Hydrology of Big Meadows, Shenandoah NP of Va: Assessment of a Sensitive Wetland System in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Big Meadows is a relatively flat area (~700ac) at an elevation of some 3500 feet containing a rich mosaic of wetland and upland habitats encompassing the only large open area in Shenandoah National Park. An expansive area of Big Meadows lying to the south and east of Skyline Drive has historically been an open meadow. Aerial photographs show the meadow is managed to prevent futher encrachment of forest by selective removal of shrubs and trees and by controlled burning. The vegetation of the Big Meadows area includes several community types of interest. Two Mafic Fens (types of wetlands) contain globally rare plant communities believed to be endemic to the Park and support eight state rare plant species. The majority of Big Meadows is an Upland Meadow, and two state rare plant species are found within this community. The Mid-successional Woodland community supports a large population of a state rare tree. Throughout the meadow, at least 35 plant species have been lost since the mid 1970's. The Meadow also supports an abundance of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects, some of which are not found elsewhere in the Park. A state listed snake, a rare insect, and several salamander and bird species are amoung the animals that occupy the Big Meadows area that are sensitive to changes in hydrology.