Site Habitat

The site lies in a region with very diverse and ecologically productive ecosystems, including many wetland and shoreline habitats. However, the site itself currently has relatively limited diversity in vegetative type, age, and species due to the prevalence of hayfield, mowed lawn, and very narrow buffers along water bodies. This low diversity creates vulnerability to pressure from aggressive non-native species, especially along habitat edges, and thin buffers increase the risk of erosion and water quality impacts.

Wetlands Habitats

Regional

In addition to the shoreline ecosystems associated with the estuary/river, there is a large freshwater wetland system to the east of the site. These wetlands are underlain by the same hydric soil type that is under the pad area on site and suggests that this system may have extended farther into the site in the past, providing water and wildlife connectivity. While several roads and associated development now cut through this system, it is anticipated that it still constitutes important habitat for many animal species and provides ecological functions such as water storage and flood mitigation.

Site

National Wetlands Inventory maps indicate a wetland area on site along the large drainage on the south side. The lowest area of this drainage is classified as an estuarine intertidal wetland characterized by emergent perennial vegetation. As elevation increases, the drainage area transitions to a freshwater wetland system with emergent vegetation and some shrubs and small trees.

Other areas on site not shown on NWI maps but visually observed to support wetland or wet meadow vegetation include the wooded area to the north of the Church Street entrance and the drainage that runs beneath the accessible trailhead area. Despite the presence of wet areas, CRCT staff do not report evidence of amphibian activity on site. This may be due to poor connectivity or water quality impacts from the nearby roadway.

Site Estuarine Intertidal wetland

Rushes and cattail sprouts in swale

Church st. wet area

Terrestrial Habitats

Damariscotta lies within the Midcoast ecoregion, which marks a transition between oak-Northern hardwoods forests and northern coniferous forests. Oak, beech, birch, maple, and white pine are common tree species. However, Round Top Farm has very limited woodland habitat. Major plant communities on site include hayfield, mowed lawn, and hedgerows and riparian buffers. The buffers in this area have been greatly reduced by past and current farming and haying practices, which may limit their use as wildlife corridors, but they do provide habitat for edge species. There is also pressure from invasive species such as multiflora rose, Oriental bittersweet, and glossy buckthorn along these edges. CRCT staff report sightings of generalist animals such as deer, coyote, and fox along the river and in the lower fields. Bobolinks, which are a ground-nesting bird on Maine's conservation watchlist, have also been observed in the fields. Haying is delayed until mid-July to avoid disturbance during the nesting season.

There is a variety of mature trees around the farmhouse including an old apple orchard and several noteworthy individual trees, mainly red oaks and sugar maples. Most of these trees appear to be healthy, but there may be some stress on the roots since most are very near the driveway. The red oaks have experienced defoliation from browntail moth infestations in the past.

Brushy hedgerow/drainage buffers Riparian woods

Hayfield

Mature trees

Mowed lawn