Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory

February North Star Nature Preserve Open Space 2018 Pitkin County, Colorado

Prepared by:

Peak Ecological Services, LLC 301 Boulder Canyon Drive, PO Box 827 Nederland, Colorado 80466

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory North Star Nature Preserve Open Space Pitkin County, Colorado

Summary

The results of the fen assessment reveal that the preliminary fen boundary as previously mapped by Golder (2015) appears to be accurate. No additional fens are present within the North Star Nature Preserve; however, the southern portion of the James Smith Open Space west of the river does support several organic rich soils, one of which is a Histic Epipedon (organic layer 8 inches thick). At the time of assessment in late September groundwater levels at three sites in the north central area of the fen were 24 to 28 inches below the soil surface, however the capillary fringe was observed near the soil surface. Other areas of the fen had ponded water throughout the growing season. The extent to which the drainage ditch, which bisects the fen, is affecting long term functioning of the fen is unknown.

The floristic survey of the Preserve resulted in a total of 180 species being documented, 18 percent of which are non-native and nine species are Colorado Listed Noxious Weeds. No rare plants tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program were found; however, there is one uncommon plant, the slender spire orchid (Piperia unalascensis). Finally, a Floristic Quality Assessment was conducted of the Preserve which indicated that the flora is moderately impacted by anthropogenic activities.

prepared for:

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails 806 West Hallam St (Forest Service Building) Aspen, CO 81611

prepared by.

Peak Ecological Services, LLC 301 Boulder Canyon Drive, PO Box 827 Nederland, CO 80466

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory i Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Table of Contents

Section / Title Page

1.0 Introduction ...... 1 2.0 Definition of Fen...... 1 3.0 Fen Assessment – Soils...... 2 3.1 Methods ...... 2 3.2 Results ...... 2 3.3 Discussion ...... 4 4.0 Floristic Inventory ...... 4 4.1 Survey Methods ...... 4 4.2 Results ...... 4 4.2.1 Floristics ...... 4 4.2.2 Floristic Quality Assessment...... 5 4.2.3 Noxious Weeds ...... 6 5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations ...... 7 6.0 Figures ...... 8 7.0 References...... 11 Appendix A. Vascular Plant Species List North Star Nature Preserve ...... A1-A8

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory ii Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

List of Figures

Number / Title Page

Figure 1. Location of Soil Data Pits ...... 9 Figure 2. Floristic Survey Tracks ...... 10

List of Tables

Number / Title Page

Table 1. Soil Sampling Results. North Star Nature Preserve ...... 3 Table 2. Floristic Quality Assessment Results. North Star Nature Preserve...... 6 Table 3. Noxious Weeds. North Star Nature Preserve. 2017 ...... 6

List of Photos

Number / Title Page

Photo 1. North Star Fen (9/25/2017)...... 1 Photo 2. Beaked sedge (Carex utriculata), a dominant plant of the fen (9/12/17)...... 1 Photo 3. David Buscher, soil scientist, examing wetland soils on the Smith Open Space (9/25/17)...... 2 Photo 4. Beaked sedge close-up (9/25/17)...... 4 Photo 5. Slender spire orchid at North Star (July 12, 2017)...... 5 Photo 6. Dense stand of the noxious weed oxeye daisy, west of the river (7/28/2017)...... 6

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory iii Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

1.0 Introduction The North Star Nature Preserve (175-acres) and the adjacent James H. Smith Open Space (70+ acres) are unique and valuable tracts of open space on the edge of Aspen – an ecological sanctuary that encompasses significant wetland and riparian ecological communities and wildlife habitat (PCOST, 2015). These properties, collectively called the North Star Nature Preserve (Preserve), encompass a flat bottomland bisected by the Roaring Fork River and bounded by steep mountainsides. Some of the original riparian and wetland habitat on the Preserve was drained and willows were eliminated to grow agricultural grasses in the 1950’s (PCOST, 2015). However, there are still areas of high quality wetlands on the Preserve, including an herbaceous fen located at the northwest corner and a willow shrub wetland beaver pond complex along the southern boundary of the Preserve. Other vegetation types present include narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifoliai) riparian forest, stands of aspen (Populus tremuloides) with conifers, mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana) shrublands, and upland meadows dominated by agricultural grasses.

The purpose of this Fen Assessment and Floristic Inventory is to provide Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (PCOST) with baseline information on the soils and vegetation of the mapped wetland fen, and to determine if fens exist elsewhere on the property. In addition, a list of all vascular plant life encountered within the Preserve (Appendix A) is included to provide PCOST with baseline information which supports the existing “targeted” quantitative monitoring that is already occurring on the Preserve. Comprehensive inventories of plant life are an important part of land management and could be used to make informed decisions about land management activities and conservation. Photo 1. North Star Fen (9/25/2017).

2.0 Definition of Fen Fens are rare and ecologically significant wetlands in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains and are colloquially known as “old-growth” wetlands because they can be thousands of years old. They are ancient ecosystems 8,000 to 12,000 years old. Even though they occupy a small percentage of the landscape, they provide important headwater quality functions, including carbon storage, water storage, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity. A fen is defined as a groundwater-fed wetland with saturated organic soils, commonly known as peat (Mitsch and Gosselink, 2000). Regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have required fens to meet the formal criteria established for organic soils (Histosols) in the USDA soil taxonomy (USACE, 2017). The criteria include the duration of saturated conditions, organic carbon Photo 2. Beaked sedge (Carex utriculata), a dominant content, and a minimum thickness of 40 cm (16 plant of the fen (9/12/17).

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 1 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space in) of peat (in the upper 80 cm (32 in of soil) (USDA, 1994). Others such as Johnston, et al. (2012), utilize a different definition of fens with a minimum peat thickness of 30 cm (12 in). For purposes of this report, we define fens at the outer limit of the Histosol soils, commonly referred to as peat; and any adjacent mineral soils with a histic epipedon, defined as an organic layer at least 20 cm (8 inches) thick (USDA, 1994).

Fens, like other wetlands, provide important ecological functions relating to hydrology, water quality, and habitat. They are important sites of groundwater discharge, and the nearly permanently saturated soil conditions allow for the development of extensive zones with anaerobic, reducing soil conditions. Fens, as well as other peatlands, form where the rate of plant growth exceeds the rate of decomposition of litter. Both saturated soils and cool temperatures slow decomposition to the point that productivity exceeds decomposition, resulting in an accumulation of organic matter (i.e. peat).

Because fens are connected to local groundwater flow systems, disruptive changes to groundwater flows such as water diversions and drainage ditches may have a substantial impact on the hydrology and therefore of the long-term biotic integrity of fens (Woods, 2001; Cooper et al., 1998; Johnson, 1996). Once the water table is lowered, peat oxidization and subsequent decomposition occurs quickly, thereby reducing peat depth, altering hydrological patterns, and resulting in a change of species composition (Cooper, 1990; Chimner et al., 2002). At North Star, historic drainage ditches bisect the fen and were likely constructed during the ranching period to drain the surrounding landscape and Photo 3. Headgate along fen drainage ditch (7/28/2017). provide conditions for agricultural grasses. A closed headgate at the outlet of the drainage ditch appears to be maintaining water levels and soil saturation conditions beneficial to the health of the fen. However, the extent to which the drainage ditches are negatively affecting some functions of the fen is currently unknown.

3.0 Fen Assessment – Soils 3.1 Methods An assessment of the soils of the fen as well as other wetland areas on the Preserve, including the James Smith Open Space, was completed on September 25, 2017 by David Buscher of Buscher Soil and Environmental Consulting, Inc. A total of 10 soils pits were hand dug and the soils were described as per type (i.e. organic or mineral), the depth of organic soil layers, and redox features. In addition, notes were taken on the groundwater levels encountered and the dominant plant species.

3.2 Results Table 1 presents the results of the soil Photo 4. David Buscher, soil scientist, examining sampling and Figure 1 illustrates these sites on wetland soils on the Smith Open Space (9/25/17). a map. Soil Pits 1 through 3 are in the northern

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 2 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space and central area of the fen. These soils samples revealed Histosol soils more than 53 inches thick. At the time of assessment, the sample depth was limited by the height of the soil shovel. All three of these soils are dominated by dense stands of beaked sedge (Carex utriculata), a common native wetland plant. Samples 4 and 5, located at the edge of the fen, both had histic epipedon organic soil layers and are also considered to be part of the fen complex. Vegetation in both of these areas had reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), a non-native species. Pits 6 through 8 occur in other wetland areas of North Star. Although none of these soils have thick organic layers characteristic of fens, many of them are wetland soils and show characteristic redoximorphic features.

Finally, several soils, including Pit 9, were examined from a wetland complex at the southern end of the Preserve on the James H. Smith Open Space. These wetlands are characterized by a mosaic of Geyer willow (Salix geyeriana), strapleaf willow (Salix eriocephala var. ligulifolia) and thinleaf alder (Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia), along with beaked sedge meadows, reed canarygrass, and beaver ponds. Several stands of blue spruce (Picea pungens) are present as well. Most of the soils examined in this area showed them to be organic rich; however, they do not contain the necessary Histosol soils to be classified as a fen. Therefore, we conclude that there is only one fen, previously mapped by Golder (2015), at the Preserve.

Table 1. Soil Sampling Results. North Star Nature Preserve

ID No. Notes 1 Fen – peat (fibric)/hemic 0>39 inches, capillary fringe at surface, water table at 24 inches. Carex utriculata and Phalaris arundinacea. GPS #178. 2 Fen – peat/hemic 0>43 inches; capillary fringe at surface, water table at 24 inches. Carex utriculata with minor amounts of Polygonum cf. amphibia. GPS #179. 3 Fen – peat/hemic 0>53 inches; capillary fringe at surface, water table at 28 inches, near center of fen. Dense Carex utriculata. GPS #180. 4 Histic epipedon 0-10 inches over gravelly sandy loam. Phalaris arundinacea. GPS #181. 5 Histic epipedon 0-12 inches over organic-rich clay loam, eastern edge of fen; water table at 15 inches. Carex utriculata, Phalaris arundinacea, minor amounts of Calamagrostis canadensis. GPS #182. 6 In meadow, 0-7 inches 10YR 2/1 loam, 7-12 inches 10YR 3/2 gravelly sandy loam, with 3% relict redox features. Soil is not hydric and lacks hydrology. Alopecurus pratensis (80%), Phleum pratense (20%). GPS #183. 7 In meadow, slight depression, 0-6 inches 10YR 2/1 loam, 6-12 inches N1 clay with 7% redox features and oxidized root channels; hydric soil. Carex utriculata, surrounded by ring of Phalaris arundinacea. GPS #184. 8 On low terrace (old ox-bow), 0-12” 10YR 2/2 cl, with 7-10% redox features and oxidized root channels; hydric soil. Alopecurus pratensis (80%), Phalaris arundinacea (20%). GPS #185. 9 Histic epipedon. At east end near small pond, 0-8 inches hemic organic matter, over gleyed clay loam, Histic epipedon. Carex utriculata. GPS #186. 10 At toe of steep mountain slope, 0-12 inches 10YR 2/1 cl, 12-16 inches 10YR 2/1 cl with 7% redox features and oxidized root channels, 16-20 inches 10YR 4/2 with 7% redox features. Hydric soil. Phalaris arundinacea. GPS #187. Notes: Sites 1 through 5 are in the North Star fen. Date of field observation: September 25, 2017

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 3 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

3.3 Discussion Fens and other peatlands form where the rate of plant growth exceeds the rate of decomposition of litter. Both saturated soils and cool temperatures slow decomposition to the point that productivity exceeds decomposition, resulting in an accumulation of organic matter (i.e. peat). Peat accumulates slowly in all Southern Rocky Mountain peatlands, anywhere from 11 to 41 cm (4.3 to 16.2 inches) per thousand years (Cooper, 1990; Chimner et al., 2002). Peat examined at the North Star fen exceeds 53 inches in depth and hence the fen is at least 3,271 to 12,000 years old, but likely older as the maximum thickness of peat could not be determined with a hand-held soil shovel at the time of assessment.

Although Golder (2015) recommended filling in the drainage ditches of the fen and then removing the headgate structure, it may be prudent to further investigate the current hydraulic functioning of the fen before committing to an expensive and potentially unnecessary project. As a general rule, only those areas with soil saturation or a water table within 12 inches (30 cm) of the soil surface through July and August accumulate peat in the Southern Rocky Mountains (Cooper, 1990; Chimner et al., 2002). However, even in healthy fens, sometimes the water table begins to drop in late-July and August so careful interpretation of water levels needs to be made. In early spring and summer, it appeared that a good portion of the fen had shallow standing water. However, investigations of water table depth in late September of 2017 (Table 1), revealed that three areas of the fen had a water table between 24 and 28 inches below the soil surface, but that the capillary fringe extended to the soil surface, which maintains saturated soil conditions and long-term maintenance of fen soils. Please note, portions of the fen at a lower elevation had standing water throughout the growing season. As discussed in the recommendations section below, additional scientific information on the extent and depth of groundwater (as well as the associated capillary fringe) during the height of the growing season (July and August) would provide the needed information to determine next steps, if any.

4.0 Floristic Inventory 4.1 Survey Methods A list of all vascular plant species encountered during the fen inventory as well as permanent vegetation plot data collection (Peak Eco, 2018a, 2018b) was compiled for North Star Nature Preserve and has been summarized in table form with scientific name, common name, plant family, and origin (native or introduced), as well as the C-value, or Coefficient of Conservatism. See Appendix A. Surveys were conducted by Ms. Rea Orthner of Peak Ecological Services, LLC. Ms. Orthner has a M.S. degree in botany from the University of Colorado in Boulder and has completed numerous floristic inventories and rare plant surveys in western Colorado over the last 20 years. The specific survey dates include July 12, 24, 26, 27, and September 25, 2017. See Figure 2. Please note, surveys were focused in wetland areas and areas of vegetation plots and did not necessarily encompass all habitats of the Preserve. 4.2 Results 4.2.1 Floristics A total of 180 vascular plant species were observed during field reconnaissance. These include five species of trees, 39 shrubs/subshrubs, 39 perennial graminoids, 90 perennial forbs, one fern ally, 18 annual/biennial forbs, and 1 annual graminoid. Of the total, 33, or 18% are non-native and 9 species are Colorado State listed noxious weeds (see Section 4.2.3). The North Star fen is dominated by beaked sedge with occasional plants of bog Photo 5. Beaked sedge close-up watercress (Rorippa palustris) and water smartweed (Persicaria (9/25/17).

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 4 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space cf. amphibia). No rare plants tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program were observed within the fen or elsewhere. However, there is one relatively uncommon plant, the slender spire orchid (Piperia unalascensis), which occurs along an historic roadbed located at the toe of Richmond Ridge on the Smith Open Space (see Figure 2). The slender spire orchid coordinates are Lat/Long 39.163404N -106.795392W, or UTM NAD83 4336444N, 344888E. In total, approximately 12 plants were counted. Common plant associates found with the slender spire orchid include snowberry (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), alder (Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia), Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii), Oregon grape (Mahonia repens), aspen daisy (Erigeron speciosus), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis).

The following description is taken from Smith (2007).

Description: The floral stem blooms from the bottom first and then blossoms upwards. The blooming time of this orchid is two months long. The flower itself is light whitish green in color and extremely small in size - less than a ¼ inch. This orchid is green completely. The leaves, 2-6 each, are lance-like and are extremely shiny, waxy like. A wonderful characteristic of this orchid is that the shiny leaves are all withering at the time of blooming. The flowering stem comes from the plants in a very densely packed group. Probably 30-75 flowers packed together. As the plant grows through the early season these densely packed spikes elongate and space out as the stem grows to 2 feet tall. The plant is then 12-24 inches in overall height. The orchid flower is one of the smallest in Colorado. Flowers are evenly spaced along the stem of the flower. The sepals, light whitish green, fold downwards and are slightly twisted. The petals are fully opened up and almost forming a star shape. The spur is about as long as the lip. It also curves outward from the base of the spur and flower. Piperia unalascensis flowers bear a large resemblance to flowers of several Platanthera species. This Photo 6. Slender spire orchid at orchid is found growing in some of our mesic conifer dry forest. North Star (July 12, 2017). They can be found growing in and under full forests or along banks from old road cuts and trails.

Habitat: This orchid grows in partial sun to full sunshine. Mostly found growing in cooler forest areas. The height of this orchid during blooming time varies between 12-24 inches tall at an elevation between 6,500 and 9,000 feet in Colorado. In Colorado, Piperia unalascensis is not common but not on the endangered list yet either. When seen it is small in quantity. There are records for more than ten counties in Colorado. Our Piperia unalascensis is found growing in cool dry forest locations. In the foothills around Boulder, Colorado these can be found. They are also found growing in the mountain valleys.

4.2.2 Floristic Quality Assessment. The Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) is a standardized method used to determine the ecological condition of a site in terms of its native floristic quality. It is a useful tool for assessing how human disturbances have affected plant community composition and for tracking changes in plant communities over time.

The FQA method is based on the concept of species conservatism. In general, species conservatism is a measure of how sensitive a species is to disturbance, and the degree of fidelity it has to a particular habitat or environment. This is represented by the C-value, or Coefficient of Conservatism, an integer ranging from 0-10 that has been assigned for a given geographic area. Species with low C-values are highly tolerant to disturbance and exhibit little fidelity to natural areas, and they may be found virtually

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 5 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space anywhere. In contrast, species with high C-values are highly intolerant to disturbance and are located in high-quality natural sites indicative of conditions prior to human settlement.

To assess the floristic quality within North Star Nature, Preserve, two floristic quality measures were calculated including the mean C-values of all species and the mean C of native plants. The results (Table 2) show relatively low Mean C values of 4.5 (all species) and 5.5 (native species only), which are not unexpected given that the Preserve has a high number of non-native species and species widely tolerant of human disturbance.

Table 2. Floristic Quality Assessment Results. North Star Nature Preserve.

Metric Rank Number of Species Mean C (All species) 4.5 180 Mean C (Native species) 5.5 147

4.2.3 Noxious Weeds The Colorado Noxious Weed Act directs the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement management plans for all List A and List B noxious weed species. There are no List A Noxious Weeds within the North Star Nature Preserve. However, there are seven List B species, three of which (toadflax, sulphur cinquefoil, and plumeless thistle) are slated for elimination. The other four species (Canada thistle, oxeye daisy, houndstongue, and scentless chamomile) are slated for suppression. The county Weed Management Plans are regularly reviewed, updated and detailed in the Rules Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, also known as Photo 7. Dense stand of the noxious weed oxeye daisy, the Noxious Weed Rule (8 CCR 1206-2). west of the river (7/28/2017).

Please note, previous reports of crack willow (Salix fragilis) and absinth wormwood by Golder (2015) are incorrect and represent the native species whiplash willow (Salix lasiandra var. caudata) and wild tarragon (Oligosporus dracunculus) (R. Mandel, personal communication).

Table 3. Noxious Weeds. North Star Nature Preserve. 2017 Noxious Management Scientific Name Common Name Family Weed List Status Perennial Forbs Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Asteraceae B Suppression (=Breea) Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Asteraceae B Suppression Linaria vulgaris Butter and eggs, Plantaginaceae B Eliminate by 2021 toadflax Potentilla recta Sulphur cinquefoil Rosaceae B Elimination* Annual/Biennial Forbs Berteroa incana Hoary alyssum Brassicaceae W N/A

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 6 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Table 3. Noxious Weeds. North Star Nature Preserve. 2017 Noxious Management Scientific Name Common Name Family Weed List Status Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle Asteraceae B Eliminate by 2018 Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae B Suppression Tripleurospermum Scentless chamomile Asteraceae B Suppression perforatum Verbascum thapsus Mullein Scrophulariaceae C N/A Source: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/county-weed-programs; and List B Management Plan Web Database for Pitkin County (updated Apr-01-2017). “Elimination” means the removal or destruction of all emerged, growing plants of a population of List A or List B species designated for eradication by the Commissioner. It is the first step in achieving Eradication and is succeeded by efforts to detect and destroy newly emerged plants arising from seed, reproductive propagule, or remaining root stock for the duration of the seed longevity for the particular species. “Suppression" means reducing the vigor of noxious weed populations within an infested region, decreasing the propensity of noxious weed species to spread to surrounding lands, and mitigating the negative effects of noxious weed populations on infested lands. Suppression efforts may employ a wide variety of integrated management techniques. *Potentilla recta occurs outside of the Pitkin County containment area, therefore elimination is the management strategy.

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations The results of the fen assessment reveal that the preliminary fen boundary as previously mapped by Golder (2015) appears to be accurate. No additional fens are present within the Preserve, however the southern portion of the James Smith Open Space west of the river does support several organic rich soils, one of which is a Histic Epipedon (organic layer 8 inches thick). Although at the time of assessment in late September, groundwater levels in three areas of the fen were 24 to 28 inches below the soil surface, the capillary fringe was observed near the soil surface. However, other areas of the fen, likely at a lower elevation, had shallow water throughout the growing season. The extent to which the drainage ditch, which bisects the fen, is affecting long term functioning of the fen is unknown.

The floristic survey resulted in a total of 180 species being documented, 18 percent of which are non- native and nine species are Colorado Listed Noxious Weeds. No rare plants tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program were found, however there is one uncommon plant, the slender spire orchid (Piperia unalascensis). Finally, a Floristic Quality Assessment was conducted of the Preserve and indicated that the flora is moderately impacted by anthropogenic activities. The following recommendations are provided:

 Map the extent of ponding, the depth to groundwater, and the depth of soil saturation (capillary fringe) in the fen during peak runoff (May/June), during August, and during October, and prepare a map to illustrate the extent of each.  Develop a topographic map (6-inch contours) for the fen and the drainage ditch.  Use a long probe to determine the maximum depth of peat in the fen.  Keep the headgate of the drainage ditch (which bisects the fen) closed on a permanent basis.  Continue control of Colorado listed noxious weeds within the Preserve.  Continue floristic inventory efforts in areas not visited, especially in those vegetation communities above the valley floor.

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6.0 Figures

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 8 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

2631216 2631873 2632529 2633185 2633841 2634497 2635153

1491427 Headgate 1491427

Fen Drainage Ditch 1490771 1490771 1 2 ^_ ^_ 3 ^_ 5 1490114 1490114 ^_^_ 4 US HWY 82

North Star Nature Preserve

6 1489458 1489458 ^_ 7 ^_ 10 ^_ 1488802 1488802

8 ^_ 1488146 1488146

James H Smith Open Space 1487490 1487490

9

1486834 ^_ 1486834

BASE: 2014 PCOS Aerial Photography (6-inch resolution) Figure 1. Location of Soil Data Pits GRID: UTM NAD83 Z13 North Star Nature Preserve Open Space Legend Fen Assessment Pitkin County, Colorado ^_ Soil Sample Locations Open Space Boundary Ü Preliminary Fen Boundary (Golder 2015) Scale: 1:8,400 1 inch = 700 feet Date: January 2018

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 9 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

2631216 2631873 2632529 2633185 2633841 2634497 2635153 1491427 1491427 1490771 1490771 1490114 1490114

North Star Nature Preserve 1489458 1489458 1488802 1488802

Eastof Aspen 1488146 1488146

HWY 82

James H Smith Open Space 1487490 1487490

^_

Slender spire orchid 1486834 1486834

BASE: 2014 PCOS Aerial Photography (6-inch resolution) Figure 2. Floristic Survey Tracks GRID: UTM NAD83 Z13 North Star Nature Preserve Open Space Survey Track Dates Legend Fen Assessment 170925_Trk_RO Pitkin County, Colorado Open Space Boundary 170727_Trk_RO Ü Preliminary Fen Boundary 170726_Trk_RO Trails 170724_Trk_RO Scale: 1:8,400 1 inch = 700 feet ^_ Slender spire orchid 170712_Trk_RO Date: January 2018

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 10 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

7.0 References

Chimner, R.A., D.J. Cooper, and WJ Parton. 2002. Modeling carbon accumulation in Rocky Mountain fens. Wetlands 22: 100-110.

Colorado Natural Heritage Program. 2009. FQA Access Database. Available online: http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/cwic/assessment/fqa.asp

Cooper, D.J. 1990. Ecology of Wetlands in Big Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Report 90(15).

Cooper, D. J., L. H. MacDonald, S. K. Wenger, S. Woods. 1998. Hydrologic restoration of a fen in Rocky Mt. National Park, Colorado. Wetlands 18: 335-345

Culver, D. and J. Lemly. 2013. Field Guide to Colorado's Wetlands Plants. Identification, Ecology, and Conservation. Colorado State University, Colorado Natural Heritage Program.

Golder Associates, 2015. Ecological Communities & Fluvial Geomorphology Baseline Report. North Star Nature Preserve. Submitted to Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, Aspen, CO. 228 pp.

Johnston, Barry C.; Benjamin T. Stratton; Warren R. Young; Liane L. Mattson; John M. Almy; and Gay T. Austin. 2012. Inventory of Fens in a Large Landscape of West-Central Colorado: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. Report to Forest Supervisor, 209 pp. Delta, Colorado: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. April 6, 2012. Published on World Wide Web.

Johnson, J.B. 1996. Environmental Function, Vegetation, and the Effects of Peat Mining on a Calcareous Fen in Park County, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII and Park County Department of Public Health. Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.

Mitsch, W.J. and J.G. Gosselink. 2000. Wetlands (third edition) by John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2000. No. of pages: 920.

Peak Ecological Services (Peak Eco). 2018a. Technical Memorandum. North Star Nature Preserve 2017 Vegetation Monitoring. Prepared for Pitkin County Open Space & Trails. February 2, 2018.

Peak Ecological Services (Peak Eco). 2018b. Technical Memorandum. iRON 2017 Vegetation Monitoring, Brush Creek, North Star Transition, North Star Aspen, and Smuggler Mixed Conifer. Prepared for Aspen Global Change Institure. February 12, 2018.

PCOST, 2015. North Star Nature Preserve Management Plan. Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. 122 pp.

Rocchio, J. 2007. Floristic Quality Assessment Indices for Colorado Plant Communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program Warner College of Natural Resources Colorado State University 254 General Services Building Fort Collins, Colorado 80523. 234 pp.

Rocchio, J. 2006. Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Fen Ecological System. Draft prepared January 6, 2006. Ecological Integrity Assessment. Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State University 254 General Services Building Fort Collins, CO 80523

Smith 2007, The Native Orchids of Colorado, A Botanical Adventure of an Amateur. In North American Native Orchid Journal. Volume 13 (3).

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory 11 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

United States Army Corps of Engineers, 2017. Regional Conditions to Nationwide Permits in the State of Colorado. Dated January 11, 2017.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 1994. Keys to Soil Taxonomy. Soil Survey Staff, Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sixth Edition. Pocahontas Press, Inc. Blacksburg, VA.

Woods, S.W. 2001. Ecohydrology of subalpine wetlands in the Kawuneeche Valley, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. PhD Dissertation. Department of Earth Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.

Young, T.F. and S. Sanzone (editors). 2002. A framework for assessing and reporting on ecological condition. Prepared by the Ecological Reporting Panel, Ecological Processes and Effects Committee. EPA Science Advisory Board. Washington, DC. 142 p.

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Appendix A. Vascular Plant Species List North Star Nature Preserve

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-1 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

North Star Nature Preserve ‐ 2017 Vascular Plant Species List

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Trees Picea pungens Blue sprucePinaceae N 6 Pinus contorta var. latifolia Lodgepole pinePinaceae N 5 Populus angustifolia Narrowleaf cottonwoodSalicaceae N 5 Populus tremuloides Quaking aspenSalicaceae N 5 Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas‐firPinaceae N 5 Shrubs/Subshrubs Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain mapleSapindaceae N 7 Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia Thinleaf alderBetulaceae N 6 Amelanchier alnifolia ServiceberryRosaceae N 6 Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana Mountain big sagebrushAsteraceae N 5 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Sticky rabbitbrushAsteraceae N 5 Cornus sericea subsp. sericea Redosier dogwoodCornaceae N 7 Juniperus communis subsp. alpina Common juniperCupressaceae N 6 Mahonia repens Oregon grapeBerberidaceae N 5 Paxistima myrsinites Mountain loverCelastraceae N 7 Pontentilla fruticosa Shrubby cinquefoilRosaceae N 4 (=Pentaphylloides) Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa ChokecherryRosaceae N 4 Quercus gambelii Gambel oakFagaceae N 5 Ribes inerme Whitestem gooseberryGrossulariaceae N 5 Ribes wolfii Wolf's currantGrossulariaceae N 7 Rosa woodsii Woods' roseRosaceae N 5 Rubus idaeus var. strigosus Red raspberryRosaceae N 5 Salix bebbiana Bebb willowSalicaceae N 6 Salix drummondiana Drummond's willowSalicaceae N 6 Salix eriocephala var. ligulifolia Strapleaf willowSalicaceae N 7 Salix geyeriana Geyer willowSalicaceae N 6 Salix lasiandra var. caudata Whiplash willowSalicaceae N 7 Salix monticola Mountain willowSalicaceae N 6

Monday, February 12, 2018 Page 1 of 7

February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-2 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Sambucus microbotrys Red elderberryCaprifoliaceae N 6 Shepherdia canadensis BuffaloberryElaeagnaceae N 7 Symphoricarpos rotundifolius (=S. Roundleaf snowberryCaprifoliaceae N 5 oreophilus) Vaccinium myrtillus subsp. whortleberryEricaceae N 6 oreophilum Perennial Graminoids Achnatherum lettermanii Letterman's needlegrassPoaceae N 6 Agropyron cristatum (=A. Crested wheatgrassPoaceae I 0 desertorum) Agrostis gigantea RedtopPoaceae I 0 Alopecurus pratensis Meadow foxtailPoaceae I 0 Bromelica spectabilis Purple oniongrassPoaceae N 8 Bromus carinatus (=Ceratochloa) California bromePoaceae N 0 Bromus ciliatus (=Bromopsis fringed bromePoaceae N 5 canadensis) Bromus inermis Smooth bromePoaceae I 0 Carex aquatilis Water sedgeCyperaceae N 6 Carex bebbii Bebb's sedgeCyperaceae N 7 Carex disperma Softleaf sedgeCyperaceae N 9 Carex geyeri Elk sedgeCyperaceae N 6 Carex microptera Smallwing sedgeCyperaceae N 4 Carex praegracilis Clustered field sedgeCyperaceae N 5 Carex praticola meadow sedgeCyperaceae N 6 Carex utriculata Beaked sedgeCyperaceae N 5 Dactylis glomerata OrchardgrassPoaceae I 0 Danthonia intermedia Timber oatgrassPoaceae N 8 Eleocharis palustris Creeping spikerushCyperaceae N 3 Elymus glaucus Blue wildryePoaceae N 7 Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescuePoaceae N 7 Festuca rubra Red fescuePoaceae N 5 Festuca saximontana Rocky Mountain fescuePoaceae N 7 Glyceria striata Fowl mannagrassPoaceae N 6

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February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-3 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Hesperostipa comata Needle and thread grassPoaceae N 6 Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barleyPoaceae N 2 Juncus arcticus var. balticus (=J. Arctic rushJunaceae N 4 balticus) Juncus drummondii Drummond's rushJunaceae N 6 Juncus ensifolius (=J. saximontanus) Swordleaf rushJunaceae N 6 Koeleria macrantha Prairie JunegrassPoaceae N 6 Nassella viridula (=Stipa) Green needlegrassPoaceae N 4 Pascopyrum smithii Western wheatgrassPoaceae N 5 Phalaris arundinacea Reed canarygrassPoaceae I 0 Phleum pratense TimothyPoaceae I 0 Poa palustris Fowl bluegrassPoaceae N 6 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrassPoaceae I 0 Schedonorus arundinacea (=Festuca) Tall fescuePoaceae I 0 Schedonorus pratensis (=Festuca) Meadow fescuePoaceae I 0 Scirpus microcarpus Panicled bulrushCyperaceae N 5 Perennial Forbs Achillea lanulosa YarrowAsteraceae N 4 Aconitum columbianum MonkshoodRanunculaceae N 8 Agastache urticifolia Nettleleaf giant hyssopLamiaceae N 5 Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly everlastingAsteraceae N 4 Androsace septentrionalis Pygmyflower Primulaceae N6 rockjasmine Angelica ampla Giant angelicaApiaceae N 4 Antennaria parvifolia Small‐leaf pussytoesAsteraceae N 5 Arenaria lanuginosa subsp. saxosa Spreading sandwortCaryophyllaceae N 5 (=Spergulastrum) Artemisia dracunculus (=Oligosporus) Wild tarragonAsteraceae N 3 Artemisia ludoviciana White sageAsteraceae N 4 Boechera lignifera Desert rockcressBrassicaceae N 8 Boechera stricta (=B. drummondii) Drummond's rockcressBrassicaceae N 5 Campanula parryi Parry's bellflowerCampanulaceae N 7 Campanula rotundifolia HarebellCampanulaceae N 5

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February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-4 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Castilleja linariifolia Wyoming Indian Orobanchaceae N6 paintbrush Castilleja miniata Giant red Indian Orobanchaceae N7 paintbrush Castilleja sulphurea Sulphur Indian Orobanchaceae N7 paintbrush Cirsium arvense (=Breea) Canada thistleAsteraceae I B 0 Cirsium eatonii Eaton's thistleAsteraceae N 6 Cymopterus lemmonii Moutain spring parsleyApiaceae N 6 (Pseudocymopterus montanus) Delphinium ramosum Mountain larkspurRanunculaceae N 5 Drymocallis arguta Tall cinquefoilRosaceae N 7 Epilobium ciliatum American willowherbOnagraceae N 4 Epilobium halleanum Glandular willowherbOnagraceae N 8 Eremogone congesta Ballhead sandwortCaryophyllaceae N 8 Erigeron eximius Splendid fleabaneAsteraceae N 7 Erigeron flagellaris Trailing fleabaneAsteraceae N 3 Erigeron speciosus Aspen fleabaneAsteraceae N 5 Eriogonum umbellatum Sulphur‐flower Polygonaceae N6 buckwheat Fragaria virginiana subsp. glauca Virginia strawberryRosaceae N 5 Frasera speciosa Monument plant, Gentianaceae N6 Elkweed Galium boreale (=G. septentrionale) Northern bedstrawRubiaceae N 6 Geranium richardsonii Richardson's geraniumGeraniaceae N 6 Geranium viscosissimum subsp. Sticky purple geraniumGeraniaceae N 5 nervosum Geum macrophyllum var. perincisum Largeleaf avensRosaceae N 6 Geum rivale Purple avensRosaceae N 5 Helianthella quinquenervis Fivenerve little Asteraceae N7 sunflower Heracleum sphondylium subsp. CowparsnipApiaceae N 6 montanum Heterotheca villosa Hairy false goldenasterAsteraceae N 3 Ipomopsis aggregata Scarlet giliaPolemoniaceae N 5

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February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-5 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Iris missouriensis Rocky Mountain irisIridaceae N 4 Lathyrus lanszwerti var. leucanthus Whiteflower peaFabaceae N 6 (L. leucanthus) Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisyAsteraceae I B 0 Ligularia bigelovii var. hallii Hall's ragwortAsteraceae N 7 Ligusticum porteri Osha, lovageApiaceae N 7 Linaria vulgaris Butter and eggs, toadflaxPlantaginaceae I B 0 Linum lewisii (=Adenolinum) Wild blue flaxLinaceae N 4 Lupinus argenteus Silvery lupineFabaceae N 5 Maianthemum stellatum Starry false Solomon's Ruscaceae N7 seal Melandrium dioicum Red catchflyCaryophyllaceae I 0 Mertensia ciliata Chiming bellsBoraginaceae N 7 Nepeta cataria CatnipLamiaceae I 0 Oligosporus dracunculus subsp. Wild tarragonAsteraceae N 3 Glaucus (=Artemisia) Osmorhiza depauperata Bluntseed sweet cicelyApiaceae N 7 Osmorhiza occidentalis Western sweet cicelyApiaceae N 7 Packera multilobata Lobeleaf groundselAsteraceae N 5 Packera pseudaurea falsegold groundselAsteraceae N 7 Pedicularis procera Giant lousewortOrobanchaceae N 8 Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain Plantaginaceae N5 penstemon Persicaria amphibia Water smartweedPolygonaceae N 4 Piperia unalascensis Slender‐spire orchidOrchidaceae N 10 Plantago lanceolata Narrowleaf plantainPlantaginaceae I 0 Platanthera aquilonis Northern green orchidOrchidaceae N 7 Potentilla hippiana Woolly cinquefoilRosaceae N 5 Potentilla pulcherrima Beautiful cinquefoilRosaceae N 5 Potentilla recta Sulphur cinquefoilRosaceae I B 0 Pyrola chlorantha Greenflowered Ericaceae N8 wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia subsp. asarifolia Roundleaf wintergreenPyrolaceae N 8

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February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-6 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Ranunculus macounii Macoun's buttercupRanunculaceae N 7 Rorippa palustris Bog yellowcressBrassicaceae N 4 Rumex acetosella (=Acetosella Sheep sorrelPolygonaceae I 0 vulgaris) Sedum lanceolatum StonecropCrassulaceae N 5 Senecio integerrimus Lambstongue groundselAsteraceae N 5 Senecio serra var. admirabilis Tall ragwortAsteraceae N 7 Sidalcea candida White checkermallowMalvaceae N 5 Stellaria longipes Longstalk starwortCaryophyllaceae N 8 Symphyotrichum ascendens Western asterAsteraceae N 2 (=Virgulaster) Symphyotrichum foliaceum (=Aster) Leafy bracted asterAsteraceae N 5 Symphyotrichum laeve var. geyeri Smooth blue asterAsteraceae N 6 (=Aster) Symphyotrichum lanceolatum subsp. White panicle asterAsteraceae N 5 hesperium (=Aster) Taraxacum officinale DandelionAsteraceae I 0 Thalictrum fendleri Fendler's meadow‐rueRanunculaceae N 6 Trifolium pratense Red cloverFabaceae I 0 Trifolium repens White cloverFabaceae I 0 Typha latifolia Broadleaf cattailTyphaceae N 2 Urtica dioica Stinging nettleUrticaceae N 3 Valeriana edulis Tobacco rootValerianaceae N 7 Veratrum tenuipetalum (V. False helleboreMelanthiaceae N 4 californicum) Vicia americana American vetchFabaceae N 5 Viola scopulorum Canadian white violetViolaceae N 7 Ferns and Fern Allies Hippochaete hyemalis Scouringrush horsetailEquisetaceae N 4 Annual/Biennial Forbs Berteroa incana Hoary alyssumBrassicaceae I W 0 Camelina microcarpa False flaxBrassicaceae I 0 Capsella bursa‐pastoris Shepherd's purseBrassicaceae I 0

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February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-7 Pitkin County Open Space and Trails North Star Nature Preserve Open Space

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistleAsteraceae I B 0 Chenopodium atrovirens Pinyon goosefootChenopodiaceae N 5 Collomia linearis Narrowleaf mountain Polemoniaceae N4 trumpet Cynoglossum officinale HoundstongueBoraginaceae I B 0 Descurainia incana Mountain tansymustardBrassicaceae N 2 Galeopsis bifida Splitlip hempnettleLamiaceae I 0 Gayophytum diffusum subsp. Diffuse groundsmokeOnagraceae N 4 parviflorum Hackelia floribunda Manyflower stickseedBoraginaceae N 3 Lepidium densiflorum Common pepperweedBrassicaceae I 0 Melilotus officinale Yellow sweetcloverFabaceae I 0 Polygonum douglasii Douglas' knotweedPolygonaceae N 3 Tragopogon dubius subsp. major Western salsifyAsteraceae I 0 Tragopogon pratensis Meadow salsifyAsteraceae I 0 Tripleurospermum perforatum Scentless chamomileAsteraceae I B 0 Verbascum thapsus MulleinScrophulariaceae I C 0 Annual Graminoids Beckmannia syzigachne subsp. American sloughgrassPoaceae N 4 baicalensis

Notes: Nomenclature generally follows Flora of Colorado (Ackerfield 2015) with Weber and Wittmann (2012) synonyms in parantheses. Origin: N=Native; I=Introduced, I+A,B,C,W = Colorado Listed Noxious Weed and Rank. C‐Value from Rocchio (2007), where 0 (non‐ native species); 1‐3 (commonly found in non‐natural areas), 4‐6 (equally found n natural and non‐natural areas); 7‐9 (obligate to natural areas but can sustain some habitat degredation); 10 (obligate to high quality natural areas (relatively unaltered from pre‐ European settlement). Voucher / Photo: checkmark indicates whether a voucher and/or photograph were taken, respectively.

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February 2018 – Wetland Fen Assessment & Floristic Inventory A-8