St. Peter's Dome
Location
Potential Research Topics:
Topics for study include areas with low deer browsing pressure, bedrock-controlled communities, climate change, peatlands, rare plants, amphibians, bryophytes, and insects.
Ecological and Physical Description
The 2,268-acre (918 hectares) St. Peter's Dome RNA features a large block of un-fragmented, contiguous northern mesic forest dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and basswood (Tilia americana) with significant inclusions of old-growth forest. Extensive areas of exposed bedrock form vertical shaded and open cliffs, narrow stream gorges with waterfalls, and a granite dome that rises 1,000 feet above nearby Lake Superior. The RNA harbors scattered populations of rare plants and core habitat for the state-endangered American marten (Martes americana).
Annual precipitation averages 30 inches (76 cm), 67% of which falls between April and September. Average seasonal snowfall is 58 inches (147 cm).
Ashland Experimental Farm (station no. 470349) about 15 miles (24 km) north of the RNA.
Bedrock of the RNA includes igneous, metamorphic, and volcanic rock. Bedrock is between 50 and 5 feet of the land surface. Geomorphologic processes include till deposition and glacial meltwater deposition.
The majority of soils within the RNA fall into the Gogebic-Michigamme-Rock series. The Gogebic series consists of undulating soils that are well to excessively drained.
This RNA is located in the Lake Superior basin and the Marengo River Sub-watershed. The RNA contains creeks and a lake. Morgan Creek is a spring feeder stream flowing west then north into the Marengo River. Several un-named perennial and ephemeral streams flow through this boulder area of the RNA. Long Lake (20-acre [8-ha]) is a soft-water seepage lake that consists of cattail, sedges, water lilies, and watershield.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer spicatum | mountain maple | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cornus alternifolia | alternate-leaved dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Sambucus racemosa) | red elderberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Dirca palustris | leatherwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Lonicera canadensis | American fly-honeysuckle | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Claytonia caroliniana | Carolina spring-beauty | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Trillium grandiflorum | large-flowered | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| T. cernuum | nodding | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Uvularia sp. | bellwort | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Streptopus lanceolatus v. longipes | rosy twisted-stalk | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Erythronium americanum | trout-lily | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Allium tricoccum | wild leek | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Asarum canadense | wild ginger | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Actaea rubra | red baneberry | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Caulophyllum thalictroides | blue cohosh | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salvelinus fontinalis | brook trout | Common Fauna | ||
| Salmo trutta | brown trout | Common Fauna |