Skip to main content
Article
Habitat Assessment and Conservation Status of Endangered Northeastern Bulrush
Northeastern Naturalist
  • Kendra Cipollini
  • Don Cipollini, Wright State University - Main Campus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2011
Abstract

Scirpus ancistrochaetus (Northeastern Bulrush) is a federally endangered sedge that grows in temporary wetlands. We performed surveys of 90 wetlands in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, measuring areal extent, stem density, and number of flowering stems of Northeastern Bulrush. We also measured percentage of tree canopy closure, presence of threats, and size of wetland. Percentage of tree canopy closure was negatively correlated with wetland area, percentage of wetland area occupied by North-eastern Bulrush, total number of stems, stem density, and percentage of flowering stems. Wetland area was positively related to percentage of flowering stems and had a tendency to be positively related to stem density, likely in part due to larger wetlands having lower tree canopy closure. Invasive Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canarygrass) and Microstegium vimineum(Japanese Stiltgrass) were present at 7% and 21% of the wetlands, respectively. Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) and Ursus americanus (Black Bear) damage were present in 38% and 17% of wetlands, respectively. Modification of habitat was noted at 27% of wetlands. For wetlands with previous data on population size, 14% had increased, 34% were stable, 25% had decreased, and 27% were absent or had severely decreased. Our recommendations for management include reducing tree canopy closure with control of invasive species and White-tailed Deer where needed.

DOI
10.1656/045.018.0303
Citation Information
Kendra Cipollini and Don Cipollini. "Habitat Assessment and Conservation Status of Endangered Northeastern Bulrush" Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 18 Iss. 3 (2011) p. 275 - 291 ISSN: 1092-6194
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/don-cipollini/71/