Many rare species occur in the high-elevation habitats of BMP, there are many threatened and endangered plant species. The delicate microhabitats of Perkin’s rock and the glade are threatened by increased activity.
Trespassing is a serious threat to these communities, and has been reported many times in the past and possibly continues to be an issue. Bluff mountain preserve currently has a monitoring program in place where monitors inform our management decisions and help keep trespassing and encroachment to a minimum. In addition, Kim Hadley charges visitors and leads guided tours of the preserve.
The Bluff Valley Wetlands are managed for the protection of the rare species and their habitats. There are a number of management concerns facing the wetlands that are manageable including unauthorized vehicle traffic, invasive exotic control, management of the power line, and potential herbicide application. A longer-term goal for Bluff Valley is to envision its pre-disturbance form and composition and gradually work in that direction to restore and enhance the wetlands. are very rare wetlands, perhaps best known for supporting the threatened bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergi) and a large number of endangered, specialist plants. The presence of bog turtles at Ida’s Bog and this bog (Bluff Valley Wetlands) is especially interesting since both sites were former gravel mines.
The fen, Perkin’s Rock, and the glade are all potentially threatened by the encroachment of woody vegetation. Invasive species can also be detrimental to the habitats on this preserve, however the diversity and density of the invasive plants is much less than at most other TNC preserves.
Oak-dominated forest is the most ubiquitous and heterogenous habitat of the Mountain Region of North Carolina, and throughout the Southern Blue Ridge ecoregion (NCWRC 2005). Due to the predominance of oak forest across the landscape, the variety of conditions encompassed, and the mast production capacity of this habitat, it is important for conservation. However, absent canopy-opening fire disturbances, shade-tolerant, fire-sensitive species like red maple proliferate in many historically oak-dominated forests of the eastern U.S., and much uncertainty exists about the future of oak forests.
Bluff Mountain Preserve 