The investigation’s purpose was to evaluate the creek’s water quality and characterize several of the distinctive ecological communities that make up the Abrams Creek Wetlands. Field research took place during the spring, summer and autumn of 1998. Nine water quality sites in the Abrams Creek-White’s Pond area were studied. Researchers from Shenandoah University’s Environmental Studies Department conducted chemical and physical tests and used their data to describe the water characteristics of Abrams Creek.
Using the Braun-Blanquet (releve’) method, seven wetland communities were also surveyed. The researchers identified the plant species present and described the vegetation’s composition on a percent-cover basis. The team also gathered information and made observations regarding each site’s topography, setting, soil and human disturbances. This report describes the status of 24 of the wetlands’ plant species that appear on the Virginia Rare Plant List or the Virginia Plant Watchlist.
The report also identifies the major threats to Abrams Creek and its wetlands. It examines the potential consequences of these threats and presents initial recommendations for protecting the area.
