Abstract

Grassy balds are important ecosystems within high-elevation areas of Roan Mountain massif in the southern Appalachian Mountains. These areas are dominated by native grasses and sedges, and contain endemic, endangered, and rare species. They are globally threatened by woody plant encroachment. Restoration efforts have been conducted on these balds for approximately 30 years by a number of agencies. In 1987–1988 Hamel and Somers conducted vegetation analyses on these balds to characterize plant communities before intensive management began. In summer 2020, we resurveyed the vegetative communities on Round, Jane, and part of Grassy Ridge Balds to compare current composition to that before management was initiated. Using similar methodology to Hamel and Somers, 11 transects and 226 one m2 vegetative sampling plots were established across the balds. Percent coverage of vegetation type, percent slope, aspect, and soil depth were recorded at each plot. Management records were compiled to determine management history of individual plots. Percent cover data were sorted into the 21 most dominant vegetation types and subjected to principal components analysis (PCA), cluster analysis, and regression. PCA revealed plots separating along a gradient of blackberry and grass cover, as well as blackberry, grass, and fern cover. Cluster analysis revealed 12 plant community groups. Grass dominated four community groups consisting of 148 total plots. A significant positive relationship was seen between graminoid cover and management frequency and a negative relationship with the amount of time since management activity. Blackberry cover was shown to increase with higher frequency of certain management techniques. All of the relationships had low explanatory power suggesting that other factors might influence the plant community compositions on the Roan. Our research shows there is a positive association with graminoid cover and increased management frequency, but more research involving other biotic and abiotic factors and management history should be explored.

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