Ecological Habitats
Biology Department
The Bucknell University Chillisquaque Creek Natural Area consists of 66 acres located in Liberty Township, Montour County approximately 11 miles east of campus. University and National Science Foundation funds purchased the parcel. Bucknell students and faculty conduct various types of research at the Natural Area, including studies of vegetation and animal life, and nutrient-element dynamics of the Natural Area's watershed. Summer environmental interns have mapped vegetation, established a self-guiding nature trail, developed a land management program, conducted soil studies, and monitored succession. This wooded flood-plain forest is noteworthy because of its very high diversity of tree species. The trees that grow here have originated from seeds of upstream and upslope communities, and thus the Natural Area woods incorporate species from many different forest types. The dominant trees are the shagbark and bitternut hickories, basswood, and pin oak. Gaps in the forest occur as a result of aged trees dying and falling. Few mushrooms and other fungi occur in the understory because the soil is frequently flooded and has less organic material than most upland forests.
The Montandon wetlands complex occurs across the Susquehanna River from campus and is frequently used by field courses and for student research. The area's vegetation contains elements of two geographically different communities, glaciated wetlands and ocean coastal plain. Vegetation associations include shrub marsh, sedge marsh, hardwood swamp, as well as moist and dry upland hardwoods. The wetlands are interspersed with sand dunes, an unusual feature in central Pennsylvania. These dunes were formed by winds lifting Ice Age outwash during low flow periods from the Susquehanna's river bed. Bucknell students and staff have researched the areas geology, flora, and fauna. Bucknellians are currently working with a Land Trust to protect critical areas of the wetlands complex.
Published and Unpublished Information on Local Ecological Habitats:
Acid Precipitation
Kirby, C. S et al., 2008, Groundtruthing and Potential for Predicting Acid Deposition Impacts in Headwater Streams Using Bedrock
Geology, GIS, Angling, and Stream Chemistry
McInerrny, 2006, An Assessment of the Effects of Acid Deposition on Chemistry and Brook Trout PopulationsinHeadwaterStreams
Originating in the Tuscarora Formation, Valley and Ridge Province, Pennsylvania
Bucknell Chillisquaque Creek Natural Area
Directions to the Bucknell Natural Area
Checklist of the Natural Area Plants and Animals
Quantitative Qualitative Vegetation Study Karen Tarnow 1984
Soils Soil Drainage Ben Marsh 1983
Four Wintering Bird Species David DeLuca 1981
History Natural Area Cherri Smith 1984
Management Landscape Ecology Kevin Regan 1990.pdf
Management Plan Cherri Smith 1985.pdf
Campus and Susquehanna River
Campus Riparian Trees Sue Atkins 1938
Dohoney, 2004, Biological, chemical and physical effects of land use on Limestone Run, Union County, Pennsylvania
Dales Ridge
Vegetation Succession Dales Ridge Hawkes Abrahamson 1994
Woody Plants Dales Ridge Montgomery 1958
Mohn Mill Natural Area
Successional Changes Mohn Mill Abrahamson Gohn 2004
Montandon Wetlands
Breeding Bird Survey Mecum 1992
Montandon Marsh Dune Vegetation Zalewski 1998
Montandon Marsh Vegetation Hochman et al J PA Acad Sci 1996
Montandon Marsh Vegetation Map Meriwether et al 1975
Montandon Marsh Vegetation Study Hochman Honors 1992
Notes on Montandon Marsh Meriwether et al 1975
Vegetation Montandon North of Route 45 Chartrand 1994
Vegetation Northern Montandon Swamp & Woodland Frisbee 1955
Shamokin Creek Watershed
Cravotta, C.A. III and Kirby, C.S., 2004, Effects of Abandoned Coal-Mine Drainage on Streamflow and Water Quality in the
Shamokin Creek Basin, Northumberland and Columbia Counties, Pennsylvania, 1999-2001
Kirby et al., 2009, Aeration to degas CO2, increase pH, and increase iron oxidation rates for efficient treatment of net alkaline mine
drainage
Scarlift Site 42 Mine Drainage Assessment - GEOL 205 class, 2008
Snyder-Middleswarth State Park (Tall Timbers)
Composition & Tree-Size Ditstribution Zawadzkas & Abrahamson 2003
