Phragmites — and the rare plants, animals and natural communities along Michigan’s northern coasts

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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Natural communities of Michigan’s northern coastlines

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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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Rare plants of Michigan’s northern coastlines

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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

19

Rare animals of Michigan’s northern coastlines

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

24

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

25

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

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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

29

MichiganNaturalFeaturesInventory