Upland springs originate near the upper end of a cove or ravine, compared to lowland springs which emerge from the base of a slope at the margin of a floodplain. 4)

Springs often give rise to to small streams referred to as headwater streams. Headwater streams can flow year-round (permanent), for part of a year (intermittent) or only during rain events (ephemeral) 5)

The two springs on the Fry Farm can be categorized as permanent upland springs.

Known amphibian species in this habitat on the Fry Farm include the Northern Red Salamander and the Northern Two-lined Salamander.

Streams

The health of streams, particulary headwater streams, affects the health of creeks and rivers further downstream. They are important in sediment, nutrient, and flood control, serve as corridors for the movement of wildlife, and provide water and food for downstream communities. 6)

Importantly, they provide a safe habitat for the preservation of species that may be damaged or destroyed by pollution or habitat removal further downstream.

The two streams in the eastern portion of Fry Farm, the West and Middle Branch of the North Fork of Yellow Creek, are directly connected to the Medina Summit Land Conservancy via a 72 inch conduit under Interstate 271. Combining with other upland streams, they then flow through the Bath Nature Reserve in Bath, Ohio, the town of Yellow Creek, and ultimately, into the Cuyahoga River.

Click here for Maps showing the connection between these streams, the Medina Summit Land Conservancy, and Subwatershed 38.

Ephermeral Ponds

Ephemeral ponds arise in poorly drained areas during rainy periods, particulary during the spring.

It appears that amphibians use ephemeral habitats primarily for breeding. The life-span of these habitats are thus less important than timing on the part of the amphibian species that use them. 7)

Known amphibian species in this habitat on the Fry Farm include the American Toad.

Marsh

A marsh is a permanent wetland with relative stability. A number of amphibians can be found in marshes, especially during the breeding season. 8)

The marsh on the Fry Farm is fed by the two springs and a separate headwater stream.

The head of the separate headwater stream that flows into the marsh is protected by a retention dam created when Rainbow Acres Subdivion was built and is located on land of that subdivision.

There are thus two important mechnisms to help reduce downstream flooding on Yellow Creek: the retention dam and the marsh itself. Both require continuing protection.

Forests

Forests are habitats dominated by trees and other woody plants. They are important habitats for a wide variety of salamanders, toads and frogs during that part of the year when they leave the breeding habitats of streams and ponds. 8)

Salamanders tend to do their hunting and mating journey across the forest floor during cool, wet nights of spring. During the day, and in the hot summer months, they are safely housed in crevices and small tunnels underground. They are also sometimes found under leaf litter, logs and flat stones. 9)

On the Fry Farm, typical forest trees include Maple and Cherry, together with smaller numbers of Oak, Beech, Hickory and Tulip.

The area between between the West and Middle Branches of the Upper North Fork of Yellow Creek is a potentially important forest habitat, but substantial recovery work must be accomplished since it had earlier been farmed for corn and hay.

This area is now dominated by Autumn Olive and Multi-Flora Rose, both originally planted for conservation purposes, but now spread widely by birds and small mammals.