Preliminary Vegetation Survey of Platte Mound Max F. Blackbourn Reclamation, Environment, Conservation University of Wisconsin-Platteville

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1 Preliminary Vegetation Survey of Platte Mound Max F. Blackbourn Reclamation, Environment, Conservation University of Wisconsin-Platteville Introduction: Ecosystems of southwestern Wisconsin are rapidly changing with lack of disturbance. This lack of disturbance, due to current land practices, has resulted in encroachment of invasive species and progressive extirpation of native species. Not much is known about Platte Mound, besides the M on the southwestern hillside. The goal of this study is to find out what different tree species inhabit Platte Mound, along with understory species to determine what plant communities that reside on the mound and their condition. Results from this study should give insight for future restoration projects or studies to be conducted there. Methods: With given time constraints, a method was sought out to randomly select trees in a logical way and that was time efficient. The method selected was the Wandering Quarter Method. In this method, the surveyor starts from a given random point. At that point, a 90 angle is formed by the individual, who is conducting the survey, centered on a given azimuth (North, East and South were the directions used). Next tree selection is picked by the nearest individual with the largest trunk (process can be seen in Figure 1). Distance from one tree to the next is measured in paces, (my pace length is 29 inches). Then each tree is identified by species, DBH is measured and each tree s coordinates are marked on a GPS unit. Once all the data is collected, the process is repeated continuously until 100 specimens are surveyed. There were four different starting points that were selected at random positions on the mound for each transect. Native understory vegetation was identified and photographed, if needed, along each transect. Results: Total species richness was 11 species out of the four transects. Dominant species are Quercus alba, Tilia americana and Fraxinus sp. The average DBH of Quercus alba is 21.8 inches, Tilia Americana is 18.9 inches and Fraxinus sp. is 17.2 inches. Species richness of understory species are 25 species with two invasive species as well. Most native vegetation observed were Asarum canadense, Dentaria laciniata, Erythronium albidum and Sanguinaria canadensis. All species observed are shown in Table 5. Discussion: There were some error that couldn t be avoided. Sometimes, transects didn t follow the rules of the Wandering Quarter Method. It had to be adjusted slightly due to obstacles (steep slopes/drops or large rock outcroppings). Also, on the Eastern side of the mound (Transect 3), the GPS unit was giving sporadic positions and was difficult to get accurate positioning. Species identification was a problem as well. Most of the trees observed didn t have branches low enough to study the buds and most identification came from studying the bark. Besides those small occurrences of error, the data is fairly accurate. From the data collected, my hypothesis is that the southern part of the mound, where transect 1 is located, was most likely an oak woodland or possibly an Oak Savannah in the past. This area contained mature Quercus alba along with young Juglans nigra and medium sized Tilia americana. Tilia americana most likely got that large in a short amount of time due to lack

2 of competition, lack of natural disturbance and it is a naturally fast growing species. The presence of Erythronium albidum and Geranium maculatum in this location support my hypothesis, because these two species typically occur in mesic deciduous woodlands. But there also is encroaching Lonicera sp. which would need some brush cutting and herbicide application to reduce it s impact in the future. Around transect 2, it is most likely Southern Dry-mesic Forest. This area of the mound is slightly dry and has the species that are typically in this community type. These species are Quercus alba, Tilia americana, Acer saccharum and Prunus serotina. With understory species such as Arisaema triphyllum, Athyrium Filix-femina and Uvularia grandiflora present. These tree species and understory species match the definition that the DNR states on it s natural heritage webpage. Transect 3 currently has a mesic hardwood forest composition with Quercus alba dominating this area along with Celtis occidentalis and Almus sp. Understory species such as Athyrium filix-femina, Asarum canadense, Hepatica acutiloba, Hydrophyllum virginianum and other species were observed. These plants typically grow in mesic woodlands. Transect 4 is most likely a degraded Sothern Dry-mesic Forest, because of abundance of Fraxinus sp. (most likely White Ash), Acer saccharum. Along with Juglans nigra and two large Quercus alba, it seems like an area that has been taken over by succession. As stated by Epstein et. al., To the detriment of the oaks, mesophytic tree species are becoming increasingly important under current management practices and fire suppression policies. Mesophytic trees, are generalist species which are adapted to neither a particularly dry nor particularly wet environment. Some restoration work may be required to improve the diversity and have the oaks dominate again. Future recommendations for the mound would be sending groups to pull Alliaria petiolate. This invasive is very aggressive and spreads rapidly through seed dispersal and takes over native vegetation. It is also know to discharge antifungal chemicals into the soil, which could harm native vegetation that relies on a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. Infested areas are starting to spread into nice patches of Erythronium albidum and other native vegetation. Hopefully in the future there will be more resources and conservation efforts put towards the mound to restore and maintain it. There is also interesting geological features that I never knew about before, especially the cool outcropping (shown in Image #6). More research projects would be beneficial to this cause, because there is so much area to explore on the mound and so much more that may be discovered.

3 Sources: Bonham C. D Measurements for terrestrial vegetation. Wiley Intersciences, N.Y. Epstein, E.J., E.J. Judziewicz, and E.A. Spencer Wisconsin Natural Community Abstracts. Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, Madison, WI

4 Appendix: Figure 1: The process of the Wandering quarter method. (Bonham 1989).

5 Figure 2: Map of Platte Mound with four survey transects. Red pin marks the beginning of each transect.

6 Table 1: Distance and DBH data from Transect 1 Distance from GPS previous point Point # (Paces) Species DBH (Inches) 1 - Starting Point Picea sp Prunus serotina Prunus serotina Juglans nigra Quercus alba Quercus alba Tilia americana Juglans nigra Juglans nigra Juglans nigra Tilia americana Tilia americana Tilia americana Tilia americana Quercus alba Tilia americana Tilia americana Quercus alba Quercus alba Prunus serotina Fraxinus sp Quercus alba Quercus alba Juglans nigra Fraxinus sp Fraxinus sp Prunus serotina Quercus alba Quercus alba Tilia americana Tilia americana Quercus alba c 11 Tilia americana Tilia americana Quercus alba 28.2

7 Table 2: Distance and DBH data from Transect 2 GPS Point # Distance from previous point (Paces) Species DBH (Inches) 37 - Starting Point Juglans nigra Quercus alba Quercus alba Fraxinus sp Prunus serotina Tilia americana Acer saccharum Acer saccharum Tilia americana 11 47c 8 Tilia americana Tilia americana Fraxinus sp Celtis occidentalis Tilia americana Tilia americana Quercus alba Quercus alba Fraxinus sp Fraxinus sp Quercus alba Quercus alba Quercus alba Ostrya virginiana Quercus alba Ostrya virginiana Quercus alba Quercus alba c 3 Quercus alba 17.1

8 Table 3: Distance and DBH data from Transect 3 GPS Point # Distance from previous point (Paces) Species DBH (Inches) 66 - Starting Point - 67d 6 Celtis occidentalis c 12 Ulmus sp d 5 Celtis occidentalis c 20 Ulmus sp c 12 Celtis occidentalis c 6 Ulmus sp Ulmus sp Fraxinus sp Quercus alba Celtis occidentalis Fraxinus sp Fraxinus sp Quercus alba Quercus alba Quercus alba Tilia americana Fraxinus sp Quaking Aspen Quercus alba Quercus alba 21

9 Table 4: Distance and DBH data from Transect 4 GPS Point # Distance from previous point (Paces) Species DBH (Inches) 87 - Starting Point Acer saccharum Tilia americana Tilia americana Quercus alba Juglans nigra Acer saccharum Acer saccharum Acer saccharum Juglans nigra Quercus alba Fraxinus sp Fraxinus sp Fraxinus sp Prunus serotina Fraxinus sp Fraxinus sp Fraxinus sp Table 5: Average DBH and total abundance of tree species Species Average DBH Number of (Inches) individuals Acer saccharum Celtis occidentalis Fraxinus sp Juglans nigra Ostrya virginiana Picea sp Populous tremuloides Prunus serotina Quercus alba Tilia americana Ulmus sp

10 Table 6: Summary of understory species found (* denotes invasive species) Observed on Species Occurrence on site Additional Notes Throughout site Alliaria petiolata * Common Near heavily disturbed areas, walking paths Transect 4 Allium cernum Scarce Throughout site Allium tricoccum Uncommon Transect 2,3 Arisaema triphyllum Uncommon Transect 2,3 Athyrium filix-femina Uncommon Transect 2,3 Asarum canadense Common Formed thick patches Transect 4 Caulophyllum thalictroides Scarce Transect 4 Cornus sp. Scarce Transect 3,4 Dentaria laciniata Common Formed nice patches Throughout site Dicentra cucullaria Common Throughout site Erythronium albidum Common Throughout site Galium boreale Common Transect 2 Gentiana flavida Scarce Transect 2,3,4 Geranium maculatum Common Transect 2,3 Hepatica acutiloba Uncommon Transect 2,3,4 Hydrophyllum virginianum Common Transect 1 Lonicera sp.* Common Thick, needs to be controlled Throughout site Maianthemum racemosum Uncommon Transect 2,3 Podophyllum peltatum Common Throughout site Polygonatum biflorum Uncommon Transect 2 Pteridium aquilinum Scarce Throughout site Ranunculus septentrionalis Uncommon Transect 1,4 Ribes uva-crispa Uncommon Transect 2,3,4 Sanguinaria canadensis Common Transect 2 Uvularia grandiflora Common Transect 2 Viola pubescens Scarce **Note: For supplemental studies using this data use: GPS Unit: Trimble Juno # 3B-4 Project Name: QuickProjectmfb.apm

11 Image 1: Erythronium albidum (White Trout Lily).

12 Image 2: Sanguinaria Canadensis (Bloodroot).

13 Image 3: Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) and Uvularia grandiflora (Large Flowered Bellwort).

14 Image 4: Hepatica acutiloba (Sharp-Lobed Hepatica).

15 Image 5: Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue Cohosh).

16 Image 6: Rock outcropping Image 7: Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman s Breeches) growing on a boulder.