (Virgilina greenstone) which has weathered to form heavy clay soils which j
support rare plant habitat and a significant community. Most of the rarities are associated with the «J
powerline right-of-way where the canopy is eliminated and native herbs thrive. In this habitat are found
the rare plant species smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), American ipecac (Porteranthus I
stipulatus), Carolina thistle {Cirsium carolinianum), rattlesnake-master {Eryngium yuccifolium), and *J
obovate marshallia {Marshallia obovata var. obovata) and the state rare splendid tiger beetle {Cicindela
splendida). Roadside openings also support rarities including Carolina thistle, rattlesnake-master, and j
obovate marshallia. J
A significant although fragmented and disturbed community, Basic Oak-Hickory Forest, is found on the
upland slopes east and west of the powerline right-of-way. Dominants includes white oak {Quercus <J
alba), post oak (Quercus stellata), hickories {Carya spp.), eastern redbud {Cercis canadensis), and
shrubby St. John's-wort {Hypericum prolificum), and in the driest sections blackjack oak {Quercus <
marilandica) is co-dominant. J
The upstream portion of this site encompasses floodplain and slope habitats along Difficult Creek
between Rts. 719 and 720. Prevalent bottomland forest woody species include red maple {Acer rubrum), J
sycamore {Platanus occidentalism river birch {Betula nigra), boxelder {Acer negundo), southern sugar
maple {Acer barbatum), American hornbeam {Carpinus caroliniana), deciduous holly (Ilex decidua),
and coral-berry {Symphoricarpos orbiculatus). Herbs include autumn bluegrass {Poa autumnalis), I
cleavers {Galium aparine), stellate sedge (C. radiata), Gray's sedge (C. grayi), graceful sedge (C
gracillima), woodland sedge (C. blanda), and kidneyleaf crowfoot {Ranunculus abortivus). These
forests are young with an apparent disturbance history. A large population of the plant rarity winter j
quillwort (isoetes hyemalis) is found along a braided intermittent stream which enters this section of
Difficult Creek from the east.
I
While floodplains are extensive in many areas along this section of the creek, steep slopes abut the creek ^
in several places with little or no floodplain. These slopes support sub-acidic, mesic, mixed hardwood
forests with white oak, southern red oak {Q. falcata), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), southern
sugar maple {Acer barbatum), red maple, fringetree {Chionanthus virginicus), shagbark hickory {Carya **
ovata) eastern redcedar {Juniperus virginiana), flowering dogwood {Cornus florida), post oak, slippery
elm {Ulmus rubra\ winged elm {Ulmus alata), mountain laurel {Kalmia latifolia), wild black cherry \
{Prunus serotina), New Jersey tea {Ceanothus americanus), and trumpet honeysuckle {Lonicera **
103 I
sempervirens). Herbs include foamflower {Tiarella cordifolia), short-leaved bluegrass {Poa cuspidata),
little heartleaf {Hexastylis minor), two-flower melic {Melica mutica\ Seneca snakeroot {Polygala
senega), American lovage {Ligusticum canadense), common dittany {Cunila origanoides\ green-and-gold
{Chrysogonum virginianum), large summer bluets {Houstonia purpurea), whorled coreopsis
{Coreopsis verticillata), hairy bedstraw {Galium pilosum), curly-heads {Clematis ochroleuca), American
alumroot {Heuchera americana)i and blunt-lobe woodsia {Woodsia obtusa).
Rock outcrops, apparently composed of Aaron slate and perhaps also a schistose rock type, were
prevalent on steep (30-40 degree inclination) west-facing slopes on the east side of the Difficult Creek
southeast of where Ashcake Creek enters. A fairly small population of American ipecac (more than 100
ramets) was located on thin soils around these outcrops, where canopy openings provide increased
sunlight.
Away from the rare species rich-portion of this site, a single plant of American ipecac was found on a
small tributary stream bank downstream from Rt. 719 and the rare damselfly smoky rubyspot was
collected downstream from the Rt. 716 bridge. A state rare fish speckled killifish {Fundulus rathbuni)
was collected in Difficult Creek downstream from Rt. 716; this is the second collection of this species in
the Roanoke River or a direct tributary of the Roanoke (See Sandy Creek site), both of which are within
the Kerr Reservoir boundary. A population of American ipecac occurs in an infrequently mowed
powerline right-of-way adjacent to Rt. 719, north of Difficult Creek.
This site is crossed by a powerline right-of-way, a pipeline right-of-way and two roads, Rts. 719 and 716.
Land within the site is currently in forest, pine plantation, powerline right-of-way, roadside, and a few
residential lots. Unfortunately a plowed field was put into a portion of the powerline right-of-way just
north of Rt. 719.
Boundary Justification: This boundary includes the significant natural community, habitat for the rare
animals and all rare plant species in the area except for some additional roadside Carolina thistle
subpopulations further south along Rt. 719. It extends from ca. 0.3 mile east of Rt. 720 to the mouth of
Difficult Creek. Also included are additional areas containing suitable soils where habitat could be
recoverable and some buffer lands to protect against adverse impacts.
Threats: Land uses such as the plowed field within the powerline right-of-way threaten the rare plants.
In the upper reaches of this site the invasive plant species Japanese honeysuckle {Lonicerajaponica) and
coral-berry are prevalent.
Management Recommendations: Monitor the status of the rarities and evalutate the management
techniques used in the powerline right-of-way in terms of how they effect the long-term survival of the
rarities. More frequent vegetation management, other than herbiciding, is needed in the main powerline
right-of-way to stop the invasion by woody species. Burning would be beneficial to the rarities in the
powerline. DCR-DNH Stewardship staff can provide expertise in prescribed burning techniques. The
hardwood forest should be managed to produce mature forest wildlife habitat. The condition of this
community appears largely recoverable with prescribed fire management. Monitor the American ipecac
in the upper reaches of Difficult Creek to determine impacts from deer browse or other predation and
implement control measures if needed. The habitat of the speckled killifish is susceptible to siltation and
pollution from agricultural and roadway runoff, and therefore appropriate measures should be taken to
minimize these factors. Activities which could cause major changes in the hydrology of the creek and
104
watershed and hydrological manipulations such as channelization and impoundment should be avoided.
An effective management strategy for this site will require cooperation between the Corps of Engineers
and neighboring landowners. DCR-DNH will notify USACE if future cooperative management
strategies become feasible.
Protection Recommendations: This site, significant portions of which lie outside USACE lands on
private property, merits a very high level of protection due to the presence numerous rare plant species,
including a federally listed, globally rare plant species (not on USACE property) and a state rare forest
community, and its overall high biodiversity value. Protection measures should include the
implementation of management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH when changes in
land use or management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be
formally incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr Reservoir. j
J
Site Visit Chronology:
(Site visits conducted prior to the Kerr Reservoir Inventory are not included below) j
1997-04-29 G. Fleming, N.E. Van Alstine, A. Belden J
1997-05-06 A. Belden
1997-06-03 G.P. Fleming
1997-06-03 N.E. Van Alstine J
1997-07-22 G. P. Fleming
1997-10-08 G. P. Fleming, T. F. Wieboldt, S. Roble
1998-04-02 C.S. Hobson, A.C. Chazal J
1998-09-24 C.S. Hobson, A.C. Chazal
References: None J
t$J
105 j
j
Fig. 33. DIFFICULT CREEK
Conservation Planning Boundary
Clover and Buffalo Springs USGS 7.5' Quadrangles
3000 ft
A
N
106
J
Fig. 34. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Typic Subtype)
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
107
J
Fig. 35. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location of Cirsium carolinianum (Only portion of population within USACE boundary, or
where boundary line is uncertain, is shown.)
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
108
J
Fig. 36. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location of Isoetes hyemalis
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
109
rag 1
Fig. 37. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location ofMarshallia obovata var. obovata (Only portion of population within USACE
boundary is shown.)
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3QQQjt N
110
Fig. 38. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location of Porteranthus stipulatus (1) (Only portion of population within USACE boundary,
or where boundary line is uncertain, is shown.)
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
111
Fig. 39. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location of Porteranthus stipulatus (2) (USACE boundary on map is incorrect; plant occurs just
within boundary.)
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
A
I 3000 ft I N
112
Fig. 40. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location of Porteranthus stipulatus (3)
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
113
J
'Fa
Fig. 41. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location of Fundulus rathbuni
Clover USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
114
Fig. 42. DIFFICULT CREEK
Location oiHetaerina titia
Clover USGS IS Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
t>^jjl
J
ffiff.-a
115
L
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: DIFFICULT CREEK
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-BASIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST
LAST
OBS
1997-07-22
EORANK
C
EODATA
PLANTS
CIRSIUM CAROLINIANUM
-CAROLINA THISTLE
1995-06-01 B
DRY TO
DRY-MESIC OAK-HICKORY
FOREST
COVERING 40-50 ACRES IN
AGGREGATE. RATHER SEVERELY
FRAGMENTED BY TWO POWERLINES
AND AN INTERVENING RAVINE.
TREE AND SHRUB DENSITIES, AS
WELL AS SOME WEEDY INVASION
HAS RESULTED FROM PAST CUTTING
AND THE RECENT CLEARCUTTING
OF VIRTUALLY ALL
ADJACENT FORESTS. THE
OCCURRENCE IS PERHAPS ALSO
FIRE SUPPRESSED. DOMINANTS
INCLUDE QUERCUS ALBA,QUERCUS
STELLATA, CARYA SPP., CERCIS
CANADENSIS, AND HYPERICUM
PROLIFICUM. IN THE DRIEST
PORTION QUERCUS MARI LANDICA IS
CO-DOMINANT. LIKE MANY OAK-HICKORY
FORESTS ON BASIC SOIL,
THE OCCURRENCE IS NOTABLY
SPECIES-RICH.
[1997:] ASSESSED POPULATION
NUMBERS ONLY ON KERR PROPERTY
ON 4-29-97 AND 6-03-97
(ALTHOUGH SOME CONFUSION STILL
EXISTS OVER WHAT PORTION OF
MAIN POWERLINE IS WITHIN THE
KERR BOUNDARY). OBSERVED
7-22-97 BUT NO DATA COLLECTED.
HUNDREDS OF FLOWERING PLANTS
ALONG A 0.5 KM STRETCH OF THE
MAIN POWERLINE RIGHT-OF-WAY W
OF THE RT.719 BRIDGE OVER
DIFFICULT CREEK AND THREE
PLANTS ON THE ROADBANK ON THE
W SIDE OF RT. 719 CA. 70
METERS SOUTH OF THE RT. 719
BRIDGE. THESE OBSERVATIONS
EXTEND THE POPULATION FURTHER
NORTH ON THE POWERLINE THAN
DOCUMENTED IN 1993 AND ADD
ANOTHER ROADSIDE POPULATION.
[1995:] OBSERVED. [1993:]
SCATTERED AND COMMON IN PLACES
OVER CA. 5.0 KM OF ROADSIDE &
.5 KM OF POWERLINE RIGHT OF
WAY; PLANTS IN FLOWER AND
FRUIT ON 6/15/93.
HABITAT
ON NEARLY LEVEL TO RATHER
STEEPLY SLOPING UPLANDS
UNDERLAIN BY VIRGILINA
GREENSTONE, A MAFIC
METAVOLCANIC FORMATION. SOILS
ARE OF THE GOLDSTON SERIES AND
COMPRISED OF A SILT LOAM
SURFACE LAYER WITH PLASTIC
CLAY SUBSOIL. SOILS ON NEARLY
LEVEL UPLANDS APPEAR TO BE
CIRCUMNEUTRAL AND SUPPORT
NUMEROUS BASICOPHILES. SOILS
OF STEEP SLOPES APPEAR TO BE
ACIDIC, PERHAPS BECAUSE OF
LEACHING, AND SUPPORT ABUNDANT
ERICADS SUCH AS KALMIA
LATIFOLIA. NOTEWORTHY PLANTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THIS
COMMUNITY, BUT NOW GENERALLY
GROWING MORE VIGOROUSLY IN THE
SUNNY POWERLINE CLEARINGS,
INCLUDE SALVIA URTICIFOLIA,
PARTHEN IUM AURICULATUM,
PORTERANTKUS STIPULATUS,
CLEMATIS OCHROLEUCA, ERYNGIUM
YUCCIFOLIUM, CEANOTHUS
AMERICANUS, AND SILPHIUM
TRIFOLIATUM.
[1997:] ASSOCIATED SPECIES IN
POWERLINE SECTION ON KERR
RESERVOIR PROPERTY: RHUS
COPALLINUM, CENTAUREA
BIEBERSTEINII, TRIDENS FLAVUS,
SYMPHORICARPOS ORBICULATUS,
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM, ACER
RUBRUM, ROSA CAROLINA,
COREOPSIS AURICULATA.
ASSOCIATED SPECIES ON ROADBANK
SITE: OSTRYA VIRGINIANA, ACER
BARBATUM. [1993:] INFREQUENTLY
MOWED POWERLINE AND ROADSIDE
RIGHT OF WAY; SOIL A HEAVY
BASIC CLAY.
116
ELEMENT LAST
OBS
EORANK EOOATA HABITAT
ISOETES HYEMALIS
-A QUILLUORT
1997-06-03 A THOUSANDS OF CLUMPS ALONG CA.
0.5 K OF BRAIDED STREAMBED.
BEDS OF BRAIDED INTERMITTENT
STREAM THROUGH YOUNG
BOTTOMLAND FOREST. GRAVELLY
CLAY SUBSTRATE, WITH
CALLITRI CHE HETEROPHYLLA,
CICUTA MACULATA, CAREX BLANDA,
C. GRAYI, POA AUTUMNAL IS,
CARPINUS, BETULA NIGRA,
PLATANUS, ETC.
MARSHALLIA OBOVATA VAR OBOVATA
-OBOVATE MARSHALLIA
1997-06-03 C [1997:] SURVEYED ONLY PORTION
OF POUERLINE ON KERR
RESERVOIR LAND. FOUND ONLY ONE
MULTI-STEMMED FLOWERING PLANT
MIDLSLOPE WITHIN SMALL
SECONDARY POWERLINE
R-O-W.[1995:] OBSERVED.
[1993:] 200 OR SLIGHTLY MORE
PLANTS OVER 50 SQm. PLANTS IN
FLOWER AND FRUIT.
INFREQUENTLY MOWED POUERLINE
R-O-W; SOIL A HEAVY BASIC CLAY.
PLANTS GROWING WITH CIRSIUM
CAROLINIANUM, CLEMATIS
OCHROLEUCA, PORTERANTHUS
STIPULATES, AND PARTHENIUM
INTEGRIFOLIUM
PORTERANTHUS STIPULATUS (1>
-AMERICAN IPECAC
1997-07-22 B [1997:] ASSESSED POPULATION
NUMBERS ON AREA OWNED BY KERR
RESERVOIR (ALTHOUGH SOME
CONFUSION STILL EXISTS OVER
WHETHER A PORTION OF MAIN
POWERLINE IS WITHIN KERR
BOUNDARY). FEWER THAN 10 PLANTS
SEEN ON THE W EDGE OF THE MAIN
POWERLINE ON 4/29/97. AN
ADDITIONAL 13 PLANTS SEEN
ALONG A 30 METER SECTION OF
TRAIL WITHIN THE FORESTED AREA
W OF THE MAIN POWERLINE. ON
6/3/97 27 ROBUST FLOWERING,
MULTI-STEMMED CLUMPS WERE SEEN
IN A 40 METER LONG X 10 METER
WIDE AREA WITHIN A SMALL
SECONDARY LINE THAT INTERSECTS
THE MAINLINE. ON 7/22/97,
10-15 PLANTS WERE SEEN ON A
FORESTED "NOSE" OVERLOOKING
DIFFICULT CREEK AND W OF THE
RT. 719 BRIDGE. [1995:] QUITE
ABUNDANT, SEVERAL HUNDRED
PLANTS OBSERVED. [1993:]
SCATTERED OVER 0.5 SQkm IN
LATE FLOWER AND FRUIT. FEWER
THAN 200 PLANTS OBSERVED
TOTAL.
[1997:] ON 4-29-97
(F97FLE15VAUS) PLANTS SEEN IN
THE LESS DENSELY VEGETATED,
PARTLY SHADED WESTERN EDGE OF
THE MAIN POWERLINE ADJACENT TO
A BASIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST,
ASSOCIATED WITH CLEMATIS
OCHROLEUCA, JUNIPERUS
VIRGINIANA AND ALONG EDGES OF
A TRAIL THROUGH BASIC
OAK-HICKORY FOREST. ON 6-03-97
(F96VAN27VAUS) SEEN IN A
PERIODICALLY MOWED SECONDARY
POUERLINE RIGHT-OF-WAY ON A
N-FACING, MODERATELY STEEP
SLOPE AND ASSOCIATED WITH
PORTERANTHUS TRIFOLIATUS,
SALVIA LYRATA, HELIANTHUS
DIVARICATUS, DANTHONIA
SPICATA, CAMPSIS RADI CANS,
PHLOX LATIFOLIA, PIPTOCHAETIUM
AVENACEUM, ETC. ON 7-22-97
(F97FLE90VAUS) SEEN ON UPLAND
RIDGE "NOSE" WITHIN BASIC-OAK
HICKORY FOREST.[1993:]
ROADSIDES, POWERLINE RIGHT OF
WAY AND XERIC WOODS; SOIL A
HEAVY BASIC CLAY. [1972:] OAK
PINE WOODS.
J
PORTERANTHUS STIPULATUS (2)
-AMERICAN IPECAC
1997-06-03 D ONE MULTI-STEMMED, FLOWERING
CLUMP ON THE LOWER BANK ON THE
N SIDE OF A SMALL TRIBUTARY
STREAM.
ON THE LOWER FORESTED BANK ON
THE N SIDE OF A SMALL
TRIBUTARY STREAM. ASSOCIATED
SPECIES: POLYSTICHUM
ACROSTICHOIDES, PARTHENOCISSUS
QUINQUEFOLIA, CERCIS
CANADENSIS, HEUCHERA
AMERICANA, DESMODIUM
ROTUND I FOLIUM.
J
117
ELEMENT
PORTERANTHUS STIPULATUS (3)
-AMERICAN IPECAC
LAST
OBS
1997-06-03
EORANK EODATA
100+ RAMETS OVER CA. 0.5 ACRE.
PLANTS IN PRE-BUO STAGE ON
SURVEY DATE.
ANIMALS
FUNOULUS RATHBUNI
-SPECKLED KILLIFISH
1998-09-24 ONE JUVENILE CAPTURED WITH
SEINE.
HABITAT
STEEP (30-40 DEGREE
INCLINATION) OPEN WEST-FACING
SLOPE ABOVE DIFFICULT CREEK.
ALSO ALONG TOP OF SLOPE. THIN
SOIL WITH OUTCROPS OF BEDROCK
(SCHIST AND/OR SLATE?). WITH
CUNILA, COREOPSIS
VERTICILLATA, POA CUSPIDATA,
HIERACIUM VENOSUM, LONICERA
SEMPERVIRENS, KALMIA
LATIFOLIA, CLEMATIS
OCHROLEUCA, JUNIPERUS, FAGUS,
QUERCUS STELLATA, ETC.
THIS IS A MODERATE SIZE CREEK,
WITH SAND, SILT, GRAVEL AND
ROCK SUBSTRATES. THERE IS
MAN-MADE RIPRAP AT THE BASE OF
THE BRIDGE AS WELL AS EVIDENCE
OF FREQUENT LITTERING. THERE
WERE SEVERAL EXPOSED SANDBARS
AT THE TIME OF THIS SURVEY DUE
TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS.
HETAERINA TITIA
-SMOKY RUBYSPOT
1998-09-24 D ONE MALE COLLECTED ABOUT 60-75
M DOWNSTREAM OF BRIDGE.
THIS IS A MODERATE SIZE CREEK,
WITH SAND, SILT, GRAVEL AND
ROCK SUBSTRATES. THERE IS
MAN-MADE RIPRAP AT THE BASE OF
THE BRIDGE AS WELL AS EVIDENCE
OF FREQUENT LITTERING. THERE
WERE SEVERAL EXPOSED SANDBARS
AT THE TIME OF THIS SURVEY DUE
TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS.
118
EAGLE POINT FLATWOODS
Size: Ca. 40 acres Biodiversity Rank: B5
Locality: Mecklenburg County, VA
Quadrangle:Tungsten Quadrangle Code: 3607854
Location: This site is located on uplands ca. 1.3 miles north-northwest of the Eagle Point Boat Landing.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
GLOBAL
RARITY
RANK
STATE
RARITY
RANK
USFWS
STATUS
VA
LEGAL
STATUS
ELEMENT
OCCURRENCE
ELEMENT NAME RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Upland Depression Swamp - S2 - - BC
Site Description: This site consists of very gentle uplands underlain by mafic metavolcanic rocks. Soils
here are of the Orange series and comprised of subacidic silty clay surface loams over heavy clay,
hardpan subsoils. Most of the site is covered with dry or dry-mesic oak-hickory forest dominated by
white oak (Quercus alba), post oak (Q. stellata), southern red oak (Q.falcata), hickory (Carya) spp.,
flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), American holly {Ilex opaca), and ericads. A single seasonally
flooded upland depression wetland occurs within the upland oak-hickory forest. This wetland,
dominated by willow oak (Quercus phellos), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua, and sedges {Carex
I spp.), is a very small (approximately 1/8 acre) but high quality example of a community type scattered in
[^ hardpan uplands throughout the southern Piedmont. A hiking trail, which begins near Eagle Point,
passes near the north edge of the site and provides access to the area.
[^ Boundary Justification: Boundary includes the significant community and matrix of surrounding
hardwood forest.
i
1 Threats: No threats were observed.
i Management Recommendations: There are no obvious management needs at this time. The hardwood
[^ forest should be managed to produce mature forest wildlife habitat. Zoological inventory is needed here.
j Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection because of the presence of a
I high quality example of a state rare natural community. Protection measures should include the
implementation of management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH when changes in
j land use or management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be
( formally incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr Reservoir.
Up
Site Visit Chronology:
[ 1997-06-17 G.P. Fleming, N.E. Van Alstine
I 119
References: None
Bid
120
Fig. 43. EAGLE POINT FLATWOODS
Conservation Planning Boundary
Tungsten USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
121
J
Fig. 44. EAGLE POINT FLATWOODS
Location of Upland Depression Swamp
Tungsten USGS 7.5* Quadrangle
3000 ft N
122
j
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: EAGLE POINT FLATUOODS
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-UPLAND DEPRESSION SWAMP
LAST
OBS
1997-06-17
EORANK
BC
EODATA
FLODnEI
THINLY
FORESTED, SEASONALLY
FLOODED WETLAND COVERING
SCARCELY 0.1-ACRE. CANOPY
DOMINANT IS QUERCUS PHELLOS.
OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PLANTS
ARE ILEX DECIDUA, CAREX
TYPHINA, CAREX ALBOLUTESCENS,
AND SPHAGNUM SP. COMMUNITY
CONDITION IS VERY GOOD WITH
LITTLE EVIDENCE OF
DISTURBANCE. THIS WETLAND
APPEARS TO HAVE A LONGER
HYDROPERIOD THAN OTHER
OCCURRENCES IN THE KERR AREA,
AND WAS ESSENTIALLY FULLY
FLOODED ON THE DATE OF SURVEY.
HABITAT
SEASONALLY FLOODED, POND-LIKE,
DEPRESSION SWAMP DEVELOPED ON
UPLAND HARDPAN SOIL.
UNDERLYING BEDROCK IS MAPPED
AS A MAFIC METAVOLCANIC
FORMATION, BUT MAPPED ORANGE
SOILS ARE SUBACIDIC WITH
SILTY CLAY SURFACE LAYER AND
CLAY HARDPAN SUBSOIL.
123
GIBSON CREEK
Size: Ca. 160 acres
Locality: Halifax County, VA
Quadrangle: Omega
Biodiversity Rank: B3
Quadrangle Code: 3607867
Location: This site is bounded by the Kerr Reservoir property boundary on the north and east, and the
Southern Railroad on the west, from 0.6 to 1.6 mile north of the Rt. 716 bridge over Gibson Creek.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL
RARITY
RANK
STATE
RARITY
RANK
SI
S4?
USFWS
STATUS
VA
LEGAL
STATUS
ELEMENT
OCCURRENCE
RANK
C
BC
COMMUNITIES:
Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest
Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest
(Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype)
PLANTS:
Isoetes virginica
Virginia quillwort
G1Q SI? BC
Site Description: This site encompasses seasonally flooded bottomlands along Gibson Creek and
adjacent upland flats. The area is located within a small Triassic basin and has characteristic Orange
hardpan soils derived from subacidic shales, siltstones, and sandstones of the Newark Supergroup. Most
of the Gibson Creek bottomland is forested with a significant example of a Piedmont/Mountain Swamp
Forest, a mature stand of hydrophytic oaks and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Small portions of
the floodplain are occupied by an old beaver marsh and forests more recently disturbed by beaver
cuttings and dams. The adjacent upland flat to the west supports a rare and significant community
known as Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest, in which a peculiar mix of upland and wetland species grow
side by side. Because of slow internal drainage, hardpan soils here may become waterlogged during wet
periods, but vary to xeric for large parts of the growing season. Small temporarily ponded depressions
are scattered throughout the area, but in the strict sense the overall habitat can hardly be classified as a
wetland. At the border of the Kerr property, the open right-of-way along the Southern Railroad supports
a fascinating, in places "prairie'Mike assemblage of plants. The flora here and elsewhere in this site
contains a remarkable "Coastal Plain" element, embodied by plants characteristic of the Coastal Plain
and in some cases strongly disjunct to this Piedmont site, e.g., narrow-leaved bluestem (Andropogon
perangustatus), Carolina boltonia {Boltonia caroliniana), yellow thistle (Cirsium horridulum), needle-leaf
panic grass (Dichanthelium aciculare), slender spikerush (Eleocharis tenuis var. verrucosa), coastal
lovegrass {Eragrostis refracta), small slender goldenrod (Euthamia tenuifolia var. microcephala), St.
Peter's-wort (Hypericum crux-andreae), clasping-leaved St. John's-wort {Hypericum gymnanthum), a
124
tad
rush (Juncus validus), cylindric-fruited seedbox (Ludwigia glandulosa), Nuttall's milkwort (Polygala ^
nuttallii), dense-flower knotweed (Polygonum densiflorum), swollen meadow-beauty {Rhexia mariana
var. ventricosa), overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), and giant plumegrass (Saccharum giganteum). \
The site has been utilized for timber harvests and possibly for grazing prior to 1946. In the last 50 years,
it has been part of the Kerr Reservoir property. About half the site lies within the Corps of Engineers
Banister River South Unit Wildlife Management Area. Existing pine stands have continued to be ^
managed for timber production, but hardwood forests of the site have been managed strictly as a wildlife
resource.
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes the element occurrences and a small buffer to mitigate
immediate on-site impacts.
J
Threats: Beavers and past disturbance impacts to the Piedmont/ Mountain Swamp Forest are significant
concerns.
Management Recommendations: Beaver populations and their impacts on the significant swamp forest
should be monitored, and control measures implemented if necessary. Management strategies to assist
ecological recovery of the Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest should be studied. The huge beds of Cladonia J
lichen which cover much of the forest floor limit the establishment of herbaceous species and fire
management would undoubtedly stimulate herbaceous diversity. DCR-DNH Stewardship staff can
provide expertise in prescribed burning techniques. Additional research into land use history of the J
Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest would be desirable to clarify past and ongoing impacts. Additional
zoological inventory of this site is recommended.
Protection Recommendations: This site merits a very high level of protection due the presence of a
globally rare Virginia endemic plant species and a rare natural community, as well as a more common ;
but significant natural community. Protection measures should include the implementation of J
management recommendations and consultation with DCR-DNH when changes in land use or
management practices are contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be formally
incorporated into the planning and management documents for Kerr Reservoir.
Site Visit Chronology:
1997-04-09 J.C.Ludwig :
1997-05-29 G.P. Fleming, J.C. Ludwig ^
1997-07-01 G.P. Fleming
1997-08-06 G.P. Fleming, A. Belden !
1997-09-10 G.P. Fleming, N.E. Van Alstine ^
1997-10-10 G.P. Fleming, T.F. Wieboldt
1998-06-09 N.E. Van Alstine, H. Burke
1998-06-10 N.E. Van Alstine, A. Belden ^
1998-08-11 A.C.Chazal
References: None «j
tmi
125 i
r~ r
o
/O
to
ON
^::v.■:■;::;.,■;.:; \ :,;!.•:-,;; "■ ^ [ *^
1 1 ■"1 1 1 1 1
©
o
o
tn
4>
Fig. 47. GIBSON CREEK
Location of Piedmont/Mountain Swamp Forest (Pin Oak-Willow Oak Subtype)
Omega USGS 7.51 Quadrangle
3000 ft N
128
"1 1 ••—-yt "1 1 a
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: GIBSON CREEK
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-MIXED MOISTURE HARDPAN FOREST
LAST
OBS
1998-07-28
EORANK
C
EODATA
"FLATW
CA. 40
L^ft
1997-09-10 BC
-PIEDMONT/MOUNTAIN SWAMP FOREST
(PIN OAK-WILLOW OAK SUBTYPE)
FLATWOODS" COMMUNITY COVERING
40-50 ACRES. VEGETATION
CHARACTERIZED BY A PECULIAR
MIX OF UPLAND AND WETLAND
SPECIES GROWING SIDE BY SIDE.
DOMINANTS INCLUDE QUERCUS
PHELLOS, QUERCUS STELLATA,
PINUS VIRGINIANA, ILEX
DECIDUA, VACCINIUM PALLIDUM,
SALIX OCCIDENTAL IS, ANDROPOGON
VIRGINICUS VAR. DECIPIENS, AND
CLADONIA SP. SEVERAL OLDER,
HARDWOOD-DOMINATED PORTIONS IN
GOOD CONDITION. OTHER PORTIONS
SEVERELY DISTURBED BY CUTTING
OR CLEARING IN THE PAST, AND
INVADED BY NEARLY PURE PINE
STANDS. RECENTLY MOST OF THESE
PINE STANDS WERE KILLED BY
SOUTHERN PINE BEETLES AND
YOUNG REPRODUCTION OF QUERCUS
SPP. IS NOW WELL ESTABLISHED.
BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD FOREST
COVERING 40-50 ACRES.
DOMINANTS ARE QUERCUS PHELLOS,
QUERCUS PALUSTRIS, FRAXINUS
PENNSYLVANICA, CARPINUS
CAROLINIANA, ILEX DECIDUA,
SAURURUS CERNUUS, CINNA
ARUNDINACEA, AND CAREX SPP.
COMMUNITY CONDITION VERY GOOD
AND MATURE, WITH MANY LARGE
TREES >80 CM DBH SCATTERED
THROUGH STAND. A FEW WEEDS
PRESENT. BEAVER DAMAGE AND
PONDS NOTED IN SEVERAL AREAS
ON THE EDGE OF THE OCCURRENCE.
HABITAT
NEARLY LEVEL UPLANDS UNDERLAIN
BY TRIASSIC SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
AND CHARACTERIZED BY SUBACID
HARDPAN SOILS. BECAUSE OF SLOW
DRAINAGE, SOILS MAY BECOME
WATERLOGGED DURING WET PERIODS
BUT VARY TO XERIC FOR LARGE
PARTS OF THE GROWING SEASON.
SMALL TEMPORARILY PONDED
DEPRESSIONS SCATTERED
THROUGHOUT THE OCCURRENCE.
NOTEWORTHY ASSOCIATES INCLUDE
RHYNCHOSPORA GLOBULARIS,
RHEXIA MARIANA, DANTHONIA
SERICEA, HYPERICUM
CRUX-ANDRIAE, ISOETES
VIRGINICA, ELEOCHARIS TENUIS
VAR. VERRUCOSA, PITYOPSIS
ASPERA VAR. ADENOLEPIS, AND
HEXASTYLIS LEWI SI I.
POORLY DRAINED ALLUVIAL
FLOODPLAIN WITH CLAY-RICH
SOILS DERIVED FROM TRIASSIC
SUBSTRATES. STRONG
HUMMOCK-AND-HOLLOW
MICROTOPOGRAPHY FORMED BY
BRAIDED, SEASONALLY FLOODED
CHANNELS AND SLOUGHS.
NOTEWORTHY ASSOCIATES INCLUDE
QUERCUS LYRATA, BOLTONIA
CAROLINIANA, TRACHELOSPERMUM
DIFFORME, AND LUDWIGIA
GLANDULOSA.
130
ELEMENT
PLANTS
ISOETES VIRGIN ICA
-VIRGINIA QUILLUORT
LAST
OBS
EORANK EODATA
1998-06-10 BC [1998: F98VAN20VAUS:] CA. 30
CLUMPS WITHIN A 10 M. WIDE BY
28 M. LONG AREA IN A SHALLOW
LINEAR SWALE WITHIN FLATWOODS.
£1997:] CA. 30-40 CLUMPS
(INDIVIDUALS) OVER 10 SQ.M.
MEGASPORES WELL DEVELOPED.
HABITAT
[1998: F98VAN20VAUS:] A FEW
ASSOCIATED HERBACEOUS SPECIES:
ELEOCHARIS SP., JUNCUS
EFFUSUS, PATCHES OF SPHAGNUM
AND POLYTRICHUM MOSSES. A
LARGE DOWNED QUERCUS PHELLOS
WAS ADJACENT TO THE DEPRESSION
WITH THE ISOETES. [1997:]
SHALLOW, WINTER-FLOODED,
LINEAR DEPRESSION IN CLAYPAN
FLATWOODS. CANOPY DOMINANT IS
QUERCUS PHELLOS, SHRUB LAYER
LACKING, VERY FEW HERBACEOUS
SPP. IN THE DEPRESSION.
UNDERLYING BEDROCK IS TRIASSIC
SHALE OR SILTSTONE. SOILS ARE
SUBACID ORANGE SILT LOAMS WITH
PLASTIC CLAY HARDPANS. THIS
OCCURRENCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH
A RELATIVELY RARE AND UNUSUAL
NATURAL COMMUNITY TYPE, MIXED
MOISTURE HARDPAN FOREST, WHICH
FEATURES TYPICAL UPLAND AND
WETLAND PLANT SPECIES GROWING
TOGETHER.
^ftfi?-1
131
fjjjjj&l
J
Size: Ca. 190 acres
GRASSY CREEK FLATWOODS
Biodiversity Rank: B4
Locality: Mecklenburg County, VA
Granville County, NC
Quadrangle: Clarksville South Quadrangle Code: 3607855
Location: This site is located just east of Grassy Creek and extends from 0.9 mile north of to 0.3 mile
south of the North Carolina line.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL STATE VA/NC ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
RANK__RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Virginia
Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest
Upland Depression Swamp
PLANTS:
North Carolina
Scutellaria leonardii
shale-barren skullcap
G4
S5
S2
SI
B
B
D
Site Description: The site encompasses an extensive area of nearly level uplands underlain by mafic
metavolcanic rocks north and south of the North Carolina state line. Soils here are of the Orange series
and comprised of subacidic silty clay surface loams over heavy clay, hardpan subsoils. Most of the site
is covered with a significant dry-mesic oak-hickory forest of rather high quality. This forest is composed
of white oak {Quercus alba) (dominant), post oak {Q. stellata), southern red oak (Q. falcata), pignut
hickory (Carya glabra), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), American holly {Ilex opaca), and several
ericads. A more mesic oak-hickory forest in which shagbark hickory {Carya ovata) is prominent, and
xeric hardpan forests of Virginia pine {Pinus virginiana), eastern redcedar {Juniperus virginiana), and
willow oak {Quercusphellos) occupy small areas. Several managed pine stands are also located in the
area. Three seasonally flooded upland depression wetlands in the Virginia section occur within the
upland oak-hickory forest. These wetlands, dominated by willow oak, sweetgum {Liquidambar
styraciflua) and sedges, are scattered but characteristic communities in hardpan uplands of the southern
Piedmont and are considered state rare. The depression swamps of this site are not especially large, but
are of relatively high quality. In the North Carolina portion a small population of the state rarity shale-barren
skullcap {Scutellaria leonardii) was found in an opening along an old jeep/logging road bed.
Boundary Justification: The boundary includes the significant community and the rare plant and
sufficient buffer to mitigate future adverse impacts.
132
Threats: A logging road is located adjacent to two of the ponds and therefore road maintenance and
logging operations are the biggest threat to two of the wetland communities; recent logging and road
construction has occurred near the wetlands. Without artificial maintenance to keep it open, the old
roadbed currently supporting shale-barren skullcap will eventually become unsuitable for this rarity.
Management Recommendations: The impacts of recent logging and road construction on the wetlands
need to be assessed and repairs made if necessary. Future road maintenance and logging activities should
be planned to avoid impacts to the wetlands. Additional community inventory is needed to assess the
upland forest community and examine late-season draw-down flora in the wetlands. The hardwood
forest should be managed to produce mature forest wildlife habitat. The old roadbed will need to be kept
open by artificial means to maintain habitat for the shale-barren skullcap.
Protection Recommendations: This site merits a high level of protection due to the presence of a high-quality
occurrence of a state rare natural community and a North Carolina Candidate plant species.
Protection measures should include the implementation of management recommendations and
consultation with DCR-DNH and NC NHP when changes in land use or management practices are
contemplated. The Conservation Planning Boundary should be formally incorporated into the planning
and management documents for Kerr Reservoir.
Site Visit Chronology:
1997-05-06 G.P. Fleming, N.E. Van Alstine, C.S. Hobson, H.E. LeGrand, Y. Grow
1998-06-17 A.C. Chazal, Y. Grow j
1998-06-18 A.C. Chazal, Y. Grow
References: None
J
J
133
L
Fig. 49. GRASSY CREEK FLATWOODS
Conservation Planning Boundary
Clarskville South USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
134
Fig. 50. GRASSY CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest (Virginia)
Clarksville South USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
135
J
Fig. 51. GRASSY CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Upland Depression Swamp (Virginia)
Clarksville South USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft
A
N
136
Fig. 52. GRASSY CREEK FLATWOODS
Location of Scutellaria leonardii (North Carolina)
Clarksville South USGS 7.5' Quadrangle
3000 ft N
137
ELEMENT OCCURRENCE DATA
FOR NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES
DOCUMENTED DURING THE 1997-1998 SURVEY OF JOHN H. KERR RESERVOIR
CONSERVATION SITE: GRASSY CREEK FLATWOODS
ELEMENT
COMMUNITIES
-DRY-MESIC OAK-HICKORY FOREST
LAST
OBS
1997-05-06
EORANK
B
EODATA
DRY TO
HICKOR
SOMEWHAT MESIC OAK-HICKORY
FOREST COVERING 40-50
ACRES. DOMINANT CHARACTERISTIC
TREES INCLUDE QUERCUS ALBA
(DOMINANT), QUERCUS STELLATA,
QUERCUS FALCATA, CARYA GLABRA,
CORNUS FLORIDA, AND ILEX OPACA.
CARYA OVATA IS COMMON IN A
PORTION OF THE STAND THAT MAY
BE LOCATED ON MORE BASIC SOILS.
COMMON UNDERSTORY SHRUBS AND
VINES INCLUDE VACCINIUM SSP.
AND VITIS ROTUND I FOLIA.
COMMUNITY CONDITION IS GOOD
TO VERY GOOD. FOREST IS MATURING
SECOND-GROWTH, LARGELY RECOVERED
FROM LOGGING 50+ YEARS AGO.
HABITAT
NEARLY LEVEL UPLANDS UNDERLAIN BY
SUBMAFIC METAVOLCANIC SLATE.
SOILS BELONG TO THE ORANGE SERIES
AND CONSIST OF SUBACIDIC SILTY
CLAY LOAMS OVER HARDPAN CLAY
SUBSOILS. OTHER NOTEWORTHY PLANTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COMMUNITY
ARE ACER BARBATUM, VACCINIUM
TENELLUM, LYONIA MARIANA, AND
ARNICA ACAULIS.
-UPLAND DEPRESSION SWAMP
1997-05-06 B
PLANTS
SCUTELLARIA LEONARD 11
-SHALE-BARREN SKULLCAP
1997-05-06
THREE SUBOCCURRENCES LOCATED
WITHIN 0.5 MI. OF EACH OTHER.
FORESTED, SEASONALLY FLOODED
WETLANDS EACH COVERING CA.
0.3-ACRE. DOMINANT PLANTS ARE
QUERCUS PHELLOS, LIQUIDAMBAR
STYRACIFLUA, ILEX DECIDUA,
SMI LAX ROTUND I FOLIA, CAREX
ALBOLUTESCENS, AND SPHAGNUM
SP. COMMUNITY CONDITION IS
VERY GOOD WITH LITTLE EVIDENCE
OF DISTURBANCE.
FOUR CLUMPS OBSERVED, TOTALLING
ABOUT EIGHT STEMS, PLANTS IN
LEAF AND FRUIT.
SEASONALLY FLOODED, POND-LIKE,
DEPRESSION SWAMPS DEVELOPED ON
UPLAND HARDPAN SOILS.
UNDERLYING BEDROCK IS MAPPED
AS A MAFIC METAVOLCANIC
FORMATION, BUT MAPPED ORANGE
SOILS ARE SUBACIDIC WITH
SILTLY CLAY SURFACE LAYER AND
CLAY HARDPAN SUBSOIL.
OPENING ALONG AN OLD ROAD BED.
FOREST IS PROBABLY BASIC OAK-HICKORY
FOREST.
138
HOGAN CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Size: Ca. 350 acres Biodiversity Rank: B2
Locality: Charlotte County, VA
Quadrangle: Buffalo Springs Quadrangle Code: 3607866
Location: This site is located within Hogan Creek Wildlife Management Area on both sides of Hogan
Creek between Routes 699 and 640 on the north side of the Roanoke River.
NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES SUMMARY TABLE
ELEMENT NAME
GLOBAL STATE VA ELEMENT
RARITY RARITY USFWS LEGAL OCCURRENCE
RANK RANK STATUS STATUS RANK
COMMUNITIES:
Basic Oak-Hickory Forest
(Typic Subtype)
Upland Depression Swamp
PLANTS:
Isoetes hyemalis
winter quillwort
Lotus helleri
Carolina prairie-trefoil
Marshallia obovata var. obovata
obovate marshallia
Matelea decipiens
old-field milkvine
ANIMALS:
Catocala ulalume
Ulalume underwing
G2G3
G3
G4G5T?
G5
G4
S3
S2
SI?
SI
S2
SI
S1S3
B
BC
B
AB
C
BC
CD
Site Description: The site contains three upland sections separated by the bottomlands of Hogan Creek
and a major tributary. The lower portions of these streams have been inundated by the reservoir while
the upper portions have been altered by the periodic back-up of impounded water. Uplands are gently
sloping to nearly level and represent the southern edge of a large upland "flat" underlain by Abbeyville
gabbro, a mafic metavolcanic rock. Soils are Lredell loams with plastic hardpan subsoils. Substantial
areas of uplands are occupied by weedy successional forests and large wildlife fields. However,
approximately 150 acres of uplands are occupied by a second-growth forest representing the Basic Oak -
Hickory Forest natural community type. The influence of basic or circumneutral substrates on this
community is indicated by a prevalence of basicophiles such as eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis),
eastern hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), nettle-leaf sage (Salvia urticifolia), Seneca snakeroot
(Polygala senega), downy woodmint (Blephilia ciliata), and elm-leaf goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia).
This community type is scattered in the Piedmont and increasingly threatened by development, logging,
and agriculture. While not pristine, the occurrence at this site is one of the larger high quality patches
139
J
1
inventoried to date in this region. Within the oak-hickory forest matrix are several small upland
depression wetlands, one of which is considered a significant Natural Heritage resource. Four rare plants
have been documented at the site: old field milkvine (Matelea decipiens) and obovate marshallia j
(Marshallia obovata var. obovata) in the basic oak-hickory forest; the globally rare winter quillwort **
(Isoetes hyemalis) in a sluggish, seasonal headwaters stream; and a large population of Carolina prairie-trefoil
{Lotus helleri) in five wildlife clearings. A state rare noctuid moth Ulalume underwing (Catocala I
ulalume) was found associated with the Basic Oak-Hickory Forest. ^
Prior to acquisition by the Corps of Engineers, this site was probably utilized extensively for agriculture j
and timber harvests. Sizeable areas now occupied by young successional forests were cleared in the past m
and abandoned 50 or more years ago. Areas supporting the more permanent oak-hickory forests were
probably severely cut over not long before the Kerr Reservoir was established. The site is currently I
managed for wildlife. J
Boundary Justification: The boundary is coextensive with the Kerr Reservoir/Hogan Creek WMA j
property boundary except on the SW (river-fronting side), where it is located at the upland/wetland J
boundary, and where it crosses Hogan Creek. One portion of private land is included to serve as a buffer
for the significant Upland Depression Swamp located on the Kerr boundary. As almost all of the j
adjacent private lands have been cleared or severely disturbed, the overall boundary is practical from a J
management point of view, and will serve to mitigate on-site impacts.
Threats: Numerous exotics are found in the open areas and younger forests of the area. According to J
Kerr Reservoir staff the herbicide Round-up has been used in the wildlife clearings to control dense
stands of exotics such as Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense). The dense stands were not found to - i
support Carolina prairie-trefoil so this use of herbicide should not directly affect the rarity as long as care J
is taken to prevent herbicide drift. Any future needs for gypsy moth suppression may conflict with the
ability of the rare moth to persist at this site. >
Management Recommendations: No urgent management needs have been identified at this site.
However, the viability of some of the rare plants and the general herbaceous component of the oak-hickory
forest would probably be improved by prescribed burning. Fire was probably an occasional to
frequent ecological factor in this area up until the mid-twentieth century, and the sparsity of herbaceous
growth in many parts of the oak-hickory forest and the somewhat unusual abundance of fire-intolerant
species such as southern sugar maple (Acer barbatum) in the understory of this rather d