Date of Award

1988

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Dr. Stanley W. Ash

Second Advisor

Dr. Donald C. Tarter

Third Advisor

Dr. Dan K. Evans

Abstract

An investigation of the Bog Forest Community of the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area and Cranberry Wilderness/ Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, revealed a dominance of mixed conifers and northern hardwoods. The composition of the forest was determined through vegetational analysis of the forest strata using the list-count quadrat method. Tsuqa canadensis, Betula alleqhaniensis, Prunus serotina, and Picea rubens were dominant while eight additional species in the arboreal stratum were found to be tolerant subordinates. Rhododendron maximum dominated the understory/shrub stratum forming thickets along the interior boundary of the bog forest. The herbaceous stratum was characterized by species generally affiliated with the northern coniferous forest, although herbaceous species of the mixed mesophytic forest were also present in small percentages. The ground stratum also reflected a northern aspect with the presence of hummock formation and the carpeting of fallen logs by Bazzania, Dicranum, Hypnum, and Thuidium.

A floristic list of the vascular plants was compiled and consisted of 115 species representing 85 genera and 47 families. Five species classified as rare and endangered were found within the bog forest: Corallorhiza trifida, Ilex collina, Listera cordata, L . smallii, and Polemonium van-bruntiae. Eight genera of bryophytes were identified within the ground stratum of the bog forest.

Comparisons were drawn between the present bog forest, the bog forest of Darlington (reported from the 1930's and 1940’s), and that of Edens (reported from the late 1960's and early 1970's). The bog forest community has exhibited retrogressive succession west of Long Glade and along the floodplain of the Cranberry River, and has been observed to be encroaching upon areas of the open bogs from a westerly direction.

Subject(s)

Bogs -- West Virginia -- Pocahontas County.

Cranberry Glades Botanical Area (W.Va.)

Cranberry Wilderness (W.Va.)

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