University of Iowa Rare Plants Report Graham Environmental Services S1095 Westland Drive, Spring Valley, WI 54767 Table of Contents Introduction.........................................................................................................................2 Project Purpose and Objectives ....................................................................................................... 2 Description of the Study Area. ..........................................................................................3 Surrounding Landscape…………………………………………………………………………….3 Special Status Species ......................................................................................................................4 Study Location..................................................................................................................................7 Overview of Methods...........................................................................................................9 Planning and Pre-Survey Data..………………………………………………………………….…9 Field Surveys .................................................................................................................................... 9 Summary of Results............................................................................................................10 Plant Species Present……………………...……………………………………………….………10 Project Considerations........................................................................................................11 Key Issues for Consideration .......................................................................................................... 11 Glossary of Terms Used in This Report............................................................................12 References............................................................................................................................12 Appendix A Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plants and Animals and Native Natural Communities in Iowa…………………………………………………………………………………..…….13 Introduction Project Purpose and Objectives This report summarized the results of an inventory and analysis of the rare plant species for an area on the University of Iowa campus at Iowa City, Iowa. The rare plant survey was conducted on September 8th of 2011. This project was undertaken by Graham Environmental Services in partnership with Seneca to provide baseline ecological information for a University of Iowa construction project. This report accompanies other reports on wetland resources and biological resources for the project area. The primary objectives of project are: • To identify common plant species found within the project area • To identify natural plant communities in the project area • To identify rare plant species within the project area Crabapples in a mulch bed at the Hancher site Description of the Study Area Surrounding Landscape The area of study for this project is located on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. Historically, this landscape was dominated by open prairies and savannas, and woodlands bordering rivers and streams. Mesic prairie dominated most of the landscape but it also included dry prairie species from the plains to the east and tree and shrub species found in the deciduous forest to the east. Fire that was started by Native Americans or lightening was the primary factor keeping the prairie landscape open and un­forested. In many cases, Native Americans started fires to maintain ideal habitat for Bison, elk and deer. Other species that relied on the prairie habitat included badger, prairie chickens, a wide variety of songbirds and even wolves. Following European settlement, farmsteads started establishing across the landscape, and the rich prairie soils were plowed for crop production. Wetlands were also drained and trees cut down for building, heating and to expand fields. This process of landscape conversion from natural habitats occurred over several decades. Today around 60% of the landscape is in annual crops. The populations of many wildlife species decreased due to a combination of over hunting and habitat loss. Scattered woodlots, wetlands and conservations plantings are also part of the rural landscape around Iowa City. The planting of native vegetation along roadsides has been a focus in Iowa and these areas add to the biological diversity of the rural landscape. Through restoration and conservation efforts many wildlife species such as turkey, deer, bobcat, peregrine falcons and trumpeter swans are re-establishing in the state. The current landscape of Iowa City is a combination of commercial, residential and industrial development. North and south of the city the Iowa River winds through the agricultural landscape creating an important corridor of wildlife habitat. As the river winds through the city the corridor shrinks in size but widens where there are parks, steep slopes, or ravines leading down to the river. Much of the city is dominated with mature street trees including many oaks. A wide variety of plant species have been planted on the University of Iowa campus and in private residences in the area, including both native plants and horticultural varieties. Special Status Species Lists of State and Federal Threatened, Endangered and Special Concern species have been developed for Iowa are available through the Iowa Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) Interactive Website. The information in the database is from a variety of sources, including surveys to locate rare plants and animals in their natural habitats, collection of information from museums, herbariums, and scientific literature, and observations from naturalists around the state. Over 8000 records are contained in the database, ranging from historical observations made in the 1800s to present day sightings. Records in the complete INAI Database are protected as "ecologically sensitive sites" within the Open Records Law (Iowa Code 22.7(21)) and are used by professional natural resource managers to identify opportunities for conservation, to improve natural resource management, and to conduct environmental reviews to avoid conflicts between development and listed species. (Iowa DNR) The following are definitions for Endangered Species, Threatened Species and Special Concern Species from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Endangered Species means any species of fish, plant life, or wildlife which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant part of its range. Protected by law. Threatened Species means any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Protected by law. Special Concern means any species about which problems of status or distribution are suspected, but not documented. Not protected by the Iowa Threatened and Endangered Species law, but many animal species listed as Special Concern are protected under other state and federal laws addressing hunting, fishing, collecting, and harvesting. The follow table is a summary of listed species for Johnson County Iowa where Iowa City and the project area is located. Appendix A of this report includes a complete list of endangered, threatened and special concern species for the entire state of Iowa. Graham Environmental Consulting University of Iowa Rare Plants Report 9-12-11 Graham Environmental Consulting University of Iowa Rare Plants Report 9-12-11 Key: Threatened (T), Endangered (E), Special Concern (S), Candidate for Listing (C) 6 Study Location The Diagram below shows the location of the Hancher on the University of Iowa campus and proximity to the Iowa River. Hancher Site The Hancher site is outlined in red dashes in the diagram to the right and also includes areas labeled “Potential Go Well Field, Area A and B”. The Hancher site consisted of buildings, parking lots and lawn areas with scattered plantings of trees and shrubs. No natural areas such as woodlots, wetland or tall grasses were found at the project site. A relatively high diversity of tree species (12 species) were planted at the site in the lawn. Some of the more mature tree species include white pine, red oak, bur oak, Scotch Pine, and Blue Spruce. Some crabapple trees were planted in separate mulch beds. The lawn was dominated by typical lawn grasses such as Kentucky and Canada bluegrass, and lawn weeds such as dandelion, plantain and little hogweed (purslane). No State or Federally listed plant species were found at the Hancher site. The species that were present we either planted specie or common weeds. The site was located near the Iowa river, through the river was not part of the project area. The area along the river were dominated by reed canary grass and other weed species with a few native species present such as willow and vervain. The Hancher site is located south of East Park Swale flowing through the lawn area of the site Rd. and east of North Riverside Drive Overview of Methods Planning and Pre-Survey Data Collection Prior to the survey aerial images were studies to determine locations of plant communities, and where listed species would most likely be found at the site. Information was also collected about historical land use, as well as information about rare and declining species in the project area. This included species that have been documented in the County, as well as species that are State or Federally listed statewide. Information was also collected about key taxonomical differences between rare plant species that could be found at the project site, and more common species within similar genus. Field Survey Upon the site visit, the boundaries and dominant plant communities were noted, as well as an analysis of likely areas of listed species. This was followed by a detailed meander search of the project site to develop a complete list of species found, and to search for any species that were State or Federally listed. A complete list of all species found was developed to ensure that listed species in the same genus as common species (not listed species) could be differentiated. Examples are the Poa and Vitis genus that include both state listed species and species that are common in the landscape. Any species that could not be positively identified in the field were photographed. Leaf samples were collected for trees, shrubs and vines , and for herbaceous species if large populations were present. Summary of Results Plant Species Present The following list summarize species found at the Hancher site. The percent dominance of each species represents the percent aerial coverage of vegetated areas not including impervious surfaces). The USDA Plants website and GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) were used for species naming. Hancher Site Species List Scientific Name Common Name Percent Cover Acer saccharinum Silver maple <1 Celtis occidentalis Hackberry <1 Cyperus esculentus Yellow nutsedge <1 Digitaria ischaemum Smooth crabgrass <1 Digitaria sanguinalis Hairy crabgrass <1 Elymus repens Quackgrass <1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash <1 Glechoma hederaceae Creeping charlie <1 Malus sp. Crabapple variety 1-5 Malva neglecta Common mallow <1 Picea pungens Blue spruce <1 Pinus nigra Austrian Pine <1 Pinus strobes White pine 1-5 Pinus sylvestris Scots pine 1-5 Plantago major Common plantain <1 Poa compressa Canada bluegrass <1 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 75-100 Polygonum convolvulus Black bindweed <1 Populus deltoids Cottonwood <1 Portulaca oleracea Little hogweed <1 Quercus bicolor Swamp white oak <1 Quercus ellipsoidalis Northern pin oak <1 Quercus rubra Red oak <1 Setaria pumila Yellow foxtail <1 Taraxacum officinale Common dandelion <1 Trifolium repens White clover <1 Tsuga Canadensis Hemlock <1 Viola sororia Common blue violet <1 Considerations Key Issues for Consideration Rare Species –No State of Federally listed plant species were found in the project area. Plant species present were planted or common weed species. Species Diversity - The Hancher sites consisted of altered landscapes dominated by lawn but contained twelve trees species. Many trees at the Hancher site were large and likely provide habitat and stormwater absorption functions. Invasive Species –No invasive species were found at the Hancher site but several weed species were present including crabgrass, quackgass, common mallow, common plantain, bindweed, little hogweed (purslane), foxtail, dandelion, yellow nutsedge, and white clover. . Plant Communities – No natural plant communities were found at the Hancher site. A swale ran through the site but was dominated by typical lawn species. Ecological Opportunities – The proximity of the study areas to the Iowa River allows for several ecological opportunities. The shoreline of the river is degraded and its restoration to native vegetation would help improve water quality and provide an educational resource for University of Iowa students. Undeveloped areas further away from the river also provide opportunities for stormwater treatment and providing connections to the natural plant communities that remain on campus . The swale at the Hancher site could be enhanced by planting native species that would help slow and filter stormwater and provide more wildlife habitat. Glossary of Terms Used in This Report diversity - The spectrum of life forms and the ecological processes that support and sustain them. Biological diversity is a complex of four interacting levels: genetic, species, community, and ecosystem. ((Matthiae et al., 1993) inventory site -The geographic location at which a biological survey has been conducted. plant community - an assemblage of plants and animals, in a particular place at a particular time, interacting with one another and the abiotic environment around them, and subject to primarily natural disturbance regimes. Those assemblages that are repeated across a landscape in an observable pattern constitute a community “type.” No two assemblages, however, are exactly alike. References Iowa Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) Interactive Website http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/ThreatenedEndangered/NaturalAreasInventory.aspx Iowa’s Fragile Flora http://www.cgrer.uiowa.edu/herbarium/FragFloraIntro.htm USDA, NRCS. 2011. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 11 September 2011). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. Appendix A Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plants and Animals and Native Natural Communities in Iowa County State Status: THR - Threatened, END - Endangered, SC - Special Concern, SC/P - Fully protected, SC/N - No protection, SC/H - Take regulated by open/closed seasons, SC/FL - Federally protected as endangered or threatened, SC/M - Protected by Migratory Bird Act. Federal Status (in Wisconsin): LE - Listed as Endangered, LT - Listed as Threatened, C - Candidate for listing. Groupname: A ~ indicates an aquatic/wetland element Animals Scientific Name Common Name State Status Federal Status Groupname Acipenser fulvescens Lake Sturgeon SC/H Fish~ Acris crepitans Northern Cricket Frog END Frog~ Aeropedellus clavatus Club-horned Grasshopper SC/N Grasshopper Aflexia rubranura Red-tailed Prairie Leafhopper END Leafhopper Alasmidonta marginata Elktoe SC/P Mussel~ Ammocrypta clara Western Sand Darter SC/N Fish~ Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's Sparrow THR Bird Amplicephalus kansiensis A Leafhopper SC/N Leafhopper Anguilla rostrata American Eel SC/N Fish~ Anodonta suborbiculata Flat Floater SC/P Mussel~ Apalone mutica Smooth Softshell SC/H Turtle~ Aphredoderus sayanus Pirate Perch SC/N Fish~ Arcidens confragosus Rock Pocketbook THR Mussel~ Attenuipyga vanduzeei A Leafhopper SC/N Leafhopper Bartramia longicauda Upland Sandpiper SC/M Bird Bat Hibernaculum Bat Hibernaculum SC Other Bird Rookery Bird Rookery SC Other~ Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered Hawk THR Bird~ Caenis hilaris A Small Square-gilled Mayfly SC/N Mayfly~ Cercobrachys fox Fox Small Square-gilled Mayfly SC/N Mayfly~ Chlosyne gorgone Gorgone Checker Spot SC/N Butterfly Chondestes grammacus Lark Sparrow SC/M Bird Cicindela lepida Little White Tiger Beetle SC/N Beetle Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake SC/P Snake Crystallaria asprella Crystal Darter END Fish~ Cycleptus elongatus Blue Sucker THR Fish~ Dendroica cerulea Cerulean Warbler THR Bird Dendroica dominica Yellow-throated Warbler END Bird Ellipsaria lineolata Butterfly END Mussel~ Empidonax virescens Acadian Flycatcher THR Bird Emydoidea blandingii Blanding's Turtle THR Turtle~ Epiaeschna heros Swamp Darner SC/N Dragonfly~ Erimyzon sucetta Lake Chubsucker SC/N Fish~ Etheostoma asprigene Mud Darter SC/N Fish~ Etheostoma microperca Least Darter SC/N Fish~ Fundulus dispar Starhead Topminnow END Fish~ Fusconaia ebena Ebony Shell END Mussel~ Glyptemys insculpta Wood Turtle THR Turtle~ Graptemys pseudogeographica False Map Turtle SC/H Turtle~ Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle SC/P Bird~ Hendersonia occulta Cherrystone Drop THR Snail Herp Hibernaculum Herp Hibernaculum SC Other Hiodon alosoides Goldeye END Fish~ Ictiobus niger Black Buffalo THR Fish~ Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern SC/M Bird~ Laccobius reflexipennis A Predaceous Diving Beetle SC/N Beetle~ Lampsilis higginsii Higgins' Eye END LE Mussel~ Lampsilis teres Yellow & Slough Sandshells END Mussel~ 13 Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead Shrike END Bird Lioporeus triangularis A Predaceous Diving Beetle SC/N Beetle~ Lithobates palustris Pickerel Frog SC/H Frog~ Macrhybopsis aestivalis Shoal Chub THR Fish~ Macrhybopsis storeriana Silver Chub SC/N Fish~ Microtus ochrogaster Prairie Vole SC/N Mammal Migratory Bird Concentration Site Migratory Bird Concentration Site SC Other Moxostoma valenciennesi Greater Redhorse THR Fish~ Mussel Bed Mussel Bed SC Other~ Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat THR Mammal Notropis nubilus Ozark Minnow THR Fish~ Notropis texanus Weed Shiner SC/N Fish~ Noturus exilis Slender Madtom END Fish~ Oporornis formosus Kentucky Warbler THR Bird Opsopoeodus emiliae Pugnose Minnow SC/N Fish~ Pantherophis spiloides Gray Ratsnake SC/P Snake Pentagenia vittigera A Common Burrower Mayfly SC/N Mayfly~ Perimyotis subflavus Eastern Pipistrelle THR Mammal Pituophis catenifer Gophersnake SC/P Snake Plethobasus cyphyus Bullhead END C Mussel~ Polyamia dilata Prairie Leafhopper THR Leafhopper Polyodon spathula Paddlefish THR Fish~ Protonotaria citrea Prothonotary Warbler SC/M Bird~ Quadrula metanevra Monkeyface THR Mussel~ Quadrula quadrula Mapleleaf SC/P Mussel~ Reithrodontomys megalotis Western Harvest Mouse SC/N Mammal Simpsonaias ambigua Salamander Mussel THR Mussel~ Somatochlora hineana Hine's Emerald END LE Dragonfly~ Sparbarus nasutus A Small Square-gilled Mayfly SC/N Mayfly~ Speyeria idalia Regal Fritillary END Butterfly Spinadis simplex Wallace's Deepwater Mayfly END Mayfly~ Stenelmis douglasensis Douglas Stenelmis Riffle Beetle SC/N Beetle~ Stenelmis knobeli Knobel's Riffle Beetle END Beetle~ Sturnella neglecta Western Meadowlark SC/M Bird Terrapene ornata Ornate Box Turtle END Turtle Tritogonia verrucosa Buckhorn THR Mussel~ Truncilla donaciformis Fawnsfoot SC/P Mussel~ Tyto alba Barn Owl END Bird Vireo bellii Bell's Vireo THR Bird Wilsonia citrina Hooded Warbler THR Bird Plants Scientific Name Common Name State Status Federal Status Groupname Agalinis gattingeri Roundstem Foxglove THR Plant Agalinis skinneriana Pale False Foxglove END Plant Arabis shortii Short's Rock-cress SC Plant Asclepias lanuginosa Woolly Milkweed THR Plant Asclepias purpurascens Purple Milkweed END Plant Asplenium pinnatifidum Lobed Spleenwort THR Plant Botrychium campestre Prairie Dunewort END Plant Cacalia tuberosa Prairie Indian-Plantain THR Plant Calamagrostis stricta Slim-stem Small Reed Grass SC Plant~ Callirhoe triangulata Clustered Poppy-mallow SC Plant Calylophus serrulatus Yellow Evening Primrose SC Plant Camassia scilloides Wild Hyacinth END Plant Carex laevivaginata Smooth-sheath Sedge END Plant~ Carex schweinitzii Schweinitz's Sedge END Plant~ Cirsium hillii Hill's Thistle THR Plant Cypripedium candidum Small White Lady's-slipper THR Plant~ Diarrhena obovata Beak Grass END Plant Dichanthelium wilcoxianum Wilcox's Panic Grass SC Plant Diodia teres var. teres Buttonweed SC Plant Eleocharis engelmannii Engelmann's Spike-rush SC Plant~ Festuca paradoxa Cluster Fescue SC Plant Gentiana alba Yellow Gentian THR Plant Jeffersonia diphylla Twinleaf SC Plant 14 Juncus marginatus Grassleaf Rush SC Plant~ Lespedeza leptostachya Prairie Bush-clover END LT Plant Lespedeza violacea Violet Bush-clover SC Plant Melica nitens Three-flowered Melic Grass SC Plant Myosotis laxa Small Forget-me-not SC Plant~ Nothocalais cuspidata Prairie False-dandelion SC Plant Orobanche fasciculata Clustered Broomrape THR Plant Orobanche uniflora One-flowered Broomrape SC Plant Parthenium integrifolium American Fever-few THR Plant Pediomelum esculentum Prairie Turnip SC Plant Phemeranthus rugospermus Prairie Fame-flower SC Plant Platanthera flava var. herbiolaPale Green Orchid THR Plant Platanthera hookeri Hooker's Orchid SC Plant Platanus occidentalis Sycamore SC Plant~ Poa sylvestris Woodland Bluegrass SC Plant Polygala incarnata Pink Milkwort END Plant~ Polytaenia nuttallii Prairie Parsley THR Plant Prenanthes crepidinea Nodding Rattlesnake-root END Plant Rhexia virginica Virginia Meadow-beauty SC Plant~ Scleria triglomerata Whip Nutrush SC Plant~ Scutellaria ovata ssp. ovata Heart-leaved Skullcap SC Plant Senecio plattensis Prairie Ragwort SC Plant Senna marilandica Maryland Senna SC Plant Silene nivea Snowy Campion THR Plant Silene virginica Fire Pink END Plant Strophostyles leiosperma Small-flowered Woolly Bean SC Plant Triphora trianthophora Nodding Pogonia SC Plant Communities Dry cliff Community Dry prairie Community Dry-mesic prairie Community Emergent marsh Community~ Ephemeral pond Community~ Floodplain forest Community~ Hemlock relict Community Mesic prairie Community Moist cliff Community Oak barrens Community Oak opening Community Pine barrens Community Pine relict Community Riverine Lake/Pond Community~ Sand barrens Community Sand prairie Community Shrub-carr Community~ Southern dry-mesic forest Community Southern mesic forest Community Southern sedge meadow Community~ Stream--fast, hard, cold Community~ Wet-mesic prairie Community~ 15