Serpentine Barrens Field Trip Reports

Field Trip Two

Serpentine Barrens: Goat Hill Native Plant Communities | Taylor Keegan | 9/23/14

PART I. Site Survey 1.) Describe the vegetation typical of Goat Hill. What kinds of tree species are present?

Herbaceous Plants? What non-native invasives are present? Native invasives?

Because this landscape has experienced fire suppression, Smilax glauca dominates Goat Hill, while S. rotundifolia can be found interspersed in the landscape. Additionally, other species that need an organic layer to germinate include the following:

Microstegium vimineum

Japanese Stiltgrass

Berberis sp.

Barberry

Elaeagnus umbellata

Autumn Olive

Some plants that are endemic to the serpentine barrens in Pennsylvania are : Moss pink

Phlox subulata

Wood lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Annual fimbry

Fimbristylis annua

Plain ragwort

Senecio anonymus

Few-flowered nutrush

Scleria pauciflora

Fame flower

Talinum teretifolium

Serpentine aster

Aster depauperatus

Quercus marilandica

Blackjack Oak

Long-haired barrens

Cerastium velutinumvar.

Quercus stellata

Post Oak

chickweed

villosissimum

Smilax rotunifolia

Greenbriar

Serpentine maidenhair

Adiantum pedatum

Smilax glauca

Catbriar

Sandplain gerardia

Agalinis acuta

Sassafras albidum

Sassafrass

Lindera benzoin

Spicebush

Eupatorium fistulosum

Joe pyeweed

Ageratina altissima

White snakeroot

Quercus falcata

Southern Red Oak

Pycnanthemum sp

Mountain Mint

Adiantum pedatum

Northern Maidenhair Fern

Thelypteris noveboracensis

New York Fern

Additionally, very few non-native invasive species were found in the meadows that had been scraped, specifically in the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens. Where non-native species colonized were that areas that collected that same organic layer. The following invasive species were observed: Albizia julibrissin

Mimosa

Rubus phoenicolasius

Wineberry

Rubus fruticosus

Blackberry

Rosa multiflora

Multiflora Rose

2.) Can you find evidence of a prescribed burn? What is the fire return interval for Goat Hill?

There was evidence of campfire, but no visible evidence of a prescribed burn at Goat Hill or Willisbrook. At Goat Hill, the Friends of the State-Line Barrens have utilized a scrape method to replace the effects of a burn. Seen on the right are photographs of the two scrapes they did taking place in 1998, and 2006. Plots were done in the older scrape location, and signs of succession were already occurring. Furthermore, looking at the progression in the landscape, this appears to be effectively be maintaining the grassland that would be present if there would have been a burn. It would be interesting, however, to understand the differences in soil composition and vegetation presence between the area that had been scraped and an area

Goat Hill Scrape 2006

Goat Hill Scrape 1989 that has been burned. A long term study would be most effective (recommended 20 years) in understanding the effects.

3.) How does the physiognomy of Goat Hill compare to Willisbrook?

Interestingly, only 10 % of the State Line Serpentine Barrens is covered by serpentine vegetation, while the other 90% is covered by mesic mixed hardwood and oak forests,

crops, grazing land, and residential development (Orndorf and Coleman 2008, Latham 2000). The physical makeup of the two sites seemed to vary one a few factors. Because we spent a much longer time at Goat Hill, arguably scale is one factor. Smilax was not as prevalent in Willisbrook as it was in Goat Hill, and there appeared to be older growth of the endemic species (such as Pinus ridgida) in the Goat Hill site. Additionally there appeared to be more Pinus virginiana and Juniperus virginiana at

Willisbrook

Goat Hill

Willisbrook. Similarities included the meadows that were sampled, and the general microtopography of each of those plots; however the overall Topography differed for the meadows themselves, as the Meadow at goat hill was in a much more hilly landscape, whereas

4.) How deep is the duff in the woodland areas? Compare the depths of the duff to those in adjacent serpentine meadows. Use a pin flag for appropriate measure.

The duff in the woodland areas was between 1-3” and the duff in the meadows was around 1” or less. Soils are reviewed in greater detail in Part III of this report. To the right are the different types of soils found in the barrens. The top is characteristic of the “duff ” found in the same areas as the smilax. Below is the soil characteristic of the meadows. This particular photo was taken at the Goat Hill Scrape sight, that the second batch of transects were collected.

Woodland soil sample

Willisbrook was not as hilly.

Succession was present in certain portions of Goat Hill due to lack of fire, and accumulation of duff. As seen in the photographs to the left, Smilax is a sign of this successionary process, and is definitely indicative of fire suppression. Succession in Willisbrook was present closer to the edges of the preserve through the presence of invasives such as Japanese Honeysuckle, Bittersweet, and Phragmites. Additionally, as seen in the tall deciduous growth in the edges, fire suppression and succession have taken place.

Meadow Soil Sample

5.) Look for examples of succession. What successional series are evident?

PART II. Grassland Survey Methodology | 1. Establish a transect along the stretch of trail near the serpentine grassland area, measure 18 meters 2. Working in groups of three to four position a 1x 1 meter quadrats systematically in teh serpentine areas to that you have 2 quadrats per group, per site. The distance between each quadrat is 1 meter deep, and 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) along the transect.

3. Estimate Percent total cover in each quadrat including bare areas and debris. Cover should not exeed 100% 4. Determine the total relative cover of each species in your quadrats.

5. Make a soil collection from each area sampled. Collect spoon sized samples along the transect approximately totalling one cup.

This will be submitted for lab analysis.

Comparing Percent Cover at Sampling Sites |

Relative Percentages of Cover Types at Three Pennsylvania Serpentine Barren Sampling Sites 35 30

RELATIVE PERCENT

25 20 15 10 5 0

Willisbrook

Goat Hill Meadow/Savannah

Goat Hill Scrape

Graph notes: Sphagnum sp. indicates unidentified wetland species and the unidentified GR# UK# remain for any later referencing.

PART III. Questions & Exercises 1) Referring to the TNC viability assessment tool for serpentine barrens, is Goat Hill a good candidate for restoration? Why or why not? What do you think of this tool?

The Target Viability Worksheet was created by the Nature Conservancy, prepared by Orndorf and Coleman (2008) for ecologists and conservationists to understand ecological processes to identify “Key Ecological Attributes”. It is based on a few core elements that include rating a landscape based on 1.) Key Ecological Attributes 2.)Indicator 3.)Indicator rating. Attached at the end of the report is the overview written by The Nature Conservancy. As seen to the right, the Viability assessment for the serpentine barrens in Pennsylvania was exracted from the “Managment Guidelines for Barrens Communities in Pennsylvania” by The Nature Conservancy 2008.

2) What is the Natural Heritage Network ranking System?

According to the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (CNHP), the The Natural Heritage Network to help keep tabs on rare plants and rare plant communities. It helps target the most “at risk” species and ecosystems for research, conservation, and management. The rankings are organized by number and letter, and by different groups including on the state level including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), Pennsylvania Fish Commission (PFBC), and Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PBS)

Pennsylvania Heritage Program 2014). Each of these organizations utilizes the following acronyms in some form to categorize rare ecologies (Pennsylvania Heritage Program 2014).

PE: Pennsylvania Endangered - Plant species which are in danger of extinction throughout most of their natural range within this Commonwealth, if critical habitat is not maintained or if the species is greatly exploited by man. This classification shall also include any populations of plant species that have been classified as Pennsylvania Extirpated, but which subsequently are found to exist in this Commonwealth.

PT: Pennsylvania Threatened - Plant species which may become endangered throughout most or all of their natural range within this Commonwealth, if critical habitat is not maintained to prevent their future decline, or if the species is greatly exploited by man.

PR: Pennsylvania Rare - Plant species which are uncommon within this Commonwealth. All species of the native wild plants classified as Disjunct, Endemic, Limit of Range and Restricted are included within the Pennsylvania Rare classification.

Endemic Limit of Range Restricted

Significantly separated from their main area of distribution Confined to a specialized habitat.

At or near the periphery of their natural distribution Found in specialized habitats or habitats infrequent in Pennsylvania.

PX: Pennsylvania Extirpated - Plant species believed by the Department to be extinct within this Commonwealth. These plants

Panicum sp.

Disjunct

Cerastium velutinum var villosissiiumum

Euphorbium maculatum

may or may not be in existence outside the Commonwealth.

PV: Pennsylvania Vulnerable - Plant species which are in danger of population decline within Commonwealth because of their beauty, economic value, use as a cultivar, or other factors which indicate that persons may seek to remove these species from their native habitats.

TU: Tentatively Undetermined - A classification of plant species which are believed to be in danger of population decline, but which cannot presently be included within another classification due to taxanomic uncertainties, limited evidence within historical records, or insufficient data.

N: No current legal status exists, but is under review for future listing.

3.) See Exercise a-g.

4.) What is unique about the geology of serpentine ecosystems? Why are they so rare?

Serpentine Rock is unique because it is metamorphic rock that was exposed to water, and is found very specifically at tectonic plate boundaries on the ocean floor. It is made from ultramafic rock which came from the Earth’s mantle; this makes serpentine rock extremely rare and also gives it a unique chemical makeup. It typically has a green-grey color and interesting striations in it. The ratio between Calcium and Magnesium is what serpentine rocks so unique, and the magnesium create inhospitable foundation for most plants native to the region. It derives its name from the scale-like pattern that its outcrops form, which appear as snake skin from an aerial perspective.

5.) Describe the composition of the serpentinederived soils. What other characteristics define the growing conditions typical of serpentine communities?

The soil typically surrounding these areas have higher-than normal amounts of magnesium, nickel and chromium, and lower-than normal amounts of calcium, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Soils that are found in areas that have not experienced fire suppression have well-drained, rocky soils. The cover of this report displays a small outcrop serpentine rock and soils.

6.) Name two physiological adaptations of serpentine endemic species

One physiological adaptation from serpentine endemic species include fire tolerance, as found with Pitch Pine in its resprouting tendensies and seratonis cones. A second adaptation can be found in the Goat Hill Chickweed, which has developed hairs to help with the heat and direct sun that are characteristic of this landscape. Furthermore, some plants that have adapted to living in serpentine soils are also used for phytoremediation in consuming heavy metals from postindustrial or contaminated soils (Morel, Echevarria, and Goncharova, 2006.)

7.) From your list of plants, choose two species and describe the pollinators typical for each.

What is the rank for these pollinators? Discuss.

Phlox subulata has peak flower in May, according to the

University of Massachusetts Center for Agriculture and is listed as a top perennials for attracting pollinators. More specifically, Phlox is known for attracting butterflies and moths in the spring; although not explicitly stated the buck moth hemileuca maia is endemic to the Serpentine Barrens in Pennsylvania that Phlox subulata may help support.

Although not pollination, but relates to the flora supporting other species, the Natura Conservancy reviews the importance of plants to Lepidoptera species in the Serpentine Barrens. The frosted elfin, Callophrys irus, and only feeds on the wild indigo, Baptisia tinctoria and tthe broad-lined catopyrrha, Erastria coloraria, a geometer moth, Apodrepanulatrix liberaria, and the mottled duskywing (Erynnis martialis), feed only on New Jersey tea, Ceanothus americanus (Orndorf and Coleman 2008)

8.) Do you see any similarities between the serpentine and pine plain community types?

Explain.

Similarities between the serpentine and pine plain communities are found due to the limited canopy in some parts of the pine plains, and well drained soils characteristic of the sand and stony outcrops found in each of these landscapes. Pinus rigida dominated both of these landscapes, however the shrubby ericaceous species found in the pine plains were not as present in the serpentine barrens. Instead, grasses like Panicum sp. and the overall feel of each of these landscapes were similar. Because the rocks in the serpentine barrens are so unique, it fosters a unique plant community that can tolerate similar climate and moisture as the barrens, but not the more toxic metals found in the serpentine rock.

9.) Describe the different strategies used for restoration serpentine plant communities, considering the pros and cons of each.

Although we did not pinpoint the period in time when Willisbrook was burned, it is managed through prescribed burns. Because of the scale of Goat Hill, and its location in proximity to residential areas, and the opportunity for the fire to get out of control, the scrape method was introduced. Based on our surveys, one could assume that the scrape increase the opportunity for diversity. However, without the knowledge of when the last disturbance occurred within our two survey sites, it is speculation as to why the third site had higher levels of diversity.

10.) Diagram or describe succession in serpentine communities. How does this compare to the pine plains?

Succession in the serpentine communities occurred similarly, but again, because the serpentine rock creates a unique footing for the serpentine barren plant community, its largest problem is the creation of duff, which essentially reduces the contact with the serpentine rock. Once duff begins to form, flora characteristic of deciduous forest begin to form including Red Maple, and an assortment of ferns and astors. In the case of the pine barrens, this community has a wider range of places that can be considered the barrens ranging in soil moisture and collection of duff.

Diversity Overview |

diversity taking into account evenness. The results from a sample may be

Overview as provided in syllabus: “Biological diversity can be quantified in

affected by dominance of individuals. Richness and evenness are combined

many different ways. Species richness and evenness are important factors when

in the Simpson’s index. The Simpson’s Index (D) measures the probability

measuring diversity. Species richness is the measure of the number of different

that two individuals randomly selected from a sample will belong to the same

kinds of organisms present in a particular area. Evenness is a measure of the

species. With this index, 0 represents infinite diversity and 1, no diversity.

relative abundance of the different species making up the richness of an area.

That is the bigger the value of D, the lower the diversity.

As species richness and evenness increase, so diversity increases. A community

dominated by one or two species is considered less diverse than one in which

Where ni = number of individuals of a species and N = total number of all

several different species have a similar abundance.

species.This is not intuitive, so to get around this problem we can use the

1. Species Richness (S) is the number of different

D = ∑ [ni(ni – 1)/N(N – 1)]

complement of D or (1 - D). In this case the value of the index still ranges from 0 to 1, but now, the greater the value the greater the sample diversity.

species present in a community (site) regardless of dominance (abundance).

In this case the probability that two individuals randomly selected from a

2. Beta diversity is the measure of the change in diversity

sample will belong to different species. Another way of expressing D more

intuitively is to take the reciprocal of D or 1/D. The value starts with 1 as the

between samples along transects or across environmental gradients. Gamma

lowest possible figure and may vary from 1 to the total number of species in

diversity is the regional diversity. Alpha is the site diversity (or habitat). A value of

the sample. An increasing value means increasing diversity. Evenness can be

1 means little turnover (or difference between habitats). Example from above data: estimated by dividing this value by S (species richness) so that E = (1/D)/S.”

ß = gamma/alpha or (Sp rich mean * number of habitats)

ß = 16/ (¬7.3 * 3)

Habitat 1

ni

ni - 1

ni * (ni -1)

(ni * ni-1))/N*(N-1))

ß = 16/ (21.9) = 0.73

Pinus rigida

35

34

1190

0.120

Quercus ilicifolia

12

11

132

0.013

Quercus marylandica

18

17

306

0.031

Gaylusaccia baccata

7

6

42

0.004

Vaccinium pallidum

9

8

72

0.007

Hudsonia ericoides

19

18

342

0.035

3. Jaccard similarity index

calculates the

similarity between habitats. As the Jaccard value approaches 1, the two habitats compared are more similar.

J = c/ a + b – c

Where a = the number of species from habitat 1, b = the number of species from habitat 2 and c = the number of species common to both habitats. Example: habitat 1 and habitat 2.

J = 3/ 6 + 7 – 3 = 0.30

4. The Simpson’s Index (D) measures

Example:

Sum of (ni * ni-1))/N*(N-1)) = D 0.2103 S = number of species 6 N = abundance of all species 100 N * (N-1) 9900 D = 0.2103 1-D = 0.7897 1/D = 4.76 E = (1/D)/S = 4.76/6 = 0.79

Goat Hill quadrat 1

Goat Hill quadrat 2

Goat Hill quadrat 3

Goat Hill quadrat 4

Willisbrook quadrat 2

Willisbrook quadrat 1

Questions a-g | a .) Determine Relative Cover for the plant species found in each site visited (both Willisbrook and Goat Hill sites). Which is dominant species for each site? Graph your data to illustrate differences in sites surveyed

Answer found on PAGE #. Species are sorted from most dominant to least dominant; the most dominent species found across the three sites were the Schizachyrium scoparium, Symphyotrichum depaurperatum, Solidago nemoralis, and Sorghastrum nutans. Interesingtly, Aristida purpurascens was found in significant amounts only at the second site, and Aristida dichotoma was not found in Willsbrook.

The Jaccard similarity index is used to calulate the similarity between habitats. As the Jaccard value approaches 1, the two habitats compared are more similar. The calculation is as follows: J = c/ a + b – c Where a = the number of species from habitat 1, b = the number of species from habitat 2 and c = the number of species common to both habitats.

The first calculation compared species richness between Willisbrook and Goat Hill Scraped, the second compared Willisbrook and Goat Hill unscraped (also referred to as the meadow), and the third compared Goat Hill scraped and unscraped. The sites surveyed were similar, however the richest site was the second site surveyed at Goat Hill which had the highest amount of richness (.29), and the last sites compared the two sites at Goat Hill had the least amount of richness (.38).

b.) Compare the species richness between the sites surveyed. d.) Which site has the greatest species diversity? Use The species richness is considered the number of different the Simpson Index to calculate species diversity for species present in a community (site) regardless of dominance each site. (abundance). The species richness can be observed through Simpson and Shannon’s calculations found in the same graphs and the PSI calculations on PAGE #. These calculations point to the highest species richness where evenness can be estimated by dividing this value by S (species richness) so that E = (1/D)/S. According to the research, the Goat Hill Unscraped (Meadow/ Savannah) is the most rich (18), the Goal Hill Scraped comes in second (15), and the Willisbrook location is the least rich (13).

c.) How similar are the different sites you surveyed? Use the Jaccard similarity index to compare the sites.

The most diverse site according to the Simpson Index is also the Scraped site at Goat Hill (.173) . The second, Willisbrook (.153), and the least diverse is the unscraped site at Goat Hill (.144). To be clear, the Simpson Index measures diversity taking into account evenness, and the calculation used is as follows(Where ni = number of individuals of a species and N = total number of all species).

e.) PSI; determine coefficients of conservatism values for the plants in the different sites surveyed.

Which has the highest total mean CC?

Based on the PSI information found to the right, the highest total

Willisbrook PSI | Genus Andropogon Aristida Asclepias Baptisia Cerastium Desmodium Packera Pinus Polygonum Potentilla Schizachyrium Solidago Sorghastrum Sporobolus Symphyotrichum Tridens

Epithet gerardii dichotoma verticillata tinctoria fontanum obtusum anonyma virginiana tenue canadensis scoparium nemoralis nutans heterolepis depauperatum flavus

Common Name Grass, big bluestem

Jaccard Diversity Index |

PA List PA CC PA Rank Wetlands N 7 FAC UPL N 9 N 7

Milkweed, whorled Indigo, wild Chickweed, mouse ear Tick-trefoil N

3 UPL

Pine, Virginia Slender knotweed Cinquefoil, dwarf Grass, little bluestem Goldenrod, gray Grass, Indian Dropseed, prairie Serpentine aster Purpletop

N N N n/a N N N N N

6 8 2 0 4 5 10 PE 9 1

FACUUPL UPL FACU

Goat Hill PSI |

Native Mean C: 6 Total Mean C: 5.73 FQI: 27.5 PSI: 26.25

Epithet millefolium farinosa gerardii purpurascens verticillata tinctoria fontanum fasciculata obtusum intercursum michauxii anonyma quinquefolia subulata rigida virginiana tenue canadensis angularis scoparium glauca rotundifolia nemoralis nutans depauperatum flavus

Common Name Yarrow Colic-root Grass, big bluestem Three-awned grass Milkweed, whorled Indigo, wild Chickweed, mouse ear Partridge-pea Tick-trefoil Sandplain wild flax Rock sandwort

PA List PA CC PA Rank I 0 N 10 PE N 7 N 10 PT N 9 N 7 N N N N

7 3 8 9

Virginia-creeper Phlox, moss Pine, pitch Pine, Virginia Slender knotweed Cinquefoil, dwarf Marsh-pink Grass, little bluestem Catbrier/ Glaucus Greenbrier Catbrier/ Common Greenbrier Goldenrod, gray Grass, Indian Serpentine aster Purpletop

N

1

N N N N N n/a N N N N N N

7 6 8 2 7 0 3 3 4 5 9 1

Species Richness WB

Species Richness GHs 13

Jaccard =

WB + GHus

Species Richness WB

Similar Species 15.00 7.00 0.33

Species Richness GHus 13

Native Mean C: 5.92 Total Mean C: 5.92 FQI: 20.5 PSI: 20.5

Genus Achillea Aletris Andropogon Aristida Asclepias Baptisia Cerastium Chamaecrista Desmodium Linum Minuartia Packera Parthenocissus Phlox Pinus Pinus Polygonum Potentilla Sabatia Schizachyrium Smilax Smilax Solidago Sorghastrum Symphyotrichum Tridens

WB + GHs

Wetlands FACU FAC FAC FAC

UPL FACU FACU

FAC+ FACUFACU FAC UPL FACU

Similar Species 18

Jaccard =

Ghus + GHs

Species Richness GHs

Species Richness GHus 15

Jaccard =

7 0.29

Similar Species 18

9 0.38

mean C is found at the Willisbrook site. However, higher PSI is found at Goat Hill. This, as reviewed in the Pine Barrens Report, is not a highly reliable resource for a field- ecology level of analysis because it is missing species, and does not account for quantity. Additionally, these results may be skewed, because we are accounting for double the amount of quadrats in Goat Hill opposed to Willisbrook. However, using the PSI in conjunction with other indicators of diversity, it can boulster results and or serve as a baseline analysis tool.

f.) Describe other features you observed in your plots.

Illustrate with photos or drawings. Think about the treatments that were imposed (fire, scrape or non) and their influence on the appearance of the sampled area.

To the right are photographs of each quadrat that was measured within my specific group. Upon first glance, these sites appear quite similar.

However, there was a might higher diversity in quadrat 3, and 4, which were the two assigned within the Goat Hill Scraped landscape. It was the case for each plot, however, that the farther we got from the trail, the

higher vegetation was found and arguably less “crust”, “stone,” or standing dead debris was found.

g.) Analyze the results of your data to determine which management strategy might yield the highest species diversity. Describe some of the shortcomings of the survey and what you might do differently if you were to repeat it.

of these communities, and what we observed in our field work; a landscape that has experienced some maintained burns and scrapes, but has experienced approximately 100 years of fire suppression after 8,000 years of burning on a regular basis.

The Serpentine Barrens include an interesting community of species that have adapted to the toxic soil elements, and the rocky, xeric conditions that are characteristic of this landscape. Because this landscape is so extreme, the plants that are found here are endemic to the barrens, which makes it an especially interesting landscape. Unfortunately our fieldwork took place in October, and so we only experienced a small window of what thrives in this environment. The following pages will discuss what is typical

Goat Hill Scraped Transect Data | Goat Hill Scrape Species

Sum Species (n)

% Relative Cover (p*100)

Symphyotrichum depauperatum

125

28.22

Schizachyrium scoparium

105

23.70

Solidago nemoralis

61

13.77

Panicum sp

33

7.45

Andropogon gerardii

30

6.77

Sporobolis depauperatum

26

5.87

Sorghastrum nutans

23

5.19

Packera anonyma

20

4.51

Asclepias verticillata

6

1.35

Potentilla canadensis

4

0.90

Pinus virginiana

3

0.68

Smilax rotundifolia

2

0.45

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

2

0.45

Pinus rigida

2

0.45

GR1 UK2

1

0.23

N= Species Richness =

443 15

p 0.28 0.24 0.14 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Shannon's Diversity Index (H) Simpson's Diversity Index (D)

ln(p) -1.27 -1.44 -1.98 -2.60 -2.69 -2.84 -2.96 -3.10 -4.30 -4.71 -4.99 -5.40 -5.40 -5.40 -6.09 (p)*Sum[ln(p)]*-1 Sum[(n/N)^2]

(p)ln(p) -0.3570 -0.3412 -0.2730 -0.1935 -0.1823 -0.1664 -0.1536 -0.1399 -0.0583 -0.0425 -0.0338 -0.0244 -0.0244 -0.0244 -0.0138

(n/N)^2 0.0796 0.0562 0.0190 0.0055 0.0046 0.0034 0.0027 0.0020 0.0002 0.0001 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 2.03 0.1734

Willisbrook Transect Data | Willisbrook Species Schizachyrium scoparium Aristida dichotmata Symphyotrichum depauperatum Dichanthelium annulum Solidago nemoralis Sorghastrum nutans Packera anonyma Sporobolis heterolepis Polygonum tenue GR3 UK3 Cerastium ventinum v. veluntinum GR1 UK3 Asclepias verticillata N= Species Richness =

Sum Species (n) 160 82 69 60 53 51 39 13 10 10 5 5 2 559 13

% Relative Cover (p*100) 28.62 14.67 12.34 10.73 9.48 9.12 6.98 2.33 1.79 1.79 0.89 0.89 0.36

p 0.29 0.15 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.09 0.07 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.00 Shannon's Diversity Index (H) Simpson's Diversity Index (D)

ln(p) -1.25 -1.92 -2.09 -2.23 -2.36 -2.39 -2.66 -3.76 -4.02 -4.02 -4.72 -4.72 -5.63 (p)*Sum[ln(p)]*-1 Sum[(n/N)^2]

(p)ln(p) -0.3581 -0.2816 -0.2582 -0.2395 -0.2234 -0.2184 -0.1858 -0.0875 -0.0720 -0.0720 -0.0422 -0.0422 -0.0202

(n/N)^2 0.0819 0.0215 0.0152 0.0115 0.0090 0.0083 0.0049 0.0005 0.0003 0.0003 0.0001 0.0001 0.0000 2.10 0.1537

Goat Hill Meadow/Savannah Transect Data | Goat Hill Meadow/Savannah Species Schizachyrium scoparium Aristida purpurascens Sorghastrum nutans Symphyotrichum depauperatum Solidago nemoralis Packera anonyma Aristida dichotoma Sphagnum sp Minuartia michauxii Cerastium ventinum v. velutinum Pinus virginiana Panicum sp Daucus Asclepias verticillata Phlox sp Lichen Pinus rigida Arabidopsis lyrata N= Species Richness =

Sum Species (n) 105 78 52 30 26 24 21 20 11 7 7 5 4 3 2 2 2 1 400 18

% Relative Cover (p*100) 26.25 19.50 13.00 7.50 6.50 6.00 5.25 5.00 2.75 1.75 1.75 1.25 1.00 0.75 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.25

p 0.26 0.20 0.13 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 Shannon's Diversity Index (H) Simpson's Diversity Index (D)

ln(p) -1.34 -1.63 -2.04 -2.59 -2.73 -2.81 -2.95 -3.00 -3.59 -4.05 -4.05 -4.38 -4.61 -4.89 -5.30 -5.30 -5.30 -5.99 (p)*Sum[ln(p)]*-1 Sum[(n/N)^2]

(p)ln(p) -0.3511 -0.3188 -0.2652 -0.1943 -0.1777 -0.1688 -0.1547 -0.1498 -0.0988 -0.0708 -0.0708 -0.0548 -0.0461 -0.0367 -0.0265 -0.0265 -0.0265 -0.0150

(n/N)^2 0.0689 0.0380 0.0169 0.0056 0.0042 0.0036 0.0028 0.0025 0.0008 0.0003 0.0003 0.0002 0.0001 0.0001 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 2.25 0.1443

PART IV. Overview

The Serpentine Barrens include an interesting

community of species that have adapted to the toxic soil elements, and the rocky, xeric conditions that are characteristic of this landscape. Because this landscape is so extreme, the plants that are found here are endemic to the barrens, which makes it an especially interesting landscape.

Unfortunately our field work took place in October, and so we only experienced a small window of what thrives in this environment. The following pages will discuss what is typical of these communities, and what we observed in our field work; a landscape that has experienced some maintained burns and scrapes, but has experienced approximately 100 years of fire suppression after 8,000 years of burning on a regular basis.

Plant Communities, Pennell |

Work conducted by Pennell (1910), at the turn of the 20th century serves as a record for what existed in Serpentine Barrens of Chester, Delaware, and the State-Line Barrens.

This article broke the barrens into different communities as follows: Upland Serpentine Woodland Serpentine Quercus stellata, Quercus marilandica, Pinus rigida, Sassafras sassafras, Acer rubrum, and Prunus serotina.

In this dry upland area, with duff, the species here include

Phegopteris hexagonoptera, Panicum dichotomum, P. boscii, Linum virginianum, Dasystoma flava, Gerardia tenuifolia, Hieracium venosum, Nabalus serpentarius, Solidago bicolor and Sericocarpus asteroides.

Upland Serpentine Grassland Includes Aristida dichotoma, A. gracilis, Sporabolus vaginiflorus, Polygonum tenue. Aster parviceps pusilus, and Talinum teretifolium.

Noted: in deeper soil or on rock ledges Arenaria stricta, Arabis lyrata, Asclepias verticillata, Juncus secundus, and Panicum philadelphicum. Shrubs include: Quercus ilicifolia, Q. prinodies, Rhus copallina, Xolizma ligustring and Polycodium stamineum.

Continuing into the most dry and open areas includes mostly grassess and seges listed as follows; Andropogon scoparius, Panicum philadelphiicum, P. sphaerocarpon, Aristida dichotoma, A. gracilis, Scleria pauciflora, Sorghastrum nutans, Paspalum pubescens, Syntherisma filiformis, Panicum annulum, P. huachuae silicola, P. scribnerianum, Aristida purpurascens, Sporobolus vaginiflorus, Danthonia spicata, Eragrostis pectinacea, Cyperus filicumis macilents, Carex tricens hirstuta and C. glaucodea. Herbs include: Juncus secundus, sisyrinchium mucronatum, Comandra umbellata, Polygonum tenue, Cerastium oblongifolium, Arabis lyrata, Saxifraga virginiensis, Potentilla pumila, Hypericum punctatum, Helianthemum majus, Viola fimbriatula, Angelica villsosa, Sabatia angularis, Asclepias verticillata, Kaellia flexuosa, Houstonia caerulea, Lobelia spicata, Eupatorium aromaticum,

Quercus Montana (dwarf)

Solidago nemoralis, Aster ericoides, A. parviceps pusillus, Aster laterifolorous, Antennaria neglecta, A. plantaginifolia, and Senecio balsamite.

Cedar-Maple Woodland Jannell observes that within the large open areas, the depressions are habitated by Smilax sp. , Juniperus virginiana and Acer rubrum.

Tucked into these areas with the Smilax Polystichum acrostichoides, Asplenium platyneuron, Homalocenchrus virginicus, Agrostis perennans, Arabis lyrata, Saxifraga virginiensis are all prevalent.

Plant Communities, Western North America | East Versus West?

In the following table, the species are exclusively found in the serpeintine barrens of the North American west coast.

Asclepias solanoana* Eriogonum libertini* Fritillaria glauca* Minuartia macrocarpa rosea* Orobanche fasciculata* Senecio greenei*

Serpentine milkweed Wild Buckwheat Siskiyou missionbells Stichwart or Sandwart Clustered broomrape Serpentine ragwort

Plant Communities Observed |

According to the USDA forest service, there are two primary

types of plant communities that are present in serpentine barrens; each of the communities are classified by Jimerson (et al 1995) and Kruckeberg (1999). These two communities are characteristic of the barens only if they are being maintained or are being burned or disturbed on a regular basis.

Plants not present in our or rarity: Desmodium obtusum Linum intercursum Aletris farinosa Cerastiu velutinum v. villossissiimum Talinum calycinum Arabidopsis lyrata Euphorbia purpurea

quadrats due to seasonal observation Rigid tick trefoil Sandplain flax White colic root Goat Hill Chickweed Flmeflower lyre-leaved rock cress glade spurge

Quercus marilandica Quercus stellata Smilax rotunifolia Smilax glauca Sassafras albidum Lindera benzoin Eupatorium fistulosum

Blackjack Oak Post Oak Greenbriar Catbriar Sassafrass Spicebush Joe pyeweed

Panicum sp.

What the Duff ?

Because this landscape has experienced fire surpression, smilax glauca and rotundifolia donminate the landscape.

Additionally, other species that need an organic layer to germinate include the following:

Aster depauperatus Ageratina altissima Quercus falcata Pycnanthemum sp Adiantum pedatum Thelypteris noveboracensis

White snakeroot Southern Red Oak Mountain Mint Northern Maidenhair Fern New York Fern

Additionally, very few non-native invasive species were found in the meadows that had been scraped, specifically in the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens. Where non-native species colonized were that areas that collected that same organic layer. The following invasive species were observed: Albizia julibrissin Rubus phoenicolasius Rubus fruticosus Rosa multiflora

Mimosa Wineberry Blackberry Multiflora Rose

Microstegium vimineum Berberis sp.

Elaeagnus umbellata

Reflection|

Japanese Stiltgrass Barberry Autumn Olive

Thinking about this landscape, it has a great variation in topography that would suit a savannah - type feel. I have to admit, this idea is not exclusively mine. Bob, our field guide brought up how the ultimate goal of the Friends of the State-Line Serpentine Barrens group would to be completely restore the landscape, and have it exist as a network of trails through rolling grassy hills spotted with tall pines and rare plants. Thinking about how this could get done, and how much funding and time it would take, I have drafted up an outline for a full restoration of the site. In the context of my travels in Texas, this community

could be similar to the Live-oak mixed prairie savannah or the Pineywoods of east Texas. Dry only because of the limited amount of organic matter that the serpentine community forms when it is being regularly burned, the overall makeup of this landscape has the same stratification and overall feel. Looking at photographs the serpentine barrens being more regularly maintained in California strongly resemble desert landscapes.

Works Cited |

Brooks, R.R. 1987. Serpentine and Its Vegetation A Multidisciplinary Approach. Dioscorides Press, Portland, Oregon. 454 pp.

NATO Advanced Study Institute on Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soils. NATO science series, v. 68. Dordrecht: Springer.

Friends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens. 2014. “About the State Line Serpentine Barrens.” Grassroots.org. Accessed November 25, 2014. http:// www.statelineserpentinebarrens.org/home/about_the_state_line_serpentine_barrens

Pennell, F.W., 1910. Flora of the Conowingo barrens of southeastern Pennsylvania. Proc. Acad. Sci. Philadelphia, 62:541-584. http://www. jstor.org/stable/4063333

Hart, R. 1980. The coexistence of weeds and restricted native plants on serpentine barrens in southeastern Pennsylvania. Ecology, 688-701.

Jenny, H. 1980. The Soil Resource: Origin and Behavior, Springer-Verlag, New York. 377pp.

Jimerson, T. M. and L. D. Hoover, E. A. McGee, G. Denitto and R. M. Creasy. 1995. A Field Guide to Serpentine Plant Associations and Sensitive Plants in Northwestern California. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, R5-ECOL-TP-006 Kruckeberg, A. R. 1999. Serpentine barrens of western North America. pp. 309-321, In Anderson, R. C., J. S. Fralish and J. M. Baskins, eds.

Savannas, Barrens, and Rock Outcrop Communities of North America.

Cambridge University Press.

Latham, R.E. 2000. Biological components of the site conservation plan for the State Line Serpentine Barrens. In Stateline Serpentine Barrens Phase One Site Conservation Plan, The Nature Conservancy of Pennsylvania, September 2000.

Latham R.E. and M. McGeehin. 2010. Unionville Serpentine Barrens Restoration and Management Plant. Continental Conservation, Rose Valley, Pennsylvania dn NAtural Lands Trust, Media Pennsylvania 157 pp + 10 Maps.

Morel, J.-L., Echevarria, G., & Goncharova, N. 2006. Phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils.

Pennsylvania Heritage Program. 2014 “Rank Status Definitions)” The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Accessed December 1, 2014. http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/RankStatusDef.aspx Orndorff, Stephanie and Tracy Coleman. 2008. “Managment Guidelines for Barrens Communities in Pennsylvania.” The Nature Conservancy of Pennsylvania. February 2008.

Russell, E.W. B. 1983. Indian-set fires in the forests of the northeastern United States. Ecology 64:78-88.

“Serpentine Barrens.” 2014. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.” Accessed November 14, 2014. http://www.fs.fed.us/ wildflowers/beauty/serpentines/communities/barrens.shtml

Field Notes |