* limited to sites with higher soil calcium
Vascular plant nomenclature follows Rhoads and Block (2007). Bryophyte nomenclature follows Crum and Anderson (1981).

International Vegetation Classification Associations:

USNVC Crosswalk:

None

Representative Community Types:

None

NatureServe Ecological Systems:

None

NatureServe Group Level:

None

Origin of Concept

PNHP Data/Erie County Inventory

Pennsylvania Community Code*

na : Not Available

*(DCNR 1999, Stone 2006)

Similar Ecological Communities

This type shares characteristics of seepage wetlands and fen communities occurring in the glaciated region of Northwestern Pennsylvania. The Great Lakes Bluff Seep differs from this type by its location on slumping escarpments (bluffs) above Lake Erie, whereas the River Bluff Seep occurs primarily along the walls of tributary gorges. The substrate of the Great Lakes Bluff Seep often differs from the River Bluff Seep as it is underlain by a substrate of lake-deposited sand or clays in contrast to the shale geology of the gorges. Trees and shrubs occur with more frequency in the Great Lakes Bluff Seep and because of this, the type is considered more of a shrubland or possibly a woodland depending on the amount of time between slump events – natural disturbance events that keep succession in check along the Lake Erie Coast.

The River Bluff Seep resembles the Sedge – Mixed Forb Fen in species composition as both are fed by base-rich ground water; however, it differs considerably from the basin fen type by physical location, perched high on the rocky escarpments of the tributary walls.

In addition, the River Bluff Seep may resemble the Calcareous Opening/Cliff Community; however, this is a terrestrial type occurs on calcareous cliffs, outcrops, and rocky slopes throughout the Appalachian Region.

Fike Crosswalk

None. This type is new to the Pennsylvania Plant Community Classification developed from inventory studies of Erie County and community mapping and assessment work at Erie Bluffs State Park by PNHP. It is related to the Great Lakes Region Scarp Seep concept in Fike (1999), which was separated into two types based on differences in vegetation, geographic location, and substrate observed in the seepage wetlands of the River Bluffs and Lake Erie Bluffs.

Conservation Value

The River Bluff Seep community is a rare type in Pennsylvania occurring only in the Lake Erie Region, on near vertical gorge walls of tributaries to Lake Erie. This herbaceous wetland community hosts several rare plants, including grass-of-parnassus (Parnassia glauca), golden fruited sedge (Carex aurea), and Kalm’s lobelia (Lobelia kalmii).

Threats

The greatest threats to these communities are direct physical disturbance, and hydrological alterations affecting groundwater flows to the seeps. Invasive species threats include colt’s-foot (Tussilago farfara) and common reed (Phragmites australis).

Management

These communities occur in an environmental setting where disturbance, in the form of soil collapse on the steep slopes, is relatively frequent. The plants of the community are not generally harmed in the long-term by slumps. However, upslope disturbances to the bedrock could destabilize these habitats and should be avoided. The River Bluffs are sensitive habitats, and as steep slopes are frequently attractive to hikers and climbers, care should be taken when providing access to these sites. The steep terrain is unstable and often saturated. Trail construction along the top of tributary gorges should be limited to avoid impacting high-quality examples of this community. Care should also be taken to control and prevent the spread of invasive species.

Range Map

Pennsylvania Range

Northwestern Pennsylvania; limited to vertical bluffs along tributaries to Lake Erie.

Global Distribution

Northeastern Ohio to New York along the gorges of Lake Erie tributaries of its southern shore.

Fike, Jean. 1999. Terrestrial and Palustrine Plant Communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA.

Hunt, D. M., G. J. Edinger, J. J. Schmid, D.J. Evans, P. G. Novak, A. M. Olivero, and S. M. Young. 2002. Lake Erie Gorges Biodiversity Inventory & Landscape Integrity Analysis: A Final Report Prepared for the Central/Western New York Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. New York Natural Heritage Program

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). 1999. Inventory Manual of Procedure. For the Fourth State Forest Management Plan. Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Advisory Service.  Harrisburg, PA. 51 ppg.

Stone, B., D. Gustafson, and B. Jones. 2006 (revised). Manual of Procedure for State Game Land Cover Typing.  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, Forest Inventory and Analysis Section, Forestry Division.  Harrisburg, PA. 79 ppg.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. 1993. Erie County Natural Heritage Inventory. Prepared for the Erie County Department of Planning, Erie, Pennsylvania.