12-003 Code Vt. R. 12-020-003-X
INTRODUCTION
10 VSA Chapter 158 authorizes the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Environmental Conservation to create a Fragile Areas Registry. In the word of the law, "'Fragile Area' means an area of land or water which has unusual or significant flora, fauna, geological or similar features of scientific, ecological or educational interest".
Expanding, 'the Secretary shall consider for designation...only a site which:
These specifications require two important considerations: one, that the process of registering fragile areas be a selection of those areas that are truly "fragile" and two, that registration includes not only areas that are types of landscapes (e.g., alpine areas, marshes, etc.) but also habitats for certain critical species of plants and animals. Further, words such as "significant", "exemplary" and "unusual" mean judgements must be made as to the inherent value of an area to the state's natural history, in comparison to other similar areas.
Several inventories and lists of state natural areas have been made, and their information will be invaluable in the creation of the Register. However, the Register cannot adopt the contents of these lists wholesale; all areas must first be subjected to the processes which will classify them and assess their importance to Vermont's total natural heritage. Only having been so processed can they acquire Fragile Area status. By way of illustration: Molly Bog, Peacham Bog and Franklin Bog are on most lists of important state natural areas, as bogs. But they have not arrived on the lists as the result of a systematic and standard method of selection which defines their actual character. Rathen, they have been selected largely on their traditional reputations as fine bogs. That is not in and of itself bad but leaves many questions unanswered. In what precise ways are these areas indeed fragile? Do they have comparable fragileness or does one have some special merit beyond being a "bog' -- such as being the nesting site for an endangered species of bird?
The Fragile Areas Registry proposed here must start from a new base and incorporate existing information and data into a new structure that will categorize Vermont's natural diversity. And for it to reflect that diversity and be complete, standardized and operational, it should contain the following:
-- include all reasonable components of Vermont's natural and geologic history, since fragile areas may belong to or represent any facet of the natural world.
-- be organized into legitimate natural groupings, associations or entities that facilitate classification.
-- be constructed to accommodate revisions and adaptations without forcing the entire system to be revamped.
A few additional points should be made here.
The Register is nonregulatory. It is intended to identify and document critical areas, provide information and assistance to people and organizations owning them, heighten public awareness of the areas so that they will not be destroyed inadvertently and aid in local or state planning. Great care must be taken lest areas suffer under pressures due to increased visibility, however. Registration of areas wholely or partly in private ownership, will, by itself, impose no restrictions or controls beyond those already in existence.
The Register is to be ongoing and open-ended. That is, it must be flexible enough to incorporate refinements in the classification and assessment schemes, process newly-discovered areas and react to changes in species/area status. An important part of the Register will be a mechanism for regular review, revision, addition or removal of areas from the Register. Essential work for the future will be outlined and recommended.
The Register should appeal to the general public (through whose will the law was enacted) and not just to scientists. Thus, it will be published as an easily read, visually appealing document that will encourage people to participate further, but under proper guidance and procedures. The $ 5,000 appropriated for the Register will be used for its publication and distribution.
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The system described here employs both an areas and species approach to the organization of our knowledge of Vermont's fragile areas. That is, an area may be deemed fragile for any number of reasons, but reasons which fall into two major categories: landscapes (areas) (e.g., bogs, cliffs, virgin forests) or habitats for critical species of plants and animals (e.g., sites of colonial nesting birds, habitats for endangered plants). Of course, many areas qualify as both. This combined approach emphasizes the need to look at whole systems as well as critical components within systems: an entire community or a single member of a community may be fragile. The intent of the Register, whether in regard to a rare landscape, ecosystem or habitat for an endangered plant or animal, is the same -- to identify and protect areas in Vermont which are in some way vital to the state's natural systems.
Therefore, the classification system must cover a many contingencies as possible. In other words, it must account for situations in which "fragileness" may occur, even if to our present knowledge such situations do not exist in the state. It must also organize these categories into comparable units so that like-areas may be assessed by the same set of criteria; it is obvious that an area being considered as habitat for the Indiana Bat (an endangered species) should not be judged by the same criteria as an area being considered as a virgin hardwood forest.
The outline below is followed by an explanation of the categories and the rationale for using them. The categories are narrow enough to cover the array of the state' natural systems, but broad enough to avoid the endless subdivisions which would make the classification process tedious, cumbersome, and virtually unmanageable for the scope of this work.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Bedrock Features
Surficial Features
Marine Features
Aquatic Features
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Flora
Fauna: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates
This outline is a synthesis of systems used in other states and in the federal government, modified for Vermont's specific and present capabilities. Some states have quite elaborate systems, stemming from substantial funding and long existence, and we may profit from their experiences. The following programs have been most consulted.
Maine Critical Areas Program
Natural Areas Criteria Committee of the New England Botanical Club, Inc.
Vermont Natural Areas Project
National Heritage Program
The Nature Conservancy
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
New England Natural Resources Center
Society of American Foresters (Research Natural Areas)
Specific references to their reports are cited at the end of this section.
The entirety of Vermont's natural and geologic history falls into one of two major subdivisions: physical and biological components. For our purposes, the important constituents of the two subdivisions are shown in the outline and elaborated here.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
The physical landscape of Vermont includes bedrock features, surficial deposits due to glaciation, wind or other force and aquatic features such as lakes, ponds and rivers. Out of the vast array of physical formations in the state, relatively few would be considered "fragile" in a structural sense, but many are excellent representatives of a geologic-type or are exemplary or important for educational purposes. Many could be adversely affected by development or other disturbance. The fragility of physical features, therefore, are judged differently from biological features in their subsequent evaluation.
Bedrock Features. Those significant features in Vermont which are due to igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary geological processes. Included in such a category are outcroppings, mineral deposits, caves and sites with fossils. Sites may be important for their shape or content, or both.
Surficial Features. Any significant depositional or erosional formation due to ice, wind or water action during the Pleistocene or Post-Pleistocene period. Examples:
-- continental glaciation: erratics, kames, striae, moraines.
-- valley glaciation: cirques, deltas, kame terraces, terminal moraines.
-- significant post-glacial features: sand dunes, special soiltypes.
Marine Features. Significant features due to forces of marine origin during the glacial or peri-glacial time, mostly associated with the Champlain Sea or Lake Hitchcock. Included are erosional (gravel beaches, sea caves) and depositional (ancient delta dunes) features.
Aquatic Features. In the physical context here, these are bodies of water with unusual natural (undisturbed) qualities and exhibiting exceptional features of their type (e.g., river with features illustrating youth, maturity and old age). Such hydrologically-influenced plant communities as peatlands, marshes and swamps are dealt with later in separate categories. Bodies of water do not merit registration solely on the basis of wild, scenic or remote attributes.
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Biological features may be initially identified as either plant (flora) or animal (fauna). By direction of the Vermont law, areas here are to be designated fragile which are (1) significant in their own right or (2) critical habitat for "rare, remnant or other unusual plants or animals" or "necessary wildlife habitat". Therefore, whether for flora or fauna, we have three distinct kinds of areas to consider:
-- Representatives of significant plant ecosystems/communities.
-- Essential habitats for endangered or threatened species.
-- Habitats for species (not endangered) that have special habitat requirements (usually seasonal) without which they, as species, would not survive
Flora
Many systems have been devised to identify and classify natural plant communities from the world-wide down to the local (microenvironmental) view. In this classification, we have drawn on several sources for those communities which either exist in Vermont or have the possibility of existing here, though we may not have discovered them as yet.
The basic approach is to consider climax communities (formations and associations as defined by Clements (1916)) since they tend to be the most stable and persistent. However, some important components of the state's natural systems are not climax; several are long-term seral stages (pre-, post- and sub-climaxes) and yet merit preservation and recognition for a number of reasons. Also, it may be that certain critical species (either plant or animal) depend upon habitats in an early stage of succession and, therefore, man must actively manage the areas to maintain the species.
Thus, for purposes of classifications, no attempt has been made to exclude any community type, regardless of the degree of stability or promise of persistence. Determination of an area's appropriateness to registration is part of the evaluation process later.
Jack Pine - Paper Birch (dry)
Black Spruce - Balsam Fir (fresh to moist)
Black Spruce - Tamarack (wet)
The SAF publication lists 13 possible cover types.
Pitch Pine-Oak (dry)
Eastern Red Cedar (dry)
Cottonwood (fresh to moist)
Fauna
"Fauna" encompasses all members of the animal kingdom, vertebrates and invertebrates alike. For purposes of this Register, the major classes of vertebrates are considered: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Invertebrates are considered as a group. Included are species which are year-round, permanent residents of the state (nonmigratory) and those that are transitory migrants which spent only part of their lives here.
Areas deemed essential for the protection and enhancement of endangered and threatened species or for species with special habitat needs (without which they, as species, would be extirpated in Vermont) will be registered.
Categories for all Classes
Specific groups of animals require special considerations:
Birds
Amphibians & Reptiles
Invertebrates
Little information available, especially related to potential endangered or threatened species.
EVALUATION SYSTEM
Once an area has been classified as a potential fragile area, it may then be processed for final designation on the Register or dropped from consideration. That is, it must be determined to be truly "fragile"; also, it may be that an area, even though fragile, is not suitable for inclusion in this Register -- for example:
-- an area may qualify initially under the category of Boreal Forest, but may actually be a mediocre example of that forest type.
-- a habitat for an endangered species may not be appropriate for registration if either the species or the area it occupies cannot be protected or managed (such as the great tracts of forest required for the territory of the Catamount).
Adamus & Clough (1978), when discussing areas for critical species, suggest considering the suitability and desirability of such species for selection: suitability means "species amenable to protection and management by a natural areas program", and desirability means "those species which deserve or need additional protection". By their definitions, not all species desirable for protection are suitable for protection via a natural areas program. We suggest employing these concepts by combining them into one of appropriateness, applying it to all area categories by means of the scheme outlined below.
Therefore, an area processed through this system, if characterized as both fragile and able to be managed or protected to preserve the entity or character in question, it will finally be placed on the Register. Essential for this last step will be confirmation of an area's attributes through citation of existing literature or through new field research.
The Evaluation System is comprised of 11 categories, each of which is a distinct measure of an area's feasibility for registration. The characteristics of each category are outlined only enough to guide the scientific advisors in their deliberations on the specific merits of each area.
Numerical ratings have been used in some natural area programs. Such a system is not used for any part of this assessment, however, since they tend to:
"...assume constants among areas when, in fact, every area is unique in its combination of elements and factors.
Cumulative value systems also risk the underrating of areas that may have one single but important attribute... By the same token, an area with a large number of factors -- none significant -- may achieve an unwarranted high rating."
-- VNRC (no date)
All 11 categories do not apply to all fragile area types, and some will carry different meanings for different types, e.g., "persistence" means one thing for an endangered species and quite another for a bedrock formation. Therefore, two provisos should be kept in mind:
NOTE: Sites representing the only known station of an endangered or threatened species will automatically be registered regardless of the results of evaluation, since for their individual categories they are ultimately fragile.
Evaluation Categories
Areas which have been thoroughly or well studied/researched will receive more consideration for registration than those which have been little or not at all studied. The better our knowledge of an area, the more basis we have to judge its true nature.
Area types (e.g., marsh, critical habitat for a bird) that are not on the Register will receive more consideration than those which are already. This will insure that the Register will cover the whole scope of fragile areas in the state and will not become overloaded with one type or another.
Areas that contain the greatest number of fragile area classification categories (see page 6) will receive the highest consideration. For example, an area that is being considered as a peatland, as a habitat for an endangered species of plant and contains a site of geologic significance, will merit greater consideration than if it were being considered for only one of those categories.
Only areas that are truly scarce or areas containing truly rare species/features will be registered. In evaluating scarcity, the following should be kept in mind:
-- A common area-type may be scarce if it is an outstanding example of that area (e.g., virgin northern hardwood forest, as opposed to second growth northern hardwood forest).
-- A scarce endemic species warrants higher consideration than one which is alien or newly-arrived to the state.
-- Peripherality: a species or community which is on the edge of its natural range in Vermont may exhibit erratic or cyclic population numbers in the state and thus may not be truly scarce.
-- The factors which contribute to endangered or threatened species' scarcity (e.g., failure to reproduce, lack of adaptability, pesticides, etc.) need be considered only for purposes of management, since such species are by definition scarce and will be accepted for registration in this category.
Areas that exhibit the least human disturbance to the natural conditions generally will receive the highest consideration. However, in some cases where recommended by the advisory panels, even much-disturbed areas may have value to the Register, especially if active management is required to maintain the character of the area (or fragile component of it) or if it can be readily restored. Susceptibility to disturbance will also be considered: areas/species more susceptible to disturbance will mean higher consideration than one less so.
Adamus & Clough (1978) use the term "site tenacity" to evaluate "the probability a species will occur at the same general site or natural area for a specified period of time (arbitrarily 25 years)". Species with high site tenacity merit greater consideration than those with low. The characteristics Adamus & Clough ascribe to each are as follows:
Lower Site Tenacity | Higher Site Tenacity | ||
1. | Inhabits earlier successional | 1. | Inhabits more mature vegeta- |
stages, or an otherwise more | tion successional stages or | ||
ephemeral site (e.g., flood- | an otherwise more permanent | ||
plain). | site (e.g., rock edge). | ||
2. | Feeds closer to the breeding | 2. | Feeds at greater distance from |
site (at least seabirds) in | the breeding site (seabirds) | ||
relatively homogeneous habitat. | in relatively homogeneous | ||
habitat. | |||
3. | Reproduces in a few large | 3. | Reproduces in pairs or many |
aggregations. | small groups. | ||
4. | Individuals with shorter life- | 4. | Individuals with longer life- |
span (e.g., annuals). | span (e.g., perennials). | ||
5. | Individual or group in question | 5. | Individual or group in question |
near the periphery of its | well within range. | ||
range. | |||
6. | Cyclic population. | 6. | Noncyclic population. |
Areas that are capable of being managed and/or protected to maintain the desired natural feature(s) will receive higher consideration than those that are not. Determination of this capability includes whether or not the areas/species are:
A species restricted to a single habitat for any part of its life cycle will receive higher consideration than one that is either:
Species that are nonmigratory or have restricted seasonal mobility are usually more feasible for registration than those that are migratory or seasonal "wanderers", if those species do not have high site tenacity (persistence) and do not congregate in large flocks during migration (e.g., waterfowl). Adamus & Clough (1978), in deciding priority order, listed degrees of mobility as:
with decreasing suitability for registration from (a) to (d).
REFERENCES
Adamus, Paul R. and Garrett C. Clough. 1978, Evaluating species for protection in natural areas, Biol. Conserv. (13): 165-178.
Center for Natural Areas (Paul R. Adamus and Garrett C. Clough, Principal Investigators). 1976. A preliminary listing of noteworthy natural features in Maine. Prepared for the Maine Critical Areas Program, Maine State Planning Office. 397 pp.
Clements, F.E. 1916. Plant succession. An analysis of the development of vegetation. Carnegie Inst., Washington, D.C. No. 242.
Ford-Robertson, F.C. (Ed.) 1971. Terminology of forest science, technology, practice and products. Soc. Am. For., Washington, D.C. 349 pp.
Heinselman, M.L. 1963. Forest sites, bog processes, and peatland types in the glacial Lake Agassiz region, Minnesota. Ecol. Monogr. 33:327-374.
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. 1972. Comprehensive plan for the Illinois nature preserves system. Part 1. Guidelines. Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Rockford, Ill. 13 pp.
-----. 1975. Illinois nature preserves. Two-year report, 1973-1974. Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Rockford, Ill. 76 pp.
Jeglum, et al. 1974. Toward a wetland classification for Ontario. Can. For. Serv. Rep. O-X-215. 54 pp.
National Heritage Program. 1978. Ecological classification in the National Heritage Program. (First working draft.) HCRS, Washington, D.C.
New England Botanical Club. 1972. Guidelines and criteria for the evaluation of natural areas. 1 p.
Oosting, H.J. 1956. The study of plant communities: An introduction to plant communities. W. H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco, CA. 440 pp.
Sargent, Fredric O. and Justin H. Brande. 1975. Natural area classification. Research Report 87, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. 14 pp.
Society of American Forests. 1954. (Reprinted 1975). Forest cover types of North America. Society of American Forests, Bethesda, MD. 67 pp.
-----. (no date) Research natural areas. SAF, Bethesda, MD. 18 pp.
The Nature Conservancy. 1975. Preserving our natural heritage. Vol. 1. federal activities. Prepared for the U. S. Dept. of Interior, National Park Service. U. S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 323 pp.
-----. 1976. Preserving our natural heritage. Vol. II. state activities. U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 671 pp.
U. S. Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survey Staff. 1975. Soil Taxonomy: a basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. Preliminary abridged text. U. S. Soil Conserv., Washington, D.C. 330 pp. (Cited in Cowardin, et al, 1977)
Vermont Natural Resources Council. (Robert Klein, Project Director) 1976. Technical report: Vermont natural areas project (phase 2). VNRC, Montpelier, VT. 112 pp.
-----. (no date) Protection of natural areas in Vermont. Report of the Vermont Cooperator in the New England Natural Areas Project. 26 pp.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. (Reprinted 1971) Natural areas in Vermont, Report 1. Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. 29 pp.
-----. 1969. Vermont natural areas, Report 2. Central Planning Office and Interagency Committee on Natural Resources, Montpelier, VT. 30 pp.
Westveld, et al. 1956. Natural forest vegetation zones of New England. Journ. Forestry (54): 332-338.
Worley & Sullivan. 1978. A classification scheme for the peatlands of Maine. Draft of a report for the State Planning Office, State of Maine. 154 pp.
ADDENDUM
Cowardin, Lewis M., Virginia Carter, Francis C. Golet and Edward T. Laroe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. Office of Biological Services, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDI, Washington, D.C.
AREAS WITH COMBINED FEATURES
(see site description for classification categories)
PHYSICAL FEATURES
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Flora
Fauna
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
AREA DESCRIPTIONS
NOTE: Page numbers correspond to outline on pages 26 and 27.
MT. MANSFIELD ALPINE AREA
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 32' 0" N, 72 [degrees] 49' 0" W, Lamoille County (Town of Stowe) and Chittenden County (Town of Underhill). See accompanying map.
Site Description
Mount Mansfield, rising to 4393' from a base level of approximately 1500', is one of the most striking landscape features of Vermont. Its long summit ridge, resembling to some the profile of a man's face, lies mostly above altitudinal tree line and possesses the largest single expanse of alpine vegetation in the state. At various times in its recent history the summit ridge has been the site of a hotel, a post office, radio and television towers, and transmitter houses. Since 1941 the Mt. Mansfield Company has operated a ski area on the slopes beneath the summit on the northeast side of the mountain. Despite the scope of these human activities, however, the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield (a 200-acre area, owned largely by the University of Vermont) remains one of the most outstanding natural areas in the state. There are excellent exposures of bedrock which display evidence of the tectonic and metamorphic history of the Green Mountain anticlinorium. Many rare and endangered plant species are numbered among the mountain's tundra population, including Diapensia (Diapensia lapponica), bearberry willow (Salix Uva-ursi), Boott's rattlesnake root (Prenanthes Boottii), alpine knotweed (Polygonum viviparum), alpine bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum var. alpinum), black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), mountain cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), mountain sandwort (Arenaria groenlandica), Bigelow's sedge (Carex Bigelowii), highland rush (Juncus trifidus) and seven species of grass. Altogether about 40 species of plants on or near the summit ridge are of special ecological interest. Of additional interest are several small peat bogs located in wet depressions along the ridge. The bogs add still further to the habitat and floristic diversity of the area. Lake of the Clouds on Mt. Mansfield is the highest permanent body of water in the state. Bear Pond is almost as high. Both contain boreal insects not known elsewhere in the state (Bell 1980).
Critical Features
This is one of only two areas in the state in which alpine tundra can be found, and the only one of significant extent. The tundra contains many species on the Vermont rare and endangered species list, as well as other unusual apline species. Heavy foot traffic in the summer and fall requires constant monitoring by ranger-naturalists. The alpine bog areas are particularly fragile and require monitoring and protection.
Rare and Endangered Species (Existing and/or recorded historically)
Plants:
Agrostis borealis
Arenaria groenlandica
Arnica mollis
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Asplenium viride
Calamagrostis Fernaldii
Calamagrostis inexpansa var. novae-angliae
Calamagrostis inexpansa var. brevior
Callitriche anceps
Carex Bigelowii
Chamaedaphne calyculata var. latifolia
Deschampsia atropurpurea
Diapensia lapponica
Dryopteris fragrans
Empetrum nigrum
Carex atratiformis
Festuca ovina var. saximontana
Geocaulon lividum
Hierochloe alpina
Juncus trifidus
Luzula spicata
Osmorhiza obtusa
Poa Fernaldiana
Polygonum viviparum
Prenanthes Bootii
Salix uva-ursi
Vaccinium uliginosum var. alpinum
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Viburnum edule
Rare Insects
Ground Beetles:
Nebria suturalis *
Notiophilus aquaticus *
Notiophilus borealis *
Notiophilus nemoralis *
Blethisa quadricollis #
Trechus crassiscapus
Bembidion grapii %
Bembidion mutatum %
Patrobus foveocollis
Pterostichus punctatissimus
Pterostichus pinguedineus
Pterostichus brevicornis
* denotes true tundra species found only at this site in Vermont.
# only Vermont record from Bear Pond
% species of bare mountain ridges, but not quite confined to Mt. Mansfield (also on Camel's Hump, Killington, Lincoln Mtn., etc.)
Zubovskya glacialis - the "Glacier Grasshopper" is found in openings of the spruce-fir forest and at timberline.
Other rare species:
Rana septentrionalis - the mink frog is rare in Vermont, but breeds in Bear Pond.
Evaluation Categories
Ownership
The University of Vermont. Burlington, Vt. 05401
Recognition
University of Vermont Natural Area
State of Vermont Natural Area (Vt. Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation)
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Natural Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Bearse, R. 1968. Geology of Vermont (in Vermont: a Guide to the Green Mountain State). Houghton, Mifflin Co.: Boston.
Bell, R.T. 1978. The habitat of Nebria suturalis in Vermont. Cordulia 4:82.
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Borie, Louis 1977. University of Vermont Natural Areas. Environmental Program. University of Vermont. Burlington.
Bowley, D.R. 1967. Characterization and comparison of two alpine bogs (Mt. Mansfield, Vt.). MA Thesis. Boston Univ. Boston, Mass.
Bowley, D.R. 1978. Contributions to the flora of Mt. Mansfield and Smuggler's Notch, Vermont: the lichens. PhD. Thesis. Boston Univ. Boston, Mass.
Christman, Robert A. 1956. Geology of Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Vt. Geol. Survey. Montpelier, Vt.
Christman, Robert A. 1959. Geology of the Mt. Mansfield Quadrangle. Vt. Geol. Survey. Bull. 12.
Christman, Robert A. and Donald T. Secor, Jr. 1961. Geology of the Camel's Hump Quadrangle. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. 15.
Connally, G.G. 1968. Surficial geology of the Mt. Mansfield fifteen minute quadrangle: A report to the state geologist. Open file at Vt. Geol. Survey. Montpelier, Vt.
Connally, G.G. 1967. Glacial geology of the Mt. Mansfield Quadrangle, Vermont (abstract): Geol. Soc. Amer. Boston, Mass.
Countryman, W.D. 1978. Rare and Endangered Vascular Plant Species in Vermont. New England Botan. Club and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Evans, Llew 1944. Mount Mansfield: Capstone of Vermont. Appalachia (June).
Fernald, M.L. 1933. Callitriche anceps in New England. Rhodora 35:185-186.
Fernald, M.L. and K.M. Wiegand. 1913. The genus Empetrum in North America. Rhodora 15:211-217.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine - Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Goldthwait, J.W. 1916. Evidence for and against the former existence of local glaciers in Vermont. Vt. State Geologist 10th Report.
Hagerman, Robert L. 1971. Mansfield - The Story of Vermont's Loftiest Mountain. Essex Publ. Co: Essex Jct., Vt.
Hancock, William et al 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLornie Co: Yarmouth, Me.
Harris, S.K. 1965. Geocaulon lividum in New England. Rhodora 67:407-409
Hitchock, Edward 1861. Report on the Geology of Vermont. Vol 2. Montpelier, Vt.
Hitchcock, C.H. 1884. Geological Sections across New Hampshire and Vermont. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull Vol 1. No. 5.
Hitchcock, C.H. 1904. Glaciation of the Green Mountain Range. Vt. State Geol. 4th Rept.
Hungerford, E. 1868. Evidences of glacial action on the Green Mountain summits. Amer. Jour. Science 45:1-5.
Indridason, Ottar 1973. Natural Areas - Mt. Mansfield. Vermont Life 27(4) : 10-15
Jacobs, E.C. 1936. Report of the State Geologist. No. 20. Montpelier, Vt.
Jacobs, E.C. 1938. The geology of the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. Vt. State Geol. 21st Rept. Montpelier, Vt.
Jacobs, E.C. 1942. The Great Ice Age in Vermont. Vt. State Geol. 23rd Rept. Montpelier, VT.
Jacobs, E.C. 1950. The physical features of Vermont. Vermont State Development Dept: Montpelier.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England: Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Koneg, R.H. 1956. Geology of the northwest flank of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont. Master's Thesis (unpubl.) Cornell Univ. Ithaca, N.Y.
Lee, William S. 1955. The Green Mountains of Vermont Henry Holt: N.Y.
Moore, H.P. 1961. Mount Mansfield and its environs. Moore's New England: Concord, N.H.
Sargent, F.O., H.W. Vogelmann, and R.S. Stanley 1970. Natural Areas in Chittenden County. Lake Champlain Basin Studies. No. 6. Burlington, Vt.
Stebbins, G.L. Jr. 1930. A revision of some North American species of Calamagrostis. Rhodora 32:35-57
Stephens, R. 1967. The Green Mountains. Vermont Life 21(4): 34-45.
Stewart, David P. 1961. The glacial geology of Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey. Bull. 19. Montpelier.
Stewart, David P. and Paul MacClintock 1969. The surficial geology and Pleistocene history of Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. 31. Montpelier, Vt.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Nat. Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta., Univ. of Vermont. Burlington.
Watts, R.B. 1957. Garnet as an indication of degree of metamorphism with application to Mt. Mansfield, Vt. Senior Thesis (unpubl.). Cornell Univ. Ithaca, N.Y.
White, W.S. and R.H. Jahns 1950. Structure of central and east-central Vermont. Jour. Geol. 58:179-220.
CAMEL'S HUMP NATURAL AREA
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 19' 0" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 53' 0" W. Washington County (Town of North Duxbury) and Chittenden County (Town of Huntington). See accompanying map.
Site Description
This area includes a 10-acre alpine tundra community (approx. 3800'-4803' elev) and the spruce-fir forest between approx. 2800'-3800' elevation. Other than Mt. Mansfield, it possesses only alpine tundra ecosystem in the state. The spruce-fir forest is in virgin or nearvirgin condition and is a prime example of a montane boreal forest ecosystem.
Critical Features
The tundra contains eight species on the Vermont rare and endangered species. The 10-acre summit is subjected to heavy foot traffic in summer, and the entire plant community could be irreparably damaged without proper management and protection. The spruce-fir forest is an outstanding example of its type and one of few large unspoiled stands in the state.
Rare and Endangered Species
Plants:
Arenaria groenlandica
Carex Bigelowii
Dryopteris fragrans
Empetrum nigrum
Hierochloe alpina
Juncus trifidus
Polygonum viviparum
Prenanthes Boottii
Salix Uva-ursi
Vaccinium uliginosum var. alpinum
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Insects:
Ground Beetles:
Notibphilus nemoralis
Scaphinotus bilobus
Scaphinotus viduus
Spheroderus nitidicollis brevoorti
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Trechus crassiscapus
Bembidion grapii
Bembidion mutatum
Patrobus foveocollis
Pterostichus punctatissimus
Pterostichus pinguedineus
(all are characteristic of spruce-fir zone.)
Other rare boreal forest arthropods:
Mitopus morio -- Harvestman (Phalangida)
Zubovskya glacialis -- Glacier Grasshopper
Birds:
Parus hudsonicus -- Boreal Chickadee
Evaluation Categories
Chaucer-Halton, H.Y. 1976. Altitudinal distribution and ecotypic variation of dictyostelid cellular slime molds. Camel's Hump, Vermont. Univ. of Vt. M.S. Thesis (unpublished).
Christman, R.A. and D.T. Secor, Jr. 1961. Geol. of the Camel's Hump Quadrangle, Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. 15. Montpelier.
Countryman, W.D. 1978. Rare and Endangered Vascular Plant Species in Vermont. New England Botan. Club and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine - Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Hancock, William et al 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co: Yarmouth, Me.
Jacobs, E.C. 1936. Report of the State Geologist. No. 20. Montpelier.
Jacobs, E.C. 1938. The geology of the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. Vt. State Geologist. Report No. 21. Montpelier.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England: Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Richard M., H.W. Vogelmann, Margaret Blies and R.W. Leonard 1980. Fog as a contributor to acid rain in the Green Mountains. (unpublished ms.)
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Lee, William S. 1955. The Green Mountains of Vermont. Henry Holt: N.Y.
Leedy, Dwight A. 1972. Fog moisture interception in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Univ. of Vt. M.S. Thesis. (Botany).
Matousek, John A. 1974. Distribution of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera in Preston Brook, Chittenden County, Vermont,. 107 pp.; Masters Thesis, University of Vermont.
Sargent, F.O., H.W. Vogelmann, and R.S. Stanley 1970. Natural Areas in Chittenden County. Lake Champlain Basin Studies. No. 6. Burlington, Vt.
Siccama, Thomas G. 1968. Altitudinal distribution of forest vegetation in relation to soil and climate on the slopes of the Green Mountains. Ph.D. Thesis. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Siccama, Thomas G. 1971 Presettlement and present forest vegetation in northern Vermont, with special reference to Chittenden County. Amer. Midl. Nat. 85(1): 153-172.
Ownership
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation: Montpelier.
Recognition
Legislation (Creation of Camel's Hump State Park and Forest Reserve)
State Natural Area (Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation)
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
The mountain most subject to painting and photography of any in Vermont.
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Aubrey, W.M. 1977. The structure and stratigraphy of the northern ridges of Camel's Hump Mountain. Camel's Hump Quadrangle: North-central Vermont. Master's Thesis. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Bertram, Paul G. 1976. Distribution and abundance of riffle fauna in a bifurcated mountain stream: Gleason Brook, Camel's Hump, Vermont. 124 pp., Master's Thesis, University of Vermont. Burlington.
Cady,, W.M. 1961. Excursion across the Green Mtns. - Hinesburg to Montpelier (in Guidebook, New England Geol. Conf. 53rd ann. mtg. New Haven, Ct.
Camel's Hump Forest Reserve Commission. 1973. A Promise Was Made (pamphlet). State of Vt. Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Montpelier.
Siccama, Thomas G. 1974. Vegetation, soil, and climate on the Green Mountains of Vermont. Ecol. Monogr. 44: 325-349.
Smith, Peter 1970. Seasonal distribution of several small species of mammals of Camel's Hump, Vermont. Ph.D. Thesis. Univ. of Vermont, Burlington.
Society of American Foresters (Green Mountain Chapter) 1967. Natural Areas - Types and Definitions. (Jan.) Burlington, Vt.
Spence, John R. 1974. Comparative Niche Ecology of Nebria lacustris Casey and Nebria pallipes Say in Vermont, 118 pp. Master's Thesis, Univ. of Vt.
Spence, John R. 1979. Riparian Carabid Guilds, a Spontaneous Question Generator., in pp. 525-537. Erwin, T.L., G.E. Ball, and D.R. Whitehead: Carabid Beetles, their Evolution, Natural History and Classification: 635 pp., The Hague, Boston, London, 1979.
Sprague, Philip S. 1871. Insect Fauna of Camel's Hump. Archives of Science and Transaction of the Orleans County Society of Natural Science 1:85-88. (Note: The Insects of this collection are still preserved in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard).
Stephens, R. 1967. The Green Mountains. Vermont Life 21(4): 34-45.
Teschner, Douglass P. 1978. Channelled foot traffic effects on boreal vegetation and soils. Camel's Hump, Vermont. Univ. of Vt. M.S. Thesis.
Uphan, W. 1889. Ascents of Camel's Hump and Lincoln Mountain, Vt. Appalachia 5:319-326.
Vermont Endangered Species Subcommittee 1978. Revised preliminary list of endangered, threatened, and rare species of birds in Vermont. Vt. Agency of Environmental Conservation. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Nat. Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta., Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Vogelmann, H.W., C.C. David Jr., and R.E. Leonard 1980. The effects of fertilizer on alpine vegetation in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Wimmer, H. Peter 1979. An Anatomical and Phylogenetic Study of Trichoptera, including a partial checklist of Vermont Species. 300 pp. Doctoral Thesis, University of Vermont.
LAKE WILLOUGHBY NATURAL AREA
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 43' 0" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 02' 0" W. Orleans County. Town of Westmore. See accompanying map.
Site Description
The magnificent cliffs of Mt. Pisgah (on the east) and Mt. Hor (on the west) dropping almost vertically into the depths of Lake Willoughby, represent one of Vermont's most exciting landscapes. Both geologically and botanically this area is worthy of the wide recognition it has received. The valley was glacially carved and the combination of cliffs and lake displays classical glacial features. The cliffs of Mt. Pisgah contained one of the state's major historic peregrine falcon eyries (Stewart 1980). Presently, the state has no breeding population of this federally endangered species. The flora of these cliffs is very similar to that in Smuggler's Notch, where similar environmental conditions prevail. Some of Vermont's rarest plants grow on the wet ledges of the Willoughby Cliffs, and this area is probably the richest fern locality in Vermont, with rarities such as the wall rue (Asplenium cryptolepis), smooth and purple cliff-brakes (Pellaea glabella and P. atropurpurea), and smooth and northern woodsias (Woodsia glabella and W. alpina) all being found on the cliffs. Finally, the lake itself, 1692 acres in area, is one of the deepest in New England, and supports a large variety of cold water fish.
Critical Features
One of only three areas in Vermont with an arctic cliff flora. Remarkable diversity of rare ferns and ferns in general. Many species from state's rare and endangered list.
Rare and Endangered Species
Plants:
Calamagrostis inexpansa var. novae-angliae
Calamagrostis inexpansa var. brevior
Galium tinctorium var. subbiflorum
Hedysarum alpinum var. americanum
Pellaea glabella
Primula mistassinica
Saxifraga aizoides
Saxifraga aizoon var. neogaea
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Woodsia alpina
Woodsia glabella
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Evaluation Categories
Ownership
Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Montpelier, Vt. (Willoughby State Forest). Lake shore is largely in private ownership, with some state-owned access points.
Recognition
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior.)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Abbe, E.C. 1948. Braya in boreal eastern America. Rhodora 50:1-15.
Barneby, R.C. 1964. Atlas of the North American Astragalus. Memoir of the New York Bot. Garden. 13:1-594; 597-1288.
Bearse, R. 1968. Geology of Vermont (in Vermont: a Guide to the Green Mountain State). Houghton Mifflin Co.. Boston, Mass.
Countryman, W.D. 1978. Rare and endangered vascular plant species in Vermont. New England Bot. Club and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Dennis, John G. 1956. Geology of the Lyndonville area. Vt. Geol. Survey. Bull. No. 8.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLornie Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Jacobs, E.C. 1921. The geology of Lake Willoughby. Vt. State Geol. 12th Report. Montpelier, Vt.
Jacobs, E.C. 1936. Report of The State Geologist of Vermont. No. 20. Montpelier, Vt.
Jacobs, E.C. 1942. Report of The State Geologist of Vermont. No. 23. Montpelier, Vt.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Kennedy, George G. 1904. Flora of Willoughby, Vermont. Rhodora 6(66):93-134.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Lee, William S. 1955. The Green Mountains of Vermont. Henry Holt. N.Y.
Mills, John Ross. 1951. A Study of Lakes in Northeastern Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. # 4. Montpelier, Vt.
Perkins, G.H. 1918. The physiography of Vermont. Report of the Vermont State Geologist. No. 11. Montpelier, Vt.
Perkins, G.H. 1931. The physiography of Vermont. Report of the Vermont State Geologist. No. 17. Montpelier, Vt.
Stewart, James 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft. (personal communication).
Stewart, David P. 1961. The glacial geology of Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. No. 19. Montpelier, Vt.
Stewart, David P. and Paul MacClintock 1969. The surficial geology and Pleistocene history of Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. No. 31. Montpelier, Vt.
Tillon, George H. 1904. An addition to the fern flora of Vermont. Rhodora 6(72):235-236.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta.. Univ. of Vt. Burlington, Vt.
Walker, Lawrence R. 1977. Microenvironments of Saxifraga aizoon, S. oppositifolia, and S. aizoides in northern Vermont. University of Vt. M.S. Thesis (unpublished).
SMUGGLER'S NOTCH
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 33' 0" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 48' 0" W. Lamoille County. Town of Cambridge. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Smuggler's Notch is a rocky gap between Mt. Mansfield on the southwest and Sterling Mountain of the northeast. Here, within The Mount Mansfield State Forest, is a preserve of 1424 acres whose cliffs and ledges (from Rt. 108 to over 3000' in elevation) contain a flora that is essentially arctic in character and quite unlike the alpine tundra to be found nearby on the Mt. Mansfield summit. Many of the species growing here are not found on the other higher mountains of the East, either. The best representation of arctic-alpine flora if found on the west side of the notch where the plants grow on open and often wet, dripping ledges. These species include a large number of rare arctic calciphiles, such as the live-long saxifrage (Saxifraga aizoon var. neogaea), yellow mountain saxifrage (S. aizoides), purple mountain saxifrage (S. oppositifolia), northern painted cup (Castilleja septentrionalis), grass-leaved fleabane (Erigeron hyssopifolius), butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris), sweet broom (Hedysarum alpinum var. americanum), tufted bulrush (Scirpus caespitosus), bird's-eye primrose (Primula mistassinica), purple hairgrass (Deschampsia atropurpurea), and felwort (Gentiana amarella). The notch is the only known station of the early sandwort (Arenaria rubella), and of the moss, Plagiobryum zierii (Worley 1980), in the eastern United States. Smuggler's Notch is also known as a haven for ferns and several of its rare species are ferns. It is known (Stewart 1980) to have been the location for one of the state's peregrine falcon eyries. Presently, this endangered species is not known to breed in Vermont.
Critical Features
A nearly unique habitat for New England with several arctic plant species at the southern limits of their ranges. An outstanding example of this kind of habitat, with a number of plants on the state's rare and endangered list.
Rare and Endangered Species
Plants:
Arenaria rubella
Carex aratriformis
Castilleja septentrionalis
Gentiana amarella
Hedysarum alpinum var. americanum
Pinguicula vulgaris
Primula mistassinica
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Saxifraga aizoides
Saxifraga aizoon var. neogaea
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Trisetum spicatum var. pilosiglume
Evaluation Categories
Ownership
Vt. Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation owns all the west side and some of the east (Mt. Mansfield State Forest); the Mt. Mansfield Company owns a parcel around Elephants Head.
Recognition
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Barneby, R.C. 1964. Atlas of the North American Astragalus. Memoir of the N.Y. Botanical Garden 13:1-594; 597-1288.
Bearse, R. 1968. Geology of Vermont (in Vermont: a Guide to the Green Mountain State). Houghton Mifflin Co.: Boston.
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Bowley, D.R. 1973. The environment of Schistostega pennati (Hedn.) Hook & Tayl.: New Vermont stations. Rhodora 74(801):149-153.
Bowley, D.R. 1978. Contributions to the flora of Mt. Mansfield and Smuggler's Notch, Vermont: the lichens. Ph.D. Thesis. Boston, Univ., Boston, Mass.
Christman, R.A. 1956. Geology of Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Vt. Geol. Survey. Montpelier, Vt.
Countryman, W.D. 1978. Rare and Endangered Vascular Plant Species in Vermont. New Engl. Botan. Club and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Evans, Llew 1944. Mount Mansfield: Capstone of Vermont. Appalachia (June).
Fernald, M.L. 1933. Callitriche anceps in New England. Rhodora 35:185-186.
Flaccus, Edward 1978. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Hagerman, Robert L. 1971. Mansfield - The Story of Vermont's Loftiest Mountain. Essex Publ. Co.. Essex Jct., Vt.
Hancock, William et al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Jacobs, E.C. 1938. The geology of the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. Vt. State Geologist's 21st Rept. Montpelier.
Jacobs, E.C. 1942. The Great Ice Age in Vermont. Vt. State Geol. 23rd Rept. Montpelier.
Jacobs, E.C. 1950. The physical features of Vermont. Vt. State Development Dept.. Montpelier.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England: Hanover, N.H.
Kennedy, George G. 1904. Flora of Willoughby, Vermont. Rhodora 6(66):93-134.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Moore, H.P. 1861. Mount Mansfield and its environs. Moore's New England: Concord, N.H.
Stephens, R. 1967. The Green Mountains. Vermont Life 21(4):34-45.
Stewart, James 1980. Comments on fragile area draft (personal communication).
Stewart, David P. 1961. The glacial geology of Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey. Bull. 19. Montpelier.
Vt. Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Nat. Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta., Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Walker, Lawrence R. 1977. Microenvironments of Saxifraga aizoon, S. oppositifolia, and S. aizoides in northern Vermont. University of Vt. M.S. Thesis (unpublished).
Worley, Ian 1980. Notes in response to initial registry draft (personal communication).
MISSISQUOI RIVER DELTA
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 58' 0" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 10' 0" W. Franklin County. Towns of Swanton and Highgate. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Approximately 1500 acres of freshwater marsh and swamp forest habitat at the delta of the Missisquoi River midway between Swanton and East Alburg, Vt. The delta itself is geologically distinctive, being one of few "bird's foot" deltas in the United States and a classic display area for postglacial depositional and shoreline geologic features. The marshes contain great floristic diversity and a wide range of life forms, from fully-submerged plants (eelgrass, pondweeds, coontail and bladderworts) to extensive populations of emergent types (great bulrush, bur-reed, pickerelweed, cattail, and sedges). A splendid (Vogelmann 1969) swamp forest occurs on the seasonally flooded margins of the marsh. These forests are dominated by silver maple and swamp white oak, with black alder and buttonbush occuring as common shrub associates. These wetlands are important as feeding and breeding areas for migratory waterfowl and wading birds, and a wide variety of songbirds. They also contain the principal spawning ground in the northern part of the state for a number of migratory game fish species. The area is also an important archaelogical site for Indian antiquities (Day 1980).
Critical Features
This is a particularly rich ecosystem and a large one. The variety of wildlife and the size of the populations it supports are testimony to its size, integrity, and the quality of stewardship it has enjoyed under the direction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This extensive wetland complex, including the river itself, is a critical spawning habitat for migratory game fish species (notably walleye, pickerel, bass, muskellunge, and northern pike, the latter being the most notable and subject (Sladyk 1980) to habitat alteration. Of the resident and migratory bird populations found in the Missisquoi delta area the following have been classified (see references) as rare or endangered with Vermont:
bald eagle (endangered)
peregrine falcon (endangered)
osprey (endangered)
yellow rail (rare)
least bittern (rare)
The area also contains one of the state's largest great blue heron rookeries. Viewed hydrologically this large deltaic deposit (Ratte 1980) has the potential for being a major source of potable ground water for northwestern Vermont.
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Evaluation Categories
Ownership
U.S. Dept. of Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, RD # 2, Swanton, Vt. 05091, and a complex of state, municipal and private ownership.
Recognition
The Shad Island forest is a nationally recognized SAF Natural Area (only one of two in the state). The marsh is a primary natural area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Baldwin, S.P. 1894. Pleistocene History of the Champlain Valley. Amer. Geol. 13:170-184.
Barber, E., D.J. Bogucki, G.K. Gruendling and M. Madden 1977. Historical Land Use Changes and Impacts in Lake Champlain Wetlands. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Commission. Burlington, Vt..
Brooks, Peter 1979. Critical Environmental Areas. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Commission. Burlington, Vt.
Capen, David 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Day, Ben 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Fillon, Richard H. 1969. Sedimentation and recent geological history of the Missisquoi Delta. M.S. Thesis. University of Vermont. Burlington, Vt.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Nat. Park Service. Natural Landmarks Program Research Report.
Gruendling, G.K. and Donald J. Bogucki 1978. Assessment of the Physical and Biological Characteristics of the Major Lake Champlain Wetlands. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Commission.
Hancock, William et al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vermont Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Perkins, George H. 1908. Report of the State Geologist of Vt. # 6. Montpelier, Vt.
Perkins, George H. 1918. The Physiography of Vermont. Report of the State Geologist of Vt. # 11. Montpelier, Vt.
Perkins, George H. 1931. Physiography of Vermont. Report of the State Geologist of Vt. # 17. Montpelier, Vt.
Pierce, C.H. 1923. Progress of Stream Gaging in Vermont. Report of the State Geologist of Vt. # 13. Montpelier, Vt.
Ratte, Charles 1980. Notes on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Sladyk, William 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Vermont Endangered Species Subcommittee 1978. Revised preliminary list of endangered, threatened, and rare species of birds in Vermont. Vt. Agency of Envtl. Conservation. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1969. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 2. Vt. Central Planning Office. Montpelier, Vt.
MOOSE BOG
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 41' 0" N, Long. 71 [degrees] 43' 0" W. Essex County, Town of Ferdinand. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Approximately 15 acres of shallow open water, a glacial kettle pond, surrounded by another 15-16 acres of a floating bog mat, over which are distributed most of the characteristic species of bog vegetation, including sphagnum moss, sedges, pitcher plant, sundew, and a variety of low heath shrubs. The bog mat grades into a peatland of higher shrubs, and then to an open to dense forest of black spruce and tamarack. The open area and surrounding bog forest occupy approximately 330 acres. An adjacent site of an additional 150 acres (in private ownership) along the same drainage as the bog pond, containing a combination of swamp forest (black spruce and white cedar) and upland boreal forest (red spruce, balsam fir, and white birch), is also included within this area.
Critical Features
This bog is proposed for the Registry on the basis of its having features which place it in two classification categories: as a peatland, and as a habitat for bird, mammal, and plant species which are very restricted in their distribution within the state.
It is considered an exceptional boreal natural area; exceptional for its size, its wildness, and for the character of its living inhabitants.
Moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, and beaver inhabitat the bog and surrounding forest, while unusual plant populations include the rare white form of the moccasin flower (sought and removed in quantity along with the pitcher plant and other bog species by commercial plant collectors). The populations most unique to the bog and its adjacent swamp and bog forests are the birds. In the boreal black spruce forest of this area the following species are of special note because of their placement on the proposed rare, threatened and endangered list of birds for the state:
Spruce grouse (endangered)
Gray jay (threatened)
Black-backed three-toed woodpecker (threatened)
The latter has its primary Vermont breeding habitat in the Moose Bog area.
The area is also part of the largest deer yard (wintering area) in Vermont, and is crucial to the survival of the species in this section of the state.
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Evaluation Categories
Ownership
The 330 acre bog/forest plot is presently owned by the Vermont Fish and Game Department as a part of its recent (May 1980) purchase of 2000 acres in the area; the adjacent 150 acre swamp forest and upland boreal forest plot are owned by the St. Regis Paper Company. The entire area was purchased by the Fish and Game Department primarily for habitat and management for white-tailed deer.
Recognition
Discovery of the biological significance of this bog has come too recently to have been included in natural area evaluation schemes. It was recognized in the Vermont Natural Areas Inventory in 1972 and included in the National Natural Landmarks Program search, without any major recognition. In view of recent findings relative to animal habitat, this area has again been proposed for Natural Landmark status. It is considered a Primary Unique and Fragile Area, according to the Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (Laughlin 1980).
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior National Park Services. National Landmarks Program Research Report. 550 pp.
Goodwin, B.K. 1963. Geology of the Island Pond Area, Vt. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. 20. Montpelier, Vt.
Jervis, R.A. 1977. Preliminary botanical survey of Moose Bog in Ferdinand, Vermont. Unpublished notes.
Jervis, R.A. 1980. Pre-acquisition plan for Moose Bog, Ferdinand, Vt. Report to Nature Conservancy.
Laughlin, Sarah 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Metcalf, Marion 1972-1980 Annual bird-banding records. In possession of Mrs. Metcalf. Plainfield, Vt.
Oatman, Frank 1977. Proposal for an Island Pond Nature Preserve. Report submitted to Nature Conservancy.
Sladyk, William 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Vermont Endangered Species Subcommittee 1978. Revised preliminary list of endangered, threatened, and rare species of birds in Vermont. Vermont Agency of Environmental Conservation. Montpelier, Vt.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science 1976-1979. Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Moose Bog data sheet (unpublished.) Woodstock, Vt.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science 1973-1980 Records of Vermont Birds. Woodstock, Vt.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
LONE ROCK POINT
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 29' 15" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 14' 27" W. Chittenden County. Town of Burlington. See accompanying map.
Site Description
One-hundred acre holding that includes textbook exposure of Champlain overthrust fault. The fault outcrops into Lake Champlain, showing older red cambrian dolostone resting on younger black ordovician shale. Best panoramas from the lake itself.
Critical Features
Considered one of the best examples of overthrusting in the United States and widely visited by international geologists and students of geology. This site chosen to represent the phenomenon of thrust faulting in several geologic texts.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, Rock Point, Burlington, Vermont.
Recognition
Vermont Natural Areas Inventory (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Primary Natural Area (Vermont Natural Resources Council).
Worldwide geological recognition through visitation, study and textbook photographs.
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Bearse, R. 1968. Geology of Vermont (in Vermont: a Guide to the Green Mountain State). Houghton-Mifflin Co.. Boston.
Billings, E. 1862. Further observations on the age of the Red Sandrock formation of Canada and Vermont. Amer. Jour. Sci. 33(2):100-105.
Brooks, Peter 1979. Critical Environmental Areas. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Commission.
Gordon, C.E. 1921. Studies in the Geology of Western Vermont. Rept. of State Geologist # 12.
Hancock, William, et.al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Hard, W.R., Jr. 1959. Lake Champlain - Land and Water. Vermont Life 13(4):2-7.
Jacobs, Eldridge C. 1950. The Physical Features of Vermont. Vt. State Development Dept.. Geological Survey. Montpelier, Vt.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Newton, E.W. 1947. The geography and geology of the Green Mountain State. Vermont Life 2(1):4-8; 41-45.
Perkins, G.H. 1919. The physiography of Vermont. Science (new series) 49:77-81.
Sargent, F.O., H.W. Vogelmann and R.S. Stanley. 1970. Lake Champlain Basin Studies. No.6. Natural Areas in Chittenden Co. Lake Champlain Committee. Burlington, Vt.
Stephens, R. 1967. The Green Mountains. Vermont Life 21(4):34-35.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Welby, Charles W. 1961. Bedrock geology of the central Champlain Valley of Vermont. Vt. Geological Survey. Bulletin # 14.
CHAZYAN CORAL REEF
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 51' 15" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 20' 23" W. Grand Isle County. Town of Isle La Motte. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Largest sections (approx. 160 acres) of the island of Isle La Motte in northern Lake Champlain contain outcroppings of the oldest coral reef in the world. At least 500 million years in age, the rocks of this fossil reef are exposed in many places on the island and contain excellent examples of the marine invertebrate life of that period.
Critical Features
An extremely important geologic area regionally, even on a world wide basis. An important paleontological laboratory for Vermont students and scientists.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Private holdings. Permission to visit is required. Inquiry through Town Clerk's Office, Isle La Motte, Vermont 05463.
Recognition
Vermont Natural Areas Inventory (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Worldwide recognition by geologists and paleontologists; included in field excursion itineraries and pictured in textbooks (see references).
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Adams, A.N. 1875. The geology of Vermont as developed along the western border in the oldest fossiliferous rocks of the continent. pp.3-6.
Bearse, R. 19-8. Geology of Vermont (in Vermont: A Guide to the Green Mountain State. Ch. 3, p.23-27. Houghton-Mifflin Co.: Boston.
Brainerd, E. and H.M. Seely 1890. The calciferous formation in Champlain Valley. Geol. Soc. of Amer. Bull. v. 1, p.501-516.
Brainerd, E. and H.M. Seely 1891. The Chazy Formation in the Champlain Valley. Geol. Soc. of Amer. Bull. v. 2, p.293-300.
Brainerd, E. and H.M. Seely 1896. The Chazy of Lake Champlain. Bull of Amer. Mus. of Nat. Hist. 8(21):pp.305-315.
Brooks, Peter 1979. Critical Environmental Areas. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Comm.
Chamberlain, B.B. 1968. Vermont's Billion-Year Past. Vermont Life. 22(3):p.47-53.
Cooper, G.A. 1956. Chazyan and related brachiopods. Smithsonian Inst. Misc. Collections. v. 127 parts I & II.
Erwin, R.B. 1955. Biostromes and bioherms in the Lower-Middle Ordovician of Isle La Motte, Vt. Master's Thesis. Brown Univ. Providence, R.I.
Erwin, R.B. 1957. The geology of the limestone of Isle La Motte and S. Hero Island, Vt. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. no.9. 94 pp.
Finks, R.M. and D.F. Toomey 1972. Paleoecology of Chazy reefmounds. In Guidebook, N. Eng. Intercolleg. Geol. Conf. 64th Ann. Mtg. pp. 443-456.
Flower, Rousseau H. 1955. New Chazyan Orthocones. Jour. of Paleontology 32(3): p. 433-458.
Gordon, C.E. 1921. Studies in the geology of Western Vermont. Rept. of the Vt. State Geologist # 12.
Hancock, William, et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David Delorme Co.: Yarmouth, Me.
Indridason, Louise and Ottar 1974, Vermont Natural Areas Part 4. Miller Brook Cirque and The Chazyan Reefs. Vermont Life 28(3): pp.50-53.
Jacobs, E.C. 1950. The physical features of Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey: Montpelier.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England: Hanover, N.H.
Kapp, U.S. and C.W. Stearn. 1975. Stromatoporoids of the Chazy group (Middle Ordovician), Lake Champlain, Vermont and New York. Jour. Paleontology. vol.49(1): pp.163-186.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council Montpelier, Vt.
Moore, R.C., C.G. Lalicker and A.G. Fisher 1952. Invertebrate fossils. McGraw-Hill: N.Y.
Oxley, Philip 1950. Chazyan strategraphy west of the Champlain thrust, New York and Vermont (abs.) . Soc. Amer. Bull. vol.61. p.1492.
Oxley, Philip and G.M. Kay 1959. Ordovician Chazyan series of Champlain Valley, New York and Vermont, and its reefs. Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. vol. 43(4): p.817-853.
Perkins, G.W. 1902-1906. Reports of the State Geologist. Nos. 3-5. Montpelier, Vt.
Raymond, P.E. 1910. Trilobites of the Chazy of the Champlain Valley. Rept. of the State Geologist # 7.
Raymond, P.E. 1925. The oldest coral reef. Rept. of the Vt. State Geologist # 14. p. 72-76.
Seely, H.M. 1904. The stromatoceria of Isle La Motte. Vt. State Geol. 4th Rept. pp. 144-152.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Welby, Charles W. 1961. Bedrock geology of the central Champlain Valley of Vermont. Vt. Geol. Survey Bull. # 14.
Welby, Charles W. 1962. Paleontology of the Champlain Basin in Vermont. Spec. Publ. # 1 Vt. Geol. Survey. Vt. Develpt. Dept. Montpelier.
Whitney, S.T. 1966. Grand Isle County. Vermont Life vol. 20(4) pp. 16-26.
QUECHEE GORGE
Location
Lat. 43 [degrees] 38' 13" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 24' 30" W. Windsor County. Town of Hartford. See accompanying map.
Site Description
An outstanding part of Vermont's geologic heritage, Quechee Gorge is a deep (140'), narrow ravine with nearly vertical walls, cut by the Ottauquechee River. Located about midway between Woodstock and White River Jct., the gorge is spanned by the Route 4 highway bridge near its midpoint. The steep ravine slopes are forested with hemlock and a mixture of hardwood and other conifer species. Some of these forests are untouched. The wet, dripping ravine walls and ledges, accessible along the river from below, harbor a rich and colorful boreal flora.
Critical Features
The integrity of the gorge itself, with its forests, ledges and ferns and wildflowers, is the main critical feature here. Continued stewardship of the kind the gorge has seen to date should result in its persistence for many generations. Two rare ferns, the northern and smooth woodsias, are found on Quechee's cliffs near the bottom of the gorge. Both are considered disjunct in their distribution and are at the southern limit of their range.
Quechee Gorge was, for a number of years, the only known habitat for the rare ground beetle, Bembidion rufotinctum Chaudoir. This beetle demands rock ledges with a scum of algae, and must live within a few feet of the swift flowing waters of a large river. Recently it has been discovered at several additional sites in Vermont and New Hampshire. However, proposals to increase the construction of small hydroelectric power plants along New England rivers might put it in peril except at some of these other locations.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
U.S. Corps of Army Engineers. Regional Office, North Springfield, Vt. 05150.
Recognition
Vermont Natural Areas Inventory (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Management/Protection Strategy
Continued monitoring through Vermont Public Law 250 and federal regulations. Some threats exist in area of possible mismanagement of watershed (see (6) above).
References
Bearse, R. 1968. Geology of Vermont (in Vermont: a Guide to the Green Mountain State). Houghton Mifflin Co.. Boston.
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine - Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service. Natural Landmarks Program Research Report.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Lyons, John B. 1955. Geology of the Hanover Quadrangle, N.H.- Vt. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull.: 66(1):105-145.
Lyons, John B. 1958. The geology of the Hanover Quadrangle, New Hampshire. N.H. State Planning and Develpt. Comm.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1969. Vermont Natural Areas. Report 2. Vt. Central Planning Office. Montelier.
TEXAS FALLS
Location
48 [degrees] 50' 7" N, 72 [degrees] 54' 0" W. Addison County. Town of Hancock. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Five acre gorge of deeply carved and highly polished boulder terrain with waterfalls, rapids and glacial potholes. Shaded by hardwood/conifer mixture.
Critical Features
As with other scenic geologic areas, the peripheral forest is probably more fragile than the site itself and requires some management and protection for the maintenance of the scenic quality of the area as a whole.
Evaluation Categories
Ownership
U.S. Forest Service. Green Mountain National Forest.
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Recognition
Vermont Natural Areas Inventory (Vt. Natural Resources Council).
Management/Protection Strategy
Continued monitoring through National Forest regulations.
References
Badger, R.L. 1973. A study on the stratigraphy and structural relationships in Hancock, Vermont. Thesis, Middlebury College. Middlebury, Vermont.
Hall, I. 1823. Notice of a curious waterfall and of excavations in the rocks. Amer. Journal of Science 6:252-254.
Hancock, William, et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLormi Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Lee, William S. 1955. The Green Mountains of Vermont. Henry Holt. New York.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vermont.
WEYBRIDGE CAVE
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 3' 37" N, 73 [degrees] 12' 22" W. Addison County. Town of Weybridge. See accompanying map. Only the cave itself and one acre around the entrance is the fragile area.
Site Description
Large cave (five acres) produced by solution of limestone bedrock. Many chambers at different levels within this complex and interesting cave. Characteristic dripstone formations and wall and floor ornamentation present. Biological content of cave uncertain. Located within undeveloped 97 acre state park.
Critical Features
One of states largest and most complex solution caves. Possibly a roosting and hibernation locale for bats.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Montpelier, Vt.
Recognition
Vermont Natural Areas Inventory (Vt. Natural Resources Council) Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation Natural Area
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Hitchcock, Harold 1965-1968. Correspondence with Robert Carroll, Jr. Classified documents on file at office of Vt. State Geologist. Montpelier, Vt.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Scott, J. 1959. Caves in Vermont: A spelunker's guide to their location and lore. Killoolect Independent Speleological Society: Hancock, Vt.
Soule, J.M. 1967. Structural geology of a portion of the north end of the Middlebury synclinorium. Weybridge, Addison County, Vermont. Thesis. Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vt.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
MILLER BROOK CIRQUE
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 28' 15" N., Long. 72 [degrees] 43' 0" W. Lamoille County. Town of Stowe. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Glacially carved basin with 1,000 foot walls and a variety of surficial geologic features characteristic of alpine glaciation. Acreage of the site between 1,200 - 1,300, surrounding and including Lake Mansfield in Stowe's Nebraska Valley. The area is defined by height of land above basin (watershed of Lake Mansfield) and geologic features adjacent to Miller Brook.
Critical Features
Within this area are contained many of the classic features of mountain valley glaciation; the cirque basin itself, moraines, kame and kettle topography, an esker delta, and a tarn lake (Lake Mansfield - now artificially impounded) at the head of Miller Brook. Considered one of the best examples of alpine glaciation in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. An old-growth stand of hardwoods (2-3 acres) exists on the southern shore of Lake Mansfield.
Evaluation Categories
Ownership
Owned by the Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation and many private landowners.
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Recognition
Vermont Natural Areas Inventory (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Considered exemplary in written geological literature.
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Brooks, Peter 1979. Critical Environmental Areas. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Commission.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Indridason, Louise and Ottar 1974. Vermont Natural Areas. Part 4. Miller Brook Cirque and the Chazyan Reefs. Vermont Life 28(3):50-53.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vermont Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Ratte, Charles 1980. Notes on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Stewart, D.P. 1961. The glacial geology of Vermont. Vt. Geological Survey Bull. no. 19.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Wagner, W.P. 1971. Pleistocene mountain glaciation in northern Vermont. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 81(8):2465-2469.
SHELBURNE POND
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 23' 0" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 10' 0" W. Chittenden County. Town of Shelburne. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Located only a few miles south of Burlington, Shelburne Pond is the only undeveloped pond remaining in the Champlain Valley. It is especially remarkable for the fact that it still remains a semi-wild area despite its proximity to the urban sphere. The picturesque rocky shores, vertical bluffs, marshes and bogs, and wooded upland surrounding the 432 acre pond harbor a great variety of plant and animal life. Complex wetlands occupy large bays of the pond, most of its western side, and fill its outlet. There are swamp forests of elm and maple, dense alder and willow shrublands, expanses of cattail marshes and sedge meadows, and two bogs. Beaver, muskrat, otter, and many resident and migratory bird species breed in the wetlands surrounding the pond. Shelburne Pond is also a notable archaeological site.
Critical Features
Being the only major undeveloped pond ecosystem in the Champlain Valley puts a special premium on the retention of this site. Hidden in the simple designation of "pond" is a complex of wetlands of such great diversity that a biology class would have to travel little beyond its boundaries for an entire semester of ecological study. Of its diverse resident and migratory wildlife, three species - the osprey, marsh hawk, and least bittern - bear special note because of their proposed designation as endangered, threatened and rare species (respectively) in Vermont. The limestone ledges near the pond have yielded several invertebrates rare in Vermont (particularly millepedes), and are also important as overwintering sites for the marsh insects. This is one of four known localities for the rare water bug Sigara hydatotrephes, otherwise known only from Georgia and Alabama. From which habitat at Shelburne Pond this species was collected is not known.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
References
Bacon, Edgar 1975 a. The Ewing Site. Shelburne, Vt. Report of the 7th Annual Mtg. of the Vt. Archeol. Soc. Vt. Acad. Sci. Newsletter II (I). January.
Bacon, Edgar 1975b. The Ewing Site Progress Report. Report of the 8th Annual Mtg. of the Vt. Archeol. Soc. Vt. Acad. Sci. Newsletter II (IV). December.
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Borie, Louis 1977. University of Vermont Natural Areas. Environmental Progress. University of Vt., Burlington.
Carr, Patricia, I. Worley and M. Davis 1977. Post-lake Vermont history of a pond wetland in the Champlain Basin. Proc. Lake Champlain Basin Envtl. Conf. (Aug.) Inst. for Man and Envt. Chazy, N.Y.
Cowan, Frank 1977. History and present status of the Ewing Site investigations. Newsletter of the Vt. Archaeol. Soc. V (III):307.
Crandall, Trafton 1974. A study of the nutrient availability of a fresh water stream as affected by a swamp on Shelburne Pond in Vermont. Botany # 160 research paper (Sept. 3). On file Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
D'Avango, Tom, Sherry Davies, Bob Haney and Neal Smith 1975. The ecological diversity of habitat patterns, plant life form groups, and Arachnidae populations - as related to selected biotic and abiotic factors - in four communities at West Bog, Shelburne Pond. Botandy # 295 research paper (June). On file at Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
DeYoe and Hudson 1980. A study of the seasonal periodicity of Stephanodiscus spp. and Staurastrum spp. in Shelburne Pond, Vt. M.S. Thesis in progress. Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Godzyk, J.M., S.S. Forte, D.B. Maddocks and R.F. Thodal. 1975. The correlation between vegetation diversity and water, soil, and elevation factors from a wet to dry area. Botany # 295 research paper (June 27). On file at Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Hall, Robert, V. Hall, and G. Ragan 1975. The change in diversity of macroscopic autotrophic organisms in three communities of the Shelburne Pond-West Bog Complex. Botany # 295 research paper (June 27). On file Bot. Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Howland, William G. 1976. An application of multispectral aerial photography to wetland vegetation mapping. M.A. Thesis. Geogr. Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Ownership
Sizeable tracts surrounding the pond have been acquired from private ownership by the Nature Conservancy regularly since 1973, largely through the generosity of H. Laurence Achilles. Upon purchase these parcels have been subsequently deeded to the University of Vermont, with the provision that they be used for educational and scientific purposes. The goal of the Nature Conservancy is to eventually acquire or protect through easements between 800 and 900 acres around the pond to complete this natural area. It will be known as the H. Laurence Achilles Natural Area.
Recognition
University of Vermont Natural Area
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Management/Protection Strategy
ALPINE COMMUNITIES
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Nat. Resources Council. Montpelier.
Lief, Janice 1978. Guide to the common marsh and bog plants of Shelburne Pond. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Osheyack, Gary 1980. A study of the relationship between some phytosociological information and productivity information from the Shelburne Pond-West Peatland System. M.S. Thesis (in progress). Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Page, Stephen and P. Thompson 1972. The Shelburne Pond Watershed, Chittenden Co., Vt.: A Study of the streams flowing into Shelburne Pond. Botany # 160 research paper. On file Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Peterson, J.B. 1977. A study of the prehistoric ceramics of Vermont. The Ewing Site. Anthropology # 195 research paper (Dec). On file Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Sargent, F.O., H.W. Vogelmann, and R.S. Stanley 1970. Natural Areas in Chittenden County. Lake Champlain Basin Studies. No. 6. Lake Champlain Committee, Burlington, Vt.
Schuyler, S.A. 1972. Summer community metabolism in Shelburne Pond. M.S. Theses. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Vermont Endangered Species Subcommittee 1978. Revised preliminary list of endangered, threatened, and rare species of birds in Vermont. Vt. Agency of Envtl. Conservation. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1969. Vermont Natural Areas. Report 2. Vt. Central Planning Office. Montpelier.
Wilson, M., M. Davis and R. Festa 1975. Algal diversity in ionic composition of wetland communities in West Bog. Shelburne Pond, Vt. Botany # 295 research paper (June 27). On file Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Worley, Ian and W.M. Rooks 1979. Rotation of a wetland at Shelburne Pond, Vt. due to a large storm. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club (In Review).
Worley, Ian, W.M. Rooks, G. Ragan, R. Hall and V. Hall 1979. Phytosociological characteristics of a bog-carr-lagg upland wetland transition zone at Shelburne Pond, Vt. (In Review).
Worley, Ian 1980. Notes on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
CAMBRIDGE PINE WOODS
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 39' 0" N, Long 72 [degrees] 53' 0" W. Lamoille County. Town of Cambridge. See accompanying map.
Site Description
A splendid (Johnson 1980) stand of old-age white pine and hemlock on both sides of a steep-sided ravine with a stream at the bottom. Found within the Cambridge State Forest, behind the village cemetery, this stand is approximately 22 acres in area. Several trees are to be found within the 36-48" diameter range. A hardwood understory shows a successional trend toward sugar maple, red oak, yellow birch, and beech for the coming forest generation. The herb layer is sparse.
Critical Features
Due to the economic issues associated with white pine there are very few pine stands of comparable size and age in Vermont. This is an important forest type, both in the glimpse it offers backward in time, and in the opportunity it offers to watch succession in action - the eventual replacement of pine by hardwoods.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Montpelier, Vt.
Recognition
State Natural Area (Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation)
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
Management/Protection Strategy
Continued monitoring through Forests, Parks and Recreation regulations.
References
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Nat. Park Service. Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Vermont Natural Areas. Report I. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
CANFIELD-FISHER MEMORIAL PINES
Location
Lat. 43 [degrees] 6' 12" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 8' 30" W. Bennington County. Town of Arlington. See accompanying map.
Site Description
The largest white pines in Vermont. An exceptional stand of old-growth white pine, relatively undistrubed. The stand is even-aged, with trees having diameters mostly in the 30-40" range (up to 42") and heights up to 130 feet. Most of the stand is on a moderate to steep slope, 2 1/2 mi. w. of Arlington village (the former retreat of well-known Vermont writer Dorothy Canfield Fisher). Hardwood understory shows successional trend, and favorable moisture gradient from top of slope to brook at the bottom provides for good variety among shrubs and herb species.
Critical Features
Because of its value on the lumber market few stands of white pine of this size and age exist in New England to show us the grandeur of these trees as they must have appeared to the original settlers. The present lack of such stands is an unfortunate missing link, as well, in trying to piece together the successional story of white pine. It is important that forests of a wide range of ages be a part of our landscape and ecological heritage.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Montpelier, Vt.
Recognition
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White-Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Nat. Park Service. Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
LORD'S HILL HARDWOOD FOREST
NATURAL AREA
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 19' N. Long. 72 [degrees] 22' W. Washington County, Town of Marshfield. See accompanying map.
Site Description
The area includes a 25 acre hillside stand of mixed hardwoods and conifers (between 1,300-1,600' elevation approximately). Included in this larger stand is an approximately 13 acre, predominatly hardwood forest with trees of grand dimensions and age, deemed by some to be the finest of its kind in Norhtern New England. Among the twelve tree species reaching at least 18" in diameter, more than 120 trees measure greater than 24", including the state's largest measured sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), and second largest beech (Fagus grandifolia), yellow birch (Betula lutea), balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and red spruce (Picea rubens). Trees of several species (including sugar maple) exceed 100 feet in height and 40" in diameter. Age measurements for several species (not the largest specimens) exceed 400 years. Shrub and herb components of forest are typical; not unusually rich in species (nearly all species are native). Many breeding birds and good representation of forest mammals, including several active black bear dens.
Critical Features
Although old-age hardwood/conifer mixtures are not rare in the state, this stand shows evidence of being Vermont's finest example of this kind of forest, both from the standpoint of size and age of trees and also in having a characteristic climax representation of size and ages of trees species from seedlings on up. Such a stand represents an important example of the state's original forest cover.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (Main office - Montpelier, Vermont 05602).
Recognition
State Natural Area (Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation).
Under consideration for National Natural Landmark Status.
Management/Protection Strategy
Continued monitoring through Forests, Parks and Recreation regulations.
Continued scientific study, allowing for sufficiently frequent contact to detect problems that may arise as more people come to know about the area.
Development of a self-guiding pamphlet to help visitors understand significance of the forest and direct them to major reference points.
References
Deller, Mary Beth 1978. Lord's Hill: An Old-Age Northern Hardwood Climax Forest. Goddard College Senior study. Bound ms and microfilm. Plainfield, Vt.
Fish, Keith 1978. Studies in the Lord's Hill Forest Natural Area in The Study of Ecology Through Field and Academic Experiences. Goddard College Senior study. Bound ms and microfilm. Plainfield, Vt.
Jervis, Robert A., Keith Fish, Mary Beth Deller, Nancy Knox and John Wires 1980. Preliminary studies of Lord's Hill Forest Natural Area, Marshfield, Vermont: A Climax Hemlock-Northern Hardwoods Forest. In preparation for publication.
Khouri, Lance 1980. Vermont's Big Woods. In preparation for publication.
Knox, Nancy 1979. A study of the Lord's Hill Forest in Marshfield, Vermont. Unpublished ms. University of Vermont. Burlington, Vt.
GIFFORD WOODS
Location
Lat. 43 [degrees] 42' o" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 48' 0" W. Rutland County. Town of Sherburne. See accompanying map.
Site Description
A five acre stand of virgin growth of hardwood forest along the east side of Route 100, within the Gifford Woods State Park near Sherburne, Vt. The stand contains sugar maple (predominately), beech, yellow birch, basswood, hemlock, white ash, and elm, all of considerable size and age.
Critical Features
Very few undisturbed hardwood forests exist in New England. Those that managed to escape the axe, however, are likely to be very old indeed, although their individual trees may be but a fraction of the age of the forest's historic continuum. Gifford Woods represents an old-age hardwood stand, though a very small one, that quite probably belongs to the select few of its type still remaining. Its small size, multiple uses, and its roadside location, however, are all deterrents to the continued health of this forest and to its continued credibility as a natural area.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Montpelier.
Recognition
State Natural Area (Vt. Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Bormann, F.H. and Murray F. Buell 1964. An old-age stand of hemlock-northern hardwood forest in central Vermont. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 91:451-465.
Braun, E. Lucy 1950. Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America. Hafner Press. N.Y.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Nat. Park Service. Natural Landmarks Program Research Report.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Indridason, Louise and Ottar 1973. Vermont's Natural Areas: Part 2. Deciduous Forests. Vermont Life 28(1): 41-45.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Experiment Station. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
MAYNARD MILLER (VERNON) BLACK GUM SWAMPS
Location
Lat. 42 [degrees] 44' 0" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 32' 0" W. Windham County. Town of Vernon. See accompanying map.
Site Description
A rare stand (actually four small isolated stands) of old-age black gum trees growing in a swampy depression in the upland hardwood-covered hills of Vernon, just north of the Massachusetts border. Black gum is a species of more southerly latitudes, although scattered trees occur in Vermont. This stand is probably a relic from a warmer climatic period. The trees grow in a hummocky swamp of about 5 acres in area and appear quite old. Associated with black gum here are hemlock, yellow birch, and red maple, with a shrubby understory of ferns, mountain holly, withe rod, highbush blueberry, and black alder.
Critical Features
Represents not only an unusual forest type not generally found in Vermont but serves as a climatic marker from a period, somewhere between 5,000 to 3,500 years ago, when Vermont's climate (and accordingly its vegetation to some extent) was more like the climate of areas further south. The milder temperatures of the climatic optimum (Klein 1976) allowed many southern plants to extend their ranges into Vermont. Then, with a shift to colder conditions again, these plants' distributions contracted. Often small pockets of a population were left behind. These disjunct stands are exciting and important biologically. The rare Massachusetts fern (Thelypteris simulata) and Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica) - both southern species - grow here. Both have been proposed for inclusion on the new state endangered species list.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vernon Municipal Forest, Vernon, Vt. (total area 461 acres), and State of Vermont Fish and Game Department (Roaring Brook Wildlife Management Area).
Recognition
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Natural Resources Council)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Countryman, W.D. 1978. Rare and Endangered Vascular Plant Species in Vermont. New England Botanical Club & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior National Park Service. Natural Landmarks Program Research Report.
Fosburg, F.R. and Terry Blunt 1970. Vernon Black Gum Swamp. Rhodora 72(790):280-282.
Indridason, Louise and Ottar 1973. Vermont's Natural Areas: Part 2 Deciduous Forests. Vermont Life 28(1):41-45.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England: Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report; Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1969. Vermont Natural Areas. Report 2. Vt. Central Planning Office. Montpelier.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1976. An unusual black gum swamp in Maine. Rhodora 78(814):326-327.
LITTLE OTTER CREEK MARSH
Location
Lat. 44 [degrees] 14' 0" N.,Long. 73 [degrees] 17' 0" W. Addison County. Town of Ferrisburg. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Described by Vogelmann (1964) as "the best large expanse of marshland in Vermont", this area lies near the mouth of Little Otter Creek where several tributaries join to form an extensive area of shallow water. The flooded river channel supports a vast series of marsh communities, ranging from purely aquatic, to seasonally exposed mudflats, to shoreline tree and shrub ecosystems. An area of more than 1,000 acres, 4/5 of which is in public ownership (Vt. Dept. of Fish and Game). Many species of waterfowl and marsh birds nest here, including some on the state's endangered, threatened and rare list.
Critical Features
Given a fairly large number of extensive marshes within the boundaries of the state, it seems important to propose the acknowledged "best" of these for inclusion in the Registry. Chief among the critical features of this marsh complex is the habitat it provides for resident and migratory water birds and birds of prey. Those of special note, by virtue of their proposed placement on the rare, threatened and endangered list of birds for the state, are the following:
Bald Eagle (endangered)
Osprey (endangered)
Marsh Hawk (threatened)
Least Bittern (rare)
The seasonally flooded swamp-oak-silver-maple forests are perhaps the richest habitat in the state for invertebrates. These, and the hemlock grove that occupies the point between Little Otter and Lewis Creek, contain many unusual species. The lacustrine forest is the only locality north of New Jersey for the ground beetle Agonum picticorne. It is evidently favored by the seasonal flooding and the mild climate. On the other hand, the hemlock forest supports Scaphinotus viduus, a large snail-eating ground beetle otherwise known only from mountain forests. This area has a large population of the blue-flecked salamander, Ambystoma laterale, which is thought to be decreasing in numbers in the northeast, possibly as a result of acid rain.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
About 80% owned by Vermont Dept. of Fish and Game; the remainder owned by a variety of private individuals.
Recognition
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Barber, Eileen, D.J. Bogucki, G.K. Gruendling, and M. Madden 1977. Historical land use changes and impacts in Lake Champlain wetlands. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Comm., Burlington, Vt.
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Brooks, Peter 1979. Critical Environmental Areas. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Comm., Burlington, Vt.
Calab, S.A. 1972. A sedimentaological investigation of the Otter Creek Delta. Vergennes, Vt. (source unknown).
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Gruendling, G.K. and D.J. Bogucki 1978. Assessment of the physical and biological characteristics of the major Lake Champlain wetlands. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Commission. Burlington, Vt.
Indridason, Louise and Ottar 1973. Vermont Natural Areas. Part 3. Marshes. Vermont Life 28(2):6-10.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Stewart, James 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Vermont Endangered Species Subcommittee 1978. Revised preliminary list of endangered, threatened, and rare species of birds in Vermont. Vt. Agency of Envtl. Conservation. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta. Univ. of Vermont. Burlington.
BARTON RIVER (COVENTRY) MARSH
Location
Lat 44 [degrees] 53' 0" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 12' 0" W. Orleans County. Town of Coventry. See accompanying map.
Site Description
River mouth of Barton River as it flows northward into South Bay of Lake Memphremagog. Marshland and shallow meandering river channel occupy 1,545 acres at 700' elevation.
Critical Features
This extensive wetland provides and important environment for breeding and migratory waterfowl and other marsh birds and wildlife. An excellent site for encountering a great diversity of aquatic and emergent plants. This area was the site of the last documented osprey nest in Vermont (Sladyk 1980) and is considered (Stewart 1980) the state's most likely location for sighting of bald eagles. This area serves as the primary source of entrance to the Barton and Black River spawning areas for brown and rainbow trout. The spawning areas are located considerably upstream.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vermont Fish and Game Department. Montpelier, Vt.
Recognition
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior).
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Natural Resources Council).
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation Natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior, National Park Service. Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Nat. Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Sladyk, William 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Stewart, James 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Vermont Institute of Natural Science. 1976-1979. Breeding Bird Atlas Project. South Bay data sheet (unpublished). Woodstock, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1969. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 2. Vt. Central Planning Office. Montpelier.
FRANKLIN BOG
Location
Lat 44 [degrees] 59' 30" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 53' 45" W. Franklin County. Town of Franklin. See accompanying map.
Site Description
A splendid (Vogelmann 1969) and extensive quaking bog occupying an elliptical basin of about 300 acres in the town of Franklin, Vt., about 1/2 mile south of the Canadian border and 20 miles east of Lake Champlain. It is about 1/4 mile north of Lake Carmi.
The bog is roughly zoned with a wet, sparse conifer forest on the outside, an open bog mat within, and a small pond with streams and beaver-flooded areas in the middle. The three zones interpenetrate in a complicated manner. The vegetation is complex and the flora correspondingly rich.
Critical Features
Large in comparison with most of Vermont's bogs, studies have shown Franklin to be correspondingly rich in species and particularly useful in demonstrating bog formation (Jenkins 1979). It also possesses greater stability than most bogs, also a function of its size. Difficulty with access prevents the idle sightseer from visitation and keeps the bog in near-wilderness condition.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
The Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy owns a portion of the bog. The rest is in several private ownerships.
Recognition
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (HCRS - National Park Service)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Jenkins, Jerry 1979. Preliminary Report on Franklin Bog. Submitted to Nature Conservancy. Montpelier, Vt.
Johnson, Charles 1980. Preliminary studies of peats, climate and hydrology. Work in progress.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science 1979. Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Franklin Bog data sheet (unpubl.) Woodstock, Vt.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1969. Vermont Natural Areas. Report 2. Vt. Central Planning Office. Montpelier, Vt.
Worley, Ian 1979. Peatlands - An Ecological Perspective. Maine Peat Conference. Orono, Maine.
MOLLY BOG
Location
Lat 44 [degrees] 30' 0" N, Long. 72 [degrees] 38' 0" W. Lamoille County. Town of Morristown. See accompanying map.
Site Description
In valley lowlands east of Mt. Mansfield, this bog shows several stages of development. It includes a two acre pond fringed with pond and water lilies, surrounded by four distinct zones: a shrub edge of leatherleaf; a 20 acre bog mat, composed of a matrix of sphagnum moss and sedges with many of the characteristic bog species including leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia), bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla), sweet gale (Myrica gale), cranberry (Vaccinium spp.), cottongrass (Eriophorum spp.), sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), and pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea); a coniferous forest zone of black spruce and tamarack completely surrounding the bog; and an extensive hardwood forest, dominated by red maple, as soils improve in drainage on the surrounding uplands.
Critical Features
Considered exemplary of a postgalcial bog (Vogelmann 1964), and is particularly valuable for showing several stages of bog development, from pond to bog forest. One of only two Vermont locations for the southern twayblade orchid (Listera australis).
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
The University of Vermont owns the open bog and a small portion of surrounding bog forest (a total of approximately 25 acres); a significant area of bog forest and all of the surrounding upland are privately owned.
Recognition
University of Vermont Natural Area
Primary Nature Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Borie, Louis 1977. University of Vermont Natural Areas. Environmental Progr. Univ. of Vermont. Burlington.
Countryman, W.D. 1978. Rare and Endangered Vascular Plant Species in Vermont. New England Botanical Club and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. National Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Indridason, Louise and Ottar 1974. Vermont's Natural Areas. Part 5. Vermont Life 28(4):57-59.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Ragan, G. 1970. Plant succession at Molly Bog, Vt., as determined from 1942, 1964 and 1974 aerial photography. M.S. Thesis. Botany Dept. University of Vt.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta. Univ. of Vt. Burlington.
COLCHESTER BOG
Location
Lat 44 [degrees] 33' 0" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 17' 0" W. Chittenden County. Town of Colchester. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Area includes a 150 acre peatland located five miles northwest of Burlington on a peninsula between Lake Champlain and Mallet's Bay. The bog is largely covered with shrubs and trees, but an open quaking mat of sedge and sphagnum is present. Narrow sandy peninsula on eastern edge has several black gum trees (the species' only northwestern Vermont location).
Critical Features
Unusually rich assemblage of bog and marsh plants and has been recognized as one of the most outstanding natural areas in northwestern Vermont. Presence of Nyssa sylvatica (black gum) an important clue to warmer postglacial climate than presently exists. Has the only known plant of Betula pumila (dwarf white birch) known in Vermont, and contains highly unusual (Worley 1980) stands of pitch pine (Pinus rigida) growing in a peat substrate. Depends upon the levels of a major lake (Lake Champlain) for its ecological character, a feature shared by very few other peatlands in the United States.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
University of Vermont. Burlington, Vt. 05401
Recognition
University of Vermont Natural Area
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
Management/Protection Strategy
References
Borie, Louis 1977. University of Vermont Natural Areas. Environmental Program. University of Vt., Burlington.
Dole, R.M., Jr. 1961. A postglacial history of the vegetation of northwestern Vermont. M.S. Thesis. Univ. of Vermont, Burlington.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Nat. Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Hall, R.R. and R.H. Morgan 1970. Study of a relict black gum stand (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.) at Colchester Bog, Colchester, Vt. Student research paper. Botany Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.: Yarmouth, Me.
Howard, E. and D. White 1975. Investigation of mammals of Colchester Bog and birds observed in and around Colchester Bog (July 23 - Aug. 10). Student lab reports. Zoology Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Howard, L.D. and Ian Worley 1977. Phytosociological, hydrological and other ecological features at Colchester Bog, Vt. Proc. Lake Champlain Basin Envtl. Conf. (July). Inst. for Man and Envt. Chazy, N.Y. pp. 52-116.
Jenkins, Jerry 1977. Colchester Bog. Part II. The intrinsic value of the bog. Prepared for the University of Vermont and The Nature Conservancy (unpublished).
Johnson, Charles 1980. Preliminary studies of peats, climate, and hydrology. Work in progress.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier.
Milgroom, Michael 1977. The vertebrate fauna of Colchester Bog. Univ. of Vt. Environmental Progr. Unpublished study.
Ragan, G. 1975. Colchester Bog Natural Area: A preliminary analysis of the structural changes of the vegetation from 1937 to 1974. Biogeography paper. Geogr. Dept. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Sargent, F.O., H.W. Vogelmann, and R.S. Stanley 1970. Natural Areas in Chittenden County. Lake Champlain Basin Studies. No. 6. Burlington, Vt.
Vermont Endangered Species Subcommittee 1978. Revised preliminary list of endangered, threatened and rare species of birds in Vermont. Vt. Agency of Envtl. Conservation. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta. Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1975. Evaluation of Colchester Bog, Colchester, Vt., for eligibility for Registered Natural Landmark. Prepared for National Park Service. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Burlington, Vt.
Worley, Ian 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Zomlefor, Wendy 1974. Guide to common plants of Colchester Bog Natural Area (intro. remarks by H.W. Vogelmann). Univ. of Vt., Burlington.
DORSET BAT (GREEN PEAK) CAVE
Lat grees]43 [de 14' 15" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 2' 5" W. Bennington County. Town of Dorset. See accompanying map.
Site Description
Five acre limestone solution cave in Green Peak. The cave has two main chambers and possibly others deeper in the mountain. Both main rooms support hibernatiing bats in winter.
Critical Features
Likely the most important hibernaculum and roosting site in New England for the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). Other bat species also use the cave for hibernation. Past research has documented great numbers of Indiana bats here (around 300,000 in some years), but little is known about their present status except that it is probable they still hibernate in this location. The Indiana bat is a colonial hibernator, so is especially vulnerable in winter. This cave may be the only locality in Vermont for a truly cavernicolous invertebrate, the white, eyeless amphipod Stygobromus sp. (the species is uncertain, as only immatures were included in the collection). However, there may be confusion over the name of the cave, as the specimens were labeled only "Dorset Cave".
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
National Gypsum Company and private individuals.
Recognition
Vermont Natural Areas Inventory (Vt. Nat. Resources Council).
Primary Natural Area (Vermont Natural Resources Council).
One of only two areas in Vermont recommended for U.S. Fish & Wildlife acquisition under Unique Ecosystems Plan.
Management/Protection Strategy
Referneces
Allen G.M. 1904. Checklist of New England Mammals. Occasional Papers. Boston Soc. of Natural History 7(3):1-35.
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1979. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Washington, D.C.
Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1979. Unique Wildlife Ecosystems Concept Plan. State of Vermont.
Godin, Alfred J. 1977. Wild mammals of New England. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press: Baltimore.
Griffin, Donald R. 1932-1940. Banding data on bats in New England. Unpublished (available from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vt.).
Griffin, Donald R. 1940. Notes on the life histories of New England bat caves. Journal of Mammalogy 21:181-182.
Hitchcock, Harold 1965-1968. Correspondance with Robert Carroll, Jr. (with maps). Classified in office of Vt. State Geologist. Montpelier, Vt.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H. p.194.
Kirk, George L. 1916. The Mammals of Vermont. Vt. Botanical and Bird Clubs Joint Bulletin 2:28-31.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II0. Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Osgood, Frederick R. 1948. The Mammals of Vermont. Journal of Mammalogy 19(4):435-441.
Perry, Clay 1939. Underground New England. Stephen Day Press: Brattleboro, Vt.
Scott, J. 1959. Caves in Vermont: A Spelunker's Guide to their location and lore. Killoolect Independent Speleological Society. Hancock, Vt.
Thompson, Zadock 1853. Natural History of Vermont. Reprinted 1972. Charles Z. Tuttle Co. Rutland, Vt.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
DEAD CREEK WATERFOWL AREA
Location
Lat 44 [degrees] 05' 00" N, Long. 73 [degrees] 21' 0" W. Addison County. Town of Addison. See accompanying map.
Site Description
The largest waterfowl management area in the state is this area in western Addison County bissected by Route 17 between Addison and Chimney Point. The waters of Dead Creek flow sluggishly north and empty into Otter Creek here. Conditions for marshlands are ideal and wetland vegetation of a variety of kinds spreads over a large area (more than 1,000 acres). Several dikes have been constructed to create favorable environments for nesting and feeding waterfowl. Aquatic plants, ranging from submerged to emergent, are found in great variety and in extensive stands. One of the most important wetland complexes in the state for waterfowl and marsh birds, a total of 168 species has been found within the area to date.
Critical Features
Although some of the wetlands in this complex are the result of man-made impoundments, the basic marsh vegetation of the area was established naturally long before management began, and the migratory visitation patterns now seen here among the wildlife have been fixed for many years in the populations that use the marshes. Human visitation is relatively heavy but restricted from breeding areas during critical times. Among the many species of resident and migratory birds and mammals feeding and breeding in the waterfowl area, the following, because of their inclusion in the state's proposed list of rare, threatened, and endangered bird species, are worthy of note:
Least Bittern (rare)
Short-billed Marsh Wren (threatened)
Osprey (endangered)
Peregrine Falcon (endangered)
This area is rich in marsh insects, and is the only known Vermont locality for the ground beetle Bembidion cordatum.
Indian artifacts are abundant in the region.
Evaluation Categories
[See graphic or tabular material in printed version]
Ownership
Vermont Dept. of Fish and Game. Montpelier, Vt.
Regional Office - RFD # 1, Box 130, Vergennes, Vt. 05491
Recognition
Primary Natural Area (Vt. Nat. Resources Council)
National Natural Landmark (U.S. Dept. of the Interior)
Management/Protection Strategy
Continued visitor and environmental monitoring through existing Fish and Game regulations and practices.
References
Barber, Eileen, D.J. Bogucki, G.K. Gruendling, and M. Madden. 1977. Historical land use changes and impacts in Lake Champlain wetlands. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Comm. Burlington, Vt.
Bell, R.T. 1980. Suggestions for the initial registry of fragile areas (personal communication).
Brooks, Peter 1979. Critical Environmental Areas. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Commission. Burlington, Vt.
Flaccus, Edward 1972. Vegetation natural areas of the Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwood region of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Nat. Park Service Natural Landmarks Program. Research Report.
Fuller, Robert 1961. A partial list of birds of the Dead Creek Waterfowl Management Area. Addison, Vermont.
Gruendling, G.K. and D.J. Bogucki 1978. Assessment of the Physical and Bilogical Characteristics of the Major Lake Champlain Wetlands. Lake Champlain Basin Study. New England River Basins Comm. Burlington, Vt.
Hancock, William et. al. 1978. The Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer. David DeLorme Co.. Yarmouth, Me.
Indridason, Louise and Ottar 1973. Vermont Natural Areas. Part 3. Marshes. Vermont Life 28(2):6-10.
Johnson, Charles 1980. The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England. Hanover, N.H.
Klein, Robert 1976. Technical Report: Vermont Natural Areas Project (Phase II). Vt. Natural Resources Council. Montpelier, Vt.
Laughlin, Sarah 1980. Comments on fragile areas draft (personal communication).
Vermont Endangered Species Subcommittee 1978. Revised preliminary list of endangered, threatened, and rare species of birds in Vermont. Vt. Agency of Envtl. Conservation. Montpelier.
Vermont Natural Resources Council 1972. Vermont Natural Areas Inventory. New England Natural Resources Project. Montpelier, Vt.
Vogelmann, H.W. 1964. Natural Areas in Vermont. Report 1. Vt. Agric. Expt. Sta. Univ. of Vermont. Burlington.
APPENDIX I. FRAGILE AREAS LAW
Title 10. CONVERSATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 158 § 6551 - § 6555
As used in this chapter:
A state agency, municipality or organization before making a capital improvement, which is funded in whole or in part by federal money, within or adjacent to a fragile area shall, in compliance with rules adopted pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 3334, 4231 and 4332, attach to the notice of intent for the state clearing house a statement of the impact of the proposed action on the fragile area. - Added 1977, No. 129 (Adj.Sess.), § 1.
State agencies and regional planning commissions shall:
APPENDIX II. NATURAL AREAS LAW
Title 10. CONVERSATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 83 § 2606 - § 2607
APPENDIX III. ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST
PURPOSE It is the purpose of these regulations to carry out the mandate of the Vermont General Assembly to protect endangered species of fish, bird, quadruped, reptile, plant, flower, tree or shrub, and to prohibit the taking thereof, pursuant to the authority granted to the Secretary of Environmental Conservation by Section 3652 of Title 13, Vermont Statutes Annotated.
Lake Sturgeon - (Acipenser fulvescens)
Southern Bald Eagle - (Haliaeetus 1. leucocephalus)
American Osprey - (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis)
American Peregrine Falcon - (Falco peregrinus anatum)
Indiana Bat - (Myotis sodalis)
Pine Marten - (Martes americana)
Eastern Cougar - (Felis concolor cougar)
Canada Lynx - (Lynx canadensis)
Adder's mouth - (Malaxis)
Green-alder - (Alnux crispa)
Trailing-arbutus - (Epigaea repens)
Alpine-mountain ash - (Pyrus decora)
Mountain-astragalus - (Astragalus blakei)
Bog-bilberry - (Vaccinium uliginosum)
Dwarf-bilberry - (Vaccinium cespitosum)
Butter-wort - (Pinquicula vulgaris)
Calypso - (Calypso)
Three-toothed cinquefoil - (Potentilla tridentata)
Slender cliffbrake - (Cryptogramma stelleri)
Northern-comandra - (Gedcaulon lividum)
Coral-root - (Corallorhiza)
Cow-berry - (Vaccinium vitisidaea)
Few-flowered cranberry tree - (Viburnum edule)
Black-crowberry - (Empetrum nigrum)
Lapland diapensia - (Diapensia lapponica)
Braun's holly fern - (Polystichum brunii)
Fragrant fern - (Dryopteris fragrans, Schoot var. remostinuscula)
Northern-gentiana - (Amarella)
Hoary or twisted-whitlow grass - (Draba incana)
Alpine-goldenrod - (Solidago calcicola)
Hedysarum - (Hedysarum alpinum, L. var. americanum)
Bastard-helleborine - (Epipactis)
Ladies' tresses - (Spiranthes)
Chatelain lady's slipper; moccasin flower - (Cypripedium)
Great-laurel - (Rhododendron maximum)
Club-moss - (Lycopodium selago)
Orchid - (Orchis)
Cranefly-orchid - (Tipularia)
Rein orchid; fringed orchid - (Habenaria)
Pale painted-cup - (Castilleja septentrionalis)
Jack-pine, or gray-pine - (Pinus banksiana)
Grass-pink - (Calopogon)
Wild-pink - (Arethusa)
Pinxter-flower - (Rhododendron nudiflorum)
Rattlesnake-plantain - (Goodyera)
Pogonia - (Pogonia)
Three-lobed pogonia - (Triphora)
Verticillate-pogonia - (Isotria)
Dwarf canadian-primrose or Pale magenta-pink-(Primula mistassinica)
Putty-root - (Apelctrum)
Greenland-sandwort - (Arenaria greenlandica)
Vernal-sandwort - (Arenaria rubella)
Alpine-saxifrage - (Saxifraga aizoon)
Mountain-saxifrage - (Saxifraga oppositifolia)
Yellow-mountain saxifrage - (Saxifraga aizoides)
Mountain-shadbush - (Amelanchier bartramiana)
Spleenwort - (Asplenium cryptolepsis)
Green-spleenwort - (Asplenium viride)
Twayblade - (Liparis)
Lister's twayblade - (Listera)
Alpine-willow - (Salix planifolia)
Alpine-willow - (Salix uva-ursi)
Lesser-wintergreen - (Pyrola minor)
Alpine-woodsia - (Woodsia alpina)
Smooth- woodsia - (Woodsia glabella)
BY AUTHORITY
Martin L. Johnson, Secretary
Environmental Conservation
FILED AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE:
M. E. Willey
12-003 Code Vt. R. 12-020-003-X
Statutory Authority: 10 V.S.A. C. 158