Soil Types and Arborescent Species of a Specific Woodlot in Ottawa County, Ohio

A woodlot in close proximity to the Davis-Bcssc Cooling Tower is described, in terms of arborescent species composition and distribution in relation to two soil types. Fulton silt loam and Toledo silty clay loam play a role in species distribution as do moisture and nutrient availability. The Toledo soil has more available calcium and magnesium and higher organic matter, clay content and cation exchange capacity. Higher soil moisture levels have a major effect on soil aeration that results in reduced nutrient uptake. Consequently, high arborescent seedling mortality and selectivity is characteristic of the Toledo soil, and many species with rather restricted soil-moisture and soil-aeration tolerances are eliminated. Celtis occidentalis appears to be the indicator species of the somewhat better drainage conditions of the Fulton soil. This species seems to avoid the more water saturated conditions characteristic of Toledo soils. OHIO J. SCI. 79(5): 195, 1979 The plant communities occupying the Navarre Marsh area encompassed by the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant on the shore of the western end of Lake Erie have never been specifically described, although several studies have contained general descriptions of the area. Gordon (1966, 1969), for instance, includes the shoreline area in either the Elm-Ash Swamp Forest or Freshwater Marshes Association, depending upon local topography. Kaatz (1955) includes the area in the eastern boundary of the former "Black Swamp". One partial list of the vascular plants presented in the area was tabulated by Meeks (1973), although no quantitative data were presented. Similarly, only very general information is available concerning the soils of the area. The Ottawa County Soil Survey (Paschall et al 1928) does indicate the presence of 6 soil types in the general region, although the areas covered by each are not precisely denned. The more recent soil map of Ottawa County (Ohio DNR 1974) recognizes a Toledo-Fulton Association for the area under investigaManuscript received 15 June 1978 and in revised form 26 January 1979" (#78-36). tion. The present study represents a portion of a comprehensive multifaceted investigation of the various naturally occurring ecosystems present in the area encompassed by the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant, Ottawa County, Ohio. This area will be reevaluated periodically to discern if any vegetational and edaphic changes might be attributed to Cooling Tower operation.