City of Chesapeake - Natural Heritage Resources

Natural heritage resources as defined by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Division of Natural Heritage (DCR) are the habitat of rare, threatened, or endangered and animal species, unique or exemplary natural communities, and significant geologic formations such as caves and karst features. The City of Chesapeake is currently home to 55 distinct types of natural heritage resources with 109 total occurrences throughout the county (Table I: Natural Heritage Resources). In addition, DCR has identified 20 terrestrial and aquatic conservation sites as areas necessary for their survival and has one Natural Area Preserve within its boundaries. (Table II: Conservation Sites and Natural Area Preserve)

DCR identifies and protects natural heritage resources statewide and maintains a comprehensive database of all documented occurrences of natural heritage resources in Virginia. DCR has developed conservation sites that contain known populations of natural heritage resources and include adjacent or surrounding habitat vital for their protection. Conservation sites do not represent protected lands. They are recommended for protection and stewardship because of the natural heritage resources and habitat they support, but are not currently under any official protection designation. Conservation sites can be used to screen development projects for potential impacts to natural heritage resources, aid local and regional planning, identify targets for acquisitions and easements and guide priorities for restoration activities.

An example of a conservation site in the City of Chesapeake is Northwest River: Indian Creek Conservation Site. In addition to multiple rare species and habitat types found here, the site/ecosystem are critically important in protecting water quality of the Northwest River. Conservation sites are given a biodiversity significance ranking based on the rarity, quality, and number of element occurrences they contain; on a scale of 1-5, 1 being most significant. Northwest River: Indian Creek Conservation Site has been given a biodiversity significance ranking of B1 which represents a site of outstanding significance. The natural heritage resources associated with this conservation site are:

Eleocharis rostellata – Wind-Tidal Oligohaline Marsh (Eleocharis fallax) (Beaked Spikerush Type) Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation decangulare Ten-angle pipewort G5/S2/NL/NL Fagus grandifolia –Quercus Southern Coastal Plain (alba, nigra, michauxii) / Mesic Mixed Hardwood Symplocos tinctoria – (Stewardia) Forest Malacodendron) Forest Lobelia elongate Elongated lobelia G4G5/S1/NL/NL Ludwigia alata Winged seedbox G3G5/S1/NL/NL Stachys aspera Rough hedge-nettle G4?/S2/NL/NL

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012

Wind-Tidal Olig ohaline Marsh (Beaked Spikerush Type) Photo by DCR-DNH, Gary P. Fleming 2010

The Beaked Spikerush Type of Wind-Tidal Oligohaline Marsh occurs primarily in wind- tidal estuarine systems of the embayed region in southeastern Virginia and northeastern , but occasionally occurs in the upper reaches of lunar-tidal estuaries in northeastern Virginia and Maryland. It occurs in marshes underlain by poorly decomposed, fibric peat, typically away from tidal channels that experience frequent sediment and nutrient inputs. The vegetation is characterized by dense colonies of creeping spikerush (Eleocharis fallax), with beaked spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata) a common associate. Other characteristic associates include twig rush (Cladium mariscoides), Olney three-square (Schoenoplectus americanus, = Scirpus americanus), bull-tongue arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia ssp. media), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum var. punctatum), Canada rush (Juncus canadensis), and a large number of minor associates. Shallow, muck-filled pools within the marshes contain patches of American water-lily (Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata) (NatureServe 2011). This community has a very limited geographic range, and occurs as relatively small patches(often several acres or smaller) in a complex with other (taller) marsh vegetation. Dynamics related to fire are poorly understood. Lack of fire could be a serious threat, responsible for the current limited extent of this community and encouraging the invasion of remaining examples by black needle rush (Juncus roemerianus) and other more aggressive marsh graminoids (M. Schafale pers. comm. 2004). Rising sea level and shifts in water salinity that come with it are also threats (Fleming et. al. 2012).

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012 Ten-angle pipewort Photo by DCR-DNH, Dot Field 2003

Ten-angle pipewort, a state rare plant, inhabits bogs, savannas and low pinelands and blooms from June through October (Radford et. al., 1968). This plant is currently known from 14 locations throughout Virginia, and known historically at 3 locations.

Southern Coastal Plain Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest Photo by DCR-DNH, Gary P. Fleming 2010

The Southern Coastal Plain Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest is dominated by American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and various oaks, most commonly white oak (Quercus alba), water oak (Quercus nigra), and swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii). This community type occupies mesic uplands, ravines, lower slopes, swamp “islands,” and well-drained "flatwoods" on deep acidic, relatively nutrient-poor soils of the Coastal Plain from southeastern Virginia to South Carolina. It grades into drier forests in which Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), and Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) are common. In the southeastern Virginia Coastal Plain, American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), American holly (Ilex opaca), flowering dogwood (Cornus ), sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), silky camellia (Stewartia malacodendron), and big-leaf snowbell (Styrax grandifolius) are characteristic small trees. The herb layer is usually open or sparse, but contains scattered individuals and patches of Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), New York fern (Thelypteris

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012 noveboracensis), slender spikegrass (Chasmanthium laxum), partridge-berry (Mitchella repens), and other species.

The Southern Coastal Plain Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest has been greatly reduced in Virginia by agriculture and development, and many of the remaining stands have been degraded by repeated logging (Fleming et al. 2012 and NatureServe, 2011).

Elongated lobelia Photo by DCR-DNH, Darren Loomis, 2008

Elongated lobelia is a marsh plant bearing lovely purple, trumpet-like flowers. This rare herb is found from to southeastern , and is currently known from five places in the state and historically known from one. Like Carolina lilaeopsis, elongated lobelia is found in swamps and marshes on the coastal plain (Erdle et al, 1994).

Winged seedbox Photo by DCR-DNH, Darren Loomis, 2007

Winged seedbox, a state rare plant species, is restricted to high quality, well-diversified coastal marshes. Winged seedbox is frequently found along marsh boarders and has a narrow geographic range, limited to the outer coastal plain. Threats to its habitat are wetland disturbance, invasion of its marsh habitat by common reed (Phragmites

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012 australis), and siltation due to erosion (Ludwig, 2004). In Virginia, the winged seedbox is currently known from five locations and historically known from one location.

Rough hedgenettle Photo by DCR-DNH, Gary P. Fleming

Rough hedgenettle is a rhizomatous perennial herb in the mint (Lamiaceae) family. are erect, 16-31 inches tall, with square stems and serrated, opposite leaves (Gleason and Cronquist 1991). The inflorescence consists of a terminal spike with a series of whorls of pink-purple flowers in the axils of reduced leaves, blooming July- September. Found over much of the eastern half of the U.S., rough hedgenettle’s Virginia distribution lies mainly in the southeastern Coastal Plain with outliers in the northern Piedmont and the Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces (Virginia Botanical Associates 2011). Habitat in Virginia includes a variety of wetlands such as fresh to oligohaline marshes, open swamp forests, a wet clearing at the edge of a claypan forested headwater wetland over diabase, damp pond shorelines, and wet meadows. Threats are from habitat destruction, sea level rise, hydrological modifications, and invasive species.

Natural Area Preserves

The Virginia Natural Area Preserves System was established in the late 1980's to protect some of the most significant natural areas in the Commonwealth. A site becomes a component of the preserve system once it is dedicated as a natural area preserve by the Director of the Department of Conservation & Recreation. Natural area dedication works in much the same way as a conservation easement by placing legally binding restrictions on future activities on a property. The Natural Area Preserve System includes examples of some of the rarest natural communities and rare species habitats in Virginia.

Northwest River Natural Area Preserve

The Northwest River Natural Area Preserve lines the lower reaches of the Northwest River in Chesapeake and protects significant habitats including mesic upland forest, swamps, and marshes. This preserve is home to rare species, such as the silky camelia

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012 and canebrake rattlesnake of the upland forests, Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew, epiphytic sedge, and dukes skipper of the swamps, and sawgrass, winged seedbox, and little grass frog of the marshes.

This preserve has no public access facilities however the shoreline can be easily explored by boat and several public boat landings are within easy paddling range. Part or all of the preserve may be periodically closed for resource protection or prescribed burning activities.

Potential Threats to Natural Heritage Resources:

The single greatest threat to the City of Chesapeake natural heritage resources is habitat destruction from residential and commercial development, recreational activities and incompatible agricultural or forestry practices. Alteration of the local hydrology by land disturbance can also change or eliminate habitat. Fragmentation of forests and the introduction of invasives, both flora and fauna, can have a direct effect on the survival of many native plants, insects and birds. In addition, portions of Chesapeake will be affected by sea-level rise in areas of natural heritage resource concentration.

The North River within the City of Chesapeake has a spectacular complex of wind-tidal influenced wetlands that are of such significance that many of them are now protected by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Nature Conservancy or the City of Chesapeake. The non-native, invasive Common reed (Phragmites australis) is a significant threat to these and other wetlands in the city. Phragmites can quickly displace desirable plant species such as wild rice, cattails and native wetland orchids and provide little food and shelter for native wetland birds and other rare wildlife species.

All development projects should be reviewed for impacts to natural heritage resources. To minimize adverse impacts to aquatic ecosystems, DCR recommends the implementation of and strict adherence to applicable state and local erosion and sediment control/storm water management laws and regulations including the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act general performance criteria. In addition, DCR recommends the development and implementation of a Phragmites eradication plan to protect the remarkable diversity of significant natural heritage resources within its boundaries.

Literature Cited

Erdle, S.Y., M.A. Donoff, L.R. Smith, C.A. Caljouw, and H.C. Bernick, III. 1994. Conservation Planning for the Management and Protection of Natural Areas in the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report # 94-12. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. Fleming, G.P., K.D. Patterson, K. Taverna, and P.P. Coulling. 2012. The natural communities of Virginia: classification of ecological community groups. Second approximation. Version 2.5. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012 Gleason, H.A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern and Adjacent Canada. Second Edition. The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY. 910 pp. Ludwig, J. Christopher. 2004. Personal communication. Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA, November 3. NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: March 27, 2012). Radford, A.E., H.A. Ahles, C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. p. 266. Virginia Botanical Associates. 2011. Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora (http://www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/). c/o Massey Herbarium, Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.

Appendix:

Definitions of Abbreviations Used on Natural Heritage Resource Lists of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Natural Heritage State Ranks The following ranks are used by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to set protection priorities for natural heritage resources. Natural Heritage Resources, or "NHR's," are rare plant and animal species, rare and exemplary natural communities, and significant geologic features. The criterion for ranking NHR's is the number of populations or occurrences, i.e. the number of known distinct localities; the number of individuals in existence at each locality or, if a highly mobile organism (e.g., sea turtles, many birds, and butterflies), the total number of individuals; the quality of the occurrences, the number of protected occurrences; and threats.

S1 - Critically imperiled in the state because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state. Typically 5 or fewer populations or occurrences, or very few remaining individuals (<1000).

S2 - Imperiled in the state because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state. Typically 6 to 20 populations or occurrences or few remaining individuals (1,000 to 3,000).

S3 - Vulnerable in the state either because rare and uncommon, or found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation. Typically having 21 to 100 populations or occurrences (1,000 to 3,000 individuals).

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012

S4 - Apparently secure; Uncommon but not rare, and usually widespread in the state. Possible cause of long-term concern. Usually having >100 populations or occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.

S5 - Secure; Common, widespread and abundant in the state. Essentially ineradicable under present conditions, typically having considerably more than 100 populations or occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.

S#B - Breeding status of an animal within the state

S#N - Non-breeding status of animal within the state. Usually applied to winter resident species.

S#? - Inexact or uncertain numeric rank.

SH - Possibly extirpated (Historical). Historically known from the state, but not verified for an extended period, usually > 15 years; this rank is used primarily when inventory has been attempted recently.

S#S# - Range rank; A numeric range rank, (e.g. S2S3) is used to indicate the range of uncertainty about the exact status of the element. Ranges cannot skip more than one rank.

SU - Unrankable; Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.

SNR - Unranked; state rank not yet assessed.

SX - Presumed extirpated from the state. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.

SNA - A conservation status rank is not applicable because the element is not a suitable target for conservation activities.

Natural Heritage Global Ranks are similar, but refer to a species' rarity throughout its total range. Global ranks are denoted with a "G" followed by a character. Note GX means the element is presumed extinct throughout its range. A "Q" in a rank indicates that a taxonomic question concerning that species exists. Ranks for subspecies are denoted with a "T". The global and state ranks combined (e.g. G2/S1) give an instant grasp of a species' known rarity. These ranks should not be interpreted as legal designations.

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS The Division of Natural Heritage uses the standard abbreviations for Federal endangerment developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Endangered Species and Habitat Conservation.

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012

LE - Listed Endangered LT - Listed Threatened PE - Proposed Endangered PT - Proposed Threatened C - Candidate (formerly C1 - Candidate category 1) E(S/A) - treat as endangered because of similarity of appearance T(S/A) - treat as threatened because of similarity of appearance SOC - Species of Concern species that merit special concern (not a regulatory category) NL – no federal legal status

STATE LEGAL STATUS The Division of Natural Heritage uses similar abbreviations for State endangerment.

LE - Listed Endangered PE - Proposed Endangered SC - Special Concern - animals that merit special concern according to VDGIF (not a regulatory category) LT - Listed Threatened PT - Proposed Threatened C - Candidate NL - no state legal status

For information on the laws pertaining to threatened or endangered species, please contact:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for all FEDERALLY listed species; Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Plant Protection Bureau for STATE listed plants and insects Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for all other STATE listed animals

Conservation Sites Ranking

Brank is a rating of the significance of the conservation site based on presence and number of natural heritage resources; on a scale of 1-5, 1 being most significant. Sites are also coded to reflect the presence/absence of federally/state listed species:

Conservation Site Ranks Legal Status of Associated Species B1 – Outstanding significance FL – Federally listed species present B2 – Very High significance SL – State listed species present B3 – High significance NL – No listed species present B4 – Moderate significance B5 – Of general Biodiversity significance

Prepared by: Division of Natural Heritage, May 1, 2012