Nathan R. Beane

Forest Succession and Maternity Day Roost Selection by Myotis septentrionalis in a Mesophytic Hardwood Forest

Conservation of summer maternity roosts is considered critical for bat management in North America, yet many aspects of the physical and environmental factors that drive roost selection are poorly understood. We tracked 58 female northern bats (Myotis septentrionalis) to 105 roost trees of 21 species on the Fort Knox military reservation in north-central Kentucky during the summer of 2011. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) was used as a day roost more than expected based on forest stand-level availability and accounted for 48.6% of all observed day roosts. Using logistic regression and an information theoretic approach, we were unable to reliably differentiate between sassafras and other roost species or between day roosts used during different maternity periods using models representative of individual tree metrics, site metrics, topographic location, or combinations of these factors. For northern bats, we suggest that day-roost selection is not a function of differences between individual tree species per se, but rather of forest successional patterns, stand and tree structure. Present successional trajectories may not provide this particular selected structure again without management intervention, thereby suggesting that resource managers take a relatively long retrospective view to manage current and future forest conditions for bats.

Using maximum entropy modeling to identify and prioritize red spruce forest habitat in West Virginia

Red spruce forests in West Virginia are found in island-like distributions at high elevations and provide essential habitat for the endangered Cheat Mountain salamander and the recently delisted Virginia northern flying squirrel. Therefore, it is important to identify restoration priorities of red spruce forests. Maximum entropy modeling was used to identify areas of suitable red spruce habitat, with a total of 32 variables analyzed. Maximum temperature of the warmest month and minimum temperature of the coldest month were identified as variables explaining the most information about red spruce forest habitat. In addition, habitat maps identifying areas of high, medium, and low suitability were created and quantified at the county level. These results will benefit current and future conservation and restoration management activities as they identify core areas that possess the necessary environmental conditions for supporting future complex red spruce communities. Restoration efforts focused in areas possessing high suitability ensure peak potential of success and will ultimately give red spruce forests in West Virginia the greatest resilience to future climatic conditions by establishing connectivity between red spruce forests and increasing genetic diversity.

Stand Dynamics of an Old-Growth Eastern Hemlock-Hardwood Forest in West Virginia

ABSTRACT: Cathedral State Park (CSP) is a 54-ha, old-growth, eastern hemlock-hardwood forest located in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae Annand) is an exotic insect that currently threatens eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) in its native range, and was found in CSP in 2002. In 2006, field plots established in 2000 were re-measured to assess adelgid-induced changes to forest structure and species composition. The herbaceous plant community was also measured during the 2006 growing season to describe how the ground flora has changed since it was originally surveyed in 1965. In addition, characteristics of snags and downed dead wood in CSP were compared to published data on 25 old-growth hemlock-hardwood stands in the eastern United States. From 2000 to 2006, little HWA-induced change occurred in CSP. Density and basal area of overstory hemlock did not change, while snag density and basal area decreased over time. However, more than 10% of measured overstory hemlock trees were infested with HWA, with plot infestations ranging from 0 to 93% of stems. CSP had 1.5 times the volume of downed dead logs compared to other old-growth hemlock-hardwood stands. This study serves as a reference of forest structure and species composition in CSP prior to HWA-induced mortality.

Restoring bottomland hardwood forests on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands : 2016 monitoring report

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Vicksburg District manages over 12,000 ha of restored bottomland hardwood forests within the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Restored forest stand ages within the region vary from five 5 to 26 years, providing opportunities to document increases in wetland function across a restoration chronosequence. Additionally, conducting repeated monitoring at restored sites over multiple years allows for an examination of restoration benefits as forest succession occurs. During 2016, wetland functional assessment data was collected and analyzed from 606 sample locations collected within 12 restored bottomland hardwood forest sites. Results indicate that (1) wetland assessment variables show continued progress toward mature forest conditions; (2) wetland assessment variables follow expected recovery trajectories; (3) wetland functional scores display statistically significant increases across the restoration chronosequence; and (4) wetland functional scores improve over multiple years of monitoring. Results display a functional lag between restored areas undergoing ecological succession and mature (e.g., 80-year-old) reference forests. However, a subset of wetland functions in restored sites have attained reference conditions in areas approaching or exceeding tree diameter and canopy closure thresholds. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR.

Integrated assessment of vegetation and soil conditions following herbicide application

Vegetation and soil conditions were evaluated prior to, and following herbicide application implemented to control woody vegetation and maintain open grassland areas at Fort Hood, TX. Herbicide application resulted in a decreased rate of vegetation resprout compared with areas where herbicide was not used. Specifically, herbicide mixtures containing Remedy Ultra and methylated seed oil (RU-MSO) outperformed treatments in which no herbicide was applied and areas receiving herbicide and diesel fuel oil treatments (RU-diesel) across each of the three soils evaluated. Field monitoring assessed herbicide concentrations in soil and water. Herbicides were not observed in creeks and ponds adjacent to treatment areas. In soils, herbicide concentrations decreased by 72% over one month, likely due to microbial degradation, and with distance from the point of application. Monitoring results suggest that limited lateral and/or vertical transport occurred under field conditions. Laboratory studies evaluated potential fate and transport of herbicide compounds, identifying herbicide affinity for the soil surface. Additionally, RU-MSO treatments were strongly bound to soil surfaces at environmentally relevant concentrations. Further, laboratory column studies also suggest that potential transport in soil remained limited. Incorporating periodic herbicide applications into an integrated vegetation management plan will maintain grassland habitats in support of the mission. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR.

Operational Draft Regional Guidebook for the Rapid Assessment of Wetlands in the North Slope Region of Alaska

Abstract : This guidebook describes a rapid approach to assessing wetlands within the Arctic Foothills and Arctic Coastal Plain (North Slope) region of Alaska. This report utilized established approaches to (1) characterize regional wetlands, (2) provide the rationale used to determine assessment scores, (3) describe assessment variables utilized, (4) outline the developed assessment equations, and (5) provide a step-by-step protocol for applying results. The regions remote nature and short growing season limits the time period during which on-site data can be collected. As a result, the developed method allows for a tiered approach utilizing (1) an assessment based upon off-site data (remotely sensed or desktop resources) only or (2) an assessment using a combination of on-site (field data collection) and off-site data collection. On-site data collection may be required at the discretion of USACE. Several scenarios are presented to aid users in conducting the rapid wetland assessment.

A Multifactor Ecosystem Assessment of Wetlands Created Using a Novel Dredged Material Placement Technique in the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana: An Engineering With Nature Demonstration Project

Abstract : A multifactor ecosystem assessment of dredged material supported wetlands was conducted within the Atchafalaya River, Louisiana. The assessment included evaluations of (1) geomorphic evolution, (2) ecosystem classification and distribution, (3) floral communities, (4) avian communities, (5) aquatic invertebrates, (6) soils and biogeochemical activity, and (7) hydrodynamic and sediment transport processes. Results indicate that the innovative use of dredged materials in a riverine environment supports wetland formation and expansion while providing habitat, hydrologic, and biogeochemical functions. The strategic placement of dredged materials in locations that mimic natural process promoted additional ecological benefits, especially regarding wading bird and infaunal habitat, thus adhering to Engineering With Nature (EWN) processes. The multifactor approach improved the wetland assessment, allowing for a comprehensive ecosystem-level analysis of a diverse array of ecosystem components and functions.