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November, 1999
Source Walks: 7-12-96 and 7-13-96
Horseshoe Run, a tributary of the Cheat River, lies within the Allegheny Mountain subprovince in Tucker and Preston Counties, West Virginia. The subject area of this report is located at about 39 deg.10’ N along the Run a few miles southwest of the community of Lead Mine. The watershed of Horseshoe Run is almost entirely underlain by Devonian Chemung Group rocks consisting of siltstones, sandstones and shales. However, the upper reaches of some tributaries also access other rocks such as the Hampshire Formation, Mauch Chunk Group and most significantly, the Greenbrier Limestone.
The forest in the study area consists dominantly of Allegheny hardwoods that can be classified as mixed mesophytic, albeit in degraded form. However Lead Mine is known for what was probably one of the largest trees ever cut in West Virginia, a more than 13 ft (4.0 meter) dbh White Oak (Clarkson, 1964). Our initial and most thorough inventory was conducted at the Monongahela National Forest Campground which is situated on the Horseshoe Run floodplain just south of Bonifield Run. Although the terrain here is almost flat, certain parts are elevated a few feet above the average level. Of particular interest is the base of the steep northwest-facing talus slope that borders the floodplain on the southeast.
The canopy of the floodplain forest at the campground[1] is dominated by large White Pine and Hemlock. Coring of these conifers, some of which exceed 3ft (0.9 meters) dbh, revealed them to be 80 to 100 years of age with Hemlock perhaps the oldest. Co-dominant deciduous species here are Tuliptree, Yellow and Black Birches, Sugar and Red Maples, White Ash, Shagbark Hickory, Northern Red and White Oaks, Beech and Sycamore, with the last-named concentrated along the stream. Only one small Black Gum was seen. Muscletree is the most common understory species although Hawthorn (Cratægus sp.) is also abundant and there is a little Striped Maple as well. The most common shrub in the vicinity of the conifers is Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), but Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin) are abundant in association with deciduous canopy. Some Elderberry (probably Sambucus canadensis) also occurs in moist areas.
Underneath the large pines and hemlocks that occupy the slightly elevated areas, Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) and Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) and a little Palmate-leaved Violet (Viola palmata) constitute virtually the only ground cover, reflecting the leached and acidified soil there.
The concentration of herbaceous plants at the base of the northwest-facing talus slope indicates a far more favorable and less acid environment than under the conifers. It is characterized by abundant Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis), Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata), Smooth Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza longistylis), Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), Clearweed (Pilea pumila), Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides),White Baneberry (Actea pachypoda), Enchanters Nightshade (Circæa quadrisulata), Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera), Indian Turnip (Arisæma triphyllum), Great Chickweed (Stellaria pubera), the sedge Carex laxiflora, May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum), Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum), Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Jewelweed (Impatiens sp.), White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), White Wood Sorrel (Oxalis montana), a managrass (Glyeria sp.), Viriginia Knotweed (Polygonum virginianum), Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), Bottlebrush Grass (Hystrix patula), Deer-tongue Grass (Panicum clandestinum) and Meehania (Meehania cordata). Ferns include luxuriant stands of Silvery Athyrium (Athyrium thelypteroides), abundant New York (Thelyptris noveberacensis) and Hay-scented (Dennstædtia punctilobula) as well as Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) and Intermediate Shield Fern (Dryopteris intermedia). Sugar Maple seedlings are abundant and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquifolia) is a common vine.
An equally rich if somewhat different flora occurs at other places on the flood plain. Especially notable in more open areas are rich stands of Crooked-stem Aster (Aster prenanthoides), Wingstem (Verbesena alternifolia), Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida), Upright Yellow Wood Sorrel(Oxalis stricta), Broad-leaved Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum canadense ) and the sedges Carex plantaginea and C. scabrata. Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans) is abundant everywhere.
The presence here of several species such asMeehania andCarex plantaginea -which areusually associated with rich soils- as well as the general character of the flora, hint at nutrient sources other than those in the Chemung Group rocks. The diversity revealed by this cursory inventory indicates that a much greater tally would result from a complete growing season study. Also the occurrence of such northern/high elevation species as Yellow Birch, Striped Maple, Canada Mayflower and White Wood Sorrel point to the influence of cold air drainage/accumulation along the valley flat.
On 7-13-96 a climbing traverse was made up up a spur of Dorman Ridge along the Losh Trail, beginning at the Trail stream crossing immediately north of the YMCA Camp. The first part of theTrail lies along the floor of the ravine of Losh Run, then ascends the northeast side of the ravine .The total elevation change on this traverse was about 600 ft (180 meters). Passage is through a dominantly young to mature acid-mesic forest but ends on a somewhat dryer ericaceous spur crest. Soils are generally of the mull type but not particularly rich-appearing. However no mor soils were seen.
Diminution of diversity and luxuriance of plant life is immediately apparent along the ravine bottom as compared with the Horseshoe Run flood plain. The canopy here consists of Black Birch, Hemlock, White Pine, Shagbark Hickory and Beech with abundant Northern Red Oak seedlings. A single large (10 inch/25 cm dbh) Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) was also seen here. Witch Hazel is the prevailing shrub and Ground Berry (Rubus hispidus) shares moist areas with Northern Bugelweed (Lycopus uniflorus), Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis) and Ground Pine (Lycopodium flabelliforme). The only identified grass was Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa). A White Pine remnant of an older forest with a 40 inch (1 meter) dbh yielded a minimum age of 120 years on coring. A large grape vine (probably Summer Grape ) festooned a tree in the area.
In what follows new species for the area or those of particular interest or significance, are listed in the order in which they were encountered on the climb up the spur, Scientific names are given only for species not previously listed. Thus not far above the ravine bottom we noted that moist acid-soil familiar Indian Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana) followed by New York Fern, American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) sprouts, Great Rhododendron, White and Scarlet Oaks, Leucobryum cushion moss at tree bases, abundant Hemlock, Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), Black Birch, Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Moccasin Flower (Cypripedium acaule) and, at perhaps 1900 ft (580 meters) asl, the first Striped Maple since those seen on the floodplain. Above this we noted Virginia Creeper, Rattlesnake Fern (Botrychium virginianum) and Round- lobe Hepatica (Hepatica americana). In this first section of the ascent the rather dry acidic forest, as reflected in the flora, resulted in a rather thick leaf mat. Now however, at perhaps 2000 ft (610 meters), there was apparently a transition to somewhat more mesic conditions with the appearance of American Basswood (Tilia americana), Round-leaf Violet (Viola rotundifolia), Hairy Disporum (Disporum lanuginosum), White Wood Aster (Aster divericatus), Horse Balm (Collinsonia canadensis), Four-leaved Yam (Dioscorea quaternata), Wild Liquorice (Galium circæzans), Wild Stonecrop, White Snakeroot and Summer Grape (Vitis æstivalis). A little beyond this transition a spot inventory of the canopy included White Oak, Beech, Red Maple, Black Birch, Cucumbertree, Scarlet Oak and Tuliptree. Not far above this a cored 30 inch (76 cm) dbh Northern Red Oak was estimated to be 85 years old. No doubt this exceeds the average stand age for this slope forest.
Then on approaching the upper ravine floor and the crossing of Losh Run, with associated springy ground at perhaps 2000 ft (610 meters) asl, there was an observed increase in Hemlock, Black Birch, Beech, Great Rhododendron and the incidence particularly of Round-leaved Violet. Here also we noted the sedge Carex laxiflora, Broad Beech Fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera) and in a spring, Carex scabrata.
Few birds attracted our attention on this climb except the ever-present Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) and, at this height, Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) as well.
The trail, after crossing the ravine, turned south along the steep east-facing slope through forest as mesic as any encountered on the climb. The canopy was dominated by Black Birch, Beech and Hemlock and there was at least one Serviceberry a foot (30 cm) dbh and of canopy height. Round-leaf Violet also continued abundant and fungi of the genus Russula were common.
Shortly the trail turned 180 degrees and ascended the south facing slope of the steep spur. Here we saw our first blueberries, either Upland Low (Vaccinium pallidum) or Late Low (V. vacillans), but accompanied by Great Rhododendron and Hemlock under a canopy of White and Northern Red Oaks, Beech and White Pine. However all Round-leaved Violets had vanished here. A little higher we encountered our first Chestnut Oak in the area with a little Black Gum, but again accompanied by Northern Red Oak, Black Oak, Beech, Hemlock, Striped Maple and Witch Hazel. However a dryer, more abundant acidic environment than below was indicated by Mountain Laurel, more Low Blueberries and a little Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens). Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) as well as a few Sassafras seedlings were also present at the highest elevation attained.
Summary
It is likely that the comparatively luxuriant vegetation of the Horseshoe Run floodplain owes its origin at least in part to the influx of water and sediment from the carbonate rocks of upstream Mauch Chunk Group and Greenbrier Limestone. Since the area falls in the region of the Appalachian cloudy day maximum, the observed weak effect of aspect is to be expected. The fairly pronounced effect of cold air drainage/accumulation on the Horseshoe Run flood plain, as indicated by certain species there, follows readily from the surrounding topography. Cold air accumulated on the northwest slope of nearby Backbone Mountain, which rises to 3600 ft (1100 meters), can find access to Horseshoe Run along Laurel Run or other concavities. In contrast the weak or nonexistent effect of the lapse rate cooling on plant distribution along the Losh Trail is to be expected given the limited elevation change along our traverse. However the ecological role of Black Birch is illustrated here in that it occupies high gradient ravine bottoms and moist slopes where cold air accumulation is insufficient for Yellow Birch to occur.
While the character of vegetation on Dorman Ridge is representative of the Allegheny Mountains at low to moderate elevations, it is quite different from that of the Valley and Ridge at similar elevations and on similar topography. This is shown by sparseness of certain oaks, Black Gum, Sassafras and a number of ericaceae coupled with the abundance of Beech, Hemlock and Great Rhododendron. It is likely that this difference is largely attributable to the increase of air and soil moisture and cool temperatures that result form the greater degree of cloud cover as compared to the Valley and Ridge.
Return to Horseshoe Run / Dorman Ridge
Source Walks: 9-21-98 and 9-23-98
We arrived at the Horseshoe Run campground on the afternoon of 9-21-98 after noting that the Red Maple at higher elevations on Canaan Mountain had already turned a brilliant crimson. Our inventories here should be considered in conjunction with those done in July, 1996.
Our first inventory, on the afternoon of 9-21-98 was more thorough for the flood plain than that of 1996. It began about 1/6 mile ( 0. 27 km ) southwest of the grove of large White Pine and Hemlock described on our 1996 visit and extended to the vicinity of the Losh Trail crossing of the Run.
Noted at the start was an abundance of unidentified warblers and other small birds, including Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) in both low shrubery and in the treetops. Sycamore appeared to be the dominant canopy species, with many trees in excess of two feet ( 0.6 m ) dbh. Next in frequency, but smaller in size, appeared to be Yellow and Black Birches taken together, followed by Beech, Red and Sugar Maples, Tuliptree, Shagbark Hickory, Hemlock, White Pine and a little American Basswood. Seedlings of Bitternut Hickory were quite common. It is likely that a number of other species such as White Ash, seen on our earlier visit, were also present, if not noted. Muscletree was a common understory species,as was the hawthorn Crataegus flbellata. Dominant shrubs appeared to be Spice Bush and Great Rhododendron, while a little Leatherwood (Dirca palustris ) was seen near the stream. Grape vines, at least in part Summer Grape were common, as was Virginia Creeper. Also seen was Hispid Greenbrier (Smilax hispida) . As is true for trees, it is likely that other vines and shrubs, such as Witch Hazel, which was noted on our 1996 visit , were present.
Herbs noted were New York, Silvery Athyrium and Christmas Ferns, Smooth Sweet Cicely, Bottlebrush Grass, abundant Broad-leaf Waterleaf, Hog Peanut, Wingstem, Virginia Knotweed, Wood Nettle, Clearweed, Crooked-stem Aster, White Wood Aster, Broad-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) , White Snakeroot, Downy Many Knees (Polygonatum pubescens) , White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia) , Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) , Carex plantaginea, Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa) , Wirestem Muhly (Muhlenbergia frondosa) , Slender-flowered Muhly (M. Tenuiflora) and Woodland Muhly (M. sylvatica) . Particularily noted were the different modes of occurrence of the last two similar-appearing species, with Slender-flowered Muhly occurring as widely separated culms and Woodland Muhly in dense clumps.
The alien Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) was common in a number of places, particularily near the campground. Some observed fungi were Bisporella citrina and Scutellinia scutellata ( Eye-lash Cup ). A large down bole bore the mosses Anomodon rostratus and species of Hypnum and Entodon. Beech seen on the flood plain appeared healthy and no evidence of the Scale / Nectria Complex was seen.
The diverse community of plants disclosed by our inventory of the flood plain substantiates our previous conclusion regarding the likely influx of nutrients from the varied rocks of the upstream watershed. The occurrence of Great Rhododendron as virtually the only heath is cosistent with the relatively high pH range of this species as revealed by its proximity to limestone in a number of occurrences such as those in the Canaan Valley for example (see our Canaan Valley section). A measurement of the pH of the water of Horseshoe Run yielded 5.5, a value that might have reflected the recent rain.
Our inventory along the Losh Trail occurred on the almost clear, very cool morning of 9-23-98. These cnditions followed the passage of a cold front and rain on the previous day. As we crossed the bridge over Horseshoe Run we flushed a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) some distance down stream. Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) called as we started up the trail. A point of interest was the Yellow Birch on the bank of Horseshoe Run here because it was the last we were to see on the traverse.
Beyond the bridge the trail runs for a short distance along the ravine bottom which marks the course of Losh Run. The reader may refer to our 7-13-96 description of the ravine bottom flora. However we draw attention again to the abundance of Ground Pine and particularly to the unusually long branches on this clubmoss here. In what follows we describe in the sequence of their observation the species and terrain features along the Losh Trail.
As we began our ascent above the ravine bottom we noted that Beech, albeit mostly small in size, was common. Here also were American Chestnut Sprouts, quite large White and Scarlet Oaks, with somewhat smaller Black Birch and Beech and Hemlock saplings in the understory. Blue Jays again attracted our attention with a great variety of calls, including imitations of other birds. Continuing our climb, Great Rhododendron lay along a branch ravine slope. Observed here were a number of fungi, including the edible and familiar Chicken of the Woods (Polyporus sulphureus) on a dead oak,Daedaliopsis confragosa ,also on wood, then Collybia confluens and Marasmius rotula, both on dead leaf duff, and the medicinal Piptoporus betulinus. These were followed by Broad-leaf Beech Fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera) , Bootts Goldenrod (Solidago boottii) , numbers of small Beech under large oak and species of Pogonatum and Leucobryum mosses on soil with an unidentified liverwort.
Just above, small Beech continued to be conspicuous under larger Northern Red and White Oaks and a Pignut Hickory of unidentified species. Seen at the bases of White Oak were mosses that included an unidentified Anomodon and Campylium chrysophyllum accompaied by a liverwort of the genus Porella. Here also, at the Trail edge, grew widely-separated culms of Slender-flowered Muhly with Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) . Next seen was the fungus Cordiceps militaris, parasitic on larvae and pupae of lepidoptera, then Panicled Hawkweed (Hieracium paniculatum) in bloom. Again under White Oak, there was Creeping Five-leaf (Potentilla simplex) , Autumn Bent Grass (Agrostis perennans) and an unidentified species of the moss Fissidens, while off to the side, among flag-sized talus, a little Teaberry. Here also we became aware that, although we had been seeing abundant Red Maple, we had seen no Sugar Maple since we left the flood plain.
We now came to a sturdy, healthy- looking White Oak whose lower trunk bark was covered by a scattering of small ( one cm ) bracket-type fungus. This fungus appeared to be confined to the tops of bark ridges and was accompanied by what appeared to be a cream-colored crustose lichen. Not far beyond this curiosity we found ensconced in a bed of Fissidens and Campylium mosses, a tiny ( ~ 0.5 cm ) wonder of a white slug with numerous black spots. The soil here was sandy, light in color and with abundant organic surface matter- though not a true mor.
Once again we were impressed by the number of Hemlock saplings that now came into view. Here were several fungi, including an unidentified Mycena and a Strobilurus conigenioides, with the latter possibly occurring on the cones of Hemlock, although this association does not appear in our notes. Also noted was a Red Maple sapling bearing Broterella recurvans, a moss with northern and montane distributions ( Crum and Anderson, 1981 ).
Scattered among the other trees were hickories with shaggy bark, at least some of which were identified as Shagbark on the basis of their nuts. Accompaning the hickories were Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) and an isolated Muscletree. There were also small Beech and Hemlock under much larger Northern Red and White Oaks and Tuliptree, as well as Black Birch of intermediate size. Here too, as at other locations on this traverse, we saw evidense of heavy Deer browsing on undergrowth such as Common Greenbrier and low trees and shrubs.
Continuing our climb, we noted Round-lobe Hepatica, possible Squaw Weed (Senecio obovatus) , Broad-leaf Goldenrod, Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius) , Basil Balm (Monarda clinopodia) and small Beech and Red Maple under larger Oak. Following these were the Pear-shaped Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) , Canada Brome Grass (Bromus purgans) and the panic grass Panicum boscii.
At this point there was a low, quite luxuriant vine of Summer Grape, but without fruit, as well as a little Spice Bush, and under a large White Oak, the mosses Anomodon rostratus and species of Fissidens and Mnium. These were followed by an Entodon moss and the fungi Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) and Lycoperdon perlatum .It is likely that this general area is the same as that seen and described as a transition to a more mesic forest on our 1996 traverse.
We had now arrived at the crossing of Losh Run where we had seen Carex scabrata in 1996. As we approached the crossing we again also noted Broad Beech Fern, and after the crossing, a single plant of White Baneberry and the fungus Amanita vaginata.
The stream crossing was followed by a sharp left turn in the Trail that led to the east-facing steep mesic slope also described from our 1996 traverse. Some fungi noted on this slope were Stropharis throusta, Crepidotus applanatus and Clitocybe clavipes.
We soon reached the sharp right turn in the Trail which led directly up the spur crest. As reported for our 1996 visit, the forest undergoes a transition here to a dryer, more ericaceous type. Precisely at the turn in the Trail we noted a one foot ( 0.3 m ) diameter down bole that was heavily-covered on its upper surface by one or more unidentified species of Hypnum moss. As noted previously, the canopy on this spur included Northern Red Oak, and on this day we were made explicitly aware of the bumper crop of large acorns on these trees by their steady rain on our heads. As we continued our ascent Hypnum was further observed to be common on areas of flat ground, stones and larger down wood, while at the base of a dead decapitated White Pine snag we identified the moss Rhodobryum roseum. It should be mentioned that although the spur forest is markedly more xeric and ericaceous than that we passed through below, small Hemlock and Beech saplings are common here as well.
Additional species were identified by R. Hunsucker on a separate traverse along a terrace immediately above Horseshoe Run. Included were Field Mint ( Mentha arvensis) and Tall White Lettuce (Prenanthes altissima) and the following fungi:
Inonotus radicans
Bjerkandera adusta
Ganoderma applanatum
Hygrophorus marginatus var concolor
Tylopilus felleus
Pholiota sp
Pluteus cervinus
Lactarius chrysorrheus
L. volemus
L. piperatus
L. sp
Russula sp
Amanita flavoconia
Tricholomopsis platyphylla
Clitocybe clavipes
C. maculata
Polyporus squamosus
A comparison of this list with the fungi observed along the Losh Trail finds only one species in common, namely Clitocybe clavipes. However the significance of this is unclear given the small number of species involved.The salient characteristics of the slope forest along the Losh Trail are 1) The prevalence of Black Birch to the complete exclusion of Yellow Birch and 2) the pervasive occurrence of small trees and saplings of Beech and Hemlock under large canopy species such as oak, Tuliptree and to a lesser degree, Black Birch. An adequate explanation for the occurence of the birches was provided earlier. However, it required this second visit to make us aware of the mode of occurrence of Beech and Hemlock. It is tempting to interpret the presence of these trees in the understory as part of the on-going replacement of less tolerant and more fire resistant species of the early succession in the logged forest. This trend toward a more mesic forest in recent years may be in part a result of fire suppression, an idea espoused by Abrams and Downs ( 1990 ) and others.
References
Abrams, Marc D. and Julie A. Downs, 1990, Successional replacement of old- growth white oak by mixed mesophytic hardwoods in southeastern Pennsylvania. Can. J. For. Res. 20, 1864-1870.
Clarkson, R. B.,1964, Tumult on the mountains; lumbering in West Virginia 1770 - 1920. McClain Printing Co. Parsons W. Va.
Crum, Howard and Lewis E. Anderson, 1981, Mosses of Eastern North America, in two volumes, Columbia Univ. Press, N. Y.
[1] Opportunity to investigate the area was provided while the writer attended an Old Growth Workshop led by Rick Landenberger of the Sierra Club.