Other Important Forest Blocks

Bottomless Pit

Forest block size

• 634 acres
• Roughly rectangular with some high-quality interior forest and wetlands

Ecological features

• Bottomless Pit (OP 63); Mink Brook (OP 22-25, 26, 39-43)
• Bottomless Pit has exemplary level bog and acidic seepage swamp natural communities; at the mouth of Mink Brook, on Mink Brook Wetlands Area land, barrens strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides S1), a State Threatened rare plant was re-located in 1999
• This forest block has a unique blend of rare elements of biodiversity, and good quality forests. However, industrial development along its edges on Route 120 and Great Hollow Road, may pose a future threat to biological integrity. Several streams drain north into Mink Brook, and the steep slopes and stream edges harbor hemlock talus forests and mixed hardwood-deciduous forests. Some of the most diverse Hanover forests stands we sampled in 1999 also occur here (at OP 41-43), with up to 14 tree species sharing the canopy, including species indicating enriched conditions, (e.g. ironwood, basswood, bitternut hickory, and white ash). High wildflower species richness, including maidenhair fern, Christmas fern, and wild ginger also attest to the enriched soils. Streamside alluvial thickets and narrow floodplain corridors are also important elements of this block. Further downstream (Observation Points 22-24), near the mouth of Mink Brook, streamside alluvial thickets and variable wetland vegetation are bordered by mixed forests while steep, eroding hillslopes with hemlock, pine, and various hardwoods occur on the south bank at OP 23. These forests are essential to maintaining bank stability and forest buffer for Mink Brook, especially on such steep slopes. Although this site is not within the larger forest block, it contains significant natural communities and rare plants that require protection.
• This block features mostly deciduous woods, with mature conifer forest at Bottomless Pit, hemlock talus forests on steep slopes, and mixed hardwood/softwoods along drainages.
• Recommended research includes continued monitoring of Bottomless Pit as a statewide significant-level bog and seepage swamp.

Notes on feasibility of protection

• Rich deciduous forests are uncommon in the state, and these forests could be degraded by fragmentation associated with development. Intermittent streams flowing into Mink Brook could also be impacted without careful remediation planning.
• This medium size block has development on nearly all sides. While its location may be conducive to further development, all efforts should be made to protect forest resources, forest buffers around Bottomless Pit, and stream water quality. Protecting Mink Brook further upstream than current conservation lands would provide forest buffer, and would help maintain high water quality in Mink Brook.

Mink Brook

Forest block size

• 837 Acres
• Roughly oval, with interior forest and roadside agricultural fields

Ecological features

• Mink Brook (OP 27)
• No known rare plants and/or exemplary natural communities
• This Observation Point contained a mature, high quality streamside / floodplain forest with high species richness, especially in the ground-cover herbs; multiple age forest structure; coarse woody debris; and other features of a mature streamside forest.
• Most of this forest block appears deciduous, with mixed and coniferous forests along drainages flowing into Mink Brook. Substantial areas of open fields occur along surrounding roads.
• Upland forests and tributary streams should be inventoried.

Notes on feasibility of protection

• Fragmentation from development would impact natural features
• Expanding protected areas adjacent to the Dana Property would increase protected forestlands and watershed quality of Mink Brook

Huntington Hill

Forest block size

• 678 Acres (with the block to the east, size increases to approximately 920 acres)
• Irregular, with substantial forest interior and roadside agricultural fields

Ecological features

• Huntington Hill (OP 47-51)
• No known rare plants and/or exemplary natural communities
• This block is split into two pieces by Goodfellow Road and Old Spencer Road (Class VI). It is questionable whether the old road actually affects ecological processes that are more influenced by major paved roads. Huntington Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is managed for recreation, timber, and wildlife habitat currently, and has highly variable forest condition throughout. Semi-rich hemlock-beech-oak-pine forests are the dominant natural community, indicating common forest species with slight soil enrichment.
• Forests and vegetation cover appear highly variable, with deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forest types. Slade Brook and its associated wetlands flow west to the Connecticut River.
• Research needs to include more field inventory beyond the WMA.

Notes on feasibility of protection

• Fragmentation from development is a potential threat
• Huntington Hill Wildlife Management Area provides protected land for the majority of land within this block (approximately 420 acres). Expanding that protected area, especially if tied to protected land in the Lord's Hill area, would increase wildlife habitat, and provide a longer corridor that could stretch to the Water Works Land.

Connecticut River Bank

Forest block size

• 683 acres
• Long linear block defined by river and Route 10

Ecological features

• No field work in 1999
• No currently known rare plants or exemplary natural communities
• This site includes the white pine floodplain forests at Pine Park.
• The Connecticut River harbors some of the rarest plant species and natural communities in New Hampshire. Even though there are no new records of rare species or exemplary natural communities along the Connecticut River in Hanover, riverside conservation is essential for the protection of these natural features, particularly downstream. Rare species are likely, especially along riverside bedrock outcrops.
• Open fields, development, and mixed woods are the most prevalent cover types in this block.
• Riverside and floodplain inventory work would confirm the presence or absence of rare plants in this block.

Notes on feasibility of protection

• Residential and commercial development are constant threats to the ecological integrity of this block.
• Expanding current protected land, and managing for fish and wildlife habitat with conservation easements along riverbanks is a high priority to increase habitat and the likelihood of rare species establishment.