East-central West Virginia Research Articles

Change in Montane Forests of East-central West Virginia over 250 years

We compared the relative frequencies of witness trees in historical deeds to the relative frequencies of tree species found in the present forests. Changes in relative frequencies of the five dominant tree species were noted in all ecological subsections, although all species found in the past forests are represented in the present. The greatest changes across the study area were a decrease in the representation of white oak and an increase in red maple. The changes in representation by functional groups show a trend toward loss of fire-adapted species of intermediate shade intolerance with associated gains in species of high shade tolerance. Current FIA data on the species composition of trees in the sapling and seedlings size-classes indicate that the trend of reduced of oak species frequency is likely to continue into the near future. This gradual conversion from oak-dominated overstories to maple-dominated understories is a regional trend. Our findings echo a paradox found in the northeastern United States where after 400 years of land use change, forest cover has largely recovered but relative species composition has been transformed. This paradox may add to the difficulty in designing strategies and treatments for ecosystem restoration. However, as we have shown, the changes can be quantified and placed in an ecological context as support for restoration actions.

Natural and anthropogenic controls over suspended sediments within a mountainous Appalachian watershed: implications for watershed restoration

The upper Elk River (620 km2), located in mountainous east-central West Virginia, is one of the premier cold-water fisheries in the eastern United States. However, sediment run-off from both forestry and non-forestry-related disturbance has the potential to threaten the quality of wild trout populations. General linear models were used to link spatial and temporal variation in total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations throughout the watershed to natural (i.e. landform and geology) and anthropogenic (forest management practices, other land-use disturbance [residential and commercial development, agriculture, and recreation], census roads) landscape attributes. In addition, through a unique paired sampling design, we tested the hypothesis that increasing levels of disturbance (i.e. forest management and other land use activities) within a watershed would result in a proportional increase in TSS concentrations. Spatial variation in TSS concentration was found to primarily be explained by land-use disturbance (partial R2 = 0.66) and secondarily by forest management practices (R2 = 0.13) and road area (R2 = 0.08). Results of a paired sampling design further indicated that significant increases in TSS concentrations were the result of intense land-use disturbance associated with activities other than forest management. Temporal variability (i.e. CV) in TSS was primarily related to dry flat area (partial R2 = 0.28) and percent calcareous bedrock (R2 = 0.21), suggesting natural sedimentation processes associated with karst geologies may exacerbate effects of anthropogenic disturbance. These results suggest that forestry-related best management practices being used in this mountainous region were effective in reducing sediment loads to nearby waterbodies, and improved management of non-forestry disturbance may be needed to protect this valuable fishery from sediment-related impacts.

Reversing legacy effects in the understory of an oak-dominated forest

Current forests developed under conditions different from original forests, with higher deer densities, reduced fire frequency, denser canopies, and smaller canopy gaps. These alterations have led to understories dominated by species simultaneously browse tolerant, shade tolerant, and fire sensitive leading to difficulties in the regeneration of oak species (Quercus spp.) in some areas. We evaluated how three key processes — understory fire, canopy gaps, and browsing — influenced tree species in east central West Virginia. We were particularly interested in the response of oak species because they are the dominant overstory species and of maple species (Acer spp.), black birch (Betula lenta L.), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) as these are likely to replace the current forest. Single-process effects were significant and significant interactions among processes were numerous. In general, fire caused significant reductions of seedlings and saplings of red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.) and increased the seedlings of black birch and yellow-poplar. Canopy gaps increased the abundance of black birch and yellow-poplar seedlings and saplings. Gaps and fire together caused an increase in the relative abundance of yellow-poplar. Excluding browsers and creating canopy gaps together nearly doubled oak sapling importance values versus either treatment alone; however, oak importance values remained low. Given the significant interactions of browse control with the other two processes, browse control should be considered when planning oak regeneration treatments such as canopy gaps or prescribed fire.

Late Devonian glacial deposits from the eastern United States signal an end of the mid-Paleozoic warm period

A Late Devonian polymictic diamictite extends for more than 400 km from northeastern Pennsylvania across western Maryland and into east-central West Virginia. The matrix-supported, unbedded, locally sheared diamictite contains subangular to rounded clasts up to 2 m in diameter. The mostly rounded clasts are both locally derived and exotic; some exhibit striations, faceting, and polish. The diamictite commonly is overlain by laminated siltstone/mudstone facies associations (laminites). The laminites contain isolated clasts ranging in size from sand and pebbles to boulders, some of which are striated. The diamictite/laminite sequence is capped by massive, coarse-grained, pebbly sandstone that is trough cross-bedded. A stratigraphic change from red, calcic paleo-Vertisols in strata below the diamictite to non-calcic paleo-Spodosols and coal beds at and above the diamictite interval suggests that the climate became much wetter during deposition of the diamictite. The diamictite deposit is contemporaneous with regressive facies that reflect fluvial incision during the Late Devonian of the Appalachian basin. These deposits record a Late Devonian episode of climatic cooling so extreme that it produced glaciation in the Appalachian basin. Evidence for this episode of climatic cooling is preserved as the interpreted glacial deposits of diamictite, overlain by glaciolacustrine varves containing dropstones, and capped by sandstone interpreted as braided stream outwash. The Appalachian glacigenic deposits are contemporaneous with glacial deposits in South America, and suggest that Late Devonian climatic cooling was global. This period of dramatic global cooling may represent the end of the mid-Paleozoic warm interval that began in the Middle Silurian.

Life History of the Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, in a West Virginia Stream

Though locally abundant throughout the high mountains of West Virginia, intensive studies on the natural history and population structure of the hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, have not been conducted in the state. From 1998–2000 we conducted a mark-recapture study within a 216 × 18 m stream section in east-central West Virginia using diurnal and nocturnal survey methods. Ninety-nine captures of 44 individuals were recorded. Density estimates ranged from 0.8–1.2 individuals/100 m2. The sex ratio was 1.2:1. Sexual dimorphism was apparent, as females were longer and heavier than males. However, the longest males were underweight compared to their predicted mass. This population was highly skewed toward large adults, and larvae and juveniles were not encountered. The mean inter-capture distance was 35.8 m and 95% MCP home range estimates averaged 198 m2. Water depth where hellbenders were captured ranged from 16–56 cm and individuals were never captured in heavily silted areas. Hellbender size was not correlated to rock size and not more than one individual was found beneath a single rock. We suggest that more thorough searches focusing on larval and juvenile habitat are needed before accurate assessments of population health can be made in this and other streams in West Virginia.

Outcrop Expression of Late Devonian Transgressive-Regressive Cycles along Catskill Delta Complex Basin Margin of Central West Virginia: ABSTRACT

The Upper Devonian Catskill delta complex prograded westward across the central Appalachian basin in response to eustatic fluctuations in sea level and high rates of sediment supply associated with the Acadian orogeny. Excellent outcrops of Catskill delta complex basin-margin facies, located near Elkins, West Virginia, record a hierarchy of transgressive-regressive (T-R) cycles that formed as the Catskill shoreline regressed across east-central West Virginia during the middle Famennian. Subsurface mapping of intervals studied in outcrop indicates three distinct scales of T-R cycles based on the magnitude and lateral continuity of shoreline shift and the thickness of enclosed strata. Major cycles represent regional shifts of 30-50 mi (48-80 km), and are roughly 350 ft (100 m) thick. Intermediate cycles indicate more localized shoreline shifts of 15-25 mi (25-40 km), and are approximately 100-150 ft (30-50 m) thick. Minor cycles are expressed as local and minor shifts of less than 5 mi (8 km), and are from 10 to 30 ft (3-10 m) thick.

Petrology of Upper Mississippian Denmar Formation, Greenbrier Group, East-Central West Virginia: ABSTRACT

The Denmar Formation of Randolph County is a package of interbedded marine carbonates and siliciclastics deposited on a broad subsiding carbonate platform. Seven major microfacies are recognized: terrigenous siltstone, dolomitized micrite, pelmicrite, biopelmicrite, quartzose pelmicrite, oosparite, and oomicrite. These microfacies characterize three major paleoenvironments: supratidal, intertidal, and shallow subtidal. Four major diagenetic realms are noted: the low supratidal flat containing evaporites and dolomite; the meteoric zone containing blocky calcite spar; the shallow marine phreatic zone with marine cement and micritized fossil fragments; and the burial zone containing mature stylolites. The Denmar Formation represents a sequence of alternating low-energy, shallowing-upward pelmicrite-mudstone and higher energy, shallowing-upward oosparite-grainstone shelf cycles. The pelmicrite-mudstone cycles are mainly composed of intertidal and supratidal sediment. The oosparite-grainstone cycles are mainly composed of low and higher energy subtidal sediments. Diagenesis occurred in both the marine and meteoric zones. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of east-central West Virginia during deposition of the Denmar is attempted. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1449------------

Effects of Mississippian Tectonic Movement on Sedimentation and Diagenesis of Greenbrier Group in Eastern Appalachian Plateau: ABSTRACT

The Greenbrier Group of eastern West Virginia consists of marine carbonates interbedded and mixed with siliciclastics that were deposited on a shallow shelf in the Late Mississippian. The Denmar Formation is the lowest unit of the Greenbrier Group present in east-central West Virginia, and it represents a shallow tidal-flat and platform sequence deposited by a transgressing sea during the Meramecian. This transgression was followed by a regression with progradation of Taggard Formation terrigenous clastics onto restricted tidal flats during the earliest Chesterian. The Denmar tidal-flat deposits are characterized by pelleted mudstones, limited and depauperate fauna, calcite-filled and dolomite-filled geodes, caliche crusts, fenestral structures, dolomite, burrows, and channel deposits. The platform deposits include more diverse fauna, less micrite, cross-bedded and massive oolitic grainstones, and cross-bedded quartzarenites. Most of the siliciclastics were derived from the north and east of the Appalachian basin. Additional quartz silt, sand, and pebbles were eroded from an uplifted area within the basin and were incorporated into the tidal-flat and platform sediments. This Meramecian tectonic uplift, considered to be part of the 38th parallel lineament, created a subaerial and submarine topographic high that affected sedimentation patterns dur ng the remainder of Greenbrier deposition. Early phreatic cementation occurred along the flank of the uplift in at least two stages. There is evidence of both penecontemporaneous and later replacement dolomite. In certain strata in the western outcrops, hydrocarbons migrated through permeable layers and filled remaining pores. End_of_Article - Last_Page 318------------

A New Cestode, Imparmargo baileyi (Dilepididae: Dipylidiinae), from the Eastern Wild Turkey

Imparmargo baileyi gen. et sp. n. from the wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo silvestris Vieillot, in West Virginia is characterized by regularly alternating genital pores, proglottid margins longer on the poral side, genital ducts passing between the osmoregulatory canals, singly encapsulated eggs, and small size. Ten species of cestodes in six genera have been reported from wild turkeys in the United States (Prestwood et al., 1973). During studies on the parasite fauna of eastern wild turkeys from two climax vegetative types in east-central West Virginia, an undescribed cestode was discovered. The cestode represents a new genus and species of the family Dilepididae. Specimens were relaxed and killed by chilling and preserved in a solution of 5% formalin and 2.5% acetic acid. Suitable specimens were stained with Reynolds' stain or Delafield's hematoxylin and prepared as whole mounts. Some tapeworms were serially sectioned at 6 / and stained with Delafield's hematoxylin and eosin. All drawings were made with the aid of a Wild drawing tube. Measurements, based on 25 adult specimens, are in microns unless otherwise stated; averages are followed by ranges within parentheses. The generic name, Imparmargo, is proposed to indicate the unequal margins of the proglottids. The species name, baileyi, is in honor of Mr. R. Wayne Bailey, whose efforts as a wildlife biologist are largely responsible for the restoration of the wild turkey in West Virginia. Imparmargo gen. n. Diagnosis Dilepididae, Dipylidiinae. Small cestodes with few proglottids. Rostellum tapering posteriorly, retractile, armed with regularly alternating circle of large hooks. Suckers unarmed. Craspedote proglottids wider than long except for the terminal gravid proglottid which is longer than wide. Immature and mature proglottids longer on poral Received for publication 27 June 1974. * This study was supported by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (50 Stat. 917), Contract No. 14-16-0008-676, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U. S. Department of the Interior; and by Grant No. T01-AI-00325, NIH, Public Health Service. side. Osmoregulatory canals undulating throughout length of strobila. Genital openings alternating regularly. Genital ducts passing between osmoregulatory canals. Testes not numerous. Vas deferens strongly convoluted in anterior portion of poral side of proglottid. Cirrus pouch large, extending beyond osmoregulatory canals. Cirrus unarmed. Ovary large, bilobed, in center of proglottid. Vitelline gland irregularly rounded, slightly poral, increasing in size in maturing proglottids. Seminal receptacle large, muscular, posterior to coils of vas deferens. Vagina posterior to cirrus pouch. Uterus breaks down into egg capsules each containing a single egg. Imparmargo baileyi sp. n. (Figs. 1-6) Description Small cestodes, 2.531 mm (1.275 to 3.400) long by 1.012 mm (0.725 to 1.325) wide. Strobila contains 5 (4 to 7) immature, 6 (3 to 9) mature, and 1 (0 or 1) gravid proglottids with a total of 12 (9 to 15) proglottids. Rostellum 107 (80 to 135) wide by 240 (180 to 290) long, markedly longer when everted. Rostellum armed with single row of 24 (22 to 26) hooks which alternate regularly. Adjacent hooks offset by 2 A. Hook length 49 (45 to 57). Suckers ellipsoidal, unarmed, 202 (160 to 280) long by 162 (125 to 230) wide. Craspedote proglottids 3 to 5 times as wide as long except for terminal gravid proglottid which is longer than wide. Aporal side of immature and mature proglottids one-half to three-fourths length of poral side. Osmoregulatory canals much closer to median line at junctions of proglottids. Genital openings alternate regularly. Male and female genital ducts pass between dorsal and ventral osmoregulatory canals. Testes not numerous, more frequently 16 or 18 (14 to 21) in number, 58 (39 to 84) in diameter, posterior and posterolateral to ovary. Testes most numerous on aporal side. Vas deferens strongly convoluted, overlapping seminal receptacle and cirrus sac. Cirrus pouch large, 125 (90 to 149) long by 36 (27 to 48) wide, crossing osmoregulatory canals. Cirrus with a small tuft of "hairs" projecting from the area around the genital pore. Ovary slightly poral with indistinct margins, occupying a large portion of mature proglottids. Vitelline gland overlapping ovary, 117