Division of Natural Resources

Transcription

1 Division of Natural Resources Initial Biodiversity Assessment: Southwest Park Survey Dates: 24 September 2007 Watershed (major / minor): Catawba / Sugar Latitude: N Longitude: W Size: 58 acres Soils: Enon (EnB), Mecklenburg (MeB, MeD), Monocan (MO), Wilkes (WkE) Parcel #s: , , , , , , The Southwest Park site is located east of Billy Graham Parkway, north of West Boulevard and south of Morris Field Drive. Taggert Creek flows down the western side of the parcel, and CPCC Harris Campus is adjacent on the north side. The attached map shows the property boundary as well as the areas covered in this assessment. Several small tributaries flow through the property into Taggert Creek. This property is owned by Mecklenburg County, and has been divided into three sections for the purpose of this document. These are evident on the attached map. Section one: This section, located primarily in northeastern portion of the property (see map), consists of a dry ridge-top composed of mature hardwood trees and herbaceous ground cover typical of a Dry Oak-Hickory Forest natural community type (Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Schafale & Weakley, 1990). On the slopes of the ridge toward the north and into the floodplain and drainage areas, this section has a higher soil moisture content and grades into a community that more closely resembles a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest. The dominant canopy species of the dry section are oaks and hickories, predominantly white and northern red oaks (Quercus alba and Q. rubra), and shagbark, pignut, and mockernut hickories (Carya ovata, C. glabra, and C. alba). Additional oak species include willow and post oak (Q. phellos and Q. stellata), yet these are scattered throughout and not dominant canopy species. Some of the largest diameter at breast height (dbh) measurements of canopy species are: white oak 33 inches (82.5 cm), red oak 29.6 inches (74 cm) and shagbark hickory 15.8 inches (39.5 cm). The dominant midstory species is chalk maple (Acer leucoderme), with flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus), and the ericaceous shrubs deerberry (V. stamineum) and sparkleberry (V. arboreum) present as well. There is a noticeable lack of the invasive exotic species autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) throughout this area, which is a noteworthy occurrence given its abundance in many natural areas. Understory species on the dry ridge include native herbaceous species primarily found in more open-canopied situations such as goldenrod (Solidago erecta), common clasping aster (Symphyotrichum patens), shaggy blazing star (Liatris pilosa), wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium), and witch grass (Dichanthelium sp.). Different herbaceous species were located on the northern, moist portion of this section and include pipsissewa (Chimaphila maculata), heartleaf (Hexastylis arifolia), and turpentine-root (Endodeca serpentaria). In addition, there are numerous vines present throughout this section, including muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), catbriar (Smilax bona-nox), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). This area is high-quality hardwoods, with 10/4/2007 1

2 Division of Natural Resources large, mature trees that provide good habitat and food sources for a variety of wildlife species. The dry ridge is a particularly interesting component, and has a nice assemblage of herbaceous vegetation that is not frequently encountered. Section two: This section is composed of younger, disturbed woods that have been heavily impacted by past land use, which makes it is difficult to determine the natural community type that would have been encountered here. It would likely have been an extension to the communities encountered in section one, as it has essentially the same species composition, however the trees are much smaller in stature, indicating the younger age of vegetation on this section of the property. There are also more early successional species present, such as tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) and sweet-gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and a much larger presence of the evergreens shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). In addition, there is a more pronounced presence of invasive exotic species in this section, particularly in the area approaching the floodplain. Autumn olive and Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) are the most significant invasive species present. In the more open, cut-over areas, herbaceous vegetation is prevalent and composed primarily of ruderal species typically associated with disturbed areas. These include common dog-fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), common horseweed (Conyza canadensis), common blue curls (Trichostema dichotomum), and fireweed (Erichtites hieracifolia). This section is of significantly lower biological quality simply because of the younger age and larger presence of exotic species. In terms of development, this area should be considered for development prior to considering section one, which is a more mature forest with much greater biological integrity. Section three: Taggert Creek runs along the western edge of the property, adjacent to Billy Graham Parkway. This creek is incised and has a good deal of trash in it. The associated floodplain is heavily invaded by exotic species, as are the other tributaries throughout this property. There is a sewerline right-of-way running behind CPCC toward Taggert Creek, adjacent to a creek tributary, which is also heavily invaded by exotic species. Typical floodplain vegetation is associated with all of these areas where exotic species have not completely overwhelmed them. For the purpose of this document, all of the floodplain community type will be treated together in this section. Canopy species include red and white oaks, sweet-gum, tulip poplar, sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), and pignut hickory. Native mid-story species commonly seen in the floodplain areas include American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), chalk maple, flowering dogwood, redbud (Cercis canadensis), paw paw (Asimina triloba), and southern black haw (Viburnum rufidulum). Herbaceous species include leafy elephant s-foot (Elephantopus carolinianus), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), and Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis). Many invasive exotic species were found in this area, in large concentrations in some patches. These species include but are not limited to Chinese and Japanese privet (Ligustrum sinense and L. japonica), English ivy (Hedera helix), autumn and thorny olive (Elaeagnus umbellata and E. pungens), sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and Japanese-grass (Microstegium vimineum). Given time, it is likely that these species will become much more prevalent throughout the entire floodplain, essentially eliminating any remaining 10/4/2007 2

3 Division of Natural Resources native vegetation. Care should be taken to address these problem species now rather than waiting until they have completely overwhelmed the native species. Animals: Vertebrate species observed include several bird, reptile, and mammal species. These, in addition to the invertebrates observed at the site, are listed on the animal species list included in this report. While this list is small, it is the result of only one short field day and greater time spent on this property would undoubtedly yield a higher diversity of wildlife. Recommendations: This property has a high-quality, floristically diverse hardwood area (Section one) that serves as good habitat for wildlife in addition to being a desirable, high-quality natural area. It contains features (i.e., diverse herbaceous vegetation assemblage) that are less commonly found in the Piedmont region s typically mesic understory, and efforts to minimize impact to this section will increase the site s biological diversity and integrity. These areas would provide excellent opportunities for passive recreation, while development on other sections of the property would have far less damaging impact on the natural resources. Controlling the spread of invasive exotic species should be a priority throughout the property, particularly in light of their lack of prominence in Section one. Prepared by: Kim Coffey Natural Resources Coordinator September /4/2007 3

4 Airport Center Py Billy Graham Py Morris Field Dr Cpcc West Campus Dr Parks Streams Streets Southwest_Park_Notes Southwest_Park_Sections Capitol Dr Southwest_Park_Survey_Route Section Helena St Section 1 Horace St Section Brooksvale St Nobles Av Vilma St Nobles Av I Southwest Park Initial Biodiversity Assessment Miles Map by: Marek Smith 2007 Aerial Photography For more information, contact Don Seriff at Date: September 26, 2007

5 MKS 01 MKS 02 MKS 03 MKS 04 MKS 05 MKS 06 MKS 07 MKS 08 MKS 09 MKS 10 MKS 11 MKS 12 MKS 13 MKS 14 MKS 15 MKS 16 MKS 17 MKS 18 MKS 19 MKS 20 MKS 21 MKS 22 MKS 23 MKS 24 MKS 25 MKS 26 MKS 27 MKS 28 MKS 29

6 Southwest_Park_Notes Attribute Table FID NAME Notes 0 Photo, White Oak MKS 01; 82.5 cm dbh 1 Photo, Sewerline ROW MKS 02 2 Northern Red Oak 74.0 cm dbh 3 Photo, Creek Bed MKS 03 4 Basswood 5 Partridge Berry 6 Photo Upland Hardwood MKS 04 7 Photos, Burned Upland Hardwood MKS 05, 06 8 Shagbark Hickory 34.0 cm dbh 9 Photo, Dry Upland Ridge MKS Common Clasping-Aster 11 Photo, Upland Hardwood MKS Photos, Older Forest to NW, Younger Forest to SE MKS 11, 12, Photo, Road Cut MKS White Oak 62.2 cm dbh 15 Photo, Moist Hardwood Slope MKS Photo, Elaeagnus umbellata MKS Photos, Sewerline ROW MKS 18, Photo, Floodplain Forest, Chinese Privet MKS Photos, Taggert Creek MKS 21, Photo MKS Photos, Selective Timber Harvest Areas MKS 24, 25, Photo, Dry Tributary MKS Photo MKS Photo, Wildfire Area MKS 29

7 Site ID: 0030 Name of Site: Southview Animal List as of 10/1/2007 Species Type Family Common Name Genus Species Birds Cardinalidae Northern Cardinal* Cardinalis cardinalis Corvidae American Crow* Corvus brachyrhynchos Corvidae Blue Jay* Cyanocitta cristata Paridae Tufted Titmouse* Baeolopus bicolor Paridae Carolina Chickadee* Poecile carolinensis Picidae Red-bellied Woodpecker* Melanerpes carolinus Troglodytidae Carolina Wren* Thryothorus ludovicianus Turdidae American Robin* Turdus migratorius Tyrannidae Eastern Phoebe* Sayornis phoebe Butterflies & Moths Nymphalidae Red-spotted Purple Limentits arthemis astyanax Herps Emydidae Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina * avian species that breeds in Mecklenburg County, (*) former avian breeder

8 Site ID: 0030 Name of Site: Southview Plant List as of 10/1/2007 Species Type Family (Weakley) Common Name Genus (Weakley) Species (Weakley) Origin Family (Radford) Genus (Radford) Species (Radford) Herbaceous Acanthaceae Ruellia Ruellia caroliniensis Apocynaceae Indian Hemp/Dogbane Apocynum cannabinum Aristolochiaceae Birthwort sp., Virginia Snake-root Endodeca serpentaria Aristolochia serpentaria Aristolochiaceae a Heartleaf, Wild Ginger Hexastylis arifolia Asteraceae Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia Asteraceae Pussytoes sp. Antennaria sp. Asteraceae Carolina or Leafy Elephant's Foot Elephantopus carolinianus Asteraceae Fireweed Erechtites hieracifolia Asteraceae Hyssop-leaved Thoroughwort Eupatorium hyssopifolium Asteraceae Dog Fennel Eupatorium capillifolium Asteraceae Grass-Leaved Blazing Star Liatris pilosa Liatris graminifolia Asteraceae Wild Quinine/Feverfew Parthenium integrifolium Asteraceae Orange Coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida Asteraceae Bluestem Goldenrod Solidago caesia Asteraceae Showy, Slender Goldenrod Solidago erecta Asteraceae Tall Goldenrod Solidago altissima Asteraceae Frost Aster, Whiteheath Aster Symphyotrichum pilosum Aster pilosus Asteraceae Late Purple Aster, Spreading Aster Symphyotrichum patens Aster patens Asteraceae Alternate Winged Stem Verbesina alterniflora Nomenclature follows A. S. Weakley, Working Draft of 17 January Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Chapel Hill, NC. and A. E. Radford, H. E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell, Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of NC Press. Chapel Hill, NC.

9 Site ID: 0030 Name of Site: Southview Plant List as of 10/1/2007 Species Type Family (Weakley) Common Name Genus (Weakley) Species (Weakley) Origin Family (Radford) Genus (Radford) Species (Radford) Balsaminaceae Jewel-weed, Touch-me-not Impatiens capensis Commelinaceae Asiatic Dayflower Commelina communis exotic Dryopteridaceae Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides Aspidiaceae Euphorbiaceae Flowering Spurge Euphorbia pubentissima Euphorbia corollata var. zinniiflora Fabaceae Hog-Peanut Amphicarpa bracteata Fabaceae Partridge Pea Chamaecrista fasciculata Cassia fasciculata Fabaceae Panicle-Leaf Tick-Trefoil Desmodium paniculatum Fabaceae a Beggar's Lice Desmodium nudiflorum Fabaceae Milk pea Galactia volubilis Fabaceae Creeping Lespedeza Lespedeza repens Fabaceae Chinese Lespedeza, Sericea Lespedeza cuneata exotic Lamiaceae Hyssop Skullcap Scutellaria integrifolia Lamiaceae Blue Curls Trichostema dichotomum Ophioglossaceae Grape Fern sp. Botrychium sp Passifloraceae Yellow Passionflower Passiflora lutea Phytolaccaceae Pokeweed/Pokeberry Phytolacca americana Poaceae Giant Cane, River Cane Arundinaria gigantea Poaceae Rosette Grass sp. Dichanthelium sp. Poaceae Bottlebrush Grass Elymus hystrix Hystrix patula Nomenclature follows A. S. Weakley, Working Draft of 17 January Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Chapel Hill, NC. and A. E. Radford, H. E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell, Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of NC Press. Chapel Hill, NC.

10 Site ID: 0030 Name of Site: Southview Plant List as of 10/1/2007 Species Type Family (Weakley) Common Name Genus (Weakley) Species (Weakley) Origin Family (Radford) Genus (Radford) Species (Radford) Poaceae Japanese grass Microstegium vimineum exotic Polygonaceae Smartweed sp. Polygonum sp. Ranunculaceae Virgin's Bower Clematis virginiana Rubiaceae Partridge Berry Mitchella repens Woody Ruscaceae Solomon's Seal Polygonatum biflorum Liliaceae Tetrachondraceae Juniper Leaf Polypremum procumbens Loganiaceae/Buddlejac eae Adoxaceae Blue Haw/Rusty Black Haw Viburnum rufidulum Caprifoliaceae Altingiaceae Sweet-Gum Liquidambar styraciflua Hamamelidaceae Anacardiaceae Winged Sumac Rhus copallinum Rhus copallina Anacardiaceae Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra Anacardiaceae Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans Rhus radicans Annonaceae Paw Paw Asimina triloba Aquifoliaceae Ilex/Holly sp. Ilex sp. Araliaceae English Ivy Hedera helix exotic Asteraceae Groundsel Tree Baccharis halimifolia state native Berberidaceae Oregon Grape Mahonia bealei exotic Berberidaceae Nandina/Sacred Bamboo Nandina domestica exotic Nomenclature follows A. S. Weakley, Working Draft of 17 January Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Chapel Hill, NC. and A. E. Radford, H. E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell, Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of NC Press. Chapel Hill, NC.

11 Site ID: 0030 Name of Site: Southview Plant List as of 10/1/2007 Species Type Family (Weakley) Common Name Genus (Weakley) Species (Weakley) Origin Family (Radford) Genus (Radford) Species (Radford) Betulaceae Ironwood/American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana Bignoniaceae Cross Vine Bignonia capreolata Anisostichus capreolata Bignoniaceae Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans Cannabaceae Hackberry/Sugarberry Celtis laevigata Ulmaceae Caprifoliaceae Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica exotic Celastraceae American Strawberry Bush Euonymus americanus Cornaceae Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida Cupressaceae Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana Ebenaceae Persimmon Diospyros virginiana Elaeagnaceae Thorny Olive/Silverthorn Elaeagnus pungens exotic Elaeagnaceae Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata exotic Ericaceae Spotted Wintergreen/Pipsissewa Chimaphila maculata Ericaceae Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum Ericaceae Gooseberry, Deerberry Vaccinium stamineum Ericaceae Sparkleberry Vaccinium arboreum Fabaceae Mimosa Albizia julibrissin exotic Fabaceae Redbud Cercis canadensis Fagaceae American Beech Fagus grandifolia Fagaceae Post Oak Quercus stellata Fagaceae Willow Oak Quercus phellos Nomenclature follows A. S. Weakley, Working Draft of 17 January Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Chapel Hill, NC. and A. E. Radford, H. E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell, Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of NC Press. Chapel Hill, NC.

12 Site ID: 0030 Name of Site: Southview Plant List as of 10/1/2007 Species Type Family (Weakley) Common Name Genus (Weakley) Species (Weakley) Origin Family (Radford) Genus (Radford) Species (Radford) Fagaceae Water Oak Quercus nigra Fagaceae White Oak Quercus alba Fagaceae Red Oak (Northern) Quercus rubra Fagaceae Southern Red Oak Quercus falcata Juglandaceae Mockernut Hickory Carya alba Carya tomentosa Juglandaceae Pignut Hickory Carya glabra Juglandaceae Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata Juglandaceae Black Walnut Juglans nigra Lauraceae Sassafras Sassafras albidum Magnoliaceae Tulip Poplar, Yellow Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera Malvaceae Basswood Tilia americana Tiliaceae Moraceae Red Mulberry Morus rubra Nyssaceae Black Gum/Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica Oleaceae Fringe Tree Chionanthus virginicus Oleaceae White Ash Fraxinus americana Oleaceae Japanese Privet Ligustrum japonicum exotic Oleaceae Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense exotic Pinaceae Shortleaf Pine Pinus echinata Platanaceae Sycamore Platanus occidentalis Rosaceae One-Flowered/Dwarf Hawthorn Crataegus uniflora Nomenclature follows A. S. Weakley, Working Draft of 17 January Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Chapel Hill, NC. and A. E. Radford, H. E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell, Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of NC Press. Chapel Hill, NC.

13 Site ID: 0030 Name of Site: Southview Species Type Family (Weakley) Common Name Genus (Weakley) Species (Weakley) Family (Radford) Genus (Radford) Species (Radford) Rosaceae Hawthorn sp. Crataegus sp. Plant List as of 10/1/2007 Origin Rosaceae Black Cherry Prunus serotina Rosaceae Carolina Rose Rosa carolina Rosaceae Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora exotic Rosaceae Blackberry sp. Rubus sp. Salicaceae Cottonwood Populus deltoides Sapindaceae Box Elder Maple Acer negundo Aceraceae Sapindaceae Red Maple Acer rubrum Aceraceae Sapindaceae Chalk Maple Acer leucoderme Aceraceae Acer saccharum ssp leucoderme Smilacaceae Catbrier, Fringed Greenbriar Smilax bona-nox Liliaceae Smilacaceae Saw Briar Smilax glauca Liliaceae Ulmaceae Winged Elm Ulmus alata Ulmaceae Slippery/Red Elm Ulmus rubra Vitaceae Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia Vitaceae Summer Grape Vitis aestivalis Vitaceae Muscadine Grape Vitis rotundifolia Nomenclature follows A. S. Weakley, Working Draft of 17 January Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Chapel Hill, NC. and A. E. Radford, H. E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell, Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of NC Press. Chapel Hill, NC.