Albemarle County Biodiversity: a Report on Its History, Current Conditions, and Threats, with Strategies for Future Protection

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Albemarle County Biodiversity: a Report on Its History, Current Conditions, and Threats, with Strategies for Future Protection Albemarle County Biodiversity: A Report on its History, Current Conditions, and Threats, with Strategies for Future Protection Prepared by the Albemarle County Biodiversity Work Group October 2004 Dan Bieker - Ornithologist, Piedmont Virginia Community College Instructor Stephen Bowler, MS – Former Watershed Manager, Albemarle County; Graduate Research Assistant, Virginia Tech Tom Dierauf, Master of Forestry Ruth Douglas, Ph.D. - Invasive Plant Coordinator, Virginia Native Plant Society; Professor Emerita, Piedmont Virginia Community College Michael Erwin, Ph.D. - Research Professor, University of Virginia Department of Environmental Sciences; Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Chris French – Former Conservation Technician, Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District David Hannah, MS – Piedmont Environmental Council (former staff) John Hermsmeier - Director, Environmental Education Center Kenneth R. Lawless, Ph.D. - Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia Department of Materials Science & Engineering; Ornithologist, Field Botanist, Nature Photographer Tom Olivier, Ph.D. - Green Creek Paradigms, LLC G. Carleton Ray, Ph.D. - Research Professor, University of Virginia Department of Environmental Sciences John Scrivani, Ph.D. – Virginia Department of Forestry; Ivy Creek Foundation Board of Directors Charles E. Stevens - Field Botanist and Ornithologist; Virginia Botanical Associates Coordinated and Edited by Scott Clark - Senior Planner, Albemarle County Community Development Department 1 Acknowledgements The Biodiversity Work Group would like to thank Ridge Schuyler (Director, Piedmont Program) and Jennifer Allen (Conservation Ecologist) of The Nature Conservancy in Virginia, and Tom Smith, Natural Heritage Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Division of Natural Heritage), for reviewing this report; David Hirschman for reviewing the sections on aquatic biodiversity; John Porter for his early involvement in the group’s work; and Bess Murray, Jim Murray, and Bart Bartholomew for their input. Cover photo credits: Hepatica: G. Carleton Ray; Hickory Horned Devil (caterpillar to the Imperial Moth): G. Carleton Ray. Red-tailed Hawk: Scott Clark. Red Fox: Scott Clark 2 PREFACE...................................................................................................................................... 5 BACKGROUND AND GUIDELINES FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION.............. 9 Fundamentals of Ecosystems...................................................................................................... 9 Ecosystems.............................................................................................................................. 9 Ecosystem Health.................................................................................................................. 10 Communities, Species, and Genes........................................................................................ 11 Ecosystem Services............................................................................................................... 13 Approaches to Protecting Biodiversity ..................................................................................... 14 Public Awareness of Biodiversity......................................................................................... 14 Protection of Biodiversity..................................................................................................... 14 Restoration ............................................................................................................................ 14 Ecosystem & Watershed Planning........................................................................................ 14 Management & Monitoring .................................................................................................. 15 Comprehensive Planning ...................................................................................................... 15 Summary: Strategic Guidelines for Biodiversity Protection .................................................... 16 HISTORIC IMPACTS AND MODERN THREATS TO THE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY IN ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA ......................... 19 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 19 HISTORY OF LANDSCAPE AND WATERWAY ALTERATION AND EFFECTS ON BIODIVERSITY....................................................................................................................... 20 Terrestrial Communities and Landscapes............................................................................. 20 Aquatic and Wetland Communities and Ecosystems ........................................................... 22 HISTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF INVASIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS, PLANT PESTS, DISEASES, AND FERAL ANIMALS....................................................................... 26 Invasive Alien Plants ............................................................................................................ 26 Invasive Alien Vertebrates and Invertebrates....................................................................... 27 Invasive Fungi, Microorganisms, and Viruses ..................................................................... 28 LOCAL THREATS TO CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY .. 29 Legacy Threats from Historic Land Uses ............................................................................. 29 Suburbanization and Other Land Use Changes .................................................................... 29 Landscape Change and Threats from Fragmentation ........................................................... 31 Landscape Change and Threats to Waterways ..................................................................... 32 GLOBAL AND NATIONAL THREATS TO THE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY.................................................................................... 33 Airborne Pollutants ............................................................................................................... 33 Climate Change..................................................................................................................... 35 CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................... 37 METHODS FOR ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING....................................................... 39 Biodiversity Assessment Methods............................................................................................ 39 Expert Systems...................................................................................................................... 39 Gap Analysis......................................................................................................................... 40 Community Composition and Species Richness Assessment .......................................... 41 Natural Heritage Approach................................................................................................... 41 Physical Proxies for Biodiversity Measures ......................................................................... 41 Taxon-specific Approaches .................................................................................................. 42 3 Ecological Monitoring .............................................................................................................. 42 Selecting a Classification System for Terrestrial Communities ............................................... 44 Assessing the Current State of Ecosystems .............................................................................. 50 CURRENT STATE OF BIODIVERSITY IN ALBEMARLE COUNTY............................. 52 Community and Ecosystem types............................................................................................. 52 Terrestrial Habitats and Plant Communities of Albemarle County...................................... 52 Aquatic Ecosystems and Habitats of Albemarle County...................................................... 53 Stream Ecosystems ........................................................................................................... 53 Wetlands ........................................................................................................................... 55 Riparian Areas / Floodplains ............................................................................................ 56 Important Sites.......................................................................................................................... 57 Species ...................................................................................................................................... 57 Vertebrates ............................................................................................................................ 57 Trends ............................................................................................................................... 58 Policy and Management Needs......................................................................................... 58 Mammals........................................................................................................................... 59 Amphibians......................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • NON-TIDAL BENTHIC MONITORING DATABASE: Version 3.5
    NON-TIDAL BENTHIC MONITORING DATABASE: Version 3.5 DATABASE DESIGN DOCUMENTATION AND DATA DICTIONARY 1 June 2013 Prepared for: United States Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program 410 Severn Avenue Annapolis, Maryland 21403 Prepared By: Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin 51 Monroe Street, PE-08 Rockville, Maryland 20850 Prepared for United States Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program 410 Severn Avenue Annapolis, MD 21403 By Jacqueline Johnson Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin To receive additional copies of the report please call or write: The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin 51 Monroe Street, PE-08 Rockville, Maryland 20850 301-984-1908 Funds to support the document The Non-Tidal Benthic Monitoring Database: Version 3.0; Database Design Documentation And Data Dictionary was supported by the US Environmental Protection Agency Grant CB- CBxxxxxxxxxx-x Disclaimer The opinion expressed are those of the authors and should not be construed as representing the U.S. Government, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the several states or the signatories or Commissioners to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. ii The Non-Tidal Benthic Monitoring Database: Version 3.5 TABLE OF CONTENTS BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................. 3 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Gordon Myers, Executive Director
    North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Gordon Myers, Executive Director March 1, 2016 Honorable Jimmy Dixon Honorable Chuck McGrady N.C. House of Representatives N.C. House of Representatives 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 416B 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 304 Raleigh, NC 27603-5925 Raleigh, NC 27603-5925 Senator Trudy Wade N.C. Senate 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 521 Raleigh, NC 27603-5925 Dear Honorables: I am submitting this report to the Environmental Review Committee in fulfillment of the requirements of Section 4.33 of Session Law 2015-286 (H765). As directed, this report includes a review of methods and criteria used by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission on the State protected animal list as defined in G.S. 113-331 and compares them to federal and state agencies in the region. This report also reviews North Carolina policies specific to introduced species along with determining recommendations for improvements to these policies among state and federally listed species as well as nonlisted animals. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me by phone at (919) 707-0151 or via email at [email protected]. Sincerely, Gordon Myers Executive Director North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Report on Study Conducted Pursuant to S.L. 2015-286 To the Environmental Review Commission March 1, 2016 Section 4.33 of Session Law 2015-286 (H765) directed the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) to “review the methods and criteria by which it adds, removes, or changes the status of animals on the state protected animal list as defined in G.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Spotted Chorus Frog
    This Article From Reptile & Amphibian Profiles From February, 2005 The Cross Timbers Herpetologist Newsletter of the Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organiza- tion whose mission is: To promote understanding, appreciation, and conservation Spotted Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris clarkii ) of reptiles and amphibians, to encourage respect for their By Michael Smith habitats, and to foster respon- Texas winters can be cold, with biting loud for a frog of such small size. As the frogs sible captive care. winds and the occasional ice storm. But Texas brace against prairie grasses in the shallow wa- winters are often like the tiny north Texas ter, the throats of the males expand into an air- towns of Santo or Venus – you see them com- filled sac and call “wrret…wrret…wrret” to All articles and photos remain ing down the road, but if you blink twice nearby females. under the copyright of the au- you’ve missed them. And so, by February we Spotted chorus frogs are among the small thor and photographer. This often have sunny days where a naturalist’s and easily overlooked herps of our area, but publication may be redistributed thoughts turn to springtime. Those earliest they are beautiful animals with interesting life- in its original form, but to use the sunny days remind us that life and color will article or photos, please contact: return to the fields and woods. styles. [email protected] In late February or early March, spring Classification rains begin, and water collects in low places.
    [Show full text]
  • Chesapeake Bay Nontidal Network: 2005-2014
    Chesapeake Bay Nontidal Network: 2005-2014 NY 6 NTN Stations 9 7 10 8 Susquehanna 11 82 Eastern Shore 83 Western Shore 12 15 14 Potomac 16 13 17 Rappahannock York 19 21 20 23 James 18 22 24 25 26 27 41 43 84 37 86 5 55 29 85 40 42 45 30 28 36 39 44 53 31 38 46 MD 32 54 33 WV 52 56 87 34 4 3 50 2 58 57 35 51 1 59 DC 47 60 62 DE 49 61 63 71 VA 67 70 48 74 68 72 75 65 64 69 76 66 73 77 81 78 79 80 Prepared on 10/20/15 Chesapeake Bay Nontidal Network: All Stations NTN Stations 91 NY 6 NTN New Stations 9 10 8 7 Susquehanna 11 82 Eastern Shore 83 12 Western Shore 92 15 16 Potomac 14 PA 13 Rappahannock 17 93 19 95 96 York 94 23 20 97 James 18 98 100 21 27 22 26 101 107 24 25 102 108 84 86 42 43 45 55 99 85 30 103 28 5 37 109 57 31 39 40 111 29 90 36 53 38 41 105 32 44 54 104 MD 106 WV 110 52 112 56 33 87 3 50 46 115 89 34 DC 4 51 2 59 58 114 47 60 35 1 DE 49 61 62 63 88 71 74 48 67 68 70 72 117 75 VA 64 69 116 76 65 66 73 77 81 78 79 80 Prepared on 10/20/15 Table 1.
    [Show full text]
  • B4683 NRTR.Pdf
    NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT Replace Bridge No. 20 on SR-1152 over South Deep Creek Yadkin County, North Carolina TIP B-4683 Federal Aid Project No. BRZ-1152(12) WBS Element No. 38466.1.FD2 THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit Natural Environment Section June 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1 2.0 METHODOLOGY AND QUALIFICATIONS ...................................................... 1 3.0 PHYSICAL RESOURCES ....................................................................................... 2 3.1 Soils ...................................................................................................................................... 2 3.2 Water Resources ................................................................................................................. 2 4.0 BIOTIC RESOURCES .............................................................................................. 3 4.1 Terrestrial Communities .................................................................................................... 3 4.1.1 Maintained/Disturbed ..................................................................................................... 3 4.1.2 Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Piedmont Subtype) ..................................................... 3 4.1.3 Piedmont Alluvial Forest ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Information on the NCWRC's Scientific Council of Fishes Rare
    A Summary of the 2010 Reevaluation of Status Listings for Jeopardized Freshwater Fishes in North Carolina Submitted by Bryn H. Tracy North Carolina Division of Water Resources North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Raleigh, NC On behalf of the NCWRC’s Scientific Council of Fishes November 01, 2014 Bigeye Jumprock, Scartomyzon (Moxostoma) ariommum, State Threatened Photograph by Noel Burkhead and Robert Jenkins, courtesy of the Virginia Division of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Southeastern Fishes Council (http://www.sefishescouncil.org/). Table of Contents Page Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 3 2010 Reevaluation of Status Listings for Jeopardized Freshwater Fishes In North Carolina ........... 4 Summaries from the 2010 Reevaluation of Status Listings for Jeopardized Freshwater Fishes in North Carolina .......................................................................................................................... 12 Recent Activities of NCWRC’s Scientific Council of Fishes .................................................. 13 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part I, Ohio Lamprey .............................................. 14 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part II, “Atlantic” Highfin Carpsucker ...................... 17 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part III, Tennessee Darter ...................................... 20 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part
    [Show full text]
  • ECOLOGY of NORTH AMERICAN FRESHWATER FISHES
    ECOLOGY of NORTH AMERICAN FRESHWATER FISHES Tables STEPHEN T. ROSS University of California Press Berkeley Los Angeles London © 2013 by The Regents of the University of California ISBN 978-0-520-24945-5 uucp-ross-book-color.indbcp-ross-book-color.indb 1 44/5/13/5/13 88:34:34 AAMM uucp-ross-book-color.indbcp-ross-book-color.indb 2 44/5/13/5/13 88:34:34 AAMM TABLE 1.1 Families Composing 95% of North American Freshwater Fish Species Ranked by the Number of Native Species Number Cumulative Family of species percent Cyprinidae 297 28 Percidae 186 45 Catostomidae 71 51 Poeciliidae 69 58 Ictaluridae 46 62 Goodeidae 45 66 Atherinopsidae 39 70 Salmonidae 38 74 Cyprinodontidae 35 77 Fundulidae 34 80 Centrarchidae 31 83 Cottidae 30 86 Petromyzontidae 21 88 Cichlidae 16 89 Clupeidae 10 90 Eleotridae 10 91 Acipenseridae 8 92 Osmeridae 6 92 Elassomatidae 6 93 Gobiidae 6 93 Amblyopsidae 6 94 Pimelodidae 6 94 Gasterosteidae 5 95 source: Compiled primarily from Mayden (1992), Nelson et al. (2004), and Miller and Norris (2005). uucp-ross-book-color.indbcp-ross-book-color.indb 3 44/5/13/5/13 88:34:34 AAMM TABLE 3.1 Biogeographic Relationships of Species from a Sample of Fishes from the Ouachita River, Arkansas, at the Confl uence with the Little Missouri River (Ross, pers. observ.) Origin/ Pre- Pleistocene Taxa distribution Source Highland Stoneroller, Campostoma spadiceum 2 Mayden 1987a; Blum et al. 2008; Cashner et al. 2010 Blacktail Shiner, Cyprinella venusta 3 Mayden 1987a Steelcolor Shiner, Cyprinella whipplei 1 Mayden 1987a Redfi n Shiner, Lythrurus umbratilis 4 Mayden 1987a Bigeye Shiner, Notropis boops 1 Wiley and Mayden 1985; Mayden 1987a Bullhead Minnow, Pimephales vigilax 4 Mayden 1987a Mountain Madtom, Noturus eleutherus 2a Mayden 1985, 1987a Creole Darter, Etheostoma collettei 2a Mayden 1985 Orangebelly Darter, Etheostoma radiosum 2a Page 1983; Mayden 1985, 1987a Speckled Darter, Etheostoma stigmaeum 3 Page 1983; Simon 1997 Redspot Darter, Etheostoma artesiae 3 Mayden 1985; Piller et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary Report of Freshwater Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in U.S
    Summary Report of Freshwater Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 4—An Update April 2013 Prepared by: Pam L. Fuller, Amy J. Benson, and Matthew J. Cannister U.S. Geological Survey Southeast Ecological Science Center Gainesville, Florida Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region Atlanta, Georgia Cover Photos: Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix – Auburn University Giant Applesnail, Pomacea maculata – David Knott Straightedge Crayfish, Procambarus hayi – U.S. Forest Service i Table of Contents Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ v List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................ vi INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Overview of Region 4 Introductions Since 2000 ....................................................................................... 1 Format of Species Accounts ...................................................................................................................... 2 Explanation of Maps ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Species of Greatest Conservation Need Species Accounts
    2 0 1 5 – 2 0 2 5 Species of Greatest Conservation Need Species Accounts Appendix 1.4C-Amphibians Amphibian Species of Greatest Conservation Need Maps: Physiographic Provinces and HUC Watersheds Species Accounts (Click species name below or bookmark to navigate to species account) AMPHIBIANS Eastern Hellbender Northern Ravine Salamander Mountain Chorus Frog Mudpuppy Eastern Mud Salamander Upland Chorus Frog Jefferson Salamander Eastern Spadefoot New Jersey Chorus Frog Blue-spotted Salamander Fowler’s Toad Western Chorus Frog Marbled Salamander Northern Cricket Frog Northern Leopard Frog Green Salamander Cope’s Gray Treefrog Southern Leopard Frog The following Physiographic Province and HUC Watershed maps are presented here for reference with conservation actions identified in the species accounts. Species account authors identified appropriate Physiographic Provinces or HUC Watershed (Level 4, 6, 8, 10, or statewide) for specific conservation actions to address identified threats. HUC watersheds used in this document were developed from the Watershed Boundary Dataset, a joint project of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Physiographic Provinces Central Lowlands Appalachian Plateaus New England Ridge and Valley Piedmont Atlantic Coastal Plain Appalachian Plateaus Central Lowlands Piedmont Atlantic Coastal Plain New England Ridge and Valley 675| Appendix 1.4 Amphibians Lake Erie Pennsylvania HUC4 and HUC6 Watersheds Eastern Lake Erie
    [Show full text]
  • Albemarle County Combined Local TMDL Action Plan
    Albemarle County Combined Local TMDL Action Plan: Benthic TMDL for the Rivanna River and Bacteria TMDL for the Rivanna River Mainstem, North Fork Rivanna River, Preddy Creek and Tributaries, Meadow Creek, Mechums River, and Beaver Creek Watersheds For Special Condition (Part II.B) of the 2018-2023 VPDES General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems VAR040074 prepared by: Albemarle County Environmental Services Division 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 (434) 296-5816 www.albemarle.org/water April 30, 2020 Table of Contents List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2 1. TMDL Project Name and EPA Approval Dates (Parts II.B.3.a,b) ........................................................... 3 2. Pollutants Causing the Impairments ..................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Benthic TMDL Pollutant ............................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Bacteria TMDL Pollutant ........................................................................................................... 5 3. Wasteload Allocations and Corresponding Percent Reductions (Part II.B.3.c)..................................... 7 3.1 Sediment WLA
    [Show full text]
  • Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority
    Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority RESERVOIR WATER QUALITY and MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT June 2018 Acknowledgements In November 2014, DiNatale Water Consultants and Alex Horne Associates were retained by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority to develop a comprehensive reservoir water quality monitoring program. This proactive approach is a revision from historic water quality management by the Authority that tended to be more reactive in nature. The Authority embraced the use of sound science in order to develop an approach focused on reservoir management. Baseline data were needed for this scientific approach requiring a labor-intensive, monthly sampling program at all five system reservoirs. Using existing staff resources, the project kicked-off with training sessions on proper sampling techniques and use of sampling equipment. The results and recommendations contained within this report would not have been possible without the capable work of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority staff: • Andrea Terry, Water Resources Manager, Reservoir Water Quality and Management Assessment Project Manager • Bethany Houchens, Water Quality Specialist • Bill Mawyer, Executive Director • Lonnie Wood, Director of Finance and Administration • Jennifer Whitaker, Director of Engineering and Maintenance • David Tungate, Director of Operations • Dr. Bill Morris, Laboratory Director • Matt Bussell, Water Manager • Konrad Zeller, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor • Patricia Defibaugh, Lab Chemist • Debra Hoyt, Lab Chemist • Peter Jasiurkowski, Water Operator • Brian
    [Show full text]
  • Summary Report of Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5
    Summary Report of Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Summary Report of Nonindigenous Aquatic Species in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Prepared by: Amy J. Benson, Colette C. Jacono, Pam L. Fuller, Elizabeth R. McKercher, U.S. Geological Survey 7920 NW 71st Street Gainesville, Florida 32653 and Myriah M. Richerson Johnson Controls World Services, Inc. 7315 North Atlantic Avenue Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 Prepared for: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4401 North Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203 29 February 2004 Table of Contents Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………... ...1 Aquatic Macrophytes ………………………………………………………………….. ... 2 Submersed Plants ………...………………………………………………........... 7 Emergent Plants ………………………………………………………….......... 13 Floating Plants ………………………………………………………………..... 24 Fishes ...…………….…………………………………………………………………..... 29 Invertebrates…………………………………………………………………………...... 56 Mollusks …………………………………………………………………………. 57 Bivalves …………….………………………………………………........ 57 Gastropods ……………………………………………………………... 63 Nudibranchs ………………………………………………………......... 68 Crustaceans …………………………………………………………………..... 69 Amphipods …………………………………………………………….... 69 Cladocerans …………………………………………………………..... 70 Copepods ……………………………………………………………….. 71 Crabs …………………………………………………………………...... 72 Crayfish ………………………………………………………………….. 73 Isopods ………………………………………………………………...... 75 Shrimp ………………………………………………………………….... 75 Amphibians and Reptiles …………………………………………………………….. 76 Amphibians ……………………………………………………………….......... 81 Toads and Frogs
    [Show full text]