Investigating the Status and Condition of Rich Montane Seeps in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Rossell, C; Clarke, H; Schwartzman, Ed; Petranka, James; Patch, Steven

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: High Elevation Rich Montane Seeps are rare wetland communities endemic to high elevations of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Currently, little information is available on the status and condition of this natural community in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), particularly as they pertain to disturbance from wild hogs. This study evaluated the status and condition of High Elevation Rich Montane Seeps across the GSMNP, with objectives to 1) describe the plant species assemblage; 2) estimate the level of hog disturbance; 3) examine the effects of wild hogs on plant and salamander communities; and 4) investigate the habitat attributes that influence wild hog disturbance. We defined High Elevation Rich Montane Seeps in our study as any wetland with sheet flow occurring in hardwood forests above 1067 m (3500 feet). At each seep, we recorded its location, elevation, slope, aspect, and size. We sampled 1-m2 plots every 5 m along a transect located on the longest axis of each seep and measured amounts of hog disturbance, plant cover, surface water, substrate in five size classes, down and suspended woody debris, and shrub and tree densities (sampled in 3-mdiameter circular plots). We also sampled salamanders in each 1-m2 plot, identified them to species when possible, and classified them as either larva, juvenile or adult. Thirty-five seeps, representing 24 drainages were sampled across the Park. Forty-nine percent of seeps, and 54% of drainages had some evidence of hog disturbance. Amount of hog disturbance within seeps varied from 5-95%, with an average of 34% of a seep disturbed. One hundred eighty species of plants were recorded in the seeps, including 132 species of herbs, 35 species of shrubs, and 13 species of trees. Wild hog activity negatively affected total plant cover (P 0.05). These findings suggest that High Elevation Rich Montane Seeps in the GSMNP have been substantially impacted by wild hogs and are at continual risk of degradation. Results indicate that High Elevation Rich Montane Seeps provide important habitat for numerous plants and salamanders, and both plants and salamanders are being impacted by hogs. In addition, seeps on flatter terrain may be more vulnerable to wild hogs than those on steep terrain, because they likely provide more areas for wallows and may require less energy for rooting. We recommend that additional surveys of High Elevation Rich Montane Seeps be carried out across the Park to further evaluate levels of disturbance, and to identify the best examples of this rare community, so that protection measures can be implemented.