Phragmites - Michigan State University
Transcript of Phragmites - Michigan State University
Produced with funding provided by:• MichiganDepartmentofNaturalResources—WildlifeDivision• NationalFishandWildlifeFoundation• UnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService
Phragmites — and the rare plants, animals and natural communities along Michigan’s northern coasts
2010Michigan Natural Features Inventory
ContentsOverviewValueofCoastalAreas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Controllingand/orEradicatingNon-nativePhragmites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2RecognizinginvasiveNon-nativePhragmites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3PlanningacontroleffortintheCoastalZone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Natural communities of Michigan’s northern coastlinesAlvar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Coastalfen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6GreatLakesmarsh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Interdunalwetland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Limestonebedrockglade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Limestonebedrockshoreline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Northernfen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Opendunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Sandandgravelbeach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Woodedduneandswale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Rare plants of Michigan’s northern coastlinesPumpell’sbrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Pitcher’sThistle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13DwarfLakeIris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Butterwort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Houghton’sGoldenrod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Stitchwort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17LakeHuronTansy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Rare animals of Michigan’s northern coastlinesPipingPlover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Marshwren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Commonmoorhen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22EasternFlat-whorl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23GrizzledSkipper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24CommonTern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25EasternBoxTurtle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26LakeHuronLocust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
TableRarespeciesbynaturalcommunitytype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
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Overview
Value of Coastal AreasMichigan’scoastalbeaches,dunesanddiversewetlandsareexception-allyrich,harboringsevenfederallylistedspecies,alongwith15distinc-tivecommunitytypesandfortystateendangered,threatened,andspecialconcernspecies .Thesecoastalcom-munitiesarecriticallyimportanttomi-gratorybirds,nearshorefishspawningandrearing,waterfowlhunting,andsportfishing .
Withover3,000milesofGreatLakesshoreline,Michiganisparticularlyvulnerabletotheimpactsofwet-landandaquaticinvasivespecies .Inparticular,theinvasionofnon-nativephragmites(Phragmites australis)posesoneofthegreatestthreatstocoastalwetlandsandshorelinesintheGreatLakesregion .Earlydetectionofnon-nativephragmitesandarapidresponseincontrollingitisoneofthemostproactiveandcosteffectiveac-tionsthatcanbetakentoconservetherarespeciesofMichigan’scoastalzone .
In2009,acollaborativeefforttodetectandtreatinvasivephragmiteswasinitiatedalongMichigan’snortherncoasts .InpartnershipwithMDNR,MDEQ,andmanylocalentitiesincludingtownships,ConservationDistricts,StateParks,watershedcouncils,landconservancies,lakeassociationsandcitizens,MichiganNaturalFeaturesInventory(MNFI):
• prioritizedsiteswithrespecttorareplants,animalsandnaturalcommunities;• conductedsurveysforphragmitesover500milesofshoreline;• conductedworkshopsforlocalofficials,stakeholdersandcontractors;• coordinatedtreatmentwithlocalstakeholdersandDNREstaff;• developedresourcematerialsincludingmaps,PowerPointpresentations,brochures,andguidelinesforherbicideusearoundrareanimals .
TheprojectissupportedbyMDNR-WildlifeDivision,theU .S .FishandWildlifeServiceandtheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation .
Federally listed species in Michigan’s Coastal Zone
Piping plover(Endangered)Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Endangered)Houghton’s goldenrod(Threatened)Michigan monkey-flower(Endangered)Pitcher’s thistle(Threatened)
Lakeside daisy(Endangered)
Dwarf-lake iris(Threatened)
Pitcher’s thistle
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Controlling and/or Eradicating Non-native PhragmitesAnumberofdifferentcontroltech-niqueshavebeenutilizedtocombatphragmiteswithvaryingdegreesofsuccess;digging,mowing,burn-ing,flooding,grazing,andtreatmentwithseveraldifferentherbicides .Althoughmanyprefertoavoidtheuseofchemicals,herbicidescurrentlyprovidethemosteffectiveprimarymethodofcontrol,particularlywhencoupledwithnon-chemicalmethodsthatwillfurtherstresstheplant .Becausephragmiteshasdeepandextensiverootsystems,diggingisnoteffectiveexceptfortheverysmallestinfestations .Mowingearlyintheseasonwillactuallyincreasestanddensity,althoughlaterintheseason,itcanhelpdepleteenergyreserves .Floodingcutstemscanbeeffectivebutisnotfeasibleinmanysettings .Prescribedfirecanincreasethegrowthandvigorofphragmitesbutisausefultoolinconjunctionwithherbicide,asitclearsawaythatchandallowstheseedbanktorespond .OneormorepermitsfromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalQualityaretypicallyrequiredtotreatphragmiteswithherbicide .Informationonpermitsandotherresourcescanbefoundatthelinksbelow .Phragmitescontrolisalong-termendeavor;anytreatmentplanshouldincludeprovisionsforlong-termmonitoringandre-treatmentofnewshootsasneeded .ResourcesControl and Management of Invasive Phragmites - MDEQ website:http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3681_3710-178183--,00.html
Twoparticularlyhelpfulpublicationsareavailableatthiswebsite:Information for Resource and Land Managers - A Guide to the Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites
Information for Landowners - A Landowner’s Guide to Phragmites ControlForhardcopiesofthesecondbrochurecontacttheOfficeoftheGreatLakesat:517-335-4056 .
Catching it earlySincetreatinginvasivephragmitesearlyiseasiest,likeliesttoresultineradicationandmostcosteffective,itisimperativetocatchitjustasitbeginstoinvade .Un-fortunately,thisiswhenitmostresemblesthenative .Inplanningcontrolefforts,itiscriticaltofirstdeterminethatthepopulationinquestionisactuallytheinvasivesubspecies .Non-nativephragmitescanappearsparsewhileitisjustbeginningtoinvade,butafewcharacteristicscanhelptodistinguishitfromthenative .
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Recognizing invasive Non-native PhragmitesAlthoughphragmitesisbestknownasawetlandinvader,notallphragmitesisinvasive .TwosubspeciesarerecognizedinMichigan;Phragmites australissubsp .australis,sometimesknownasHaplotypeM,wasintroducedtotheeastcoastbytheearly1800sandhasbeengraduallyexpandingitsrangewestward .Itformsdensemonoculturesandiscapableofdominatingwetlandswithinafewyears .Thenativesubspecies,Phragmites australissubsp .americanus,incontrast,occursasscatteredplantswithinbroaderplantcommunities .ItisacomponentofseveralwetlandcommunitiesincludingGreatLakesmarsh,coastalfenandsedgemead-ows,andisoftenfoundalongtheshoresofriversandlakes .Differencesaremostobviouswhenthetwosubspeciesaresidebyside;leafcolorissubtlydifferentandthebrightredstemsofthenativearedistinctive .Leafsheathsofnon-nativephragmitesclingtightly,coveringdulltanstemswithtinyridges .Thelowerleafsheathsofnativephragmitesfalloffeasily,exposingthestembelow,whichturnsredinthesunlight .Thenon-nativesubspecieshasstolons(spreadinghorizontalstems)thatcangrowupto50ftormoreinaseason .Unliketheuprightstems,theycanbequitered .
Generallythenon-nativeformemergesearlierintheseasonandcontinuestogrowlaterinthefall .Itisconsiderablymorerobustandgrowsindensecolonies .Whileitisjustbeginningtoinvadeandisstillrelativelysparse,thenon-nativesubspeciesmaybemistakenforthenative .Similarly,inareaswithnutrientenrich-ment,thenativeformmaygrowtallerandmoredensely .Withpractice,thetwosubspeciescanbedistinguished .Recently,hybridshavebeenreportedintheliteraturebuttheyappeartoberelativelyuncommon .Moreinformationondistinguishingthetwosubspeciesisavailableonlineat:http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/phragmites/native-or-not.cfm
NativeNon-native
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Planning a control effort in the Coastal ZoneWhenprioritizingareasfortreatment,considerprotectinghighqualitynaturalcommunitiesandthoseareaswiththreatenedandendangeredspeciesbeforeareasthatdonothavethesameecologicalsignificance .
• Workfirstinnewlyinvadedsites• Thentreatareasthataremoderatelyinvaded• Finally,treatareaswithextensiveinvasion
Makesurethatresourcesforlong-termmonitoringandspottreatmentareavail-ablebeforeinitiatingcontroleffortsonparticularlydegradedsites .Asuccessfulcontroleffortbeginswithawell-thoughtoutplanofattack .Elementsofaplanshouldinclude:
• Amapofthephragmitesinthearea;noteageanddensityofstands,andidentifyofanynativestands
• Aninventoryofanyhighvaluefeatures,includingrareplants,animalsorcommunitiesthatmayrequirespecialprotection
• Aninventoryofsiteconditions,includesourcesofnutrientorroadsaltrun-off,filldirt,andotherinvasivespeciesthatmightbetargetedsimulta-neously
• Coordinationwithotherlandowners• Treatmentplan,includingtechniquestobeused,herbicide,anyadjuvants,timing,etc .
• Ideally,somemethodforremovingdeadphragmites,whetherbypre-scribedfireormowing
• Amonitoringplan• Designatedresourcesfortreatmentofanyresproutsornewinfestations
Itisimportanttodeterminewhetheranyofthestateendangered,threatenedorspecialconcernspeciesoccurintheareayouplantotreatandtotakeappropriatemeasurestoavoidnegativeimpactstothesespecies .YoumayconsultMichiganNaturalFeaturesInventoryforassistance .Ifrareplantsoccurinareaswithnon-nativephragmites,useappropriatemeasurestoprotecttheseplantsfromthepotentialnegativeimpactsofthetreatment .Generally,hand-swipingissaferthansprayingherbicideinthesesituations,andglyphosatebasedproductsarelessmobileinthesoilthanimazapyr .Manyanimalsarealsovulnerabletoactivitiesassociatedwiththetreatmentofnon-nativephragmites(i .e .herbicideuse,trampling,cutting,burning,etc) .Rep-tilesandamphibiansmaybeparticularlyatrisk .Specificrecommendationstoensuretheirwell-beingareavailableat:http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/phragmites/herps-and-phragmites.cfm
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AlvarAlvargrasslandsareopenlandscapeswheregrassesandsedgesgrowonflatlimestonebedrock .Mosttreesareunabletosurvivebecauseofthinsoilsandseasonalextremessuchasspringfloodingandsummerdrought .Alvarisamongtheraresthabitatsintheworld,knownonlyfromtheGreatLakes,theBalticregionofEu-ropeandnorthwesternIreland .Manyuncommonspeciesoccurinthesegrasslands,includingspeciesoftheArctictundraandtheGreatPlainsprairies .Rarespeciesincludedwarflakeiris(Iris lacustris),Houghton’sgoldenrod(Solidago houghtonii),andgrizzledskipper(Pyrgus wyandot) .Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Alvar.pdf
Coastal fenCoastalfenisasedge-andrush-dominatedwetlandthatoccursoncalcareoussubstratesalongLakeHuronandLakeMichigannorthoftheclimatictensionzone .Thecommunityoccurswheremarlandorganicsoilsaccumulateinprotectedcovesandaban-donedcoastalembayments .RarespeciesincludeBut-terwort(Pinguicula vulgaris),Houghton’sgoldenrod
(Solidago houghtonii),easternflat-whorl(Planogyra asteriscus),andeasternboxturtle(Terrapene carolina carolina) .Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Coastal_Fen.pdf
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Great Lakes marshGreatLakesmarshesoccuralongtheirshorelinesandconnectingchannels .IntheStraitsregion,theyarefoundmostlyinpro-tectedembaymentsandarecharacterizedbygrasses,sedgesandrushesintheshallowwatersatthelakeedge .Theyprovideimportanthabitatforinsects,fish,waterfowl,waterbirdsandmammals .Duringspringmigra-tion,terrestrialmigratorysongbirdsfeedonmidgesastheinsectsmatureandemergefromthewater .Rarespeciesincludemarshwren(Cistothorus palustris)andcommonmoorhen(Gali-nula chloropus) .InsouthernMichigan,manyGreatLakesmarshesinwesternLakeErie,theSt .ClairDeltaandSaginawBayarenowdominatedbyphragmites .Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Great_lakes_marsh.pdf
Interdunal wetlandInterdunalwetlandsoccurbetweenthesandyduneridges .WaterlevelintheseswalesiscontrolledbytheGreatLakesneartheshorelineandbygroundwaterflowfar-therinland .Vegetationistypi-callydiverse,includingaquaticoremergentgrasses,sedges,herbsandshrubs .Inlandswalesareoftenforested .RarespeciesincludeButterwort(Pinguicula vulgaris)and
Houghton’sgoldenrod(Solidago houghtonii) .Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Interdunal_wetland.pdf
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Limestone bedrock gladeLimestonebedrockgladecon-sistsofanherbandgraminoid-dominatedplantcommunitywithscatteredclumpsofstunt-edtreesandshrubsgrowingonthinsoiloverlimestoneordolo-mite .Typicallyareasofbedrockareexposed .Mosses,lichens,andalgaecanbeabundantontheexposedlimestonebedrockorthinorganicsoils .Seasonalfloodingandsummerdroughtmaintaintheopenconditions .Thesegladesprovidehabitatforrarespeciesincludingdwarflakeiris(Iris lacustris),butterwort(Pinguicula vulgaris),Houghton’sgoldenrod(Solidago houghtonii)andgrizzledskipper(Pyrgus wyandot) .Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Limestone_bedrock_glade.pdf
Limestone bedrock lakeshoreLimestonebedrocklakeshoreisasparselyvegetatednaturalcommunitydominatedbylichens,mosses,andherba-ceousvegetation .Thiscom-munity,whichisalsoreferredtoasalvarpavementandlimestonepavementlakeshore,occursalongtheshorelinesofnorthernLakeMichiganandLakeHurononbroad,flat,expansesoflimestoneordolomitebedrock .The
bedrockincludesbothlimestoneanddolomiteofmarineoriginandoccurswhereflatbedrockoftheNiagaranEscarpmentisexposed .Alongtheinlandmarginsofthelimestonepavement,thereisoftenalowridgeoflimestonecobbledepos-itedbyicescourandmajorstormevents .Rarespeciesincludedwarflakeiris(Iris lacustris),butterwort(Pinguicula vulgaris),andHoughton’sgoldenrod(Solidago houghtonii) .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Limestone_bedrock_lakeshore.pdf
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Northern fenNorthernfensareherbaceouswetlandsthatoccurwherelimestonebedrockorcobbleatornearthesurfacecreatescalcareousconditions .Inthewarmcarbonate-saturatedwaters,algaeprecipitatecalciumcarbonate,oftenform-ingawhitishmarl .Acomplexofcalcium-lovingplantspeciesoccurhere,suchasKalm’slobelia,twig-rush,sweetgaleandshrubbycinquefoil .Rare
speciesincludebutterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris),Houghton’sgoldenrod(Solidago houghtonii),Easternflat-whorl(Planogyra asteriscus),andEasternboxturtle(Terrapene carolina carolina) . Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Northern_Fen.pdf
Open dunesOpendunesareamongthemostruggedandbeautifulnaturalfeaturesoftheLakeMichiganshoreline .Thesparsevegetationisexposedtoabra-sionandburialbywindblownsand,extremetemperatures,andlowmoistureandnutrientlevels .Pioneeringgrassessuchasmarramgrassandsandreedoccurhere,alongwithotherdis-turbance-tolerantspeciessuchassandcherry,bearberry,andhairypuccoon .RarespeciesincludeHoughton’sgoldenrod(Solidago houghtonii),LakeHurontansy(Tanacetum huronense),Pumpell’sbrome(Bromus pumpellianus),Pitcher’sthistle(Cirsium pitcheri),stitchwort(Stellaria longipes),dwarflakeiris(Iris lacustris),LakeHuronlocust(Trimerotropis huroniana),andpipingplover(Char-adrius melodus) .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Open_dunes.pdf
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Sand and gravel beachSandandgravelbeachesoccuralongtheshorelinesoftheGreatLakesandonsomeofMichigan’slargerfreshwaterlakes,wherewind,waves,andwintericecausetheshorelinetobetoounstabletosupportaquaticvegetation .Becauseofthehighlevelsofdisturbance,thesebeachesaretypicallyquiteopen,withsandandgravelsedimentsandlittleornovegetation .Rarespecies
includeHoughton’sgoldenrod(Solidago houghtonii),LakeHurontansy(Tanac-etum huronense),Pitcher’sthistle(Cirsium pitcheri),dwarflakeiris(Iris lacustris),LakeHuronlocust(Trimerotropis huroniana),andcommontern(Charadrius melodus) .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Sand_and_gravel_beach.pdf
Wooded dune and swaleWoodedduneandswalecomplexesoccuralongem-baymentsoftheGreatLakeswheregraduallydroppinglakelevelsandpostglacialuplift-inghaveformedaseriesofalternatingsandybeachridgeswithlow,usuallywetareas(swales) .Typically,theinlandridgesandswalesareforestedandthoseneartheshorelineareopen .ThiscommunityisrestrictedtotheGreatLakes
shores .RarespeciesincludePitcher’sthistle(Cirsium pitcheri),dwarflakeiris(Iris lacustris),andLakeHurontansy(Tanacetum huronense) .Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/ecology/Wooded_dune_and_swale_complex.pdf
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Pumpell’s bromeBromus pumpellianusStatus:ThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G5T4/S2
RecognitionPumpell’sbromeisamedium-sizedgrassofnortherndunes,rangingfrom0 .5-1 .0minheight .Itsleavesarehairyontheupperside,anditsstemnodesalsohavelonghairs .Ithaswell-developedauriclesatthetopoftheleafsheath,whichdistinguishitfromtherelatednon-nativespeciessmoothbrome(B. inermis) .
HabitatThisraregrassgrowsonlowsanddunesandalongbeachesinLakeMichiganusuallyinassociationwithbeachgrass(Ammophilabreviligulata),bearberry(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi),wormwood(Ar-temisia caudata)andPitcher’sthistle(Cirsium pitcheri) .Initsmainrange,tothewestandnorth,B. pumpellianushabitatincludesgravellyorsandyslopes,shores,andtundra .InOntario,itinhabitssandyprairiesandbeaches,andisoccasionallyadventivealongrailroadsonthenorthshoreofLakeSuperior .
Biology Pumpelly’sbromegrassisaperennial,whichspreadsvegetativelyviarhizomegrowth .ItsspikeletsmaturefromlateJunetoSeptember,thoughmostcollectionshavebeenmadeinJulyandearlyAugust .
Best Survey TimePumpelly’sbromegrassisbestsoughtwhileinfullfruit,typicallyduringJulyandAugust .Thecharactersfordeterminationarerathersubtle;thusattemptstodis-tinguishthisspeciesduringlessoptimalperiodsshouldoccuronlyafterconsider-ableexperiencewiththespecies .
Management ConcernsThisgrassisvulnerabletoheavyrecreationaluseandresidentialdevelopment,thoughitcantoleratesomedisturbance .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphrag-mites,spottedknapweedandbaby’sbreathwheretheyhaveinvaded .Whenusingherbicide,handswipeinvasivesnearPumpell’sbrome .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Bromus_pumpellianus.pdf
Photo: cc Jason Hollinger
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Pitcher’s ThistleCirsium pitcheriStatus:US&StateThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G3/S3
RecognitionPitcher’sthistleisstoutandpricklyandmayreach3feet(1m)ormoreinheight .Stuntedindividualsmaybesmaller .Theleaves,stemsandbasesoftheflowersareblue-greenanddenselycoveredwithwhite-woollyhairs .Thedeeplydividedmatureleaveshavenar-row,spine-tippedsegments .Theprickly,spine-tippedflowerheadsarerelativelylarge .Theyareusuallycream-coloredbutmayoccasionallyhaveapinkishtinge .Theycanbereadilydistinguishedfromotherthistlespecies,whichhavepinkflowersandlackwoolly,whitehairs .
Habitat Pitcher’sthistletypicallygrowsonopensanddunesandoccasionallyongravelassociatedwithdunes .ItisfoundalongGreatLakesshorelinesornearby .
Biology Pitcher’sthistleflowersonlyoncebutmayexistasavigorousbasalrosettefor5to8yearsbeforeitflowers .Adiverseselectionofinsectspollinatesitincludingbees,skippersandbutterflies .BecausePitcher’sthistlediesafterflowering,mowingbeforeithassetseedmayharmthelocalpopulation .Goldfinches,sparrowsandgroundsquirrelseatitsseed .Pitcher’sthistleisextremelylowingeneticdiversity .
Best Survey TimeItisbesttosurveyforPitcher’sthistlewhileitisfloweringandfruitingfromlateJunethroughearlySeptember .Expertscandistinguishitsseedlingsearlyintheseason .
Management ConcernsPreservedunehabitatandthenaturalprocessesthatmaintainit .Stabilizingstructuressuchasretainingwalls,revetmentsandriprapdisrupttheseprocesses .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphragmites,spottedknapweedandbaby’sbreathwheretheyhaveinvaded .Whenusingherbicide,handswipeinvasivesnearPitcher’sthistle .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Cirsium_hillii.pdf
Photo: Susan R. Crispin
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Dwarf Lake IrisIris lacustrisStatus:US&StateThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G3/S3
RecognitionDwarflakeirisisaminiatureiris .Itsfloweris3inches(7 .5cm)acrossand3inchestall .Itsflattenedleavesare6inchestall(15cm), .4- .8incheswide(1-2cm)andarrangedinfans .Thedeepblueflowerhasthreepetal-likesepalswithorangebeardedcrests .Itssepalsliebelowthesmallerpetal-likestylebranchesandalternatewiththethreepetals .
HabitatDwarflakeirisusuallyoccursnearGreatLakesshorelines .Suitablesoiltypesincludesand,thinsoilsovercalcareousbedrockandalvar .Itcantoleratefullsunorsomeshade .Theirisflowersbestinsemi-opensettings,amongscatteredtreesoralongforestmargins .Itisusuallyassociatedwithnorthernwhitecedar .
Biology Dwarflakeirisisaperennial,whichgrowsfromaslenderrhizome .Fertilityinthespeciesislowbecauseofsparseflowerproduction,lowfruitsetandlowseedset .Plantsreproducereadilybyrhizomeforkingandelongation .Extensiveclonesoftenformbutmayonlyrepresentoneorafewgeneticallydis-tinctindividuals .
Best Survey TimeDwarflakeirisflowersbetweenmid-MayandearlyJune .Eachflowerremainsopenabout3days .Surveysaremosteffectivewhenflowersarepresent .Foliageisdistinctivethroughouttheseasonandissufficientforplantidentification .
Management ConcernsDwarflakeirisrequiresprotectionofitshabitat,naturaldisturbanceandhydro-logicalregimes .Thrivingcoloniesdonotrequireactivemanagement .Itcanwith-standlighttrampling,lossofoverstoryandshading .Itissensitivetomechanicaldisturbanceandsubstrateremoval .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphragmites,spottedknapweedandbaby’sbreathwheretheyhaveinvaded .Whenusingherbicide,handswipeinvasivesneardwarflakeiris .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Iris_lacustris.pdf
Photo: Thomas Arter
15
ButterwortPinguicula vulgarisStatus:StateSpecialConcernGlobal and state rank: G5/S3
RecognitionButterwortiseasilyrecognizedbyitsdistinctiveyellowish-greenbasalrosette,whichisabout3inches(8cm)across .Ithasasolitaryspurredvioletflowerona .6-4 .7inch(1 .5-12cm)stembutasinglerosettemayproduceuptoninestems .
HabitatButterwortiscircumborealandoccursinavarietyofhabitatsthroughoutitsrange .InMichigan,butterwortoccursinsandywetdepressionsalongGreatLakesdunes,oncobbly-marlyshores,especiallyintheeasternUpperPeninsula,innorthernfens,andonalkalinebed-rockshoresofthewesternUpperPeninsula .Itprefersopen,sunnysites .
BiologyButterwort,acalciphile,isaninsectivorousperennialthatgrowsfromadistinctivebasalrosette .Itsleaveshaveagreasy,butter-likefeelandareusedtotrapinsectsbycurlingtheirmarginsinward .Theleaveshavetwokindsofglands .Stalkedglandsproduceastickysubstancethattrapstheinsect .Sessile(withoutstalks)glandssecreteenzymesthatdigesttheinsects .Theinsectsprovidephosphorusfortheplant .Inwinter,leavesdiebackandawinterbudisformed .
Best Survey TimeInMichigan,butterwortbloomsinJulyandAugustbutitsbasalrosettecanberecognizedanytimethattheplantisaboveground .
Management ConcernsButterwortisvulnerabletofootandvehiculartraffic .Protectitbypreservingthesitehydrologyandhabitatsinwhichitoccurs .Donottramplethesiteduringroutinemaintenanceandconstructionactivitiesorstockpilematerialswithintheprotectedarea .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphragmites,spottedknapweedandbaby’sbreathwheretheyhaveinvaded .Whenusingherbicide,handswipeinvasivesnearbutterwort .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Pinguicula_vulgaris.pdf
Photo: Susan R. Crispin
16
Houghton’s Goldenrod Solidago houghtoniiStatus:US&StateThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G3/S2S3
RecognitionHoughton’sgoldenrodcangrowupto24inches(60cm)tall .Itsflat-topped,branchedinflorescenceconsistsofrela-tivelyfew(5-30),showy,yellowflowerheadswithrelativelylargerayflowers .Thescatterednarrowleaveshaveslightlyclaspingbasesandareof-tenfoldedalongthemidrib .Unlikethesimilargrass-leavedgoldenrod,itsbasalleavesarepresentatflowering .Stemsaresmoothandsometimesreddish .Theinflorescencebranchesandflowerbasesarefinelyhairywithfine,up-curvinghairs .ThisdistinguishesitfromOhiogoldenrod,whichissmooth .
HabitatHoughton’sgoldenrodoccursonthenorthernshoresofLakesMichiganandHuron,oncalcareousbeaches,rockyandcobbleshoresandbeachflats .Itismostcommonlyfoundinshallow,trough-likeinterdunaldepressionsthatparallelshorelineareas .Itcanalsooccuronseasonallywetlimestonepavement .
BiologyHoughton’sgoldenrodisaperennial,oftenformingsmallclumps .Shortun-dergroundstemsproducetheclumpsvegetatively .Itisconsideredanobligatewetlandspecies .
Best Survey TimeHoughton’sgoldenrodcanbeidentifiedmostreadilywhenitisinbloom .PeakbloomisfromearlyAugustthroughearlySeptemberorevenOctober .
Management ConcernsHoughton’sgoldenrodrequiresprotectionofitshabitatandthemaintenanceofnaturalprocesses .Theseprocessesincludeshorelinefluctuation,erosion,sanddeposition,waterlevelfluctuationandsandmovement .Donottramplethesiteorstockpilematerialswithintheprotectedarea .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphragmites,spottedknapweedandbaby’sbreathwheretheyhaveinvaded .Whenusingherbicide,handswipeinvasivesnearHoughton’sgoldenrod .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Solidago_houghtonii.pdf
Photo: Phyllis Higman
17
Stitchwort Stellaria longipesStatus:StateSpecialConcernGlobal and state rank: G5/S2
RecognitionStitchwortrangesfrom1to8inches(3-20cm)inheight .Itsstiff,shinyleavesarenarrow,oppositeandstronglykeeled .Flowersmaybesolitaryorininflorescencesofuptosixflowers .Itsfivewhitedeeplycleftpetalsappeartobe10atfirstglance .Its10stamensarebrightreduntiltheyhavebeenpol-linated .Itsfruitisadrycapsulewiththecalyxpersisting .
HabitatInMichigan,stitchwortusuallygrowsondunesandsandybeaches,althoughitoccupiesavarietyofotherhabitatselsewhere .Itsdistributioniscircumpolarandmostofitsrangeisnorthofthestate .OutsideofMichigan,itoccursinwetmeadows,onriverterraces,tundra,floodplainsandseepageslopes .
BiologyStitchwortisaperennialandisconsideredanobligatewetlandspecies .Itrepro-ducesbyseedandvegetativelybystemfragmentationorbulbils .
Best Survey TimeStitchwortismostreadilyidentifiedinflower,butitsshiny,purple-blackseedcapsulesarealsodistinctive .
Management ConcernsStitchwortrequiresprotectionofhabitatandmaintenanceofnaturalduneprocesses(e .g .shorelinefluctuation,erosion,sanddeposition,wind,waterlevelfluctuation,sandmovement) .Whereinvasivespeciesarepresent,controlmea-suresshouldbeinitiated .Stitchwortisvulnerabletovehicularandfoottraffic .Donottramplethesiteduringroutinemaintenanceandconstructionactivitiesorstockpilematerialswithinthisarea .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphragmites,spottedknapweedandbaby’sbreathwheretheyhaveinvaded .Whenusingher-bicide,handswipeinvasivesnearStitchwort .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Stellaria_longipes.pdf
Photo: Susan R. Crispin
18
Lake Huron TansyTanacetum huronenseStatus:US&StateThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G4Q/S3
RecognitionLakeHurontansycanreachupto31inches(80cm)inheight .Ithasa“daisytype”flowerheadthatis .5- .75inches(13-19mm)indiameter,composedofnumeroussmallyellowflowers .Twosortsofflowersarefoundoneachhead .Diskflowersmakeupthelargercentralportionandrayflowersformafringeofpetalsaroundtheperiphery .Eachstemholds3-12headsandplantscanhave1-3mainstems .Thefinelydividedleavesarehairyanddottedwithinconspicu-ousglands .
HabitatLakeHuronTansyoccursinactivedunes,olderstabilizeddunesandsandyorcobblebeaches .Duringperiodsofhighwater,itcanwithstandwaveaction .
BiologyLakeHurontansyisaperennialthatusestwostrategiesforreproductioninthefluctuatingconditionsoftheshoreline .Itformscoloniesthroughspreadingrhi-zomesandproducesabundantquantitiesofseed .
Best Survey TimeLakeHurontansyisrecognizedmosteasilywheninbloomfromlateJunethroughAugustbutexpertscanidentifyitbyitshairyfoliagewheneverleavesarepresent .
Management ConcernsLakeHurontansydependsonthemaintenanceofitshabitatandnaturalprocess-esalongtheshoreline .Stabilizingstructuressuchasretainingwalls,revetmentsandriprapdisrupttheseprocesses .Coastalduneshavebeeninvadedbyanum-berofintroducedspeciesincludingspottedknapweedandbaby’sbreath,whichpresentanadditionalthreat .Removetheseandotherinvasivespecieswheneverpresent .Donottramplethesiteorstockpilematerialswithintheprotectedarea .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphragmites,spottedknapweedandbaby’sbreathwheretheyhaveinvaded .Whenusingherbicide,handswipeinvasivesnearLakeHurontansy .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Tanacetum_huronense.pdf
Photo: MNFI
20
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusStatus:US&StateEndangeredGlobal and state rank: G3/S1
RecognitionThepipingploverisasmallwadingbirdwithablackbaracrossitsforeheadandasingleblackbandarounditsneck .Ithasapale,sandcoloredbackandhead,whiteunderpartsandorangelegs .Theploversare7inches(18cm)long,witha15inch(38cm)wingspan .Theyhaveadistinctivetwo-noted“peep-lo”melodi-ouswhistle .
HabitatPipingploversmaketheirnestsonsparselyvegetatedsandorpebblebeaches .Foragingareassuchasbeachpoolsandinterdunalswalescanbecriticaltotheirsurvivalandmaydirectlyaffectnestingsuccess .Nestsarelocatedbetweenthewaters’edgeandthefirstduneorinthecobblepanbehindthefirstdune .
BiologyPipingploversreachthenestinggroundinlateAprilorearlyMay .Courtshipincludesaerialdisplaysandnestpreparation .Thenestisasimplescrapeinthesandorgravelsubstrate .Typically,foureggsarelaidandareincubatedfor28days .Theyoungareprecocialandareabletowalkaroundandforageneartheirparentsshortlyafterhatching .PipingploversleavethestatebetweenmidJulyandearlySeptember .
Best Survey TimePipingploversareresidentinMichiganfromlateAprilthroughearlySeptemberbutaremosteasilysurveyedduringcourtshipandnestinginMayandJune .
Management ConcernsMaintenanceactivitiesshouldbescheduledoutsideofthecourtshipandbreed-ingseason,whichextendsfromMaythroughearlyAugust .Ideally,anyhumanactivityshouldbeeliminatedaroundthenestduringthisperiod .Fencingmaybeappropriatearoundactivenestsiteswhenthepotentialforpredationordistur-bancebypetsishighbutiscoordinatedbyUSFWS .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/zoology/Charadrius_melodus.pdf
Photo: MNFI
21
Marsh wrenCistothorus palustrisStatus:StateSpecialConcernGlobal and state rank: G5/S3S4
RecognitionTheMarshwrenisaquicklittlebirdwithblackandwhitestreaksonitsback,abrowncapandabroadwhiteeyelinewithablackstripeabove .Thewrenisstockywithalongnarrowbill .Itsrumpisabrightdarkred,itsthroatandbreastarepaleanditsflanksarereddish .Itsingsagurglingsonginthebreedingseason .
HabitatTheidealhabitatfortheMarshWrenisnarrow-leafedcattailandcord-grassmarshes .Nestplacementoverstandingwaterindensecattailispreferred .ItisfoundinGreatlakesmarsh,emergentmarshandcoastalplainmarsh
BiologyMarshwrenstypicallyarriveintheLowerPeninsulainlateAprilorearlyMayandreachtheUpperPeninsulabymidMay .Theyarepolygynous,withmostmalesmatingwith1–3females .Nestsaredomedstructuresbuiltofcattail,sedge,orgrasssupportedbyseveralstemsintallvegetationoverwater .Thisspeciestypi-callydoublebroodsandthreebroodsaresometimesproduced .MarshwrensleavethestatebylateAugustorSeptember .
Best Survey TimeSurveysformarshwrensarebestdoneduringthebreedingseasonfromMaythroughJuly,whenmalesareterritorialandconspicuoussingers .Malesareespe-ciallyvocalduringtheearlymorning,butmaysingdayornight
Management ConcernsWetlandlossanddegradationcausedbydrainage,filling,otherhumandistur-bances,andinvasivespeciescontinuetothreatenhabitatsusedbythisspecies .TheinvasiveEuropeansubspeciesofphragmitesmayreducebiodiversityandimpairwetlandfunctions,andcouldimpactmarshbirdsthroughchangesinthephysicalstructureandfoodresources .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/zoology/Cistothorus_palustris.pdf
Photo: George Gentry, USFWS
22
Common moorhenGallinula chloropusStatus:StateThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G5/S3
RecognitionThecommonmoorhenisaduck-likebirdswithadarkbody,awhiteunder-tail,andwhiteflankstripes .Perhapsthemostconspicuouscharacteristicisitsred-orangebillandforeheadshieldwithayellowtip .
HabitatCommonmoorhensrequireadiversemosaicofemergentmarshknownasahemi-marsh;a50:50mixofemergentvegetationandopenwaterthatarewellinterspersed .SpecifichabitatswheretheymaybefoundincludeGreatlakesmarsh,coastalplainmarshandemergentmarsh .
BiologyMoorhensarriveinMichiganbetweenthethirdweekofMarchandthefourthweekofApril .Theynestindenseemergentvegetationoverwater1to4feetdeep .Typically,nestingtakesplacefromthefirstweekofMaytothirdweekofJuly .FallmigrationoccursfromthefirstweekofSeptembertothethirdweekofNovember .
Best Survey TimeMoorhensaremostreadilyobservedbetweenthefirstweekofMaythroughthesecondweekofJuly .Callplaybackmaybehelpfulindetectingbirdshidinginveg-etation .
Management ConcernsMaintainingadiversemixofopenmarshandemergentvegetationiscritical .Inva-sivespeciessuchastheEurasiansubspeciesofphragmites,thatfillinopenareasandformamonocultureposeaparticularthreatandshouldberemoved .Besuretoflushareapriortosprayingwithherbicide,asbirdsmaybepresentindensevegetation .
Additional informationhttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/explorer/species.cfm?id=10971
Photo: Jim Rathert, Missouri Department of Conservation
23
Eastern Flat-whorlPlanogyra asteriscusStatus:StateSpecialConcernGlobal and state rank: G3G4/S3
RecognitionEasternflat-whorlisatiny,thin-shelled,brownishlandsnail .Itsshapeisaflat-tenedspiralonly1 .8mmacrossand .9mmdeep .Ithasthinribswithdistinct,sharpedges .Itsopening,orperistomeisunflaredandunthickened .
HabitatEasternflat-whorloccursonmoistshadedcalcareousoutcropswithwhitecedarandtamarackwetlandswithalder,athicksedgeturfandnosphagnum .
BiologyVerylittleisknownaboutthebiologyofEasternflat-whorlbutlikealllandsnailsinthesubclassPulmonata,ithasmodifiedmantletissueandamantlecavitythatactlikealungforbreathingair .Allpulmonatesarehermaphroditic,afeaturethatisusefulinorganismsthattravelsuchshortdistances .
Best Survey TimeSnailsdonotmovefarandtheirshellsarepresentyearroundbutsurveyingcanbeacomplextask .Larger(orlessminiscule)snailsmaybecollectedbyhandbutnormallyleaflitterandturfarecollectedinthefieldandthendriedinalowtem-peraturesoilovenforfurtherexaminationbyexperts .
Management ConcernsLandsnailsareextremelyvulnerabletobothfootandvehiculartraffic .Construc-tionvehiclesandATVsposeaparticularthreat .Theyarealsovulnerabletochang-esinhydrology .Landsnailsrequireanorganiclitterlayerinbothforestedandgrasslandhabitats .Theuseofprescribedfire,whichremovesthislayer,reducessnailabundanceby50%-90%andspeciesdiversityby30% .Oldgrowthforestshavethehighestsnailabundanceanddiversityandshouldbepreserved .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/zoology/Planogyra_asteriscus.pdf
Photo: Matthew Barthel and Jeffery C. Nekola
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Grizzled SkipperPyrgus wyandotStatus:StateSpecialConcernGlobal and state rank: G1G2Q/S1S2
RecognitionTheAppalachiangrizzledskipperisasmall,grayish-blackskipperwithawingspanrangingfrom1 .1-1 .3inches(2 .9-3 .3cm) .Ithaswhitemarkingsontheuppersideofitswings,withblackandwhitecheckeredfringesalongthemargins .Itsundersideischeckeredinwhiteandgrayishbrown .
HabitatInMichigan,theAppalachiangrizzledskipperoccursinalvar,oak-pinebarrens,orothersparselygrassedareaswithin97feet(30meters)ofoakorpineforest .
BiologyDwarfcinquefoilandseveralothermembersoftherosefamilyhavebeenreport-edasthelarvalfoodplantforthisspecies .InMichigan,butterflieslayeggsonwildstrawberry,anotherrosefamilymember,althoughitisnotcleariftheplantservesasalarvalfoodsource .Thelarvaeoverwinterinleafynests .Adultshavebeenob-servednectaringonbearberry,blueberry,wildstrawberryandbirdsfootviolet .
Best Survey TimeTheAppalachiangrizzledskipperisbestsurveyedwhileadultsareinflight,fromlateAprilthroughmid-May .
Management Concerns PreservetheAppalachiangrizzledskipperbyprotectingitsalvarandbarrenshabitats .Althoughthishabitatwashistoricallymaintainedbyfire,theskipperisvulnerableinallstagesofitslifecycle .Ifprescribedfireisusedasamanagementtool,onlyasmallportionoftheoccupiedhabitatshouldbeburnedinanygivenyear .Mechanicalremovalofencroachingwoodyvegetationmaybebeneficial .Wherehostplantispresent,assumethattheskippermaybepresent,also,ifprevi-ouslyrecordedfromthesiteandproceedwithcaution .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/zoology/Pyrgus_wyandot.pdf
Photo: Jeffrey S. Pippen
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Common TernSterna hirundoStatus:StateThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G5/S2
RecognitionCommonternshaveaslenderbody,long,pointedwingsandadeeplyforkedtail .Duringthebreedingseason,adultshaveablack-tippedredbill,ablackcrownandredlegs .Winteringadultshaveablacknapeandadarkbill .Withawingspanof31inches,theyaresmallerthanthesimilarCaspianternandtheirdark-tippedwingsandredderbilldistinguishthemfromtheForster’stern .
HabitatHistorically,commonterncoloniesoccurredonsparselyvegetatedsandandgravelbeachesonislandsandpeninsulas .Currently,artificialislandscreatedofdredgespoilsprovidenestinghabitataswell .
BiologyCommonternsbeginreturningtoMichiganbreedinggroundsinmid-April .Theynestinlargecolonieswheretheycooperatetodefendagainstcompetitorsandpredators .Nestsareonthegroundandvaryincomplexity .Thenestsareusuallyassociatedwithlowherbaceousvegetationanddriftwood .TheyleaveforthewinteringgroundsfromlateAugustthroughOctober .
Best Survey TimeCommonternsarebestsurveyedduringthenestingperiodandwhiletheyarerearingyoung,fromMaythroughJuly .
Management ConcernsMaintenanceactivitiessuchasmowingorgradingshouldbescheduledoutsideofthenestingseason,whichrunsfromMaythroughmidJuly .Inareasthataresucceedingtoclosedvegetation,firemaybeausefulmanagementtoolinrestoringternhabitatbutagain,mustbescheduledoutsideofthebreedingsea-son .Controlofpredatorsmaybeacrucialfactorinmaintainingternpopulations .Roadsidefeaturesthatmaybeattractivetoraccoons,etc .,suchasreststopsoroverlookswithrefusecontainersshouldnotbelocatednearterncolonies .Re-moveinvasivespeciessuchasphragmitesthatalterthestructureoftheircoastalhabitat .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/zoology/Sterna_hirundo.pdf
Photo: David G. Allen
26
Eastern Box TurtleTerrapene carolina carolinaStatus:StateSpecialConcernGlobal and state rank: G5T5/S2S3
RecognitionTheeasternboxturtleisasmalllandturtlewithahigh-domeduppershell .Ithasahingeinthemiddleofitslowershellsoitcancloseuptightlylikeabox .Theuppershellrangesfrom4 .6to7 .8incheslongandisdarkwithyellowmarkings .Easternboxturtleshavefourtoesoneachhindfootandashorttail .Habitat TheeasternboxturtleisMichigan’sonlytrulyterrestrialturtle .Itlivesinforestswithsandysoilsandnearbyponds,streams,marshesorlakes .Theycanalsobefoundinthickets,oldfields,pastures,vegetateddunesandmarshes .Theyneedaccesstosunnynestingsitesinsandyopenareasinordertoreproducesuccessfully .
BiologyTurtlesemergefromhibernationinAprilandusuallymateshortlyafterwards .FemaleslaytheireggsfromearlyJuneuntilthemiddleofJuly .Theeggshatchafter50to90days .HatchlingsemergefromtheireggsinSeptemberorOctoberbutspendmostoftheirtimehidingunderforestdebris .Whencoolweatherbeginsinfall,boxturtlesdigintothesoil,diggingdeeperastempera-turesdecline .Someturtlesmoveaboutinwinterduringwarmspells .
Best Survey TimeBoxturtlesarediurnalandmostactiveinthespringandfall,particularlyinthemorningfollowingrainshowers .
Management concernsProtectboxturtlesbypreservingtheirwoodlandandwetlandhabitat .Con-tinuedfragmentationofremainingturtlehabitatincreasestheirvulnerabilitytoroadmortality .Newroadsshouldbesitedtoavoidseparatingtheturtle’shabitatfromnestingareaswheneverpossible .AvoidmowingandotherroutinemaintenancetasksbetweenAprilandJuly,whenturtlesaremostac-tive .Whenpossible,scheduleroutinemaintenancebetweenNovemberandMarch .Removeinvasivespeciessuchasphragmitesthatalterthestructureoftheirwetlandhabitat .
Abstract
http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/zoology/Terrapene_carolina.pdf
Photo: MNFI
27
Lake Huron LocustTrimerotropis huronianaStatus:StateThreatenedGlobal and state rank: G2G3/S2S3
RecognitionTheLakeHuronlocustisasmall,band-wingedgrasshopper .Itsbodyisusuallysilverytoashgray,withdarkerbrownandwhitemarkings .Males’foldedfore-wingsrangefrom1to1 .24inches(24-30mm)inlength .Females’forewingsareabitlarger .Thetoughenedfore-wingsofadultshavedarkerbandsthatmaybeweakorstrong .Thehindwingsarelightyellownearthebodywithasmokypatchnearthetip .
HabitatInMichigan,theLakeHuronlocustisrestrictedtosparselyvegetated,high-qual-itycoastalsanddunes .Wheretheopendunesgradeintoheavilyvegetatedordisturbedareas,locustnumbersquicklydecline .
BiologyTheLakeHuronlocusthasasinglegenerationeachyearandlaysitseggmassesinthesoftsoilwheretheyoverwinter .Nymphshatchinlatespringandmaturebymid-July .Adultsmaybefoundinlargenumbersthroughfall,untiltheyarekilledbythefrost .Theyarestrictlyground-dwellinganddonotclimbonvegetationorothersupports .
Best Survey TimeAdultlocustscanbefoundfromlateJulythroughOctober .Theybecomeac-tivebetween9:30and10:00a .m .,afterthesunhasrisenfarenoughtowarmthesands .
Management ConcernsLakeHuronlocustmanagementshouldfocusonpreservingitshabitatandthenaturalprocessesthatmaintainthedunesitinhabits .Stabilizingstructuressuchasretainingwalls,revetmentsandriprapdisrupttheseprocessesalongwithmoreobvioussourcesofhabitatdestructionsuchasbeachgroomingandshorelinedevelopment .Whereinvasivespeciessuchasphragmites,spottedknapweedorbaby’s-breathlimitsandmovement,institutecontrolmeasures .
Abstracthttp://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/zoology/Trimerotropis_huroniana.pdf
Photo: David Cuthrell
28
Rare species by natural community type
Species Alv
ar
Coas
tal f
en
Gre
at L
akes
mar
sh
Inte
rdun
al w
etla
nd
Lim
esto
ne b
edro
ck g
lade
Lim
esto
ne b
edro
ck s
hore
line
Nor
ther
n fe
n
Ope
n du
nes
Sand
and
gra
vel b
each
Woo
ded
dune
and
sw
ale
Plants
Pumpell’s bromeBromus pumpellianus n n
Pitcher’s thistle Cirsium pitcheri n n n
Dwarf lake irisIris lacustris n n n n n n
ButterwortPinguicula vulgaris n n n n n
Houghton’s goldenrod Solidago houghtonii n n n n n n n
StichwortStellaria longipes n
Lake Huron tansyTanacetum bipinnatum n n n
Animals
Piping ploverCharadrius melodus n n
Marsh wrenCistothorus palustris n
Common moorhenGallinula chloropus n
Eastern flat-whorlPlanogyra asteriscus n n
Grizzled skipperPyrgus wyandot n
Common ternSterna hirundo n
Eastern box turtleTerrapene carolina carolina n n n
Lake Huron locustTrimerotropis huroniana n