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Tucker and Randolph Counties, West
Virginia
December 1999
Back to Forests of the Central Appalachians | FeedbackGeneral
Otter Creek, a tributary of the Dry Fork of the Cheat River, is almost encompassed by the federally - designated Otter Creek Wilderness. In terms of geology it lies within the North Potomac Syncline (Cardwell et al, 1968). Elevations in the Watershed range from 1800 feet (549 m) at the confluence with the Dry Fork to over 3800 feet (1159 m) asl on the rimming highlands. For some five miles the Creek's lower course is over Mississippian Greenbrier Limestone, but exposure of this rock is virtually confined to the Creek's bed and its proximity. Even there and over much of the flood plain and terraces the limestone appears to be concealed under coarse siliceous fluvial deposits. Immediately overlying the Greenbrier Limestone is the Mauch Chunk Formation, also of Mississippian age, and above this in turn, the Pottsville Formation of Pennsylvanian age. The Pottsville, which is composed largely of erosion - resistant conglomeratic sandstone, occupies mountain spurs above Otter Creek and finds its way there in numerous rock falls and talus deposits. As a result the bed of Otter Creek is occupied by some of the largest sized boulders of any mountain stream bed viewed by this observer.
Most of the middle and upper watershed is mapped by the West Virginia Geologic Survey as occupied by rocks of the New River and Kanawha Formations, which are roughly equivalent to the Pottsville, a circumstance that is largely a consequence of the use of different source maps for the two areas. However the size of the upstream watershed practically ensures a greater variety of rocks than sandstone there.
We shall see that the disposition of both bedrock and transported rock types have a significant if not a profound effect on the floristics of the Otter Creek Valley , and where different rocks are brought to the surface the floras differ in detail and sometimes in gross aspect
The forest vegetation here is characteristic of a cool, moist regime that gives rise to a mixed mesophytic Appalachian flora at the lowest elevations, mesic Hemlock - Northern Hardwoods at intermediate levels and Spruce Montane above this. Dominant are such mesic species as maples, birches, Beech, Black Cherry and at the lowest elevations, Tuliptree. There are few oaks but Northern Red, and hickory is represented only by scattered Shagbark and Bitternut. White Ash, Black Locust, Basswood, Cucumbertree and a few other species are minor but widespread components at low and intermediate elevations. Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is the dominant shrub in many places at all elevations, and the generally moist acid - mesic regime has resulted in a wealth of mosses, liverworts and fungi. Characteristic calciphile floras are associated with limestone where this is exposed or a component of alluvium or colluvium.
Source Walks: 8-9-99 and 8-10-99
Presented here are the results of our somewat detailed inventories conducted over a short distance along the lowest part of the Otter Creek stream-side as well as a brief survey of the vicinity of the Dry Fork.
Our base of opperations was the trailhead parking lot just east of the Dry Fork. From there two traverses were made crossing the dry Fork and extending along the right bank of Otter Creek. Although the weather was dry with comfortable temperatures during our stay, it was preceded on the previous day by a significant drought-breaking rain that caused a rise in water levels.
The first part of our inventories, beginning a little after noon on 8-9-99 at the parking lot, extended down the forested slope east of the Dry Fork.The canopy here consisted of Sugar Maple, Black Cherry, Tuliptree, Black Locust, White Ash and scattered Northern Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory and Sassafras, with at least one of the latter of canopy height and 13 inches ( O.33 m ) dbh. Seedlings of Sugar Maple and Northern Red Oak were common,and some of Red Maple and Bitternut Hickory were seen. Minor and understory trees included Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum) , Hercules Club (Aralia spinosa) , and a little Fire Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) . A few alien cherry (Prunus sp ) were also seen. Shrubs noted were Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) , abundant Multiflora Rose ( Rosa multiflora) , Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) , Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin) , possible Pennsylvania Blackberry (Rubus pensilvanicus) and Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) .
Vines seen were Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) , Catbrier (S. glauca) and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) .
Among herbs Virginia Knotweed (Polygonum virginianum) appeared to be the most common, but others included Nodding Fescue (Festuca obtusa) , Hairy Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytoni) , White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) , Indian Turnip (Arisaema triphyllum) , White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) , Downy Wood Violet ( Viola sororia) , Upright Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) , Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia) , Deer-tongue Grass (Panicum clandestinum) , Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix ), Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) , Great Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) , Calico Aster ( Aster lateriflorus) , White Avens (Geum canadense) , White Grass (Leersia virginica) in moist areas, Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) , New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) and Intermediate Shield Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) . It is likely that limestone underlies this forest and exerts some influence on the flora, but some acidification has probably occurred through vertical leaching.
The flood plain of the Dry Fork was largely open at this point and consisted of cobble bars. Where these have been swept away in the vicinity of the channel, there is regularly-jointed gray-blue massive limestone. Trees were mostly Sycamore and Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) formed dense thickets at the edge. Tall herbs dominated, and included Grass-leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) , Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi ) and Many-flowered Panic Grass (Panicum polyanthes) among others. The presence of Big Bluestem indicates circumneutral or alkaline soils on the flood plain.
After crossing the Dry Fork on a high footbridge, our 8-9-99 inventory was continued along the edge of Otter Creek, while that of 8-10-99 extended along a parallel trail higher up the Valley slope. The aspect here is almost due north. Rocks in both the stream bed and on the slope are dominated by limestone. In the vicinity of the Dry Fork the canopy consisted of abundant Sugar Maple, some Northern Red Oak up to 25 inches ( O.64 m ) dbh, Shagbark Hickory, Adelgid-free Canada Hemlock, Cucumbertree, Black Locust and saplings of Beech. Understory trees were Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) and Striped Maple, while Great Rhododendron and Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) were common shrubs. It is of interest that here as at other areas with carbonate rocks (see our section on Virginia's Dismal Creek area), acidiphile species such as Beech and Great Rhododendron are perched on top of limestone ledges but do not grow on the slope immediately below or from the cliffs themselves.
The following species were successively noted along the Creek-side trail: Thin-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) in bloom, Big-leaf Aster (Aster macrophyllus) , White Wood Aster (A. divaricatus) , Crooked-stem Aster (A. prenanthoides) , Broad-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) , Black Locust and Indian Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana) under Hemlock.
Then arriving at the base of a cliff of massive limestone and progressing along the trail from there we saw Yellow Birch, Downy Many Knees (Polygonatum pubescens) , the moss Aulocomnium heterostichum, the calciphile Bulbiferous Bladder Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera) , Palmate-leaf Violet (Viola palmata) ,Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) , American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) , a sapling of Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) , Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana) , Summer Grape (Vitis aestivalis) , Tasslerue (Trautvetteria caroliniensis) , the sedge Carex plantaginea in close association with Bulbiferous Bladder Fern, Wild Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) , Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) , a gall of the earth (Prenanthes sp ), Spice Bush, an unidentified Carex, Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) , Dutchman's Pipe vine (Aristolochia macrophylla) , the calciphile sedge Carex albursina, the fungus Tremella mesenterica on wood, Columbine (Aqilegia canadensis ) and Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum) .
Moving farther upstream, there was very abundant Carex plantaginea, Filmy Angelica (Angelica triquinata) , the rich-soil mint Meehania cordata, abundant Bulbiferous Bladder Fern, Silvery Glade Fern (Athyrium thelypterioides) , Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) , Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) , Broad-leaf Goldenrod in abundance; then, in a seep, Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium americanum) and Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) , followed by Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) and Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia) .We had now arrived at a small waterfall.
On our 8-10-99 traverse, with the initial section upslope from the Creek-side trail, we noted in succession Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) , Autumn Bent grass (Agrostis perennans) , Beech saplings in soil immediately above limestone ledges, abundant Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, Downy Many Knees, clumps of what appeared to be the sedge Carex digitalis, Great Rhododendron, also growing in soil on limestone ledges, Bulbiferous Bladder Fern growing from fissures in limestone; then, on the slope below the limestone ledges: abundant Carex plantaginea , Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata) , Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus) , abundant Wild Ginger and American Spikenard coming into bloom. Here, under the imposing limestone cliffs previously described, the trail merged with that along the Creek-side.
On this day a diversion was made to the Creek where we saw a luxuriant and diverse community of vascular plants and bryophytes. Included were the aquatic moss Fontinalis filiformis in the stream,the river sedge Carex torta, an Atrichum moss, likely A. undulatum, accompanied by the thallus liverwort Conocephalum conicum and other bryophites ( see list that follows ) on wet rocks. and Lettuce Saxifrage (Saxifraga micranthidifolia) in the shallows. On a slight bank elevation grew small Beech, as did Great Rhododendron on a decaying two foot ( 0.61 m ) diameter down bole - all with Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus) , Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) , Mountain Maple and brilliantly-blooming Oswego Tea (Monarda didyma) in the immediate vicinity.
After passing the previously mentioned waterfall, we arrived at a bench or terrace which in the past may have been cultivated, but which was now being reclaimed by forest. Here also there was a virtual end to large exposures of limestone and, except for very restricted patches, the calciphile plants associated with them. Initially this terrace was somewhat acidic, with Muscletree (Carpinnus caroliniensis) , a little Shining Clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum) and Golden Ragwort with bordering Black Locust. We then entered an area of the terrace, seemingly less acidic, with Ox-eye (Heliopsis helianthoides) , Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) , Black Birch, Tuliptree and Variable Panic Grass (Panicum commutatum) . This community soon gave way to an opening or semi-opening of the terrace bordered by Black Locust and a large , vigorous vine of Summer Grape. The opening itself was dominated by tall herbs such as Virginia Knotweed, Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) and Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) and by 15 foot ( 4.6 m ) long canes of Allegheny Blackberry with ripe fruit. A sngle large White Pine also bordered the opening,
A diversion was made to the opening's edge at the base of the rocky bordering slope. Here were both Virginia and Broad-leaved Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum and H. canadense) , Black Cohosh, and the calciphile Walking Fern (Camptosorus rhizophyllus) , with the latter on a block of limestone talus . Also noted in the vicinity were the grassBrachyelytrum erectum and the aliens Asiatic Water Pepper (Polgonum cespitosum) and Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) .
Continuing across the terrace, which was of the order of 100 feet ( 30 m ) in width, we once more entered a more acidic area with mature Red Maple , large patches of Ground Pine ( Lycopodium flabelliforme) , scattered clumps of the sedges Carex virescens and C. gracillima, both of which were maturing, New York Fern and seedlings of Red Maple . More limited areas appeared less acid, with Meehania cordata,Carex laxiflora and Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea) . However these areas soon gave way to edging slopes with Great Rhododendron, Round -leaf Violet (Viola rotundifolia) , New York Fern, the first Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) , a little stunted Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) , Carex debilis, the first Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) , Pink Ladyslipper (Cypripedium acaule) , abundant Ground Pine, seedlings of Downy Service Berry (Amelanchier arborea ) and a 20 inch ( 0.5 m ) dbh Yellow Birch.
As we continued our passage over sandstone cobbles and sandy alluvium, we encountered more Red Maple, abundant Yellow Birch , a small patch of Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens) and, on a talus fragment, the striking and easily-identified moss Rhodobryum roseum. These were followed by another apparent change in soil chemistry, as indicated by seedlings of Sugar Maple and Bitternut Hickory, Witch Hazel, American Dog Violet (Viola conspersa) , Mountain Oat Grass (Danthonia compressa) , Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) and the fungi Tricholomopsis plataphylla and the deadly Amanita bisporigera .
We now arrived at the Otter Creek Wilderness boundary, and, although the trail followed the Creek closely, conditions continued prevailingly acid. As indicated by the flora, minor, apparently more alkaline patches attracted our attention by the presence of such species as Broad-leaved and Virginia Waterleaf . However large blocks of conglomeratic sandstone ( likely Pottsville ) in the vicinity bore Rock Fern (Polypodium virginianum) , while in close proximity there was Miterwort (Mitella diphylla) , White Wood Sorrel (Oxalis montana) and abundant mosses. Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis) was present along the trail.
The prevalence of acidic soil here appeared to favor a greater abundance and diversity of fungi than the less acidic "richer" soils of the limestone terrain. As we entered the Wilderness area we initially identified the edible Tylopilus chromapes as well as Collybia confluens and large "fairy rings" of Collybia dryophylla under a canopy dominated by Tuliptree and a 20 inch ( 0.5 m ) dbh Black Birch. Also seen was a single plant of what appeared to be Wild Lily of the Valley (Convallaria montana) , Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum) and a single bush of Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) . Additional fungi in the vicinity were Amanita flavoconia,Cordiceps militaris, the edible puffball Lycoperdon perlatum and , in particular, very abundant Boletus bicolor, which was to provide us an evening meal.
The stream-side, here dominated by siliceous cobbles and boulders, bore little of the rich flora of bryophites and moisture-loving plants seen on the limestone dominated bed . However, Tasslerue was common, and there was a little Silky Willow (Salix sericea) as well.
On the trail once more, we were impressed by the tall and well-formed Tuliptree, Black and Yellow Birches, Basswood, Sugar Maple and White Ash of the area we now entered. Also encountered was a pair of Juncos (Junco hyemalis) that were behaving territorially although the nesting season had presumably ended a month or more ago . These birds kept teasing our dog, encouraging him to chase them vigorously back and forth among shrubs and low branches. Since this bird is reputed to breed only above 700 meters in these mountains ( Buckelew and Hall, 1994 ), the presence of a territory here at near 1850 feet ( 565 m ) asl is of some interest . Also heard by us here was a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) ..
We now again traversed an area of less than usual acidic character, with Meehania cordata, Carex plantaginea, Mealy Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata) , Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) and, in a seep, Carex scabrata. Fungi noted were Amanita rubescens and, on a decaying Shagbark, Ganoderma applanatum, Polyporus squamosus and P. varius.
We were next attracted by a conspicuous rock near the trail that is best described as "rotten sandstone", perhaps a sandstone with carbonate cementing silica sand grains. Cosistent with this surmise was the presence of the calciphile Walking Fern in a thick mantle of moss that appeared to be mainly Thuidium delicatulum.
At this point we ended our 8-9-99 traverse, but continued onward on 8-10-99. Passing through terrain of indefinite chemical character, we saw Broad-leaved Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum) and Yellow Birch ascending the bordering slope; then arrived at a seep with Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) ,Scirpus pollyphyllus and Carex scabrata. These were followed by Red Maple, abundant Yellow Birch, Sycamore, the manna grass Glyceria melicaria, Northern Bugleweed (Lycopus uniflorus) , a vine of Summer Grape and the only Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis) seen on either traverse.
Directing our attention to the nearby Creek we noted Beech, Sugar Maple and Hemlock on the bank, Tasslerue among the stream bed cobble and on the opposite shore, a single Dotted Thorn (Crataegus punctata) .
Again moving along the trail, we arrived at another section of terrace, which initially at least, bore a rich mesic flora. No Great Rhododendron was present, even on the adjacent slope. Instead the undergrowth was dominated by large Spice Bush and Witch Hazel under a canopy of Sugar Maple, Black Locust, Tuliptree and American Basswood. Other woody species were Muscletree and Thornless Blackberry (Rubus canadensis) , the latter with ripe fruit. Abundant Virginia Knotweed, Meehania cordata and Intermediate Shield Fern formed a ground cover, while a species of Atrichum was conspicuous among the mosses .
This flora soon gave way to one with Great Rhododendron once more prominent on the adjacent slope, while along the trail grew Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) , Medeola , Hay-scented Fern and Black Cohosh. The fungus Boletus piperatus was common under Hemlock and Great Rhododendron. These were followed by abundant Ground Pine, New York Fern, small Beech and a single small Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri) amidst towering Tuliptrees.
Increasing the pace of our traverse, we moved through acidic terrain with abundant Great Rhododendron, with a ground cover that included Shining as well as Tree Clubmoss and the fungiAmanita ceciliae and the edible Boletus auripes, both under Great Rhododendron. Following these there were numerous small Hemlock under the deciduous canopy, then very abundant Hay-scented, New York and Intermediate Shield Ferns. Of interest was the small amount of deer browsing exhibited by Hemlock seedlings and saplings . This environment seemed to favorBoletus bicolor, which, according to R. Hunsucker, provided the best collecting of this mushroom ever experienced by him.
While the diversity and density of the ground cover was relatively low along this section of trail, we tallied Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) , Wake Robin (Trillium erectum) , Painted Trillium (T. undulatum) , tiny Hemlock seedlings sprouting from Dicranum moss and fungi that included the Sweet Tooth (Hydnum repandum) , Psathyrella delineata and a species ofLeccinum .
Seen as we approached the end of our traverse were many small Hemlock and a small Shagbark Hickory under large birch and Tuliptree, a down bole covered by Hypnum moss, the only Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) seen on the trip, an Ash Bolete (Gyrodon merulioides) under a White Ash and a swiftly scampering and noisy Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurius hudsonicus) . The total length of our 8-10-99 traverse was somewhat over a mile (1.6 km).
The following are additional fungi collected on the dates indicated and identified by R. Hunsucker:
8-9-99
Amanita flavoconia
A. pantherina
Clitocybe sp
Crepidotus applanatus
Fomes fomentarius
Inonotus obliquus
Lactarius hygrophoroides
L. piperatus
Mycena haematopus
Panellus stipticus
Polyporus radicatus8-10-99
Amanita virosa
Apiosporina morbosa
Boletus affinus
B. longicurvipes
Calostoma cinnabarina
Cantharellus ignicolor
Chlorociboria aeruginasans
Clitocybe nuda
Collybia sp
Hapalopilus nidulans
Hydnellum sp
Hygrophorus sp
Hypomyces chrysospermum- parasitic on Leccinum
H. hyalinus - on Amanita
Inocybe sp
Lactarius valemus
Leccinum albellum
Marasmius rotula
Paxillus involutus
Russula compacta
R. fragrantissima
Schizophyllum commune
Scleroderma citrinum
Stereum complicatum
S. ostrea
Trametes versicolor
Trichaptum biforme
Tylopilus alboater
Tyromyces chioneusThe following bryophytes were identified by R. Hunsucker with the assistance of D. Griffin III:
Mosses
Amblystegium tenax- on wet rocks in Creek
A. varium - on bark of snags, down boles
Anomodon attenuatus - on rock,bases of trees
A. rostratus - on rock, soil, bases of trees
Atrichum undulatum - on moist soil
Aulacomnium heterostichum - on humic soils
Brachythecium cf acuminatum - on rotting down boles
B. oxycladon - shaded soil, rock, tree bases
B plumosum - moist rocks near Creek
B. rivulare - on wet calcareous rocks
B. spp - on bark of decaying down boles
Brotherella recurvans - on decaying down boles
B. tenuirostris - on bark of hardwoods
Bryhnia graminicolor - on moist calcareous rocks
Bryum pseudotriquetrum - on wet soil over siliceous rocks
Campylium chrysophyllum - on humic soil, bark on decaying down boles
Climacium americanum - on moist soil in rich woods
Dichodontium pelludidum
Dicranodontium denudatum - on moist rocks
Dicranum scoparium - on soil and humus
Encalypta procera - on soil and rock
Eurhynchium hians - on soil along Creek
E. riparioides - on wet rocks by Creek
Fissidens cristattus - on bark at bases of hardwoods
Fontinalis filiformis - attached to calcareous rock in Creek
Grimmia apocarpa - on dry sandstone in Creek
Hedwigia ciliata - on dry sandstone in Creek
Homomallium adnatum - on calcareous rocks
Hygrohypnum eugyrium - on wet calcareous rock
H. luridum - on wet calcreous rock
H. ochraceum - on wet rocks
Hylocomnium brevirostre - on calcareous and sandstone rocks
Hypnum curvifolium - on moist shady banks
H. fertile - on decaying down boles
H. pallescens - on bark of hardwoods
Mnium affine var ciliare - on moist rock and soil
M. hornum - on moist rock along Creek
M. punctatum - on wet soil, mud, in shallow water
Myurella sibirica - on calcareous rock and soil
Plagiothecium cavifolium - soil, humus,tree bases
Platygyrium repens - on bark of hardwoods, down boles
Pottiaceae - unidentified
Pylasiella selwynii - on bark of hardwoods
Rhacomitrium aciculare - on wet sandstone in Creek
Rhodobryum roseum - on humic soil over rock, bases of trees
Rhynchostegium serrulatum - on decaying wood
Sematophyllum marylandicum - on sandstone along Creek
Thuidium delicatulum - on decaying down boles, tree bases and rock
Tortella humilis - on bases of hardwoods
T. tortuosa - on bases of hardwoods
Ulota crispa - on bark of hardwoodsLiverworts
Bazzania trilobata - on down boles, humic soils
Calypoegeia muelleriana - on humic soil
Conocephalum conicum - thallus on wet rock along Creek
Frullania eboracensis - on bark of basswood
Lophocolea heterophylla - on bases of trees
Marchantia polymorpha - thallus on wet soil by Creek
Marsupela emarginata - on wet soil, wet rock in Creek
Metzgeria furcata - thallus on moist calcareous rock
Nowellia curvifolia - on moist down boles without bark
Plagiochila asplenioides - on moist sandstone along Creek
Porella pinnata - on wet rock along Creek
Radula obconica - on bark of oak, maple
R. cf. tenax - on moist rock, bases of trees
Scapnia nemorosa - on wet calcareous and other rock along Creek
Trichocolea tomentella - on soil, bank of Creek
A word About the Camp Area
The camp area appeared to be underlain by a reddish subsoil, likely a residuum of weathered limestone. High cut banks bore plants such as Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata) and Common Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) , species more characteristic of wetlands but also indicative of nutrient-rich soils. Their presence here likely resulted from persistant seeps from the limestone bedrock.
Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis) were omnipresent during the daylight hours. On the morning 8-10-99 numerous birds , including White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) , unidentified woodpeckers and warblers wee very active in the trees and shrubery. Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) , Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) and possible Veeries (Catharus fuscescens) were also observed. Dring the late evenings and into the night katydids with calls unlike my Shenandoah Valley reference called, as did Screech Owls (Otus osio) and tiny mosquitoes ( perhaps as a consequence of the drought ) were active in late evening but not at night.
Lower Otter Creek, 8-10-99
Mesic Forest, Lower Otter Creek, 8-19-99
Dry Fork of Cheat River, Otter Creek Confluence, 8-10-99
Summary
The lower Otter Creek Valley well-reflects the moist acid-mesic regime in the region of the Allegheny cloudy day maximum ( Reifsnyder and Lull, 1965 ). This narrow valley with abundant cool flowing water is also subject to cooling by subsiding air from the highlands. The effect of this cooling is shown by the presence of such species as Canada Mayflower, White Wood Sorrel, Mountain Maple, Thornless Blackberry and Hobblebush, all of which are seldom found at 1800 feet asl except in such valleys.
The patchiness of the terrain with respect to soil chemistry ,as indicated by the flora, is to be expected given the presence of such widely divergent rock types as limestone and sandstone. Although limestone probably underlies most of the terrain inventoried by us, sandstone appears to greatly dominate the alluvium. Thus acidiphile communities occur most widely, but calciphiles are found where this alluvium is thin or absent or where colluvial waters from the limestone find their way to the surface. Nuances, as the observed disposition of acidiphiles such as Great Rhododendron and calciphiles such as Bulbiferous Bladder Fern with respect to limestone ledges further support the general impression of a close correspondence between the flora and substrate throughout the area inventoried.
Acknowledgement
We greatly appreciate the assistance of Dr. Dana Griffin III, bryologist/naturalist of the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville.
References
Buckelew, Albert R. Jr. and George A. Hall. 1994. The West Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Cardwell, Dudley H., Robert B. Erwin, Herbert P. Woodward and Charles W. Lotz, compilers. 1968. Geologic Map of West Virginia,slightly revised 1986. West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey
Reifsnyder, William E. and Howard W. Lull . 1965. Radiant Energy in Relation to Forests, Tech. Bull. No. 1344 ,U.S. Dept. of Agriculture , Forest Service