Cave Hill
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
Cave Hill RNA contains relatively undisturbed examples of xeric upland forest, dry upland forest, dry-mesic upland forest, barrens, sandstone glades, and sandstone cliff community types. There is a cave within the RNA known as Equality Cave (or Cave Hill Cave) that is a significant example of a maze cave in the Interior Low Plateaus Physiographic Province. The cave is also significant for its terrestrial cave community and aquatic cave habitats. The Federally listed threatened Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias meadii) occurs in the area. In addition, the following five Shawnee National Forest Listed species are found in the area: chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), Carolina thistle (Cirsium carolinianum), Bradley’s spleenwort (Asplenium bradleyi), and two species of lichen, Usnea sp., and Ramalina sp.
Average annual precipitation is about 42 inches (106 cm), ranging from 25 to 72 inches (62.5-180 cm). Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year with September and October being the driest months. The average annual snowfall is approximately 12 inches (30.4 cm).
The climatological data are from the collection station at Harrisburg, which is located 8 miles (12.9 km) west-northwest of the RNA.
Cave Hill RNA is on the north slope of the Shawnee Hills, and is a landform between a cuesta and a hogback along a fault line scarp. Cave Hill itself is composed of: (1) massive, somewhat conglomeritic sandstone, (2) sandstone alternating with shale layers on the ridge crest and back slope, and (3) shale and limestone on the scarp face. The Pennsylvanian Caseyville Sandstone forms the resistant rock of the ridge crest. Soils are thin, stony and droughty. Organic content is low and the hazard of erosion severe. The Berks-Wellston complex is mapped on the upper slope of the escarpment and the Zanesville silt loam is on the gentler slopes of the northwest edge of the RNA.
Drainage from Cave Hill RNA is into the Saline River, a tributary of the Ohio River. Although there are no lakes or rivers on the RNA, groundwater has formed the extensive network system of Equality Cave. The cave consists of three to five parallel passages with many intersecting passages. The deepest passage carries a stream.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amelanchier arborea | Downy serviceberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Vaccinium arboreum | farkleberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cornus florida | flowering dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cercis canadensis | redbud | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Juniperus virginiana | eastern red cedar | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Quercus spp. | oak | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Carya spp. | hickory | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Schizachyrium scoparium | Little bluestem | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Sorghastrum nutans | Indian grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Panicum dichotomum | panic-grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Solidago nemoralis | gray goldenrod | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| S. ulmifolia | elm-leaved goldenrod | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Euphorbia corollata | flowering spurge | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Dalea candida | white prairie clover | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Toxicodendron radicans | common poison ivy | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Danthonia spicata | poverty-oats | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Antennaria plantaginifolia | plantain pussytoes | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Cunila origanoides | dittany | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Andropogon gerardii | big bluestem | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Koeleria pyramidata | junegrass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Sporobolus heterolepsis | prairie dropseed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Helianthus divaricatus | divaricate sunflower | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Liatris aspera | lacerate blazing star | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Lespedeza virginica | Virginia lespedeza | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Opuntia humifusa | eastern prickly pear | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Hypericum gentianoides | orange grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Parmelia spp. | lichens | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Polytrichum spp | mosses | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odocoileus virginianus | White-tailed deer | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Canis latrans | coyote | Common Mammal Species: | ||
| Urocyon cinereoargenteus | gray fox | Common Mammal Species: | ||
| Procyon lotor | raccoon | Common Mammal Species: | ||
| Didelphis virginiana | Virginia opossum | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Sciurus carolinensis | gray squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Falco peregrinus | Peregrine falcon | Common Bird Species | ||
| Haliaeetus leucocephalus | American bald eagle | Common Bird Species | ||
| Buteo lineatus | red-shouldered hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Accipiter cooperii | Cooper’s hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Thryomanes bewickii | Bewick’s wren | Common Bird Species | ||
| Lanius ludovicianus | loggerhead shrike | Common Bird Species |