Botanical survey of Rock Creek Research Natural Area, Kentucky

Ralph L. Thompson; Ronald L. Jones; J. Richard Abbott; W. Neal Denton

doi:10.2737/NE-GTR-272

Treesearch

Botanical survey of Rock Creek Research Natural Area, Kentucky

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Ralph L. Thompson, Ronald L. Jones, J. Richard Abbott, W. Neal Denton

Year:

2000

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-GTR-272

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-272. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 23 p.

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Abstract

A 10-year survey of vascular plants was made of Rock Creek Research Natural Area, a 77-ha deep, narrow gorge of old-growth Hemlock-Mixed Mesophytic Forest located in Laurel County, Kentucky, on the Daniel Boone National Forest. The study documented 350 specific and infraspecific taxa in 223 genera and 93 families. Thirteen are nonindigenous naturalized species. Vascular plants include 6 Lycopodiophyta, 25 Polypodiopyta, 5 Pinophyta, and 314 Magnoliophyta; 255 are annual, biennial, and perennial herbs and 95 are woody vines, shrubs, and trees. Seventeen rare and special interest species have been recorded, including 4 that are listed by the state. The floristic survey provides a baseline reference for relative abundance, species richness, plant associations, habitats, and generalized life-forms within the Rock Creek Research Natural Area.

Keywords

Vascular plants, species richness, plant associations, old-growth forests, hemlock-mixed mesophytic forests

Citation

Thompson, Ralph L.; Jones, Ronald L.; Abbott, J. Richard; Denton, W. Neal. 2000. Botanical survey of Rock Creek Research Natural Area, Kentucky. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-272. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 23 p.