HABITAT CHARACTERIZATION AND INVENTORY OF COLLINSONIA VERTICILLATA IN SHAWNEE STATE FOREST AND STATE PARK, SCIOTO COUNTY, OHIO A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science Jennifer L. Gray June 2006 This thesis entitled HABITAT CHARACTERIZATION AND INVENTORY OF COLLINSONIA VERTICILLATA IN SHAWNEE STATE FOREST AND STATE PARK, SCIOTO COUNTY, OHIO by JENNIFER L. GRAY has been approved for the Program of Environmental Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences by Philip D. Cantino Professor of Environmental and Plant Biology Benjamin M. Ogles Dean, College of Arts and Sciences GRAY, JENNIFER L., M.S., June 2006. Environmental Studies. HABITAT CHARACTERIZATION AND INVENTORY OF COLLINSONIA VERTICILLATA IN SHAWNEE STATE FOREST AND STATE PARK, SCIOTO COUNTY, OHIO (69 pp.) Director of thesis: Philip D. Cantino This study seeks to answer the following questions: (1) What is the current status of the Collinsonia verticillata populations in Ohio? (2) What site and vegetation characteristics are typical of the Ohio habitat of Collinsonia verticillata? Previously known populations were ground-checked to determine current population status. Plots were established within selected populations in order to record vegetation and environmental data. The Ohio populations of Collinsonia verticillata are stable, and four new sites were discovered over the course of the study. The habitat sites are on steep north to northeast-facing lower slopes on silt-loam soils with low pH. Associated tree species are white oak, sugar maple, and red maple. Viburnum dentatum may be an associated indicator species. Possible threats to the populations include invasive species, logging, and soil disturbance. Frequent monitoring and removal of invasive plants are needed. Location of additional populations in the future is likely. Approved: Philip D. Cantino Professor of Environmental and Plant Biology 4 Table of Contents Page Abstract............................................................................................................................................ 3 List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... 5 List of Figures.................................................................................................................................. 6 Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 7 Research Questions........................................................................................................................ 13 Methods ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Management and Inventory .............................................................................................. 13 Plot Establishment ............................................................................................................ 14 Data Collection ................................................................................................................. 16 Analyses......................................................................................................................................... 17 Herb and Tree Data........................................................................................................... 17 Soil Analysis..................................................................................................................... 18 Environmental Factors...................................................................................................... 18 Results............................................................................................................................................ 18 Inventory........................................................................................................................... 18 Herb and Tree Data........................................................................................................... 25 Characterization of the Tree Layer ................................................................................... 27 The Herb Layer................................................................................................................. 35 Soil and Environmental Analyses..................................................................................... 37 Other Observations ........................................................................................................................ 41 Discussion...................................................................................................................................... 47 Conclusions.................................................................................................................................... 50 Literature Cited .............................................................................................................................. 51 Appendix A: Data Sheets............................................................................................................... 54 Appendix B: Soil Analysis Protocols ............................................................................................ 57 Appendix C: List of All Species Found in Study Plots.................................................................. 59 Appendix D: Tree Survey, List of Tree Species in Each Plot........................................................ 61 Appendix E: Quad Survey, Herb Species and Cover Data ............................................................ 66 5 List of Tables Table Page 1. Status of Collinsonia verticillata populations in Shawnee State Forest .................................... 19 2. Plot species totals....................................................................................................................... 26 3. Comparison of all plots.............................................................................................................. 27 4. Summary of all tree data by plot................................................................................................ 31 5. Summary of all tree data by species........................................................................................... 32 6. Summary of canopy tree data by species................................................................................... 33 7. Analysis of understory species................................................................................................... 34 8. Top five species recorded for each plot in the herb layer survey............................................... 36 9. pH and clay percentage parameters of soils............................................................................... 38 10. Properties of soil samples ........................................................................................................ 39 11. Plot aspect and slope................................................................................................................ 41 6 List of Figures Figure Page 1. Collinsonia verticillata in bloom................................................................................................. 7 2. U.S. county distribution of Collinsonia verticillata..................................................................... 9 3. Extent of Shawnee State Forest and Shawnee State Park.......................................................... 10 4. Physiographic map of Ohio. ...................................................................................................... 11 5. Locations of Collinsonia verticillata within Shawnee State Forest........................................... 12 6. Plot layout for this study............................................................................................................ 14 7. Locations of plots established for tree and herb sampling......................................................... 15 8. Healthy population of Collinsonia verticillata showing size distribution ................................. 20 9. Standing dead trees as a result of a forest fire............................................................................ 21 10. Vigorous but yellowed Collinsonia verticillata....................................................................... 22 11. Healthy blooming Collinsonia verticillata .............................................................................. 23 12. Location of newly discovered populations of Collinsonia verticillata.................................... 25 13. GPS data point locations as an overlay on soil survey............................................................. 40 14. Collinsonia verticillata growing with multiple flower spikes ................................................. 42 15. Close up of the flower of Collinsonia verticillata ................................................................... 43 16. Deer browsed Collinsonia verticillata ..................................................................................... 44 17. Developing nutlets of Collinsonia verticillata......................................................................... 45 18. Mature and developing nutlets of Collinsonia verticillata .....................................................