DOCSLIB.ORG

Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Plant Species

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Plant Species THREATENED AND ENDANGERED (T&E) PLANT SPECIES FIELD INSPECTION REPORT STATE OF NEW YORK PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION CASE NO. 11-T-0116 Long Island Power Authority – Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need Pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law to Increase the Design Capacity of the Existing 10.6 Mile Wildwood to Riverhead Electric Transmission Line from 69 kV to 138 kV Prepared For: PSEG-LI 999 Stewart Avenue Bethpage, NY 11714 Prepared By: Land Use Ecological Services, Inc. 570 Expressway Drive South, Ste. 2F Medford, NY 11763 Date: September 12, 2019 A. INTRODUCTION The Wildwood to Riverhead Electric Transmission Line 69 kV to 138 kV Upgrade Project (the Project) was certified by the New York State Public Service Commission under Article VII of the New York State Public Service Law (NYSPSC Case # 11-T-0116). The purpose of the Project is to increase the operating design capacity of the existing 10.6-mile Wildwood to Riverhead 69 kV line to 138 kV. The Project involves replacing the existing 69 kV insulators with larger insulators to allow for the existing line conductors to operate at 138 kV. The Project also proposes the addition of three new transmission line poles outside the existing Wildwood substation and the installation of approximately 900 feet of underground transmission line outside of the Wildwood substation (AKRF, 2014). All construction activities would be within the existing 100-foot wide right-of-way (ROW) with no planned tree removal or no new ROW needing to be obtained for the Project (AKRF, 2018). In accordance with the New York Public Service Commission’s Order Adopting the Terms of a Joint Proposal and Granting a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (issued on July 12, 2012, pg.14), field surveys for State-listed plant species and significant ecological communities were performed in mid-August 2017 (AKRF, 2018) and late August- early September, 2019 (this report). The plant species and ecological communities requiring field survey were based on a Public Service Enterprise Group Long Island (PSEGLI) request to the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) for an update on threatened, endangered or species of special concern (T & E Species) that may occur in the vicinity of the planned project, prior to performance of the required field survey. The field survey reviewed the Project ROW for the species and significant natural communities identified in the NYNHP letter dated June 16, 2017 (Appendix 1). B. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED (T & E) PLANT & ANIMAL SPECIES AND SIGNIFICANT NATURAL COMMUNITIES LITTLE-LEAF TICK TREFOIL Little-leaf tick trefoil (Desmodium ciliare) is a New York State threatened member of the pea family (Fabaceae). Little-leaf tick trefoil is found in various dry, open habitats with sandy soil including oak openings, openings and roadsides within pitch pine forests, and sandy or rocky summit grasslands (NYNHP, 2019a). Little-leaf tick trefoil has a state rarity rank of S2S3, meaning that it is very vulnerable to disappearing from New York State or vulnerable to becoming imperiled in New York State. Little-leaf tick trefoil is in flower and most easily identified between mid-July and mid-September (NYNHP, 2019a). VELVETY BUSH CLOVER Velvety bush clover (Lespedeza stuevei) is a New York State threatened member of the pea family (Fabaceae). Velvety bush clover is found in disturbed habitats dominated by grasses and wildflowers within pitch pine-scrub oak barrens, pitch pine-oak woods and coastal oak-hickory woods (NYNHP, 2019b). Velvety bush clover has a state rarity rank of S2, meaning that it is threatened/imperiled in New York State due to rarity or is vulnerable to extirpation from New York State. Velvety bush clover is in flower and most easily identified between August and October (NYNHP, 2019b). LONG-BEAKED BEAK SEDGE Long-beaked beak sedge (Rhynchospora scirpoides) is a New York State rare member of the sedge family (Cyperaceae). Long-beaked beak sedge occurs predominately on mucky or sandy - 1 - soils on the margins of coastal plain ponds in pine barrens (NYNHP, 2019c). Long-beaked beak sedge has a state rarity rank of S2, meaning that it is threatened/imperiled in New York State due to rarity or is vulnerable to extirpation from the New York State. Long-beaked beak sedge fruits between July and October and is most easily identified in August and September (NYNHP, 2019c). EARLY FROSTWEED Early frostweed (Crocanthemum propinquum) is a New York State threatened member of the rock-rose family (Cistaceae). Early frostweed is found in dry sandy soils in openings within coastal oak-heath forests (NYNHP, 2019d). Early frostweed has a state rarity rank of S2, meaning that it is threatened/imperiled in New York State or is vulnerable to extirpation from New York State. Early frostweed is in flower between mid-May and late June, and fruits between mid-June and mid-October, and is most easily identified at this time (NYNHP, 2019d). STIFF TICK TREFOIL Stiff tick trefoil (Desmodium obtusum) is a New York State endangered member of the pea family (Fabaceae). Stiff tick trefoil is found in dry sandy woods and thickets, oak forest openings, and maritime grasslands and successional old fields (NYNHP, 2019e). Stiff tick trefoil has a New York State rarity rank of S1, meaning that it is endangered/critically imperiled in New York or is extremely vulnerable to extirpation from New York State. Stiff tick trefoil is in flower between August and mid-September and fruits between September and mid-October, and is most easily identified at this time (NYNHP, 2019e). EASTERN TIGER SALAMANDER Eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) is a New York State endangered species that breeds in temporary and permanent freshwater pools and ponds in pine barrens and deciduous (red maple and oak spp.) and mixed pine-deciduous (pitch pine-oak spp.) forests (NYNHP, 2019f). Tiger salamanders spend the large majority of the year in the forests within 1,600 feet of their breeding ponds. During this time, adult tiger salamanders are found in surficial soils suitable for burrowing and in soils with extensive networks of burrows from small mammals. The migration of adult salamanders to the breeding ponds can occur anytime between November and April depending on weather and pond ice conditions. Juvenile salamanders migrate out of the ponds between late June and September (NYNHP, 2019f). NORTHERN LONG-EARED BAT The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) is a federally and state-listed threatened species. Northern long-eared bats can utilize a wide variety of upland woodland and forest types (NYNHP, 2019g), but are typically associated with mature interior forest (Carroll et al, 2002) and tend to avoid woodlands with significant edge habitat (Yates and Muzika, 2006). Northern long- eared bats roost during the day in dead or live trees under loose bark, or in cavities and crevices (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013). Northern long-eared bats may also feed over a wide variety of forested/wooded habitats and adjacent and interspersed non-forested habitats such as wetlands, edges of agricultural fields, old fields, and pastures. Northern long-eared bats have been documented using pitch pine-oak forests of eastern Long Island as summer habitat. COASTAL BARRENS BUCKMOTH Coastal barrens buckmoth (Hemileuca maia ssp. 5) is a New York State-listed species of special concern. The larvae of the Coastal Barrens Buckmoth are restricted to scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) as its primary foodplant. Therefore, this species inhabits ecological communities with abundant scrub oak including dwarf pine plains, pitch pine-oak-heath woodland, and pitch pine- scrub oak barrens (NYNHP, 2019h). - 2 - RED MAPLE-BLACKGUM SWAMP This ecological community is a maritime, coastal, or inland hardwood swamp that occurs in poorly drained depressions, sometimes in a narrow band between a stream and upland. Red maple (Acer rubrum) and blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) are often codominant, or blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) may be the dominant tree. These swamps feature a well-developed shrub layer comprised of sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), and inkberry (Ilex glabra) among others. The herbaceous layer is characterized by cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata), and peat mosses (Sphagnum spp.) (Edinger et al, 2014) COASTAL PLAIN PONDSHORE This ecological community occurs on gently sloping, sandy or gravelly shores of oligotrophic coastal plain ponds with fluctuating water levels formed in glacial outwash plains. In New York State, coastal plain pond shores are restricted to coastal lowlands in Suffolk County. The dominant vegetation on the pond shore is typically grass like and includes spikerush (Eleocharis parvula), beakrush (Rhynchospora capitellata) and pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum) (NYNHP, 2019i). COASTAL OAK-HEATH FOREST This ecological community is a a low diversity, large patch to matrix, hardwood forest dominated by oaks and hickories with a well-developed short shrub layer dominated by huckleberries (Gaylussacia spp.) and blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). The forest is usually codominated by two or more species of oaks: scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), white oak (Q. alba) and black oak (Q. velutina). The herbaceous layer is very sparse; characteristic species are bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), and Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica). Coastal oak heath forests occur on dry, well-drained, sandy soils of glacial outwash plains or moraines of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. C. METHODOLOGY A desktop review of available data was performed prior to field surveys for the subject T&E species and significant natural communities. The following documents and databases were reviewed: 2018 AKRF report (AKRF, 2018), New York Natural Heritage Program correspondence dated June 16, 2017 (Appendix 1), and aerial imagery. A meander survey was conducted by WP Bowman, PhD of Land Use Ecological Services throughout the width of the Project ROW in late August-early September 2019.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nitens (Cyperaceae) in Indiana
    2013 THE MICHIGAN BOTANIST 25 REDISCOVERY OF RHYNCHOSPORA (PSILOCARYA) NITENS (CYPERACEAE) IN INDIANA Roger L. Hedge Emily J. Stork Indiana Department of Natural Resources Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Nature Preserves Division of Nature Preserves 402 W. Washington Street, Rm W267 5690 Chase St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Merrillville, IN 46410 [email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT In 2012 the authors rediscovered Rhynchospora (Psilocarya) nitens in Porter County at its only known site of occurrence in Indiana, providing the first documentation of the species for the site and the state in over 50 years. Prior to the 2012 discovery, the species had been collected in the state only twice since 1899. An Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain disjunct, this sedge is represented by only two occurrences in the Great Lakes region: Allegan County, Michigan and Porter County, Indiana. INTRODUCTION Rhynchospora nitens (Vahl) A. Gray is an Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain sedge that ranges in the U.S. from Texas to Massachusetts and that has disjunct occurrences in Indiana and Michigan. Farther south it occurs in the West Indies and Central America (Kral 2002). In the Atlantic Coastal Plain states in the U.S. the species is listed as “vulnerable” to “critically imperiled” in 8 of the 14 states where it occurs, namely Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts, and as “possibly extirpated” in Vir - ginia (NatureServe 2014). It is listed as “apparently secure” in Louisiana and Mississippi (NatureServe 2014). Although NatureServe (2014) indicates that the species has not been ranked or is still under review in Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Michigan Rothrock (2009) states it is “deemed secure from extir - pation in Florida and Mississippi” and Reznicek (1999) notes that it is primarily a southern coastal plain plant that is very rare in the northern parts of its range.
    [Show full text]
  • NJ Native Plants - USDA
    NJ Native Plants - USDA Scientific Name Common Name N/I Family Category National Wetland Indicator Status Thermopsis villosa Aaron's rod N Fabaceae Dicot Rubus depavitus Aberdeen dewberry N Rosaceae Dicot Artemisia absinthium absinthium I Asteraceae Dicot Aplectrum hyemale Adam and Eve N Orchidaceae Monocot FAC-, FACW Yucca filamentosa Adam's needle N Agavaceae Monocot Gentianella quinquefolia agueweed N Gentianaceae Dicot FAC, FACW- Rhamnus alnifolia alderleaf buckthorn N Rhamnaceae Dicot FACU, OBL Medicago sativa alfalfa I Fabaceae Dicot Ranunculus cymbalaria alkali buttercup N Ranunculaceae Dicot OBL Rubus allegheniensis Allegheny blackberry N Rosaceae Dicot UPL, FACW Hieracium paniculatum Allegheny hawkweed N Asteraceae Dicot Mimulus ringens Allegheny monkeyflower N Scrophulariaceae Dicot OBL Ranunculus allegheniensis Allegheny Mountain buttercup N Ranunculaceae Dicot FACU, FAC Prunus alleghaniensis Allegheny plum N Rosaceae Dicot UPL, NI Amelanchier laevis Allegheny serviceberry N Rosaceae Dicot Hylotelephium telephioides Allegheny stonecrop N Crassulaceae Dicot Adlumia fungosa allegheny vine N Fumariaceae Dicot Centaurea transalpina alpine knapweed N Asteraceae Dicot Potamogeton alpinus alpine pondweed N Potamogetonaceae Monocot OBL Viola labradorica alpine violet N Violaceae Dicot FAC Trifolium hybridum alsike clover I Fabaceae Dicot FACU-, FAC Cornus alternifolia alternateleaf dogwood N Cornaceae Dicot Strophostyles helvola amberique-bean N Fabaceae Dicot Puccinellia americana American alkaligrass N Poaceae Monocot Heuchera americana
    [Show full text]
  • Rare Plants of Louisiana
    Rare Plants of Louisiana Agalinis filicaulis - purple false-foxglove Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae) Rarity Rank: S2/G3G4 Range: AL, FL, LA, MS Recognition: Photo by John Hays • Short annual, 10 to 50 cm tall, with stems finely wiry, spindly • Stems simple to few-branched • Leaves opposite, scale-like, about 1mm long, barely perceptible to the unaided eye • Flowers few in number, mostly born singly or in pairs from the highest node of a branchlet • Pedicels filiform, 5 to 10 mm long, subtending bracts minute • Calyx 2 mm long, lobes short-deltoid, with broad shallow sinuses between lobes • Corolla lavender-pink, without lines or spots within, 10 to 13 mm long, exterior glabrous • Capsule globe-like, nearly half exerted from calyx Flowering Time: September to November Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade Wetland Indicator Status: FAC – similar likelihood of occurring in both wetlands and non-wetlands Habitat: Wet longleaf pine flatwoods savannahs and hillside seepage bogs. Threats: • Conversion of habitat to pine plantations (bedding, dense tree spacing, etc.) • Residential and commercial development • Fire exclusion, allowing invasion of habitat by woody species • Hydrologic alteration directly (e.g. ditching) and indirectly (fire suppression allowing higher tree density and more large-diameter trees) Beneficial Management Practices: • Thinning (during very dry periods), targeting off-site species such as loblolly and slash pines for removal • Prescribed burning, establishing a regime consisting of mostly growing season (May-June) burns Rare Plants of Louisiana LA River Basins: Pearl, Pontchartrain, Mermentau, Calcasieu, Sabine Side view of flower. Photo by John Hays References: Godfrey, R. K. and J. W. Wooten.
    [Show full text]
  • Short-Beaked Beaksedge, Rhynchospora Nitens
    Natural Heritage Short-beaked Beaksedge & Endangered Species Rhynchospora nitens (Vahl) A. Gray Program www.mass.gov/nhesp State Status: Threatened Federal Status: None Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife DESCRIPTION: Short-beaked Beaksedge (Rhynchospora nitens) is a tufted annual species in the Sedge family (Cyperaceae). In Massachusetts, plants are typically short, often under 15 cm tall. The leaves are linear, proximally flattened, and 1 to 5 mm wide. The flowering stem (or culm) is nearly rounded and many ribbed. Terminal and axillary umbel-like inflorescences are comprised of 1 to 5 diffuse flower clusters on glabrous stalks subtended by leafy bracts. Spikelets are many-flowered, dark brown to nearly black, ovoid, and 3 to 7 mm long. Achenes (dry, one-seeded fruits) are likely shed close to the parent plants. The seeds are long- lived and require drying and exposure of moist pond shore substrate for successful germination. Short-beaked Short-beaked Beaksedge grows on the exposed sand of coastal plain Beaksedge was formerly placed within the genus pondshores. Photo by Bruce Sorrie. Psilocarya by some botanists. AIDS TO IDENTIFICATION: The spikelets of Short- beaked Beaksedge are many-flowered and subtended by spirally imbricate one-nerved scales (~ 3 mm). The achenes are slightly wider than long, 0.7 to 1.3 mm, and become dark brown or nearly black once mature. At the top of the achene is a very short and rather broad “horn” or tubercle, 0.1 to 0.3 mm tall. The achene has a strongly Distribution in Massachusetts 1985 - 2012 Based on records in the Culms have terminal and axillary flower clusters on glabrous stalks Natural Heritage Database subtended by leafy bracts.
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Beaked Beaksedge, Rhynchospora Scirpoides
    Natural Heritage Long-beaked Beaksedge & Endangered Species Rhynchospora scirpoides (Torrey) A. Gray Program www.mass.gov/nhesp State Status: Special Concern Federal Status: None Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife DESCRIPTION: Long-beaked Beaksedge is a cespitose annual in the Sedge family (Cyperaceae) that occurs on coastal plain pond shores in Massachusetts. The genus name Rhynchospora (“beaked seed”) refers to the tubercle (triangular projection) that is found at the summit of the achenes (one-seeded, dry, fruits). The species name scirpoides means “resembles a bulrush” (Scirpus), referring to the growth form and the shape of the spikes. Long-beaked Beaksedge grows 20 to 80 cm tall. It has both terminal and axillary inflorescences, with long, leafy bracts that exceed at least the axillary ones. AIDS TO IDENTIFICATION: A technical manual and hand lens or microscope are needed for identification of Long-beaked Beaksedge and other Rhynchospora species. This species is best identified with mature fruits. The achenes are orbicular to lenticular, red-brown to dark brown, with a faintly rugose (horizontally wrinkled) body. The achene is 1 to 3 mm long, including a tall tubercle (0.5–0.9 mm) that is continuous with the ridged margin of the achene. The leaves are flat, narrow, 1 to 5 mm wide, and have glabrous sheaths. The lower portion of the culm (flowering stem) is leafy. Distribution in Massachusetts 1985 - 2012 Based on records in the Long-beaked Beaksedge has terminal and axillary inflorescences Natural Heritage Database with long, leafy bracts (top); achenes are faintly rugose, with long tubercles (bottom). Photos by Jennifer Garrett.
    [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]
  • Njplantlist.Pdf
    List of Endangered Plant Species and Plant Species of Concern June 2016 Scientific Name Common Name G Rank S Rank Federal Status State Status Other Status Abies balsamea Balsam Fir G5 S1 E LP, HL Acorus americanus American Sweetflag G5 S1? HL Actaea rubra var. rubra Red Baneberry G5T5 S2 HL Adlumia fungosa Climbing Fumitory G4 S2 HL Aeschynomene virginica Sensitive Joint-vetch G2 S1 LT E LP, HL Agalinis auriculata Ear-leaf False Foxglove G3 SX HL Agalinis fasciculata Pine Barren Foxglove G5 S3 HL Agalinis paupercula var. paupercula Small-flower False Foxglove G5T5 S2 HL Agastache nepetoides Yellow Giant-hyssop G5 S2 HL Agastache scrophulariifolia Purple Giant-hyssop G4 S2 HL Agrimonia microcarpa Small-fruit Grooveburr G5 S2 HL Agrostis geminata Ticklegrass G5 S1? HL Alisma triviale Large Water-plantain G5 S1 E LP, HL Alopecurus aequalis var. aequalis Short-awn Meadow-foxtail G5T5 S2 HL Alopecurus carolinianus Tufted Meadow-foxtail G5 S3 HL Amaranthus pumilus Seabeach Amaranth G2 S1 LT E LP, HL Amelanchier humilis Low Service-berry G5 S1S2 HL Amelanchier nantucketensis Nantucket Service-berry G3Q S1 HL Amelanchier sanguinea var. sanguinea Round-leaf Service-berry G5T5 S1.1 E LP, HL Amelanchier stolonifera Running Service-berry G5 S3 HL Amianthium muscitoxicum Fly Poison G4G5 S2 HL Ammannia latifolia Koehn's Toothcup G5 S1 E LP, HL Andromeda polifolia var. glaucophylla Bog Rosemary G5T5 S1 E LP, HL Andropogon glomeratus var. hirsutior Hairy Beardgrass G5T5 SH.1 HL Andropogon gyrans Elliott's Beardgrass G5 S2 HL Andropogon ternarius var. ternarius Silvery Beardgrass G5T5? S2 HL Anemone canadensis Canada Anemone G5 SX HL Anemone cylindrica Long-head Anemone G5 S1 E LP, HL Anemone virginiana var.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Heritage Resources of Virginia: Rare Vascular Plants
    NATURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES OF VIRGINIA: RARE PLANTS APRIL 2009 VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION DIVISION OF NATURAL HERITAGE 217 GOVERNOR STREET, THIRD FLOOR RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219 (804) 786-7951 List Compiled by: John F. Townsend Staff Botanist Cover illustrations (l. to r.) of Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata), dwarf burhead (Echinodorus tenellus), and small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) by Megan Rollins This report should be cited as: Townsend, John F. 2009. Natural Heritage Resources of Virginia: Rare Plants. Natural Heritage Technical Report 09-07. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, Virginia. Unpublished report. April 2009. 62 pages plus appendices. INTRODUCTION The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH) was established to protect Virginia's Natural Heritage Resources. These Resources are defined in the Virginia Natural Area Preserves Act of 1989 (Section 10.1-209 through 217, Code of Virginia), as the habitat of rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species; exemplary natural communities, habitats, and ecosystems; and other natural features of the Commonwealth. DCR-DNH is the state's only comprehensive program for conservation of our natural heritage and includes an intensive statewide biological inventory, field surveys, electronic and manual database management, environmental review capabilities, and natural area protection and stewardship. Through such a comprehensive operation, the Division identifies Natural Heritage Resources which are in need of conservation attention while creating an efficient means of evaluating the impacts of economic growth. To achieve this protection, DCR-DNH maintains lists of the most significant elements of our natural diversity.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
    ESD Printable Report Page 1 of 24 United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Ecological Site Description Section l: Ecological Site Characteristics Ecological Site Identification and Concept Site name: Wet Acidic Sandy Flatwoods Acer rubrum - Quercus palustris / Vaccinium corymbosum / Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (red maple - pin oak / highbush blueberry) Site type: Forestland Site ID: F097XA007MI Major land resource area (MLRA): 097-Southwestern Michigan Fruit and Truck Belt This map identifies the Wet Acidic Sandy Flatwoods Major land resource area 97 wraps around the southern end of Lake Michigan covering portions of Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana corresponding to a major lake-moderated fruit-growing region. The subunit of the MLRA corresponding to the extent of this ecological site description, however, is Forest Service subsections 222Ja and 222Jb. As such, it excludes most of the Illinois portion of the MLRA because the lake plain is less sandy and less lake-moderated there. Instead, the subunit includes a significant portion of MLRA 98, following sandy lake plains and fruit-growing moraines northward into Muskegon County, Michigan. The western boundary is Lake Michigan and the eastern boundary is roughly the extent of lake-ameliorated climate. The northern boundary is defined by a major floristic boundary where vegetation switches from one of predominantly central hardwoods species to one of mainly northern woodland species. The southern boundary is defined by a predominantly prairie flora. The triple juxtaposition of central hardwood, prairie, and northern woodland species in the southern portion of the region make this among the more plant species rich areas of the country. Soil map units where Wet Acidic Sandy Flatwoods is a major component cover about 14,834 acres (6003 ha) or about 0.7 percent of this area, but mostly in subsection 222Ja.
    [Show full text]
  • Inundated Beaksedge, Rhynchospora Inundata
    Natural Heritage Inundated Beaksedge & Endangered Species Rhynchospora inundata (Oakes) Fern. Program www.mass.gov/nhesp State Status: Threatened Federal Status: None Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife DESCRIPTION: Inundated Beaksedge is a large perennial species in the Sedge family (Cyperaceae), reaching 20 to 60 cm tall. Plants form extensive loose colonies spreading in shallow water by underground rhizomes. The upright flowering stem (or culm) is triangular in cross-section and is often overtopped by narrow leaves and leafy bracts. The terminal and axillary inflorescences are branched and loosely spreading, with open clusters of 1 to 6 coppery spikelets. Plants generally produce 1 or 2 achenes (dry, one-seeded fruits) per spikelet. The achenes are subtended by bristles and capped by a long horn or beak. The achene with its bristles and horn are enveloped by several overlapping coppery scales. Each fruiting stem may produce 100 to 200 long-lived seeds that require drying and exposure of pondshore substrate for germination. Rhynchospora Inundated Beaksedge has open clusters of coppery spikelets. Photo derives its name from the Greek words rhynchos for by Jennifer Garrett. beak or horn and spora for seed. The specific epithet inundata refers to the species dependence on flooding AIDS TO IDENTIFICATION: Leaves are slender, and changing water levels. This species has several erect, and flat or slightly inrolled (4–7 mm wide). Most common names including Inundated Horned-sedge, leaves originate at the base of the stem. The loosely Inundated Beak-rush and Drowned Horn-rush. branching inflorescence is 10 to 25 cm in diameter. The achene (4–6 mm long; 2–3.5 mm wide) is subtended by 5 to 6 bristles that extend beyond the achene and are ~8 to 9 mm long.
    [Show full text]
  • Massachusetts 2012 Final State Wetland Plant List
    MASSACHUSETTS 2012 FINAL STATE WETLAND PLANT LIST Lichvar, R.W. 2012. The National Wetland Plant List. ERDC/CRREL TR‐12‐11. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/search/asset:asset?t:ac=$N/1012381 User Notes: 1) Plant species not listed are considered UPL for wetland delineation purposes. 2) A few UPL species are listed because they are rated FACU or wetter in at least one Corps region. 3) Some state boundaries lie within two or more Corps Regions. If a species occurs in one of the regions but not the other, its rating will be shown in one column and the other column will show a dash. For example, there are two Corps regions in North Dakota, the GP and the MW. Agrostis exarata occurs in the GP but not the MW, so it is listed as: Species Authorship GP MW Common Name Agrostis exarata Trin. FACW ‐ Spiked Bent Species Authorship NCNE Common Name Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill. FAC Balsam Fir Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr. UPL White Fir Abutilon theophrasti Medik. FACU Velvetleaf Acalypha gracilens Gray FACU Slender Three‐Seed‐Mercury Acalypha rhomboidea Raf. FACU Common Three‐Seed‐Mercury Acalypha virginica L. FACU Virginia Three‐Seed‐Mercury Acer negundo L. FAC Ash‐Leaf Maple Acer nigrum Michx. f. FACU Black Maple Acer pensylvanicum L. FACU Striped Maple Acer platanoides L. UPL Norway Maple Acer rubrum L. FAC Red Maple Acer saccharinum L. FACW Silver Maple Acer saccharum Marsh. FACU Sugar Maple Acer spicatum Lam.
    [Show full text]
  • MICHIGAN's SPECIAL PLANTS Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern, and Probably Extirpated
    MICHIGAN'S SPECIAL PLANTS Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern, and Probably Extirpated This list presents the Endangered (E), Threatened (T), and Probably Extirpated (X) plant species of Michigan, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act of the State of Michigan (Part 365 of PA 451, 1994 Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act). The current list became effective on April 9, 2009, after extensive review by technical advisors to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the citizenry ofthe state. Also included in this list are plant species of Special Concern. While not afforded legal protection under the Act, many of these species are of concern because of declining or relict populations in the state. Should these species continue to decline, they would be recommended for Threatened or Endangered status. Protection of Special Concern species now, before they reach dangerously low population levels, would prevent the need to list them in the future by maintaining adequate numbers of self-sustaining populations within Michigan. Some other potentially rare species are listed as of Special Concern pending more precise information on their status in the state; when such information becomes available,they could be moved to threatened or endangered status or deleted from the list. This list was produced by the Endangered Species Program of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. English names in common usage or from published sources have been incorporated, when possible, to promote public understanding of and participation in the Endangered Species Program. To comment on the list or request additional copies, or for information on the Endangered Species Program, contact the Endangered Species Coordinator, Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, P.O.
    [Show full text]