DOCSLIB.ORG

Biological Habitat Assessment

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biological Habitat Assessment BIOLOGICAL HABITAT ASSESSMENT OAK GROVE RESOURCES, LLC OAK GROVE MINE REVISION R-46 Prepared For: OAK GROVE RESOURCES, LLC 10 acres +/- Section 36, Township 18 South, Range 6 West ALL IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ALABAMA th MCGEHEE May 5 , 2016 ENGINEERING CORP. P. O. Box 3431 450 19th Street West Jasper, Alabama 35502-3431 Telephone: (205) 221-0686 Fax: (205) 221-7721 L. Stephen Blankenship Email: [email protected] BIOLOGICAL HABITAT ASSESSMENT Prepared For: OAK GROVE RESOURCES, LLC OAK GROVE MINE REVISION R-46 10 acres +/- Section 36, Township 18 South, Range 6 West ALL IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ALABAMA Prepared by: MCGEHEE ENGINEERING CORP. P. O. Box 3431 450 19th Street West Jasper, Alabama 35502-3431 Telephone: (205) 221-0686 Fax: (205) 221-7721 Email: [email protected] ©McGehee Engineering Corp. 2016 May 5th, 2016 Executive Summary McGehee Engineering Corporation performed a biological habitat assessment survey for habitat and the possible presence of the species federally listed as endangered, threatened, or of concern in April of 2016. The study was conducted on the proposed Oak Grove Resources, LLC – Oak Grove Mine - Revision R-46 project area. The proposed project area consists of approximately 10 acres located in Section 36, Township 18 South, and Range 6 West all in Jefferson County. The proposed Oak Grove Resources, LLC – Oak Grove Mine - Revision R-46 project area consists of natural upland area vegetated with a mixed mature hardwood and pine stand. The proposed project is located in a mining community and will be used as cover material for reclamation in the existing Oak Grove Mine. The biological habitat assessment survey focused in on T, E & C species listed in Jefferson County as can be found in Table 2.1 along with the Indiana Bat, Gray Bat, Northern Long- Eared Bat, Bald Eagle, Wood Stork and the Red Cockaded Woodpecker. No habitat was found for the listed threatened and endangered aquatic species within the project boundary. No evidence was found or observed for the presence or possible presence of these listed species within the project boundary. There are no flowing onsite waters. Potential summer roost habitat is found for Indiana and Northern Long-Eared bat species. No habitat was found for the remainder of the listed threatened and endangered terrestrial species. No evidence was found or observed for the presence or possible presence of these remaining listed species. Oak Grove Resources, LLC i May 5th, 2016 Oak Grove Mine – Revision R-46 Biological Habitat Assessment Report Table of Contents Executive Summary ..................................................................................................... i Chapter 1. Proposed Project Review .................................................................... 3 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Project Location .................................................................................................. 4 Chapter 2. Threatened & Endangered Species .................................................... 5 2.1 Species Identification .......................................................................................... 5 Chapter 3. Methodology ......................................................................................... 8 3.1 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 4. Environmental Setting ....................................................................... 10 4.1 General Habitat Description ............................................................................. 10 Chapter 5. Habitat Study Results ........................................................................ 12 5.1 Terrestrial and Terrestrial Habitat Species ....................................................... 12 5.1.1 Summary ........................................................................................................ 13 5.2 Aquatic and Aquatic Habitat Species ................................................................. 13 5.2.1 Summary ........................................................................................................ 14 5.3 Wetlands and Streams ....................................................................................... 15 Chapter 6. References .......................................................................................... 16 Chapter 7. Signatures of Preparers .................................................................... 17 Figures Figure 1. Project Area Map. (not to scale) ............................................................................... 4 Tables Table 2.1. List of Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Species for Jefferson County. ......... 5 Table 3.1. Survey Conditions ................................................................................................... 8 Appendices Appendix A — Project Area Map Appendix B — Photographic Log Appendix C — Photo Log Point Location Map Appendix D — Soil Map Appendix E — Dominant Vegetation Plot Summary Appendix F — Potential Summer Roost Habitat Location Map Oak Grove Resources, LLC ii May 5th, 2016 Oak Grove Mine Revision R-46 Biological Habitat Assessment Report Chapter 1. Proposed Project Review 1.1 Introduction McGehee Engineering Corporation performed a biological habitat assessment survey for habitat and the possible presence of the species federally listed as endangered, threatened, or of concern in April of 2016. The study was conducted on the proposed Oak Grove Resources, LLC – Oak Grove Mine - Revision R-46 project area. The proposed project area consists of approximately 10 acres located in Section 36, Township 18 South, and Range 6 West all in Jefferson County. The proposed Oak Grove Resources, LLC – Oak Grove Mine - Revision R-46 project area consists of natural upland area vegetated with a mixed mature hardwood and pine stand. The proposed project is located in a mining community and will be used as cover material for reclamation in the existing Oak Grove Mine. Oak Grove Resources, LLC 3 May 5th, 2016 Oak Grove Mine Revision R-46 Biological Habitat Assessment Report 1.2 Project Location Oak Grove Resources, LLC – Oak Grove Mine - Revision R-46 project consists of approximately 10 acres and is located in Section 36, Township 18 South, and Range 6 West as located in Jefferson County, Alabama on the Concord, Alabama U.S.G.S Quadrangle. The proposed site location is shown below on the attached project area map Figure 1. (Appendix “A”) Figure 1. Project Area Map. (not to scale) Oak Grove Resources, LLC 4 May 5th, 2016 Oak Grove Mine Revision R-46 Biological Habitat Assessment Report Chapter 2. Threatened & Endangered Species 2.1 Species Identification The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) threatened, endangered, and candidate species list for Jefferson County was reviewed by a qualified biologist in order to determine species potentially occurring in the project vicinity (Table 2.1). In addition, the Alabama Natural Heritage Section Database that contains numerous records of sensitive species in Alabama was queried to provide a list of special status species and habitats that may have been documented as occurring within the project area and/or the project vicinity. Table 2.1. List of Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Species for Jefferson County. Common Name Status General Habitat Scientific Name Bald eagle Large open bodies of water where adequate food exist and BGEPA Haliaeetus leucocephalus human disturbance is limited Wood stork Freshwater and estuarine wetlands, primarily nesting in E cypress or mangrove swamps. Narrow tidal creeks or Mycteria americana flooded tidal pools where fish become concentrated Red-cockaded woodpecker Open, mature and old growth pine ecosystems with E Picoides borealis minimal hardwood overstory and midstory Northern Long Ear Bat Lives in a variety of cluttered canopy habitats including Myotis septentrionalis C floodplain and riparian zones for roosting with upland area nearby, preferring trees with loose, scaly bark for summer roost and caves or sometimes mines for hibernation. Indiana Bat Lives in a variety of habitats including floodplain and Myotis sodalis E riparian zones for roosting with upland area nearby and caves or sometimes mines for hibernating and mating Gray Bat Live in caves year-round; Winter hibernation in deep E Myotis grisescens vertical caves, Summer roost in caves along rivers Plicate rocksnail Shallow gravel and cobble shoals in the flowing waters of Leptoxis plicate E the bottom 1/3 (20 miles) of the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River in Jefferson County Cylindrical Lioplax Isolated mud deposits found under large rocks in the rapid E Lioplax cyclostomaformis flowing sections of stream and river shoals Round rocksnail Cobble, gravel, or other hard substrates in the strong T currents of riffles and shoals of high water quality streams Leptoxis ampla and rivers Fine-lined pocketbook mussel Large rivers to small creek habitats swift flowing riffles T Hamiota (=Lampsilis) altilis and gravel-cobble substrates Ovate clubshell mussel Sand and gravel bottom free flowing streams and rivers E Pleurobema perovatum with good water quality and stable stream channels Orange-nacre mucket mussel Large rivers to small creek habitats swift flowing riffles T Hamiota (=Lampsilis) perovalis and gravel-cobble substrates Southern clubshell Sand and gravel bottom free flowing streams and rivers E Pleurobema
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, Working Draft of 17 March 2004 -- BIBLIOGRAPHY
    Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, Working Draft of 17 March 2004 -- BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY Ackerfield, J., and J. Wen. 2002. A morphometric analysis of Hedera L. (the ivy genus, Araliaceae) and its taxonomic implications. Adansonia 24: 197-212. Adams, P. 1961. Observations on the Sagittaria subulata complex. Rhodora 63: 247-265. Adams, R.M. II, and W.J. Dress. 1982. Nodding Lilium species of eastern North America (Liliaceae). Baileya 21: 165-188. Adams, R.P. 1986. Geographic variation in Juniperus silicicola and J. virginiana of the Southeastern United States: multivariant analyses of morphology and terpenoids. Taxon 35: 31-75. ------. 1995. Revisionary study of Caribbean species of Juniperus (Cupressaceae). Phytologia 78: 134-150. ------, and T. Demeke. 1993. Systematic relationships in Juniperus based on random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs). Taxon 42: 553-571. Adams, W.P. 1957. A revision of the genus Ascyrum (Hypericaceae). Rhodora 59: 73-95. ------. 1962. Studies in the Guttiferae. I. A synopsis of Hypericum section Myriandra. Contr. Gray Herbarium Harv. 182: 1-51. ------, and N.K.B. Robson. 1961. A re-evaluation of the generic status of Ascyrum and Crookea (Guttiferae). Rhodora 63: 10-16. Adams, W.P. 1973. Clusiaceae of the southeastern United States. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 89: 62-71. Adler, L. 1999. Polygonum perfoliatum (mile-a-minute weed). Chinquapin 7: 4. Aedo, C., J.J. Aldasoro, and C. Navarro. 1998. Taxonomic revision of Geranium sections Batrachioidea and Divaricata (Geraniaceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85: 594-630. Affolter, J.M. 1985. A monograph of the genus Lilaeopsis (Umbelliferae). Systematic Bot. Monographs 6. Ahles, H.E., and A.E.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovery Plan for Spigelia Gentianoides (Gentian Pinkroot) ______
    Recovery Plan for Spigelia gentianoides (Gentian pinkroot) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ S. gentianoides var. gentianoides, Geneva State Forest, Alabama. S. gentianoides var. alabamensis, Bibb Co., Alabama. DISCLAIMER Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed to be required to recover and/or protect listed species. Plans published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are sometimes prepared with the assistance of recovery teams, contractors, State agencies, and other affected and interested parties. Plans are reviewed by the public and submitted for additional peer review before they are adopted by the Service. The objectives of the plan will be attained and any necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. Recovery plans do not obligate other parties to undertake specific tasks and may not necessarily represent the views or the official positions or approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the plan formulation, other than the Service. Recovery plans represent the official position of the Service only after they have been signed by the Regional Director as approved. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new information, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery actions. By approving this recovery plan, the Regional Director certifies that the data used in its development represent the best scientific and commercial information available at the time it was written. Copies of all documents reviewed in the development of the plan are available in the administrative record, located at the Panama City Field Office in Panama City, Florida.
    [Show full text]
  • Rare Vascular Plant Taxa Associated with the Longleaf Pine Ecosystems: Patterns in Taxonomy and Ecology
    Rare Vascular Plant Taxa Associated with the Longleaf Pine Ecosystems: Patterns in Taxonomy and Ecology Joan Walker U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Department of Forest Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 ABSTRACT Ecological, taxonomic and biogeographical characteristics are used to describe the group of 187 rare vascular plant taxa associated with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) throughout its range. Taxonomic and growth form distributions mirror the patterns of common plus rare taxa in the flora. Most of the species have rather narrow habitat preferences, and narrow geo­ graphic ranges, but a few rare sp~cies with broad habitat tolerances and wider geographic ranges are identified. Ninety-six local endemics are associated with longleaf pine ecosystems. This incidence is as high as in other comparably-sized endemic-rich areas in North America. A distinct geographic trend in rare species composition is indicated. Species fall into 4 groups: Florida longleaf associates, south Atlantic coastal plain, east Gulf coastal plain, and west Gulf coastal plain species. Distributional factors that produce rarity must be considered in the development of conser­ vation strategies. Overall, conserving longleaf communities rangewide will protect .large ~ numbers of rare plant taxa in Southeastern United States. INTRODUCTION 1986), and inevitably the strategies required to con­ serve them will differ. Recently Hardin and White (1989) effectively focused conservationists' attentions on the high The purposes of this study are to (1) identify numbers of rare species associated with wiregrass the rare species associated with longleaf pine eco­ (Aristida stricta), a grass that dominates the ground systems rangewide; (2) characterize the rare spe­ layer of longleaf communities through a large part cies taxonomically and ecologically, in order to of its range, and over a broad range of longleaf identify patterns that may distinguish this group habitats.
    [Show full text]
  • Alabama Inventory List
    Alabama Inventory List The Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Plants & Animals of Alabama June 2004 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................................................1 DEFINITION OF HERITAGE RANKS .................................................................................................................................3 DEFINITIONS OF FEDERAL & STATE LISTED SPECIES STATUS.............................................................................5 AMPHIBIANS............................................................................................................................................................................6 BIRDS .........................................................................................................................................................................................7 MAMMALS...............................................................................................................................................................................10 FISHES.....................................................................................................................................................................................12 REPTILES ................................................................................................................................................................................16 CLAMS & MUSSELS ..............................................................................................................................................................18
    [Show full text]
  • Tri-State Comprehensive Study
    Tri-state comprehensive study: Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosaand Apalachicola-Chattahoochee- Flint River Basins Inventory for Endangered, Threatened and Candidate species Unpublished Report Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alabama Natural Heritage Program The Nature Conservancy Montgomery, Alabama 1994 TRI-STATE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ALABAMA-COOSA-TALLAPOOSA AND MALACHICOLA-CHAmAHOOCHEE-FLINT RIVER BASINS Agrirnonia incisa Torr. & Gray Rosaceae incised groovebur rose family SYNONYMS LEGAL STATUS Candidate Species (Category 2), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1993. Fekm.2 Register 58(188):51144-51190. REASONS FOR CURRENT STATUS This sandhill species is only local in occurrence because of the removal of much of the original longleaf pine associations. DESCRIPTION Agrimonia incisa is an herbaceous perennial. Stems are 5-10 dm tall, simple or few-branched, and arise singly or in small clumps from a compact caudex Stems are terete, and hairy with three kinds of hairs: scattered-hirsute, incurved-puberulent, and strigose. Leaves are alternate, ascending or spreadmg, once-odd- pinnately compound, strongly stipulate, stipules being foliaceous. The lowermost leaves are mostly absent by flowering time, leaving only sheaths and stipules that are reduced toward the inflorescence. The larger blades are short-petiolate, pinnate, leaflets mostly opposite, up to 2 cm in length, all narrowly obovate or cuneiform, apically rounded or obtuse, serrate, and often with a small tuft of long stiff hairs on the narrowly acute teeth. Leaves are yellow-green on the upper surfaces, with paler lower surfaces that are sessile- glandular, scattered pubescent, and villose-tomentulose. Racemes are spikelike, simple, and terminal. The flowers are numerous, each pedicel subtended by a small, chaffy-scaly, few-toothed, strigose and ciliate bract.
    [Show full text]
  • The Vascular Flora of the Natchez Trace Parkway
    THE VASCULAR FLORA OF THE NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY (Franklin, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi) Results of a Floristic Inventory August 2004 - August 2006 © Dale A. Kruse, 2007 © Dale A. Kruse 2007 DATE SUBMITTED 28 February 2008 PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATORS Stephan L. Hatch Dale A. Kruse S. M. Tracy Herbarium (TAES), Texas A & M University 2138 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-2138 SUBMITTED TO Gulf Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network Lafayette, Louisiana CONTRACT NUMBER J2115040013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The “Natchez Trace” has played an important role in transportation, trade, and communication in the region since pre-historic times. As the development and use of steamboats along the Mississippi River increased, travel on the Trace diminished and the route began to be reclaimed by nature. A renewed interest in the Trace began during, and following, the Great Depression. In the early 1930’s, then Mississippi congressman T. J. Busby promoted interest in the Trace from a historical perspective and also as an opportunity for employment in the area. Legislation was introduced by Busby to conduct a survey of the Trace and in 1936 actual construction of the modern roadway began. Development of the present Natchez Trace Parkway (NATR) which follows portions of the original route has continued since that time. The last segment of the NATR was completed in 2005. The federal lands that comprise the modern route total about 52,000 acres in 25 counties through the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The route, about 445 miles long, is a manicured parkway with numerous associated rest stops, parks, and monuments. Current land use along the NATR includes upland forest, mesic prairie, wetland prairie, forested wetlands, interspersed with numerous small agricultural croplands.
    [Show full text]
  • Alabama Inventory List
    Alabama Inventory List The Rare, Threatened, & Endangered Plants & Animals of Alabama Alabama Natural August 2015 Heritage Program® TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 CHANGES FROM ALNHP TRACKING LIST OF OCTOBER 2012 ............................................... 3 DEFINITION OF HERITAGE RANKS ................................................................................................ 6 DEFINITIONS OF FEDERAL & STATE LISTED SPECIES STATUS ........................................... 8 VERTEBRATES ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Birds....................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Mammals ............................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Reptiles .................................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Lizards, Snakes, and Amphisbaenas .................................................................................................................................. 18 Turtles and Tortoises ........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Conserving North America's Threatened Plants
    Conserving North America’s Threatened Plants Progress report on Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Conserving North America’s Threatened Plants Progress report on Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation By Andrea Kramer, Abby Hird, Kirsty Shaw, Michael Dosmann, and Ray Mims January 2011 Recommended ciTaTion: Kramer, A., A. Hird, K. Shaw, M. Dosmann, and R. Mims. 2011. Conserving North America’s Threatened Plants: Progress report on Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation . BoTanic Gardens ConservaTion InTernaTional U.S. Published by BoTanic Gardens ConservaTion InTernaTional U.S. 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL 60022 USA www.bgci.org/usa Design: John Morgan, [email protected] Contents Acknowledgements . .3 Foreword . .4 Executive Summary . .5 Chapter 1. The North American Flora . .6 1.1 North America’s plant diversity . .7 1.2 Threats to North America’s plant diversity . .7 1.3 Conservation status and protection of North America’s plants . .8 1.3.1 Regional conservaTion sTaTus and naTional proTecTion . .9 1.3.2 Global conservaTion sTaTus and proTecTion . .10 1.4 Integrated plant conservation . .11 1.4.1 In situ conservaTion . .11 1.4.2 Ex situ collecTions and conservaTion applicaTions . .12 1.4.3 ParameTers of ex situ collecTions for conservaTion . .16 1.5 Global perspective and work on ex situ conservation . .18 1.5.1 Global STraTegy for PlanT ConservaTion, TargeT 8 . .18 Chapter 2. North American Collections Assessment . .19 2.1 Background . .19 2.2 Methodology . .19 2.2.1 Compiling lisTs of ThreaTened NorTh American Taxa .
    [Show full text]
  • REGULATED PLANT INDEX of Sept
    The PALMETTO, Spring 1994, Page 7 Family Affiliation of Species on the REGULATED PLANT INDEX of Sept. 1993 by Naney C. Coile Florida's endangered plant species are protected by representative from each of the following organizations: state law. The specific authority comes through Florida Committee for Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, Statutes, Sections 570.07(23) and 581.185(4). The Rules of Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Florida Forestry the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Association, Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Nurs• Services, Division of Plant Industry, Chapter 5B-40, Florida erymen and Growers Association. The EPAC Chair for Administrative Code (FAC) is entitled: "Preservation of 1993-1994 is Richard Moyroud (representative of the Native Flora of Florida" and includes the "Regulated Plant Florida Native Plant Society). Other EPAC members are: Index". Penalties for violations of Rule Chapter 5B-40 are Dr. Loran C. Anderson (Florida State University), Dr. provided in Section 581.141 and 581.211 of the Florida Daniel F. Austin (Florida Atlantic University), Dr. Daniel Statutes. B. Ward (Committee for Rare and Endangered Plants and As stated in Rule Chapter 5B-40, FAC, the purpose is Animals), Ms. Eve R. Hannahs (Florida Federation of "to provide rules for the purpose of preserving the native Garden Clubs), Mr. Charles D. Daniel III (Florida Forestry flora of Florida, by encouraging the propagation of endan• Association), and Mr. David M. Drylie, Jr. (Florida Nurs• gered or depleted species of flora and by providing an erymen and Growers Association). Mr. Daniel C. Phelps orderly and controlled procedure for restricting harvesting (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Servic• of native flora from the wilds, thus preventing exploitation es, Division of Plant Industry) serves as the secretary.
    [Show full text]
  • Closing the Gaps in Florida's Wildlife Habitat
    CLOSING THE GAPS IN FLORIDA’S WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION SYSTEM Recommendations to meet minimum conservation goals for declining wildlife species and rare plant and animal communities. James Cox, Randy Kautz, Maureen MacLaughlin, and Terry Gilbert Office of Environmental Services Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission 620 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 1994 CLOSING THE GAPS IN FLORIDA’S WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION SYSTEM Recommendations to meet minimum conservation goals for declining wildlife species and rare plant and animal communities. James Cox, Randy Kautz, Maureen MacLaughlin, and Terry Gilbert Office of Environmental Services Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission 620 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 1994 CLOSING THE GAPS IN FLORIDA’S WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION SYSTEM i FOREWORD will diminish greatly. Just as we now blame past generations for the extinction of the passenger pigeon, Carolina parakeet, When Spanish anchors first dropped into Florida waters and ivory-billed woodpecker, future Floridians will ultimately nearly 500 years ago, Florida was essentially one large nature hold our generation responsible for the manner in which preserve that also supported a population of about 1,000,000 we conserve the species and natural resources that we inherit- native Americans. Wildlife at this time roamed freely across ed. Perhaps the greatest insult we could ever bear would be 35 million acres in search of food, shelter, and water, while to document the problems that threaten some of Florida’s individual human settlements covered less area than most rarest plants and animals, propose solutions to these modern-day parking lots (and certainly occurred with less problems, and then fail to act with proper speed and resolve.
    [Show full text]
  • Gentian Pinkroot GP06162016
    Gentian Pinkroot GP06162016 IDENTIFICATION: Gentian Pinkroot, Spigelia gentianoides, is a fire dependent perennial herb that produces a slender, erect stem up to 30 centimeters tall from a rhizome. Leaves are approximately 5 centimeters long by 2 centimeters wide and arranged oppositely. Flowers are tubular in shape up to 3 centimeters in length with five triangular lobes. Typically blooms in May and June but has been documented from April through October. There are two varieties of gentian pinkroot. The Alabama variety, S. gentianoides var. alabamensis, has only been found at the Bibb County Glades - the most biologically diverse area in the State of Alabama. The variety gentianoides occurs in Geneva County Alabama on the Geneva State Forest and several locations in Florida. The gentianoides variety is restricted to longleaf-wiregrass, pine-oak-hickory woods, and open spaces within forests with little woody understory competition. The alabamensis variety is found in open areas within woodlands of Bibb County, Alabama. S. gentianoides var. alabamensis Photo credit: Alan Cressler The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan lists habitat loss and alteration as the primary threats to gentian pinkroot. Activities that cause soil compaction, canopy closure and disruption of fire regimes are factors contributing to these threats. Habitat loss through development is also a threat to this species. FORESTRY CONSIDERATIONS: Gentian pinkroot grows well in fire maintained habitats that provide an open understory with little woody competition. An active but not frequent prescribed fire regime should be beneficial. Although not required by Alabama or federal laws/policies, pre-harvest plans should include a strategy to be as environmentally friendly as possible to sites with gentian pinkroot.
    [Show full text]
  • Central South Native Plant Conference
    Central South Native Plant Conference Field Trip Descriptions The Kathy Stiles Freeland Bibb County Glades Preserve is a 480 acre preserve in Bibb County, Alabama protected and owned by the Nature Conservancy. In 1992, while canoeing the Cahaba and Little Cahaba River in search of Georgia Rockcress, Jim Allison recognized “A Botanical Lost World” in the Bibb County Glades. He identified nine new species from these high magnesium, ketona dolomite glades. Among the newly described species are: Alabama Gentian Pinkroot ( Spigelia gentianoides var . alabamensis ), Cahaba Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron stigosus var . dolomiticola ), Cahaba Paintbrush ( Castilleja kraliana ), Cahaba Prairie-clover (Dalea cahaba ), Cahaba Torch ( Liatris oligocephala ), Deceptive Marbleseed ( Onosmodium decipiens ), Ketona Tickseed ( Coreopsis grandiflora var . inclinata ) and Sticky Rosinweed ( Silphium glutinosum ). The glades support many other rare and disjunct species which are particularly showy in spring and fall. Leader : Jim Allison, Ranger-Naturalist, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve Rating : Moderate, some tricky footing Time from The Gardens : about 45-60 minutes south-southwest Hind’s Road Sandstone Outcrop near Gadsden and Noccalula Falls is the most expansive sandstone outcrop in Alabama. Due to the thin soil of the outcrop few trees and shrubs are able to grow there. The Scrub Pines ( Pinus virginiana ) and rare Boynton’s Oaks ( Quercus boyntonii ) that survive here are stunted giving them a “bonsai” appearance. On the bare sedimentary rocks of Mississippian origin, crustose and foliose lichens form vibrant blotches. Reindeer–moss (Cla donia elliptica ), true mosses ( Grimmia and Polytrichum ), and Rush-foil (Crotonopsis elliptica ) are frequent where a little soil accumulates. Various microhabitats result in a diverse herbaceous plant community.
    [Show full text]