DOCSLIB.ORG

Southeast Wetlands; Status and Trends, Mid-1970'S to Mid-1980'S

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Southeast Wetlands; Status and Trends, Mid-1970'S to Mid-1980'S Lutcher Moore Swamp, Louisiana PALUSTRINE FORESTED NANCY WEBB@ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report is the result ofwork by many We would also like to thank the many people individuals within the U.S . Fish and Wildlife who shared their wetland photographs with us Service and others . Special thanks are extended including John Gahr, Wendel Metzen, Kevin to Dr. Donald Woodard, Director and his staff at Moorhead, John Oberheu, Larry Ditto, Louis the National Wetlands Inventory Center in St. Justice, George Gentry, Nora Murdock, and Petersburg, Florida; and to Mark Newcastle, others with the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Division of Printing in Washington, D.C .; Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, to Keith Patterson and staff at Geonex-Martel, the United States Soil Conservation Service, and Inc . in St. Petersburg, Florida; to Eric Hughes the South Carolina Division of Tourism. and Robert Lord with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Atlanta, Georgia. Our very special appreciation is extended to Nancy Webb ofZachary, Louisiana, for providing We are especially grateful for the efforts of us with some ofthe most unusual and beautiful Thomas Gale, Gale Communications in St. Paul, wetland photographs we have seen . Minnesota, for editing, layout and other help in preparation of the final document. Cover photo: This report should be cited as follows: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refine, Florida Hefner, J.M., B .O . Wilen, T.E. Dahl and WE. Frayer. PALUSTRINE FORESTED 1994 . Southeast Wetlands; Status and Trends, Mid- GEORGE GENTRY© 1970's to Mid-1980's. U .S. Department of the Pane 2 photo: Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, Georgia. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida 32 pages. PALUSTRINE FORESTED GEORGE GENTRY© For sale by the U.S . Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop : SSOP Washington, DC 20402-9328 ISBN 0-16-045537-5 Southeast WetlandsSTATUS AND TRENDS, MID-1970'S TO MID-1980'S J.M. Hefner U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Atlanta, Georgia B .O . Wilen U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington, D.C. T.E . Dahl U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service St. Petersburg, Florida W.E. Fraver Michigan Technological University Houghton, Michigan A 1994 Cooperative Publication by United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region Atlanta, Georgia \11-D S7-,, ;, J~ Fs 7Z w o e G/C\2 ~F2T qC P RO ' E United States Environmental Protection Agency Region IV Atlanta, Georgia Yellow Fringed-orchid PALUSTRINE EMERGENT NANCY WEBB© Contents Highlights........................................................................................................................................5 Executive Summary . .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .6 Introduction . ... ... .. .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ... ... .. ... ... .. .. ... ..8 Survey Methods . ... .. ... ... .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ... ... ... .10 Results Regional Status . .. ... ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. ... .. ... ... .. .. ... ... .. .. ... ... .12 Regional Trends . ... ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... ... .13 State Analyses ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. ... .. .. ... .14 Discussion . .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. ... .20 Conclusion. .. ... ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. ... ... .. ... ... ... .. ... .. ... .. ..24 Literature Cited ... ... .. ... .. ... ... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... ... .. ..26 Appendix A: Habitat Categories . .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .27 Appendix B : Data Tables . ... ... .. .. ... ... .. ... ... ... .. ... ... .. .. .. ... .31 List of Figures 1 . Study area: Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . ... .. ... .. ... .. .. .. .5 2. Map of the physical subdivisions ofthe Southeast. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ... .7 3. Wetlands of the Southeast. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. ... .. ...12 4. Estuarine wetlands of the Southeast . .. ... ... .. .. ... ... .. .. ... ... ... .. ...12 5 . Palustrine wetlands ofthe Southeast . .. .. ... ... .. .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...12 6 . Wetlands, deepwater habitats, and uplands of the Southeast . .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. ..12 7 . Palustrine wetland gains and losses in the Southeast . ... ... .. .. .. ... ... .. ... ... 13 8 . Fate of palustrine forested wetland losses and conversions ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .13 9 . Wetland acreages, percentage of state landscapes and net losses, by state . .. .. ... ... .. .15 10 . Wetlands of the conterminous United States . .. .. ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .21 11 . Estuarine wetlands of the conterminous United States . .. ... ... ... ... .. .. .. .21 12 . Wetland losses in the conterminous United States .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .21 13 . Estuarine vegetated wetland losses in the conterminous United States . .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .21 14. Palustrine forested wetland losses and conversions in the conterminous United States .. ... ... .21 15. Wetland losses in the Gulf-Atlantic Coastal Flats compared to the rest of the U.S. .. .. .. .. .21 16. All wetlands in the Southeast: Average annual loss ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. ... ... .22 17 . Palustrine forested wetlands in the Southeast: Annual average loss/conversion . .. .. ... ... ..22 18 . Palustrine forested wetland losses and conversions in the Southeast. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. 25 List of Tables Table t . Major wetland functions and values .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. 8-9 Table 2 . Distribution ofsample plots and mean dates of aerial photo coverage by state .. .. ... ... .10 Table 3 . Distribution of sample plots within physical subdivisions . .. ... ... .. ... ... ... .10 Table 4. Wetland, deepwater and upland habitat categories used in this study .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .11 Table 5 . States with large conversions from palustrine forested to palustrine emergent wetlands . .. .13 Table 6. Wetland trends for the Southeast states, mid--1970's to mid-1980's . .. .. ... ... .. ... 14 Highlights 0 Nearly half (47 percent or 48 .9 million acres) 0 Estuarine (saltwater) wetland acreages of the wetlands in the conterminous United remained stable throughout most of the region States are in the 10 states of the Southeast - except for coastal Louisiana, where substantial Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, losses were identified. Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee . Wetlands and Freshwater wetlands declined dramatically. deepwater habitats comprise 21 percent Forested wetlands such as bottomland of the region's area. hardwood swamps and cypress sloughs declined by 3 .1 million acres, with heaviest 0 Wetlands alone cover 16 percent of the losses in the Gulf-Atlantic Coastal Flats of region's area, compared to a 5-percent overall North Carolina and in the Mississippi Alluvial coverage in area for the lower 48 states. Plain in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. 0 From the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, the North Carolina stood out among all average annual net loss ofwetlands in the southeastern states With an estimated loss of Southeast was 259,000 acres. Wetland losses 1 .2 million acres in palustrine forested and within the region accounted for 89 percent of scrub/shrub wetlands . Although the average the net national wetland losses for the period. annual net loss for all combined wetland types declined compared to earlier periods, the rate at which freshwater forested wetlands were lost and converted increased. Wetlands in the Wetland losses between conterminous mid-1970's and mid-1980's United States 89% in the Southeast 47% in the Southeast THE SOUTHEAST 103.3 million acres 2.6 million acres Left: Wood Ducks Figure 2. Study area : Southeast Region of the U .S . Fish and Wildlife Service LARRY R. DITTO Executive Summary The U.S . Fish and Wildlife Service prepares Changes were determined to be either natural or reports on the status and trends ofwetlands and human-induced. The wetland acreage estimate deepwater habitats ofthe conterminous United for the mid-1980's was subtracted from the States on a 10-year cycle, in accordance with the estimate for the mid-1970's and divided by the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 116 nine-year study period for an estimate of average U.S.C. 3931(a) l . annual net loss. The most recent report in the series (Dahl and Results show an estimated 51 .2 million acres of Johnson 1991) evaluated wetland trends for the wetlands in the 10 Southeast states in the mid- period from the mid-1970's to mid-1980's. 1970's. By the mid-1980's, wetlands were The national study design was such that region- reduced to 48 .9 million acres, including 44.6 specific - and in some cases state-specific - million acres of freshwater wetlands and 4 .3 information also could be developed. The million acres of estuarine wetlands. The net loss present report analyzes data collected for the within the region was more than 2 .3 million 10-state Southeast Region of the Fish and acres, making the average annual net loss Wildlife Service (Fig.l) . approximately 259,000 acres. Nearly all the losses were from freshwater wetlands. The design of this regional study consisted of a stratified random sample of 2,204 plots drawn In the mid-1980's, wetlands comprised 16 from the national sample of 3,629 plots . Aerial percent of the regional landscape . By contrast, photography from the mid-1970's
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Logan Plateau, a Young Physiographic Region in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee
    The Logan Plateau, a Young Physiographic Region in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1620 . II • r ,j • • ~1 =1 i1 .. ·~ II .I '1 .ill ~ I ... ... II 'II .fi :. I !~ ...1 . ~ !,~ .,~ 'I ~ J ·-=· ..I ·~ tJ 1;1 .. II "'"l ,,'\. d • .... ·~ I 3: ... • J ·~ •• I -' -\1 - I =,. The Logan Plateau, a Young Physiographic Region in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee By WILLIAM F. OUTERBRIDGE A highly dissected plateau with narrow valleys, steep slopes, narrow crested ridges, and landslides developed on flat-lying Pennsylvanian shales and subgraywacke sandstone during the past 1.5 million years U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1620 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DONALD PAUL HODEL, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Dallas L. Peck, Director UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1987 For sale by the Books and Open-File Reports Section, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Outerbridge, William F. The Logan Plateau, a young physiographic region in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. (U.S. Geological Survey bulletin ; 1620) Bibliography: p. 18. Supt. of Docs. no.: I 19.3:1620 1. Geomorphology-Logan Plateau. I. Title. II. Series. QE75.B9 no. 1620 557.3 s [551.4'34'0975] 84-600132 [GB566.L6] CONTENTS Abstract 1 Introduction 1 Methods of study 3 Geomorphology 4 Stratigraphy 9 Structure 11 Surficial deposits 11 Distribution of residuum 11 Depth of weathering 11 Soils 11 Landslides 11 Derivative maps of the Logan Plateau and surrounding area 12 History of drainage development since late Tertiary time 13 Summary and conclusions 17 References cited 18 PLATES [Plates are in pocket] 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate of the Southeast United States
    N$%"',$! C!"#$%& A++&++#&,% R&."',$! T&/),"/$! I,0*% R&0'1% S&1"&+ C!"#$%& '( %)& S'*%)&$+% U,"%&- S%$%&+ VARIABILITY, CHANGE, IMPACTS, AND VULNERABILITY Edited by: Keith T. Ingram Kirstin Dow Lynne Carter Julie Anderson Climate of the Southeast United States Variability, Change, Impacts, and Vulnerability © 2013 Southeast Climate Consortium All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Reproduction of this report by electronic means for personal and noncommercial purposes ȱĴȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱ Ĵȱȱȱȱǯ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ Printed on recycled, acid-free paper ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Citation: ǰȱ ǯǰȱ ǯȱ ǰȱǯȱǰȱ ǯȱǰȱǯȱŘŖŗřǯȱȱȱȱȱ ȱDZȱ¢ǰȱǰȱǰȱȱ¢ǯȱȱDZȱ ȱǯ Keywords:ȱȬĴȬȱǰȱǰȱǰȱȱ¢ǰȱ ǰȱǰȱȱǰȱ¢ǰȱȱ ǰȱȱǰȱ climate impacts, climate modeling, climate variability, coastal, drought, education, electric ȱǰȱ¡ȱ ǰȱĚǰȱȱǰȱ£ǰȱȱȱǰȱ ȱ ǰȱǰȱȬȱǰȱǰȱǰȱǰȱȱȱ ǰȱȱęǰȱȱǰȱǰȱȱǰȱǰȱȬ ȱ intrusion, sea level rise, silviculture, social vulnerability, Southeast, storm surge, tropical ǰȱǰȱ¢ǰȱǯǯȱȱ ǰȱȬȱǰȱ ȱǰȱ ǰȱ ę ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱǰȱǰȱǰȱȱ Tribal Government or Non-governmental entity. Front Cover Images: ȱǰȱ ǰȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȂȱȱǻǼǯȱȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱDZȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱǰȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱDzȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱǰȱȱ ǯȱDzȱȱȱȱǰȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱDzȱȱ ȱȱȱǻǼȱȱȱ ȱǰȱ ¢ȱȱDzȱȱĚ ȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱDzȱȱȱȱǰȱǰȱǰȱȱĴǯ About This Series This report is published as one of a series of technical inputs to the Third National ȱȱǻǼȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱŗşşŖǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ and Congress every four years on the status of climate change science and impacts. The NCA informs the nation about already observed changes, the current status of the climate, and anticipated trends for the future. The NCA report process integrates ęȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱęȱȱ ęȱȱȱȱ ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ- ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱǯǯȱ£ǰȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȂȱǯ ȱȱȱŘŖŗŗǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¡ȱȱ ǰȱȱ¢ǰȱȱȱȱǰȱȬȱ£- ǰȱȱǰȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Ĵȱȱȱȱȱǯȱ ȱǰȱȱȱȱǰȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ input reports highlighting past climate trends, projected climate change, and impacts ȱęȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ- ing this technical input.
    [Show full text]
  • Developing Sources of Native Grass Seed for Revegetation in Florida by Mary J
    Developing Sources of Native Grass Seed for Revegetation in Florida By Mary J. Williams, Janet Grabowski, and Brandee Williams ing, From Dusty Trails to Waning Wetlands.i In this article, we On the Ground provide some background for this effort and its current status. • As with much of the eastern United States, the na­ tive plant communities present in Florida when Euro­ History of “Improvements” in Florida pean settlers arrived have been converted to crop­ Unlike most of the eastern United States, which was heav­ land, pastureland, and industrial forest production. ily wooded when European settlers arrived, early settlers • Increasingly, both public and private entities have in Florida were confronted with almost 34 million acres of been making efforts to restore some of the con­ native range vegetation.1 The native vegetation on Florida verted acreage to a semblance of the original rangelands included grasses and grasslike species (e.g., sedges plant community for reasons of water quality, wild­ and rushes), forbs, and shrubs suitable for grazing and brows­ life habitat, and aesthetics. ing use by livestock and wildlife. An overstory of trees was • The lack of a commercial source of seed for Florida found on some range sites, whereas others were composed of ecotypes of native grasses is one of the main costs mostly herbaceous plants. Currently, only about seven million associated with current revegetation efforts. acres of native rangeland remain in the state. • A long-term program, by the USDA, NRCS, In Florida, inadvertent loss of the native rangeland veg­ Brooksville Plant Materials Center and various etation through improper grazing management often neces­ cooperating public and private institutions, has sitated “improvements” to maintain adequate forage produc­ fostered the development of a commercial, native tion.
    [Show full text]
  • Hillseam Geology and Roof Instability Near Outcrop in Eastern Kentucky Drift Mines
    REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS/ 1989 ~1~~~~~=~~~~~~~ Hillseam Geology and Roof Instability Near Outcrop in Eastern Kentucky Drift Mines By Gary P. Sames and Noel N. Moebs UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mission: As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has respon­ sibility for most of our nationally-owned public lands and natural and cultural resources. This incl udes fostering wise use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, pre­ serving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and pro­ viding for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also promotes the goals of the Take Pride in America campaign by encouraging stewardship and citizen responsibil­ ity for the public lands and promoting citizen par­ ticipation in their care. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reser­ vation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S Administration. Report of Investigations 9267 'Hillseam Geology and Roof Instability Near Outcrop in Eastern Kentucky Drift Mines By Gary P. Sames and Noel N. Moebs UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Manuel Lujan, Jr., Secretary BUREAU OF MINES T S Ary, Director Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data: Sames, Gary P. Hillseam geology and roof instability near outcrop in eastern Kentucky drift mines / by Gary P. Sames and Noel N. Moebs. (Report of investigations; 9267) Bibliography: p.
    [Show full text]
  • General Geological Information for the Tri-States of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee
    General Geological Information for the Tri-States Of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee Southeastern Geological Society (SEGS) Field Trip to Pound Gap Road Cut U.S. Highway 23 Letcher County, Kentucky September 28 and 29, 2001 Guidebook Number 41 Summaries Prepared by: Bruce A. Rodgers, PG. SEGS Vice President 2001 Southeastern Geological Society (SEGS) Guidebook Number 41 September 2001 Page 1 Table of Contents Section 1 P HYSIOGRAPHIC P ROVINCES OF THE R EGION Appalachian Plateau Province Ridge and Valley Province Blue Ridge Province Other Provinces of Kentucky Other Provinces of Virginia Section 2 R EGIONAL G EOLOGIC S TRUCTURE Kentucky’s Structural Setting Section 3 M INERAL R ESOURCES OF THE R EGION Virginia’s Geological Mineral and Mineral Fuel Resources Tennessee’s Geological Mineral and Mineral Fuel Resources Kentucky’s Geological Mineral and Mineral Fuel Resources Section 4 G ENERAL I NFORMATION ON C OAL R ESOURCES OF THE R EGION Coal Wisdom Section 5 A CTIVITIES I NCIDENTAL TO C OAL M INING After the Coal is Mined - Benefaction, Quality Control, Transportation and Reclamation Section 6 G ENERAL I NFORMATION ON O IL AND NATURAL G AS R ESOURCES IN THE R EGION Oil and Natural Gas Enlightenment Section 7 E XPOSED UPPER P ALEOZOIC R OCKS OF THE R EGION Carboniferous Systems Southeastern Geological Society (SEGS) Guidebook Number 41 September 2001 Page i Section 8 R EGIONAL G ROUND W ATER R ESOURCES Hydrology of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field Region Section 9 P INE M OUNTAIN T HRUST S HEET Geology and Historical Significance of the
    [Show full text]
  • Kudzu's Invasion Into Southern United States Life and Culture
    Blaustein, Richard J. 2001. Kudzu’s invasion into Southern United states life and culture. In: McNeeley, J. A. ed. The Great Reshuffling: Human Dimensions of Invasive Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. The World Conservation Union: 55-62. Kudzu's invasion into Southern United States life and culture Richard J. Blaustein ...Up telephone poles, Which rear, half out of leafage As though they would shriek, Like things smothered by their own Green, mindless, unkillable ghosts. In Georgia, the legend says That you must close your windows At night to keep it out of the house. The glass is tinged with green, even so, As the tendrils crawl over the fields. The night the Kudzu has Your pasture, you sleep like the dead. Silence has grown Oriental And you cannot step upon the ground … James Dickey " ALL: Kudzu" Abstract Kudzu, a perennial vine native to Japan and China, was first introduced into the USA in 1876 and was actively promoted by the government as a “wonderplant", It expanded to cover over 1 million ha by 1946 and well over 2 million ha today. When Kudzu invades a forest, it prevents the growth of young hardwoods and kills off other plants. Kudzu causes damage to powerlines, and even overwhelms homes, Kudzu has invaded important protected areas, requiring significant investment of management resources, The management response to date outside the protected areas has been insufficient to deal with this very significant threat. Introduction The Kudzu plant (Pueraria lobata) is an invasive alien species that has penetrated and persisted in the South-eastern United States for most of the twentieth century, and continues to debilitate natural communities and human well-being at the beginning of the twenty-first century .In fact, Kudzu has pervaded Southern life to such an extent that for many it has become a distinct emblem of the South.
    [Show full text]
  • 2006 Kentucky Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan
    LONG-RANGE STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Letter from Secretary Bill Nighbert Kentucky Transportation Cabinet i Introduction 1 Vision, Mission and Goals 3 Assessment of Current Conditions 9 Kentucky’s Funding Needs 31 Transportation Needs and Analysis Tools 35 System Evaluation and Analyses 47 Conclusion 53 Transportation at a Glance 57 Acronyms 59 KENTUCKY LONG-RANGE STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Kentucky is a Introduction Crossroads Kentucky has long been world-renowned for its beautiful horse farms and stunning natural scenery. In addition, Kentucky’s location in the center of the eastern United States bordered by seven states, several major waterways (Ohio, Big Sandy, Mississippi), and within 500 miles By Air….. of most major industrial centers in the central and eastern United By Land…. States has made Kentucky a true “crossroads” state. Kentucky is served by nine interstates and is located along the nation’s major By Rail…. highway, rail, inland water and air transportation routes. Many have discovered that Kentucky offers the ideal location for industry, By Water…. business, tourism, and major transportation hubs. While Kentucky’s geographic location presents wonderful opportunities and connectivity for industry, economic development, and tourism, its diverse geographic land area of over 39,000 square miles also brings a multitude of challenges for a transportation system serving one of the most diverse areas in the eastern United States. The Eastern Region is rugged and mountainous, covered with forests, dissected by streams, plagued by spring flooding and rockslides and in need of safe transportation systems to provide improved connection to the urban centers and interstate highways.
    [Show full text]
  • The Forests of Presettlement New England, USA: Spatial and Compositional Patterns Based on Town Proprietor Surveys Charles V
    Journal of Biogeography, 29, 1279–1304 The forests of presettlement New England, USA: spatial and compositional patterns based on town proprietor surveys Charles V. Cogbill1*, John Burk2 and G. Motzkin2182 Walker Lane, Plainfield, VT, USA and 2Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA, USA Abstract Aim This study uses the combination of presettlement tree surveys and spatial analysis to produce an empirical reconstruction of tree species abundance and vegetation units at different scales in the original landscape. Location The New England study area extends across eight physiographic sections, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The data are drawn from 389 original towns in what are now seven states in the north-eastern United States. These towns have early land division records which document the witness trees growing in the town before European settlement (c. seventeenth to eighteenth century AD). Methods Records of witness trees from presettlement surveys were collated from towns throughout the study area (1.3 · 105 km2). Tree abundance was averaged over town- wide samples of multiple forest types, integrating proportions of taxa at a local scale (102 km2). These data were summarized into genus groups over the sample towns, which were then mapped [geographical information system (GIS)], classified (Cluster Analysis) and ordinated [detrended correspondence analysis (DCA)]. Modern climatic and topo- graphic variables were also derived from GIS analyses for each town and all town attributes were quantitatively compared. Distributions of both individual species and vegetation units were analysed and displayed for spatial analysis of vegetation structure. Results The tally of 153,932 individual tree citations show a dominant latitudinal trend in the vegetation.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife and Upland Oak Forests
    WILDLIFE AND UPLAND OAK FORESTS James G. Dickson1 Abstract—The oak forests of the eastern U.S. have always been diverse as well as dynamic; continually molded and influenced by a variety of natural and anthropogenic forces. These forests support thousands of species of plants, untold numbers of insects and other invertebrates, and hundreds of species of vertebrate wildlife. Because of the large number of species, I focus on species and communities of special interest or concern. Acorns are a primary fall and winter diet item of many vertebrate species. Acorns build energy reserves, which are very important for winter survival and success- ful reproduction for a number of species. The wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and American black bear, which suffered and were very limited a century ago, have been restored and now flourish. There are a wide variety of bird species associated with upland oak forests; most associated with specific habitat attributes. Generally, there is concern for two categories of birds: neartic-neotropical migratory birds, and early successional, grass-forb associated birds. Bats are important ecological components of oak forests; several species of cave bats are endangered and there is concern for others. Even though upland oak ecosystems are mostly xeric, the forests support a high diversity of reptile and amphibian species, and provide important habitat for many species. HISTORY In the late 1800s and early 1900s the wholesale clearing of Around 10,000 BC or even earlier, the first humans arrived the forest and the direct harvest of many species of animals in North America. Here they found several species of mega- were profound.
    [Show full text]
  • Kentucky Geological Survey Earth Resources—Our Common Wealth
    Kentucky Geological Survey Earth ResourcesOur Common Wealth Annual Report 19992000 Annual Report 19992000 Cover Illustrations 2 1 3 4 6 5 7 À Quartz-pebble conglomerate from Cumberland Falls. Photo by Stephen Greb. Á Portion of geologic map of Harrodsburg 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, by Thomas Sparks, Garland Dever, and Warren Anderson. Â Karst landscape in central Kentucky. Photo by Deanna Davis, Barrys Photography. Ã Polished core from the CambrianOrdovician Knox Group in Cumberland County. Photo by Lyle VanHorne and Patrick Gooding. Ä Kentucky agate. Photo by Collie Rulo. Å Sandstone bluff in Carter Caves State Park. Photo by Douglas Reynolds Jr. Æ Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, McCreary County. Photo by Brandon Nuttall. Earth ResourcesOur Common Wealth Kentucky Geological Survey Annual Report 19992000 228 Mining and Mineral Resources Building University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506-0107 859.257.5500 fax 859.257.1147 www.uky.edu/KGS Project Manager and Writer: Carol Ruthven Editor: Margaret Luther Smath Designer: Collie Rulo Contents 1 Directors Desk 2 Energy and Minerals for Our Economy 8 Clean Air and Water for Our Quality of Life 14 Helping Our Communities Become Resistant to Natural Disasters 18 Enhancing Access to Geologic Maps and Data for Our Citizens 22 Upholding a Tradition of Quality Public Service 25 Mentoring Future Geologists 27 Recognizing Excellence in Research and Public Service 28 New Publications 30 Active Research Projects 32 Staff Roster State Geologists 18382000 1838: William W. Mather, State Geologist. No organizational structure. 183953: No organizational structure; no State Geologist. 185460: First Survey. David Dale Owen, State Geologist, 185457; Robert Peter, State Chemist, supervised the activities of the office from 185760.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Zones in the Southern Appalachians: First Approximation
    United States Department of Ecological Zones in the Southern Agriculture Forest Service Appalachians: First Approximation Steve A. Simon, Thomas K. Collins, Southern Gary L. Kauffman, W. Henry McNab, and Research Station Christopher J. Ulrey Research Paper SRS–41 The Authors Steven A. Simon, Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville, NC 28802; Thomas K. Collins, Geologist, USDA Forest Service, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Roanoke, VA 24019; Gary L. Kauffman, Botanist, USDA Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville, NC 28802; W. Henry McNab, Research Forester, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Asheville, NC 28806; and Christopher J. Ulrey, Vegetation Specialist, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC 28805. Cover Photos Ecological zones, regions of similar physical conditions and biological potential, are numerous and varied in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and are often typified by plant associations like the red spruce, Fraser fir, and northern hardwoods association found on the slopes of Mt. Mitchell (upper photo) and characteristic of high-elevation ecosystems in the region. Sites within ecological zones may be characterized by geologic formation, landform, aspect, and other physical variables that combine to form environments of varying temperature, moisture, and fertility, which are suitable to support characteristic species and forests, such as this Blue Ridge Parkway forest dominated by chestnut oak and pitch pine with an evergreen understory of mountain laurel (lower photo). DISCLAIMER The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply endorsement of any product or service by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida
    SHRIMPS, LOBSTERS, AND CRABS OF THE ATLANTIC COAST OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES, MAINE TO FLORIDA AUSTIN B.WILLIAMS SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PRESS Washington, D.C. 1984 © 1984 Smithsonian Institution. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Williams, Austin B. Shrimps, lobsters, and crabs of the Atlantic coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Rev. ed. of: Marine decapod crustaceans of the Carolinas. 1965. Bibliography: p. Includes index. Supt. of Docs, no.: SI 18:2:SL8 1. Decapoda (Crustacea)—Atlantic Coast (U.S.) 2. Crustacea—Atlantic Coast (U.S.) I. Title. QL444.M33W54 1984 595.3'840974 83-600095 ISBN 0-87474-960-3 Editor: Donald C. Fisher Contents Introduction 1 History 1 Classification 2 Zoogeographic Considerations 3 Species Accounts 5 Materials Studied 8 Measurements 8 Glossary 8 Systematic and Ecological Discussion 12 Order Decapoda , 12 Key to Suborders, Infraorders, Sections, Superfamilies and Families 13 Suborder Dendrobranchiata 17 Infraorder Penaeidea 17 Superfamily Penaeoidea 17 Family Solenoceridae 17 Genus Mesopenaeiis 18 Solenocera 19 Family Penaeidae 22 Genus Penaeus 22 Metapenaeopsis 36 Parapenaeus 37 Trachypenaeus 38 Xiphopenaeus 41 Family Sicyoniidae 42 Genus Sicyonia 43 Superfamily Sergestoidea 50 Family Sergestidae 50 Genus Acetes 50 Family Luciferidae 52 Genus Lucifer 52 Suborder Pleocyemata 54 Infraorder Stenopodidea 54 Family Stenopodidae 54 Genus Stenopus 54 Infraorder Caridea 57 Superfamily Pasiphaeoidea 57 Family Pasiphaeidae 57 Genus
    [Show full text]