Vascular flora of two wetlands in the Red River Gorge Geological Area and Clifty Wilderness in Menifee and Powell Counties of Kentucky

ABSTRACT The Red River Gorge Geological Area (RRGGA) and Clifty Wilderness (CW) are two gems of biodiversity in eastern Kentucky which draw over 40,000 visitors annually. Vascular floras of two wetlands (Booth Pond and Fish Trap) within the RRGGA and CW were conducted during the 2018 growing season. This project utilized 106 vouchers from 2016–2018, and documented 35 families, 49 genera, and 61 species. The most taxon-rich families include Cyperaceae (10 spp.), Fagaceae (four spp.), and Rubiaceae (four spp.). Rosa multiflora Thunb. ex Murr., an invasive species classified as a severe threat by the Kentucky Invasive Plant Council, was found at both sites. This study investigated two different ecological systems – Central Interior Highlands and Appalachian Sinkhole and Depression Pond with the upland sweetgum-red maple pond association (Booth Pond), and a Cumberland Seepage Forest with a forested swamp bog association (Fish Trap). Both associations are listed as imperiled (G2) by NatureServe. A Floristic Quality Assessment was also conducted for each site. Booth Pond had a Floristic Quality Index (FQI) score of 23.88 and a mean Coefficient of Conservatism (C) of 4.88 and Fish Trap had an FQI score of 23.57 and a mean C of 5.14.