Agenda - 06-23-2004-8b - Laserfiche WebLink

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proposed Orange County Middle School III Site Biological Inventory 31 SUIvrn4A.RY The biological inventory of the proposed site of Orange County Middle School III conducted February 2004, resulted in observation and description of eleven distinct plant community habitats, comprised of human created habitats, wetlands and natural woodlandspry O~_~ckory portion of the site is significant in that it contains two forest community t3'P ForesC and Upland Depression Swamp Forest ilrat merit consideration founds for at leastrthe the Upland Depression Swamp Forest aze venial pools thate ~ reedrnIl fly for the spotted marbled salamander, winch was observed in larval stag , P salamander and the four-toed salamander, a species of Speenod s laterm ththe sprang than was ~ r two species could not be verified because their breeding p ooLs aze period of this investigation's field work; These two plant communities and the vernal p significant in that they aze mature, in the one hundred-plus year age category and are essentially free of exotic invasive plants, a sign of a mature and healthy forest ecosystem. The protection of these forests is desirable, not only for the preservation of the plants and animals contained therein, but because of'the exceptional potential for use as outdoor environmental laboratories for middle school student biology and natual ~ll of the middles hoof developmenteinclu~gorest habitats can be implemented by containing athletic fields on the mostly already cleared azeas of the site.. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this report is to describe e Coun ~ Middle S hool ~ entory of the habitats present on the site of the proposed Orrang LY METHODS AND DATA/TA7FORMATION SOURCES The information presented in this report was ga~ered during four field visits conducted on the site between 3 February and 23 February 2004, In addition to extensive physical examinafion and observations made on the site, searches were made of appropriate literature, databases and taxonomic keys (See References). Two separate personal interviews were conducted with the property owners, Mabel and Owen Allison. Consultations were made wi ~ bmnkl~n, Botanist with professionals, Alan Weakley, Curator of UNGCH Herbarium and Misty e Pro NC Natural Heritage. Dr. Stephen Hall, Zoologist with the NC Natural Heritag gram> accompaaied the authors on one site visit.. Most woody and evergreen plant species can be observed and identified with accuracy during the winter period. However, a short period during the dormant winter season does not provide reasonable opportunities for seazch and id s to oc~raonndOm ~ ofd ~iduous herba eons plant aze most evident during the spring matrng species are in no way evident. Tree species and habitat profdes can however serve as predictors of more or less diversity of plant and animal species.. The maturity of the deciduous forest and presence of creek and, especially venial pools, on the aeon advanc dicator that a richer plant and animal inventory will become evident as the spring