Vegetation, edaphic, and historical analysis of charcoal hearths at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania
Mikan CJ and Abrams MD. 1994. Vegetation, edaphic, and historical analysis of charcoal hearths at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania. Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) Research/Resources Management Report. NPS/MARHOFU/NRTR-94/056. National Park Service. Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. Philadelphia
This study related the age structure and composition of forests at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (HOFU) in southeastern Pennsylvania to soil properties associated with disturbances caused by a local charcoal iron furnace. Physical and chemical properties of charcoal hearth soils, created by the recurring production of charcoal in earthmound kilns from the late 18th to early 20th century, were examined to understand the lack of woody vegetation relative to surrounding sites after nearly a century of forest recovery. Reconnaissance located 105 previously unidentified charcoal hearths and the remains of 13 colliers' huts in wooded portions of the site. The age structure and composition of plant communities on charcoal hearths suggest that soil and site factors have continuously inhibited the reintroduction of woody vegetation relative to surrounding forests. Destruction of belowground vegetative structures and the soil seed bank by the heat of charcoal production delayed recolonization of hearth sites. In the period after hearth abandonment in the late 19th century, the primary factors creating a severe soil environment were likely the deposition of toxic amounts of soluble salts and elevated surface soil temperatures caused by exposure of a blackened soil surface. Significant differences in the chemical properties of charcoal hearth soils still exist today and may be responsible for continued inhibition of woody vegetation. Additional results of this study include construction of a 367-year living tree-ring chronology which may be used in the future dating of historic structures at HOFU, and characterization of the area's presettlement forest, based on witness tree information collected by land surveyors from 1733 to 1794
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Mikan, Carl; Abrams, Marc
- Date of Issue
- 1994-02
- Publisher
- National Park Service. Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
- Units
- HOFU
- Keywords
- Atmospheric Sciences, charcoal hearths, Environmental Impact, Forest, Geology, Research Report, Soils