20201004 Ver 1_10-Southern Appalachian Bog Description_20200804

Southern Appalachian Bog (Low Elevation Subtype) (G1)

Alnus serrulata - Rhododendron viscosum - Rhododendron maximum / Juncus
gymnocarpus
- Chelone cuthbertii Shrubland (CEGL003916)
Condition Rank: B and C (Good to Fair)

The low elevation subtype of Southern Appalachian Bogs is defined onsite by lacking flora
characteristic of northern bogs, occurring in areas lower than 3700 feet south of Asheville, and not
occurring within the French Broad River basin and containing species (such as pitcher plants)
present in that subtype). A primary species defining this natural community type (where present)
is the rare Cuthbert’s turtlehead and seep rush. All Southern Appalachian Bogs tend towards
rapid invasion of trees and shrubs. These trees and shrubs are a natural part of the ecosystem,
however, they shade the herbs and graminoids that make the bogs distinctive from other natural
communities, especially the related Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Typic Subtype).
The bogs in the Southern Appalachians are formally defined as poor fens, as they are fed by
seepage and not solely rainfall as true northern bogs. This is also the case onsite, where high
rainfall combined with a bowl shape of the Thompson River Headwaters valley creates optimal
conditions for large areas of seeps and streams feeding bog habitats.
In the bog areas, little to no tree canopy occurs. Where it does occur, trees include red maple is
the primary species, with some white pine and tulip poplar occurring. Shrubs, however, are
common, including tag alder, swamp rose, hardhack spiraea, highland dog-hobble, Pensylvania
blackberry, southern bush-honeysuckle, northern wild-raisin, highbush blueberry, common
winterberry, silky willow, bristly dewberry, black willow, maleberry, mountain pepper-bush,
shrubby yellow-root, black chokeberry, and great rhododendron. Indeed, the primary scientific
name for this natural community names it as a shrubland. This, however, does not capture the
variability found within bogs. But it does capture that shrubs are a native component of bog
habitats.
Sphagnum dominates most of the bog areas, with
recurved and prairie spagnum as the two
dominant species. Lescur’s sphagnum is present,
but less common. Common on soil mounds,
stumps and tree bases are Aulacomnium palustre,
Leucobryum albidum, Bazzania trilobata,
Odontoschisma denudatum and O. sphagnii.
Dicranum flagellare and Nowellia curvifolia coat
some logs. In total, thirty-five species of
bryophytes were identified in the bog area.
Herbs and graminoids are abundant in more
open areas, but almost absent in areas of dense tag alder and other shrubs. Sedges are abundant—
fringed sedge, prickly bog sedge, long sedge, bladder sedge, shallow sedge, and pointed broom
sedge. Ferns occur throughout including tall tussocks of cinnamon fern, marsh fern, netted chain
fern, royal fern, and sensitive fern. A number of orchids—yellow fringed orchid and green
woodland orchid are also found here. Other herbs include cardinal flower, New York ironweed,
hollow joe-pye weed, roundleaf goldenrod, mountain meadow-rue, tall meadow rue, southern
lobelia, swamp agrimony, fly poison, Virginia meadow-beauty, woolly bullrush, lanceleaf
loosestrife, common boneset, fowl manna grass, shining fir moss, lesser Canadian St. John’s-wort,
seepage rush, ridged yellow flax, southern three-lobed bedstraw, Virginia bugleweed, rough-
leaved goldenrod, Allegheny monkey-flower, and the rare Cuthbert’s turtlehead.
Historically, this natural community type would have been
a part of the natural dynamics revolving around the
keystone species, American Beaver. Dammed areas would
naturally revert to open wetlands, followed by open
Sphagnum bogs, then followed by shrubby bogs and
eventually swamp forests. At this point, the beaver would
eventually return and begin the process once again. Thus,
low gradient rivers and streams throughout the
Appalachians would have supported a richer diversity of
habitats to the Beaver. Today, this natural process is
disrupted and bogs are Critically Imperiled natural
communities. At this tract, as of 1988, American Beaver occupied sites that are presently bog
habitat. This can be seen in the Color Infra-red Aerial imagery (note the fully flooded river and
tributary channels). Following the abandonment of the beaver dam, these tributary channels
drained, with a two to three foot drop to the water table, at present.
Bog restoration occurred in October, 2019, prior to leaf off conditions. Bog areas were selected
based on a couple of primary factors. Balancing managed versus unmanaged areas would allow for
refugia of any bog animal species that may be impacted by restoration activities. Over a quarter of
the bog areas were maintained as refugia in 2019. Selecting a combination of sites in terms of site
quality was an important factor, as some of the best sites were selected as were some areas
formerly part of the swamp forest-bog complex requiring more restoration. Areas not managed in
2019 will be enhanced and restored in future years.
In total, 3.4 acres were restored in 2019 (see map on the next page) using the following methods.
First, the areas were flagged. Second, invasive shrubs and trees were flush cut, with most biomass
removed from the bog areas. Third, stumps were treated using Rodeo herbicide with a brush
applicator to avoid any spills. Not all stumps were treated, as some shrubs are desirable as a
natural part of the community. Nevertheless, these shrubs and others will persist in the natural
community and maintenance of bogs is needed to keep the community type within desired
thresholds of shrub density and other ecological factors.
Eight sites were selected for management ranging in size from 0.04 acres to 0.91 acres. The 0.91
acre site is now considered in good condition as based on the removal of invasive shrubs, the
excellent water flow through the site, lack of invasive species, and presence of the rare Cuthbert’s
turtlehead. Also of note, restoration occurred surrounding a power line right-of-way, where
maintaining the open corridor
assisted with also maintaining
the bog areas. In addition,
areas on either side of the
right-of-way were managed to
increase the bog area.