Stoneface
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
Stoneface RNA contains relatively undisturbed examples of xeric upland forest, dry upland forest, dry-mesic upland forest, loess hill prairie, barrens, sandstone glade, and sandstone cliff natural community types. Mead's milkweed (Asclepias meadii), a species listed as Federally threatened, occurs in the area. In addition, two other rare species are found here: chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and stonecrop (Sedum telephioides).
Annual precipitation averages 42 inches (106 cm) and ranges from 25 to 72 inches (63.5 - 182 cm). Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, although prolonged dry spells during the growing season are fairly common. Summer precipitation is usually in the form of short showers or thunderstorms. Only light snows occur during an average winter. Average annual snowfall is about 12 inches (30.5 cm).
The climatological data are from the collection station at Harrisburg, which is located 8 miles (12.9 km) west-northwest of the Stoneface Research Natural Area.
The complex Shawneetown Fault system is responsible for the escarpment ridge, which Stoneface is a part of. The ridge rises abruptly over a flat Pleistocene lake plain whose sediments contain Pennsylvanian coal deposits. The ridge is underlain by the Caseyville sandstone. The ridge crest consists of the Grindstaff formation. The entire area is covered by a thin layer of silty loess, although most of the soils are thin and stony. The Berks-Wellston complex covers most of the RNA. Zanesville silt loam is found on the gentler upper slopes along the ridge crest and in the north part of the RNA. Hosmer silt loams also occur in very narrow bands in these parts of the RNA.
Drainage in the area is to the west and north via intermittent streams into the Saline River.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccinium arborea | Farkleberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| V. vacillans | hillside blueberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cercis canadensis | redbud | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cornus florida | flowering dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Sedum telephioides) | Stonecrop | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Heuchera parviflora | small-flowered alum-root | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Dryopteris spp. | ferns | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Carex spp. | sedges | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Asclepias meadii | Mead’s milkweed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Aronia melanocarpa | chokeberry | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Opuntia humifusa | eastern prickley pear | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Hypericum gentianoides | orange grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Danthonia spicata | poverty-oats | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Euphorbia corollata | flowering spurge | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Solidago spp. | goldenrods | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Toxicodendron radicans | common poison ivy | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Antennaria plantaginifolia | pussytoes | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Cunila origanoides | dittany | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Cardamine concatenata | five-parted toothwort | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Osmunda regalis | royal fern | 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Dryocopus pileatus | pileated woodpecker | Common Bird Species | ||
| Contopus virens | eastern woodpewee | Common Bird Species | ||
| Polioptila caerulea | blue-gray gnatcatcher | Common Bird Species | ||
| Falco peregrinus | peregrine falcons | Common Bird Species | ||
| Haliaeetus leucocephalus | American bald eagle | Common Bird Species |