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1 January 2013 Vascular flora and community assemblages of Delhaas Woods, a coastal plain forest in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Lauren S. Poster, Ann F. Rhoads, Timothy A. Block
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Abstract

The shores of the Delaware River south of the Fall Line in Pennsylvania were once lined with coastal plain forests; however, this forest type is nearly gone from the state due to human activity. One remaining example is Delhaas Woods, a 239-acre coastal plain forest located in Bristol Township, Bucks County. Because of the rarity of this type of habitat in Pennsylvania, a study was developed to characterize the vegetation and community assemblages present at this locality. Site visits were conducted throughout the summer and fall of 2009 resulting in a vascular plant inventory of 373 species, including 297 (80%) native species and 41 (11%) species of concern tracked by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP). Oldenlandia uniflora, not previously known to occur in Pennsylvania, and Listera australis, a species new to Bucks County, were recorded. Vegetation transects were conducted using the point-quarter method for tree canopy analysis and the area-plot method for shrub and herbaceous layer analysis, and the resulting data were used to describe and delineate the community assemblages present in Delhaas Woods, two of which, Red Maple-Magnolia Palustrine Forest and Sweetgum-Oak Coastal Plain Forest, are state-ranked rare community types. Preliminary soil investigations were conducted. Locations of PNHP-listed plant species were mapped and management actions were suggested to preserve the integrity and diversity of this unique landscape and biodiversity hotspot.

Torrey Botanical Club
Lauren S. Poster, Ann F. Rhoads, and Timothy A. Block "Vascular flora and community assemblages of Delhaas Woods, a coastal plain forest in Bucks County, Pennsylvania," The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 140(1), 101-124, (1 January 2013). https://doi.org/10.3159/TORREY-D-11-00070.1
Received: 20 September 2011; Published: 1 January 2013
KEYWORDS
Bucks County
coastal plain
Delhaas Woods
floristic survey
Pennsylvania
rare plants
Vegetation survey
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