Kimberly run preserve

Complexes of standing water pools are widespread within the wetland hemlock and mixed hardwoods-hemlock habitat types. Some of these ephemeral pools support a variety of sedges and shrubs as well as the ubiquitous skunk cabbage, while others are relatively open. While various frogs and salamanders are found in these areas, populations are not large and noticeable as they are in some parts of the Appalachian Plateau. For example, during the spring season of frog calling these pools are rather quiet, which may be an issue of concern and potential research. Blue-headed vireos and brown creepers are among the birds that might be heard in this conifer habitat.

The north side of Kimberly Run on the preserve includes extensive areas of floodplain forest that are mixed hemlock-hardwood species. Most areas have some mature trees in the overstory while patches appear to be less than 50 years old. Here red maple and white oak are common, with hawthorn and hazel in the semi-open understory. Patches of non-native barberry shrubs are found closest to Kimberly Run. The presence of hard mast in the floodplain forest appears to attract deer and turkey

Like the upland forest, this habitat appears to have a complicated history of logging, but also appears to have been grazed as well, evidenced by apparently compacted soils along the entrenched streambed of Kimberly Run. In addition, while there are some old oxbow channels and the flatness of the area suggests it may have been seasonally flooded, stream downcutting appears to have now isolated much of this habitat from the effects the stream. Old oxbows and low floodplain are rich with herbaceous plants, especially skunk cabbage, ferns and wildflowers such as mayapple, swamp violet and northern swamp buttercup. Succinid and other snails live in the humid undergrowth.

From the middle of the preserve downstream, some more active flood channels are noted. Approaching the southern boundary of the preserve, downcutting is not as pronounced, probably due to the less erodible substrate including an increasing proportion of rock in the streambed.

At Kimberly Run, from Strausbaugh and Core

Wetlands with low vegetation structure include regions of shrub swamp and bog on both sides of Kimberly Run, but are most abundant along an unnamed tributary to the west side. Shrub swamp constituents are often alder, arrowwood and wild raisin, plants that provide an abundance of soft mast. In early spring, patches of marsh marigold thrive in the saturated understory. This shrubby habitat is a haven for various migrant birds such as swamp sparrows and yellowthroat. Shrub swamp is by far the most densely-vegetated habitat on the preserve, and as such provides important cover for white-tailed deer and ruffed grouse.