Soil survey and analysis of 'serpentinicity' at Unionville Serpentine Barrens, Chester Co., PA
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Advisor
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Bryn Mawr College. Department of Geology
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Dark Archive
Terms of Use
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
The Unionville Serpentine Barrens (USB) of Chester County, Pennsylvania is one of few remaining barrens in the Northeast United States. Serpentine barrens, named for their grassland ecosystem in typically temperate forested areas, form above ophiolitic and ultramafic serpentinite bedrock. They host rare and endangered plant species tolerant of harsh soil conditions. The serpentinicity of a soil increases with shallow soil horizons, a Ca:Mg ratio <1, and abundant heavy metal concentrations. Serpentinicity decreases as organic material is added, diluting the effects of the harsh serpentine minerals. This study reports an extensive soil survey, and analyzes relationships between soil chemistry, topographic and location features and vegetation. through an extensive soil survey, analyzes soil chemistry, topographic features, location amidst serpentinite bedrock and Chrome soil series, and serpentine-characteristic vegetation. This study was conducted as part of an adaptive management plan underway at USB in order to restore the shrinking barrens. The soil and vegetation monitoring transect dissects two restoration tactics: a 2012 tree removal area and a 2015 prescribed burn. Depth to bedrock was measured and O, A, B and C horizon samples were collected at each site. Samples were air dried, ground and sieved to < 2mm grain particle size. Mineral samples were extracted via the Mehlich- 3 procedure and concentrations of plant exchangeable cations (exch. Ca, Mg, Fe, and Ni) were detected using an ICP-OES. Organic samples were extracted via EPA 3050b’s acid digest protocol. In addition to characterizing the soil, we found that serpentine-characteristic flora require time to respond to restoration tactics.