Vegetation and floristic analysis of the proposed Exxon nuclear fuel reprocessing plant site, Roane County, Tennessee

The flora and vegetation of the proposed Exxon Nuclear Corporation fuel reprocessing plant site were studied. Overstory, sapling, subsapling, and ground layer vegetation data and site-soil data were recorded in 170 sample plots, Sixteen upland, one bottomland, and four pine plantation community types were named. The most common types occurring on Pine Ridge were Chestnut oak-red maple. Chestnut oak-hickory-northern red oak, Chestnut oak-Pine, White oak-red maple. Yellow poplar-white oak. Yellow poplar-chestnut oak. Yellow poplar (mesic), Northern red oak. Black oak, Southern red oak, and Shortleaf pine types. On Chestnut Ridge, White Oak-red maple, White oak-hickory, White oak-northern red oak, White oak-scarlet oak. White oak-black oak. Chestnut oak-black oak. Black oak, Northern red oak, Yellow poplar-white oak. Yellow poplar-chestnut oak, and Yellow poplar (mesic) types were most common. Bottom sites were occupied by the Green ash type. Pine plantations were made up of Loblolly pine, Shortleaf pine, White pine, and White pine-loblolly pine types.

Correlation analysis was undertaken so that site, soil, and vegetation relationships might be shown. Matrices were developed for site, soil, site-soil, and site, soil-vegetation correlations for the total. Pine Ridge, and Chestnut Ridge areas, These correlations were discussed on a study-wide basis and on a comparative basis (Pine vs. Chestnut Ridges).

Multiple regression analysis was applied to nine selected overstory taxa. Regression equations were generated for the total. Pine Ridge, and Chestnut Ridge areas. Site-soil variables important in predicting variation of the importance values of the selected overstory taxa were discussed.

A flora of 478 taxa was collected and compared to other such studies on the basis of geographic range and affinity, and was found to be most similar to the floras of areas near the study area, Comparisons to various rare" plant lists resulted in only three significant taxa: Panax quinquefolium L., Cypripedium acaule Aiton, and Viola conspersa Reichenbach.