Phenological Species Monitoring

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OLD WOMAN CREEK OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

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OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE • TECHNICAL BULLETIN No. 5 PHENOLOGICAL SPECIES MONITORING

by EMILY KUZMICK

PHE·NOL·O·GY NOUN 1. THE STUDY OF CYCLIC AND SEASONAL NATURAL PHENOMENA, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO CLIMATE AND PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE. WHY STUDY PHENOLOGY? As climate events become more extreme and seasonal temperatures reach record highs and lows, less is understood about how these changing trends will impact the natural environment. Estuarine ecosystems are of critical importance, due to the habitat they provide for sensitive species and the key role they play in filtering nutrients before water flows into the oceans and Great Lakes. Although climate models examining sea level rise and other oceanic susceptibilities have garnered much attention in light of climate change, many are left considering what climatic changes might mean for the Great Lakes. Lake Erie is especially susceptible to these impacts, as it is the shallowest and most productive of the Great Lakes. This is largely due to the fact that is the most southern and it is surrounded by the most urban and agricultural lands, relative to the other Great Lakes (as opposed to predominantly wooded surroundings). These vulnerabilities make it difficult to quantify the scale of impacts upon multiple ecosystem services, including water quality, habitat, and species health/diversity. While there are initiatives that assess the impacts of climate change on water quality (e.g. the NERRS System-Wide Monitoring Pro- gram (SWMP) records and draws correlations between water quality and weather data) and coastal habitat (e.g. shoreline softening techniques, native vegetation restoration), climatic impacts upon wildlife species are less understood. Old Woman Creek Reserve is one of the two of Great Lakes reserves within the NERRS (National Estuarine Research Reserve System). In an evaluation of all reserves, the NERRS Climate Sensi- tivity Index concluded that Old Woman Creek Reserve rates high- est in Overall Ecological Stress. The reserve is host to a number of wildlife species that serve as indicators of ecosystem health (e.g. ravine salamanders, great blue herons), as well as species that are a keystone to ecological functioning (e.g. bald eagles, muskrats, beavers). Phenology-based species monitoring at Old Woman Creek Reserve helps develop an understanding of how climate trends are affecting species that are indicators of or keystone to ecological success within the estuary, ultimately to inform Great Lakes coast- by ALAINA MCCLEARY al wetland management practices regarding wildlife.

WHICH SPECIES AND WHY? While many phenology efforts tend to focus on vegetation phases – buds, blooms, and senescence – Old Woman Creek’s Pheno- logical Species Monitoring Program seeks to monitor wildlife species that either play a key role in the Old Woman Creek environment (such as the bald eagle, an apex predator), or are indicative to other environmental conditions – for example, all amphibian species are considered indicator species, due to their sensitivity to temperature and moisture. Established in 2016, the program also monitors species based on their relationship to other species in the ecosystem (e.g. house sparrows out-compete tree swallows for habitat). Current keystone (K), indicator (I), and sensitive (S) species monitoring initiatives associated with the program include:

• BALD EAGLE NESTING ACTIVITY K • FROGS AND TOADS I

• TREE SWALLOW NEST BOXES S • ALL-INCLUSIVE AVIAN SPECIES S/I

• LUNGLESS SALAMANDERS I • MUSKRAT ACTIVITY I/K

• SECRETIVE MARSH BIRDS S/I • BEAVER ACTIVITY K

4 OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE THE BENEFITS OF CITIZEN SCIENCE: The Old Woman Creek Phenological Species Monitoring Program is almost completely reliant on volunteer species monitors, or ‘citizen scientists,’ who are members of the community that are invested in the health of the environment. Their voluntary efforts allow for so much more to be done, where OWC staff is limited. Citizen science allows for research and outreach to occur simultaneously, and oftentimes citizens are just as or even more informed in certain areas than academic or wildlife pro- fessionals. Without our citizen scientists, this program would not exist.

BALD EAGLE NESTING Historically endangered due to the use of the insecticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), our nation’s symbol has since made an extraordinary come-back. The application of DDT on farm fields would run off into Lake Erie and its tributaries, where it was adsorbed by fish. Bald eagles Haliaeetus( leucocephalus) would then eat the fish, which caused the shells of eagle eggs to become extremely thin and consequently crushed upon incubation. After the banning of DDT in 1972, however, bald eagle populations began to rebound. Ohio went from hosting four nesting pairs of bald eagles to over 300 (reported in 1979 and 2014). Bald eagle nest monitoring at Old Woman Creek was initi- ated by the State of Ohio in an effort to track eagle recovery in response to the DDT crisis and subsided around 1999. While it was apparent the species was thriving, Old Woman Creek staff acknowledged it was important to continue to track bald eagle nesting activity to determine the rate of successful fledglings (eaglets that leave the nest) in order to communicate their sta- tus to visitors and observe seasonal correlations to their nesting phases. In February 2016, bald eagle nest monitoring began again as the first monitoring initiative associated with the Old Wom- an Creek Phenological Species Monitoring Program. The 2016 nest was located on Star Island in the center of the estuary and was monitored almost daily throughout the months of March and April via a field scope. Behavioral changes observed sug- gested shifts in nesting phases from incubation, to hatching, to feeding:

• EARLY MARCH: PRESUMED INCUBATION START

• APRIL 7TH: PRESUMED HATCH DATE

• APRIL 19TH: LAST OBSERVATION OF EAGLES OCCUPYING NEST

• APRIL 26TH: NEST ABANDONED Shortly after observations indicated feeding behavior, the adults ceased feeding and eventually abandoned the nest. Many reasons exist for the failure of this nest leading to abandon- ment, including parental neglect, external stressors from juve- nile eagles, and unseasonable temperatures.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN No. 5 5 The 2017 nesting season delivered much more promising across years, it appears that incubation can be reduced by up results: the eagles moved their nest to a new, more secluded to 10 days in warmer temperatures. Since bald eagle egg incu- location on the western side of the estuary. Monitoring from bation typically lasts approximately 35 days, shortened incu- February – early July shows that the 2017 nest produced one bation could result in potential developmental abnormalities. successful fledgling. Monitoring will continue in upcoming years to evaluate nest- Nesting activity data are also compared with climate data: ing behaviors and patterns with changing climate conditions. in comparing the average temperature of each nesting phase

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Bald eagle egg incubation duration compared with average temperature throughout the incubation period each year.5

6 OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE TREE SWALLOW NEST BOXES The tree swallow Tachycineta( bicolor) is a short-range migrant that nests in cavities created by other animals. These small insectivores will eat thousands of insects in one day, which makes them indicators of good habitat health. Human influences such as logging and urbanization have reduced natural cavities and the natural habitat of the tree swallow. Fortunately, tree swallows will nest in man-made nest boxes, which help to increase their population size. They still face alternative issues, however, such as compe- tition with non-native/invasive species and the effects of a changing climate. Nest boxes in the Old Woman Creek prairie habitat have been monitored weekly each season since 2013. Data are collected by checking the nest boxes multiple times a week from April through July and identifying the activity inside (empty; nest only; eggs; nest- lings; fledglings), and the species responsible. These data assist in determining how climatic changes and invasive species are affecting tree swallows.

TREE SWALLOW NESTS HOUSE SPARROW NESTS REMOVED ARRIVAL FLORDIA TEMP. 4 WKS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

House sparrows are a non-native, invasive species that can kill tree swallows when competing for valuable nesting sites. The house sparrow will take over the nesting site and continue to compete with other tree swallows nesting in the area. A common management practice for fostering successful tree swallow populations involves the removal of house sparrow nests as soon as possible (preferably in the nest building stage). Over time, OWC NERR data shows an increasing amount of successful tree swallow nests in the nest boxes Nest box monitoring in the OWC prairie. in direct correlation with the number of house sparrow nests removed. Florida is one of the locations where tree swallows will spend the colder A tree swallow nest with eggs (bottom) compared with a house sparrow nest (top). Notice the neat, circular shape of the tree months; temperature data from the Rookery Bay NERR in Marco Island, swallow nest compared with the sparrow nest, which consists of Florida shows an increase in average temperature in Florida over the years, anything ranging from leftover nest material to pieces of trash. which might be one reason tree swallows seem to be migrating north earlier in the year. This may have a variety of potential implications for tree swallows, including limited food supply if certain insects have not yet emerged and failed incubation if temperatures in Ohio are too cold for successful hatching. In addition to climatic data, data on mayflies – one of the most prominent insects along Ohio’s Lake Erie coast in the spring – are being collected in an effort to examine possible impacts on tree swallow diet availability. TECHNICAL BULLETIN No. 5 7 Northern ravine salamnder (Plethodon electromorphus) by EMILY KUZMICK

LUNGLESS SALAMANDERS Ohio is a biodiversity hotspot for salamanders, due to its typ- Lungless salamanders are extremely sensitive to disturbance ically wet springs and relatively humid summers. While there and therefore cannot be sampled more than once per week. are many different species of salamanders found in Ohio, most Monitoring began in spring of 2016 and the program is still are very secretive and difficult to find. Lungless salamanders, working to collect substantial sampling data. OWC NERR will as their name indicates, do not have lungs – rather, they rely continue monitoring to assess any changes in presence or activ- upon the exchange of oxygen through their skin to breathe. This ity over time, and to draw more definitive correlations between makes them extremely sensitive to environmental conditions, salamander presence and climate conditions. since parameters such as acidity, moisture, and temperature all have drastic effects on their livelihood. An abundance or lack of TOTAL NUMBER OF P. ELECTROMORPHUS INDIVIDUALS OBSERVED lungless salamanders in an area could therefore indicate water SPRING 2016 - SPRING 2017 pollution or soil that is simply unfit salamander habitat. 25 The most common species of lungless salamander found at 20 Old Woman Creek is the northern ravine salamander (Pletho- don electromorphus), which can be found under logs, branch- 15 es, or leaf litter when the soil is moist. Lungless salamander monitoring at Old Woman Creek aims to assess the general 10 population of species and individuals in different habitat types (lowland scrub-shrub forest and upland hardwood forest). 5 Volunteers monitor activity underneath natural and artificial cover objects throughout the reserve’s trail system and record 0 salamander presence and activity, soil temperature, and accom- 43 49 55 55 61 70 72 73 79 79 80 82 90 panying climate data. Soil pH, leaf litter, tree canopy cover, and other characteristics within each plot are measured each season. If salamanders are handled, they are handled with hands free of Total ravine salamanders observed in each temperature between spring 2016 and spring 2017. Monitoring will continue to determine whether there is a lotions, insect repellent, etc. and for a minimal amount of time trend between salamander presence and temperature. to ensure the least impact.

8 OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SECRETIVE MARSH BIRDS

As development expands along the earth’s coasts, the habitat upon which marsh birds rely is becoming increasingly imper- iled. Ohio is second only to the state of California in wetland loss in the United States – over 90% of Ohio’s native wetlands have suffered development or destruction. This habitat is important migratory stop-over territory for a variety of ”secretive marsh” species, including Sandhill cranes, and resident territory for others, including the black-crowned night heron, a threatened species. Secretive marsh bird monitoring began in spring of 2016 as a collaborative effort with Bird Studies Canada and the Ohio Wetlands Association, using international Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) protocol. Volunteers monitor the Old Woman Creek estuary via a canoe route twice a year from May through early July using auditory cues. The MMP protocol identifies 5 different species as “key” secretive marsh bird species; thus far, the sora (Porzana carolina) is the most dominant key species observed using MMP protocol. However, a variety of secondary species were observed during monitoring, including green and great blue herons, wood ducks, yellow warblers, and bald eagles. 100 In comparing 2016 and 2017 data, there were more total secondary species observed in 2016 than 2017, as well as a higher 80 average temperature during monitoring. A significant trend can already be seen between the amount of cloud cover and 60 the number of species seen (p < 0.05). Continuous monitoring is needed to determine if these trends continue and how other climatic factors are impacting these species. 40

# SECONDARY SPECIES OBSERVED AVG. TEMP. Total secondary species observed during secretive marsh bird monitoring using MMP protocol compared with the average temperature during observations in 2016 and 2017 - data shows a slight direct correlation between the two factors.5

Sora (Porzana carolina) by EMILY KUZMICK

TECHNICAL BULLETIN No. 5 9 FROGS AND TOADS

Old Woman Creek Research Reserve is home to a variety of frog and toad species, including: • NORTHERN CRICKET FROG (ACRIS CREPITANS)

• WESTERN CHORUS FROG (PSEUDACRIS TRISERIATA)

• SPRING PEEPER (PSEUDACRIS CRUCIFER)

• GRAY TREE FROG (HYLA VERSICOLOR)

• LEOPARD FROG (LITHOBATES PIPIENS)

• WOOD FROG (LITHOBATES SYLVATICUS)

• PICKEREL FROG (LITHOBATES PALUSTRIS)

• AMERICAN BULLFROG (LITHOBATES CATESBEIANUS)

• NORTHERN GREEN FROG (LITHOBATES CLAMINTANS MELANOTA)

• AMERICAN TOAD (ANAXYRUS AMERICANUS)

• FOWLER’S TOAD (ANAXYRUS FOWLERI)

This species diversity is partially attributed to the diverse collected to observe possible correlations to species presence, habitat within reserve property (prairie, upland forest, scrub- abundance, or diversity. shrub forest, and wetland). Frogs’ and toads’ skin are very sen- The above graph shows a greater diversity and abundance of sitive to chemicals and pollutants, so a lack or abundance of species observed in 2017 than 2016 – this could possibly be these species could suggest certain things regarding the area’s due to the fact that the average temperature during sampling in water quality. 2016 was around 61°F, whereas the average temperature during Monitors also use the Marsh Monitoring Program protocol sampling in 2017 was 67°F. The significantly warmer spring in to monitor frog and toad species at OWC NERR. Volunteers 2017 could have also played a role in the abundance of spring monitor species using auditory protocol three times throughout peepers observed that season. Additional seasons of monitor- the spring at four different sites along a canoe route in the Old ing are needed to determine if these trends will continue. Woman Creek estuary. Weather and vegetation data are also

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FROG SPECIES 2016 2017 Total frog and toad individuals observed using MMP protocol in 2016 and 2017.

10 OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE ALL-INCLUSIVE AVIAN SPECIES Old Woman Creek Reserve is at the intersect of two main The Simpson’s Index of Diversity gives a probability that migratory fly-ways, meaning it is a prime location for all dif- two individuals selected from a sample area will be different ferent kinds of bird species to stop and take a break from their species. Data were used to calculate a Simpson’s Diversity for long migration between seasons. In an attempt to capture the observations made in each habitat type – the habitat with the abundance and diversity of these species, avian monitoring be- higher number is host to the most diversity. This index shows gan in July of 2016. The program consists of four specific sites an increase in diversity from 2016 to 2017 in all but the prairie throughout the Old Woman Creek trail system, intended to habitat. To date, the forest habitats seem to host the most di- survey birds in each different habitat. 15-minute point counts verse avian species. Monitoring will continue in an attempt to – a method in which every bird heard and seen in a 50-me- identify changes in bird species presence over time in varying ter radius is recorded – are conducted by volunteer monitors climate and habitat conditions. throughout the year. To date, 76 bird species have been recorded at the reserve via this method. Monitoring is conducted throughout the year. The data are then categorized by time period (morning, afternoon, evening) and analyzed. The program takes a special interest in keystone, indicator, and sensitive species, as well as weather conditions and patterns. These are analyzed in order to determine what implications changing weather conditions could have on bird species at the reserve. In Ohio, the presence of marsh wren and least bittern, species on concerned and threatened lists respec- tively, are of particular interest. These two species have been recorded while conducting avian monitoring and are found to use the resources the estuary provides.

HABITAT 2016 2017 Estuary/Wetland 0.80 0.83 Lowland Scrub-Shrub Forest 0.92 0.93 Prairie 0.88 0.86 Upland Hardwood Forest 0.93 0.94

by EMILY KUZMICK

TECHNICAL BULLETIN No. 5 11 Phenological Species Monitoring at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve of aquatic vegetation, but can also include mollusks, fish, frogs, and small turtles. Muskrats construct lodges out of aquatic vegetation such as native and nonnative cattail, water lilies, lotus leaves, arrowhead, coontail, aquatic weeds, PhenologicalMUSKRAT Species ACTIVITYand th Monitoringe invasive reed Phragmites. at An active lodge, or The common muskratOld Ondatra( Woman zibethicus Creek) is a crepuscular National – meaning oneEstuarine thatac- is currently Research home to aReserve muskrat family, will tive primarily during dawn and dusk – semi-aquatic species that livesbe in awet well- -structured dome with fresh vegetation of aquatic vegetation, but can also include mollusks, land areas. They get their name for their rat-like appearance and the woven“musky” throughout and feeding platforms nearby odor they producefish, frogs, during and breeding small season. turtles. Adult muskrats can weigh between where the muskrats can eat. © Alaina McCleary 2 - 5 poundsMuskrats and are around construct 16 - 25 incheslodges in outlength. of aquaticThey have vegetation dark brown fur, American water lily (Nymphea odorata) strong back suchlegs for as swimming, native and and nonnative a thin, hairless cattail, tail to water keep themlilies, balanced in the water. The muskrat diet consists mostly of aquatic vegetation, but can Species monitors recording characteristics and lotus leaves, arrowhead, coontail, aquatic weeds, dimensions of a muskrat lodge in the OWC also include mollusks, fish, frogs, and small turtles. Muskrats are both indicator and and the invasive reed Phragmites. An active lodge, or estuary. Vegetation used to constructby EMILYlodge KUZMICK keystone species: they are Muskrats oneconstruct that lodgesis currently out of aquatic home vegetationto a muskrat such asfamily, native andwill non - native cattail, water lilies, lotus leaves, arrowhead, coontail, aquatic weeds, and 2016 sensitive to environmental be a well-structured dome with fresh vegetation the invasive reed Phragmites australis. An active lodge, or one that is currently cattail phrag coontail lotus lillylily changes – especially when it woven throughout and feeding platforms nearby home to a muskrat family, will be a well-structured dome with fresh vegetation comes to water depth – and they where the muskrats can eat. © Alaina McCleary 2% woven throughout and feeding platforms nearby where the muskrats can eat. create patches of disturbance due American water lily (Nymphea odorata) Muskrats are both indicator and keystone species: they are sensitive to envi- to their impact on aquatic 11% ronmental changes – especially when it comes to water depth – and they create vegetation. In the Old Woman Muskrats are both indicator and patches of disturbance due to their impact on aquatic vegetation. In the Old Creek estuary, the mouth of the Woman Creek estuary, theVegetation mouth of the used estuary to constructopens and lodgecloses naturally, keystone species: they are 19% 50% estuary opens and closes which affects how much water is coming into2016 and leaving the estuary. Since sensitive to environmental naturally, which affects how muskrats need a precise cattailwater depthphrag to build coontailtheir lodge (betweenlotus .30lillylily and 1 changes – especially when it much water is coming into and meter), this makes them very sensitive to changing water depths. comes to water depth – and they 2% leaving the estuary. Since To monitor muskrat activity, volunteer monitors search the estuary by zone create patches18% of disturbance due muskrats need a precise water in a kayak or canoe to locate lodges. Monitors record lodge coordinates and to their impact on aquatic 11% depth to build their lodge dimensions, whether the lodge is active or inactive, the type of vegetation used, vegetation. In the Old Woman water depth, and weather data. Comparing data across years helps OldPercent Woman of each aquatic vegetation species used to construct muskrat lodges (between .30 and 1 meter), this in the OWC estuaryCreek in 2016. estuary, These data the reflect mouth that muskratsof the prefer to use Creek NERR understand how the type of vegetation used to constructdominantly lodges cattail for lodge composition. makes them very sensitive to 19% 50% estuary opens and closes might change over time and how water depth and climate conditions might changing water depths. impact muskrat activity. naturally, which affects how

much water2016 is coming into and 2017 LILY 2% leaving the estuary. Since 18% 10.00 10.00 muskrats need a precise water 5.00 depth to build their lodge 5.00 LOTUS Percent of 11%each aquatic vegetation species used to construct muskrat lodges (between .30 and 1 meter), this in the OWC estuary in 2016. These data reflect that muskrats prefer to use dominantly cattail for lodge composition. 0.00 makes them very sensitive to 0.00 COONTAIL 0.00 changing0.50 water1.00 depths1.50. 2.00 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 19% CATTAIL Water Depth (m) Water Depth (m) Lodge Volume (m3) 50% Lodge Volume (m3) 2016 2017

10.00 Water depth10.00 compared with lodge volume for lodges recorded in the OWC estuary in 2016 and 2017. These graphs show a PHRAG 18% concentration of lodges between 0.4 and 0.8 m, with some of the largest lodges recorded in approximately 0.6 and 0.7 m water depth. 5.00 5.00 2017 field season 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 Percent of each aquatic vegetation species used to construct muskrat lodges in the OWC estuary inWater 2016. TheseDepth data (m) re- Water Depth (m) Lodge Volume (m3) Water depthLodge Volume (m3) compared with volume for lodges recorded in the OWC estuary in 2016 flect that muskrats prefer to use dominantly cattail for lodge and 2017. These graphs show a concentration of lodges between 0.4 and 0.8 m, with composition. some of the largest lodges recorded in approximately 0.6 and 0.7 m water depth. Water depth compared with lodge volume for lodges recorded in the OWC estuary in 2016 and 2017. These graphs show a concentration of lodges betweenOLD WOMAN 0.4 and 0.8 CREEK m, with NATIONAL some of ESTUARINE the largest RESEARCH lodges recorded RESERVE in approximately 0.6 and 0.7 m 12 water depth.

2017 field season BEAVER ACTIVITY

North American beaver (Castor canadensis) Beavers have strong front teeth that can cut through extremely thick, large by OWC CAMERA TRAP trees for felling, damming, lodge constrauction, and eating the bark - they prefer cottonwood, but will fell willows, oaks, and other species, as well. The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is the largest Beaver lodge characteristics depend on the surrounding conditions. When rodent in America, weighing up to 60 pounds. Beavers are also water levels drop, they have been observed adding much more height to the lodge, as well as additional “scent piles” of mud to mark their territory. excellent swimmers but unlike muskrats, beavers have wide, by BILL PIFER flat tails that act as a rudder to swim and stabilize themselves. Beavers are second only to humans in terrestrial engineering, since they can quickly modify the environment. This is at- Beavers had not been recorded in the Old Woman Creek tributed to their large, strong teeth that are efficient at felling, estuary for years until 2015, when signs of activity and lodge or cutting down, trees, as well as their semi-opposable thumbs, construction indicated their presence. Currently, beaver activ- which allow them to manipulate landscapes in a short period of ity monitoring consists of recording lodge dimensions, water time. Their extreme impact on the surrounding environment depth, and checking motion-capture trail cameras. Monitors makes them a keystone species. also record weather data and write down any signs of new chews, felled trees, slides, and tracks to indicate recent activity. Beaver lodges and dams are made out of sticks and branch- es and are packed down with mud. Lodges usually consist of In July of 2017, the camera traps revealed that not only was a central chamber and an underwater entrance. If fully con- one beaver living in the estuary, but it had a mate and three structed, dams can reach the other side of a water body and kits, or young. Monitoring takes place year-round – further significantly reduce water flow causing a pond of still, deeper data collection intends to assess how the beavers respond to a water to form. This can create a very unique habitat for other changing environment. Preliminary data suggest an increase in types of organisms, like fish. lodge construction activity as water depth decreases.

TECHNICAL BULLETIN No. 5 13 FUTURE MONITORING The species monitoring program is planning for its annu- the program typically has about 20 participating volunteers al trainings on species monitoring protocol and recruitment each year, although many interested citizens attend the season- of volunteers. With enough support, Old Woman Creek staff al trainings. Old Woman Creek NERR staff would like to thank hopes to eventually incorporate additional species initiatives all of the volunteers who have devoted their time and efforts into the program, such as reptiles. to this program – particularly Steve and Mary Hill – as well as The Old Woman Creek NERR Phenological Species Moni- the seasonal interns who helped develop and modify protocol, toring Program would not exist if it were not for the dedicated including Holly Latteman, Kelly McCurry, Alaina McCleary, individuals who have devoted so much of their time to mon- and Andrew Wilk. Special thanks to Bill Pifer for his help with itoring these important species and assessing their findings. establishing salamander and bald eagle monitoring sites. Volunteers fluctuate by initiative and through the seasons but

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Holly Latteman is a graduate student in the Environmental Studies Program at the Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs in Athens, Ohio; Alaina McCleary is an Environmental Studies undergraduate at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Both students worked as phenological species monitor interns at Old Woman Creek NERR and used their knowledge of and passion for the environment to contribute to this technical bulletin. Content compiled and submitted by the Old Woman Creek NERR Coastal Training Program. REFERENCES Barcelona Field Studies Centre S.L. 2000 – 2017. “Simpson’s Di- Robinson, P., A.K. Leight, D.D. Trueblood, and B. Wood. 2013. versity Index.” GeographyFieldwork.com. Web: https://geogra- Climate sensitivity of the National Estuarine Research Reserve phyfieldwork.com/SimpsonsDiversityIndex.htm System. Report to NOAA’s Climate Program Office., pp.79. Web: Hjalten, Joakim. 1991. “Muskrat territoriality, and the impact of https://coast.noaa.gov/data/docs/nerrs/Research_DataSynthe- territorial choice on reproduction and predation risk.” Annales ses_130725_climate%20sensitivity%20of%20nerrs_Final-Rpt- Zoologici Fennici. 28(1):15-21. in-Layout_FINAL.pdf Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Additional Resources 2017 (updated). Ohio’s Listed Species: Wildlife that are Con- The National Estuarine Research Reserve System – NOAA Office sidered to be Endangered, Threatened, Species of Concern, Spe- of Coastal Management cial Interest, Extirpated, or Extinct in Ohio. Publication 5356 Web: https://coast.noaa.gov/nerrs/ (R0917) Web: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/ publications/information/pub356.pdf Ohio Department of Natural Resource Office of Coastal Man- agement Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. 2017 (updated). Species Guide Index. Web: http://wildlife.ohiod- Web: http://coastal.ohiodnr.gov/ nr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System, Central- ized Data Management Office. 2017 (updated). Data Export System. Web: http://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu/get/export.cfm

14 OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (OWC NERR) is man- aged as a cooperative partnership between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization (NOAA), located on land owned by ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. OWC NERR is one of 29 coastal reserve connected nationally through NOAA to address state and regional coastal management needs through research, education, and stewardship. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System uses its network of living laboratories to help understand and find solutions to crucial issues facing America’s coastal communities. The mission of OWC NERR is to improve the understanding, stewardship, and ap- preciation of Great Lakes estuaries and coastal wetland ecosystems. Integrated Reserve research, education, training, and stewardship programs address threats to Great Lakes coastal wetland ecosystems including nonpoint source pollution, aquatic invasive species, habitat loss, and climate change. OWC NERR provides laboratories for ecological research, education, and training to support decisions and actions that benefit Lake Erie ecosystems. OWC NERR publishes the OWC NERR Technical Bulletin series to provide constit- uents with information derived from Great Lakes coastal research, management, education, and outreach projects conducted in partnership with and/or at OWC NERR. Financial assistance provided under award number NA17N054200060 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Management. The Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), established by Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act, as amended. Additional information about the system can be obtained from the National Ocean Service Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1305 East West Highway – N/ORM5, Silver Spring, MD 20910.