Wetland Delineation of Parslow Road Conservation Area in Oaksville, New York

Wetland delineation of Parslow Road Conservation Area in Oaksville, New York

Katherine Berdan1

INTRODUCTION

Wetland areas play a unique and vital role in the hydrologic cycle. As scientists gain a better understanding of the many different functions that wetlands provide (such as flood control, improving water quality, and providing habitats for a wide variety of organisms), it is apparent that wetlands need to be protected to maintain these important wetland functions (Edinger 2014). Disturbances created by humans can greatly alter the productivity and diversity within a wetland, potentially limiting its ability to reduce downstream flooding or remove nutrients from runoff. Today, wetlands are being threatened by construction, pollution and nuisance species. A study comparing the estimated acreage of wetlands in 1780 and the findings of the National Wetlands Inventory of 1980 shows a 60% decrease in wetland acreage in New York State (Welsch 1995). This huge loss of wetland environments is not limited to New York; the entire Northeastern Area of the USDA Forest Service has seen a 59% decrease in wetland acreage (Welsch 1995). It is vital that landowners understand the extent of a wetland before altering nearby areas (Browne et al. 1995), since wetlands come in all shapes and sizes. To obtain the approximate location of a wetland boundary, a wetland delineation is required. A wetland delineation consists of a field survey to observe and record changes in vegetation, hydrology, and pedology (i.e., the nature of soils) to determine the approximate location of the boundary between upland and wetland areas (Browne et al. 1995).

Parslow Road Conservation Area (Figure 1) is an 86 acre property in Oaksville, New York purchased by the Otsego Land Trust in April, 2012 (Parslow 2013). It is bordered on one side by Oaks Creek, which flows out of Canadarago Lake for approximately 15 Km before joining the Susquehanna River. Several power lines run through the property, as does an abandoned rail bed. Portions of the parcel were previously used as a nursery for trees, most of which are dying due to the high water table in the area. Land cover types within the property include state and federal protected wetlands, as well as upland areas. Through a partnership with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, the Land Trust is planning to develop public access to this property and the creek that flows through it as part of the Blueway Trail system (Parslow 2013). The property owners’ ultimate goal was to gain a better understanding of the extent of the wetland and insight into the functions it may provide in the local and/or regional landscape. In order to accomplish this, the boundary of the wetland was determined via wetland delineation survey, yielding the wetlands’ size (areal extent) and location within the property boundary. Additional delineation surveys in winter or spring (when water tables are typically highest) would ensure the boundary presented in this report reflects the full extent of the wetland.

1 BFS Intern, summer 2014. Current affiliation: State University of New York at Geneseo. Funding for this project was provided by the Otsego Land Trust.

Figure 1. The Parslow Road Conservation Area, Oaksville, Otsego County, New York.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The process used for the Parslow property delineation project followed that found in Browne et al. (1995). This manual outlines the delineation methodologies used by the DEC and provides specific factors and indicators to evaluate when determining a wetland boundary. To determine a wetland boundary, zones with an undetermined wetland or upland status were evaluated. Randomly placed square meter grids (made out of pvc piping) were then set in each zone. At each grid site, vegetation, hydrology and soil types were evaluated and sampled to determine whether the site was characteristic of a wetland. Wetland indicators included the plant communities at each site. Obligate wetland species are those which are highly associated with wetland sites, while obligate upland species are indicative of upland areas (facultative species are those occurring in both wetland and upland conditions). Thus, communities comprised largely of obligate wetland and facultative plant species would indicate wetland conditions. Other factors considered when evaluating wetland status included the presence of gleysols (a type of hydric, or perennially waterlogged soil found in wetlands), a high water table, exposed roots, and water lines (Browne et al 1995).

A Munsell Color Soil Chart was used to evaluate soils. Any samples of soil or vegetation that could not be identified were taken back to the laboratory for identification. After the initial site, the grid was moved to several other random sites nearby. After identifying both upland and wetland sites within each zone, flags were placed between the wetland sites and the uplands sites, showing the approximate location of the wetland boundary. The GPS location of each flag along the wetland boundary was recorded in order to map the extent of the wetlands.

Throughout the delineation process periodic heavy rains saturated the soils and inundated low-lying areas. These weather conditions were carefully taken into consideration when determining hydrology indicators as per NYS Freshwater Delineation Manual instructions (Browne et al 1996).

It should be noted that dense stands of the exotic multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) made traversing the upland areas extremely difficult. Machetes were used to access the wetland areas.

RESULTS

Sixty five boundary points were marked after surveying the main portion of the Parslow property, which excludes the parcel of land on the other side of Parslow road and the small section of property that extends in the northwest corner of the property (see Figure 1). In total, 147 sites were surveyed to identify these 65 boundary points. Figure 2 shows the wetland boundaries for the site. Since the property boundaries were not well marked, some of these markers were placed just beyond the property boundary (as seen in the northern section of the property). Plant species found within the boundary zones and their wetland indicator status were recorded for all sites and are listed in Table 1. As the following list is only comprised of species found within grid sites along wetland boundaries, it is not necessarily an exhaustive list of the total plant diversity at Parslow Road Conservation Area, but it is still useful in generating a species list for the property.

Figure 2. Wetland delineation map of Parslow Road Conservation Area, 2014. Table 1. List of species found at Parslow Road Conservation Area delineation sites. WIS= Wetland Indicator Status (FAC= Facultative species, FACU= Facultative Upland species, FACW= Facultative Wetland species, OBL= Obligate Wetland species).

Common Name Genus Species # of sites present WIS Alfalfa Medicago sativa 2 UPL American Beech Fagus grandifolia 3 FACU American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana 1 FAC Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis 21 FACW Black Ash Fraxinus nigra 3 FACW Black Cherry Prunus serotina 1 FACU Bladder Sedge Carex intumescens 3 FACW Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor 6 OBL Canada Windflower Anemone canadensis 2 FACW Canary grass Phalaris canariensis 15 FACU Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana 1 FACU Common Reed Phragmites australis 4 FACW

Table 1 (cont.). List of species found at Parslow Road Conservation Area delineation sites. WIS= Wetland Indicator Status (FAC= Facultative species, FACU= Facultative Upland species, FACW= Facultative Wetland species, OBL= Obligate Wetland species).

Common Name Genus Species # of sites present WIS Cow Vetch Vicia cracca 7 FACU Dewberry Rubus invisus 5 UPL Dogwood Cornus alternifolia 7 FACU False Hellebore Veratrum viride 3 FACW Field Bedstraw Galium mollugo 5 FACU Forget-Me-Nots Myosotis scorpioides 1 OBL Fox Sedge Carex vulpinoidea 15 OBL Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 3 FACW Green Bulrush Scirpus atrovirens 7 OBL Hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli 10 FAC Hay Scented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula 4 UPL Hemlock Tsuga canadensis 10 FACU Horsetails Equisetum palustre 12 FACW Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica 4 FACU Jewelweed Impatiens capensis 9 FACW Katsura Tree Cercidiphyllum japonica 1 FACW Lance-Leaf Goldenrod Solidago graminifolia 15 FACU Linden Tilia americana 1 FACU Lurid Sedge Carex lurida 5 OBL Manna Grass Glyceria melicaria 6 OBL Marsh Bedstraw Galium palustre 4 OBL Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre 1 FACW May Apple Podophyllum peltatum 1 FACU Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis 1 FACU Moneywort Lysimachia nummularia 13 FACW Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora 7 FACU Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris 5 FACW Raspberry Rubus strigosus 1 FACU Redosier Dogwood Cornus sericea 9 FACW Rough Bedstraw Galium asprellum 2 OBL Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis 33 FACW Silver Maple Acer saccharinum 4 FACW Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus 33 OBL Speckled Alder Alnus incana 12 FACW Sticky Bedstraw Galium aparine 1 FACU Stinging Nettles Urtica dioica 2 FAC Tall Goldenrod Solidago altissima 29 FACU Tussock Sedge Carex strica 16 OBL

Common Name Genus Species # of sites present WIS Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 4 FACU White Pine Pinus strobus 1 FACU Wild Strawberry Fragaria virginiana 2 FACU Willow Salix sp. 4 FACW/OBL Wood Fern Dryopteris sp. 11 FACU/FAC Wood Sorrel Oxalis montana 1 FACU Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis 3 FAC

DISCUSSION

The wetlands of the Parslow Road Conservation Area vary in size and type, showing a great diversity of plant types and habitats. All fit into the broad category of inland, or non-tidal wetlands (Lyon 1993). The wetlands found in the northern portion of the property along Oaks Creek are lotic wetlands, meaning that it is a wetland associated with a riparian area. These lotic areas consist of similar lower strata vegetation (herbaceous plants) to the rest of the wetland areas, but contain a much greater upper strata of trees such as Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock), Crataegus crus-galli (cockspur hawthorne), Thuja occidentalis (eastern arborvitae), and Acer saccharinum (silver maple).

The remaining wetlands are lentic, meaning they are associated with still water. The presence of a beaver pond located next to the raised power line provides an excellent habitat for lentic wetland species (Rosell et al. 2005). There is a noticeable lack of upper canopy trees in many of the lentic areas, which is most likely due to construction of the power lines in this area. This creates an open mineral soil wetland where there is less than 50% canopy cover (Edinger et al. 2014). Gleysols (hydric soils) located throughout the wetlands contain clay and silt, creating a wet, anaerobic soil layer that water percolates slowly through, filtering sediments and other suspended materials (Munsell 1975, Lyon 1993). The lack of a thick upper canopy has facilitated the growth of a significant layer of shrubs and saplings amongst this shallow, emergent marsh that mainly consist of Salix sp. (willow), Alnus incana (speckled alder), and Cornus sericea (redosier dogwood). In places, this shrub and sapling layer is dominated by exotic species like Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) and Rosa multiflora (multiflora rose) that have crowded out native species. The lower strata of vegetation is similar to that of the lotic wetland areas, but with the addition of several species that grow well in partial or full sun, such as the native Iris versicolor (blue flag iris). The most commonly encountered species in the lower strata are as follows; several members of the genus Solidago (goldenrods, mainly Solidago altissima, or tall goldenrod), Symplocarpus feotidus (skunk cabbage), Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive fern), Carex vulpinoidea (fox sedge), Carex lurida (lurid sedge), Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry), Rubus pubescens (dewberry), Lysimachia nummularia (moneywort), and several members of the genus Galium, including Galium palustre, Galium mollugo L., and Galium aparine.

Due to the presence of Castor canadensis (the North American beaver), it may be useful to monitor the wetlands and observe any changes over time. The North American beaver is a keystone species that can drastically change its surrounding environment through foraging and the construction of beaver dams. Its ability to create and maintain long-term wetland areas is unique and important role (Rosell et al. 2005).

CONCLUSIONS

The Parslow Road Conservation Area wetland site is open to the public through the Otsego Land Trust. Future construction should be carefully planned in order to preserve the variety of wetland types found there and the habitats, improved water quality, and floodplains that they provide. Currently, the Land Trust has plans to create a small parking lot on an upland area along Parslow Road and a series of trails that would be located mainly on upland or border areas. Future funding for a more extensive boardwalk over the wetland areas is a possibility. These trails would provide access to Oaks Creek and the Blueway Trail (a series of Otsego Land Trust properties that can be reached from Oaks Creek; Parslow 2013).

In addition to providing a recreational space for the public and preserving the natural beauty of its wetlands, Parslow Road Conservation Area also has the potential to become an important educational area. Educating the public on the benefits of wetland preservation and the diversity that they contain through guided walks, bioblitzes, and informative signs would be a good way to create interest in conservation areas. In addition to providing educational programs for the public, the Parslow Conservation Area is also a prime location for biological studies. Future researchers could develop annual projects that would help show the changes in water quality, diversity, wetland boundaries, the spread of invasive species, successional stages of growth in disturbed areas, and overall health of the wetlands within the property.

By continuing educational research on the Parslow property and developing improved public access, the Otsego Land Trust can help to ensure the vitality and survival of this wetland and others in the surrounding area.

REFERENCES

Browne, S., S. Crocoll, D. Goetke, N. Heaslip, T. Kerpez, K. Kogut, S. Sanford, D. Spada, 1995. Freshwater wetlands delineation manual (Rev. July 1995. ed.). Albany, NY: New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Environmental Protection.

Edinger, G.J., D.J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T.G. Howard, D.M. Hunt, and A.M. Olivero (editors). 2014. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke's Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

Lyon, J. G., 1993. Practical handbook for wetland identification and delineation. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers.

Munsell soil color charts 1975 ed. 1975. Baltimore, Md.: Munsell Color.

NEW YORK DISTRICT. New York District Regulatory Branch of Wetlands Identification. Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/WetlandsIdentification.aspx

Parslow Road Conservation Area. 2013. Otsego Land Trust. Retrieved July 22, 2014, from http://www.otsegolandtrust.org/

PLANTS | USDA PLANTS. PLANTS | USDA PLANTS. Retrieved July 16, 2014, from http://plants.usda.gov/core/wetlandSearch

Rosell, F., O. Bozser, P. Collen, & H. Parker, 2005. Ecological impact of beavers Castor fiber and Castor canadensis and their ability to modify ecosystems. Mammal Review, 35(3-4), 248-276.

U.S. Lentic Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) Checklist User Manual. 2014, June 6. Ecological Solutions Group. Retrieved July 21, 2014, from http://www.ecologicalsolutionsgroup.com/Documents/PDFforms/UserManuals/USALent icPFCCheckMan.pdf

Welsch, D. J., D. L. Smart, J. N. Boyer, P. Minkin, H. C. Smith, & T. L. McCandless, 1995. Soils. Forested wetlands: functions, benefits and the use of best management practices. Radnor, PA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service.