Floristic Quality Assessment of Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek Farm

Bledsoe, Clare

Due to its small size and limited staff resources, ABLI management has outlined data needs in regards to the significant plant resources at Knob Creek Farm that are in need of assistance by CUPN, including (1) updating the plant species list for the park through the inventory of new species, (2) mapping the extent of significant vegetation communities such as glades, seeps, and spring ephemerals through the use of GIS, and (3) coordinating with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves for tracking where significant vegetation communities and species exist. The primary goals of this study were to meet these three needs (with focus on the spring ephemeral communities), through the revisitation of the 16 CUPN long-term forest vegetation monitoring plots at Knob Creek Farm during April of 2015. During CUPN monitoring, which occurs at ABLI in September, all plant species identified within these 400m2 plots are sampled; subsequently, temporarily-present spring ephemeral plant species are missed during the sampling period. This research was expected to add to the list of species for each plot and help identify high-density areas of spring ephemerals to both highlight and protect before further development for visitation enhancement of the forest community occurs on the property. The park desires to hinder poaching and trampling of high-density spring ephemeral areas, which may increase with increased visitors and interpretation of the flora.

Floristic Quality Assessment of Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek Farm

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