Plants and Animals
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Plants
This natural community is found on submerged gravel bars in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, and consists almost entirely of one hardy species: American water-willow. This flowering plant (not a willow tree!) grows in one- to three-foot tall colonies that share a network of thick roots—like a big net entangled in the rocks. This is what gives water-willow the ability to hold fast in spite of the flowing river. Other water-tolerant plants may take root here, including some tree saplings, but they are usually washed away in floods before long.
Canopy Trees
The trees whose crowns intercept most of the sunlight in a forest stand. The uppermost layer of a forest.
This natural community has no canopy trees.
Understory Trees
Small trees and young specimens of large trees growing beneath the canopy trees. Also called the subcanopy.
This natural community has no understory trees.
Shrubs, Saplings, and Vines
Shrubs, juvenile trees and vines at the right height to give birds and others a perch up off the ground but below the trees.
- American sycamore saplings (occasional)
- silver maple saplings (occasional)
- river birch saplings (occasional)
Low Plants (Field Layer)
Plants growing low to the ground. This includes small shrubs and tree seedlings.
- American water-willow
- halberd-leaf rosemallow (occasional)
- lizard’s-tail (occasional)
- grassleaf mud-plantain (occasional)
- Virginia water-horehound (occasional)
- whitegrass (occasional)
Non-Native Invasive Plant Species
Any non-native invasive plants that try to grow here will die unless they are tolerant of flooding, as oriental lady’s-thumb* is. See Ecological Threats for more.
Animals
Even though natural communities aren’t named after animals, animals do play a crucial role in maintaining natural communities. Plants and animals need each other. To name just a few examples, plants provide food and habitat for animals, and animals help plants reproduce by spreading pollen and seeds. To learn more, see The Role of Animals in Natural Communities in Ecology Basics.
Check out iNaturalist to see photos of animals (and plants!) that people have seen in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Featured Animals
This natural community is the perfect environment for dragonflies: American water-willow stems give perching sites for the sun-loving, shimmery-winged adults and their insect prey. Below water, the stems provide sanctuary for dragonfly larvae.