VIRGINIA WORKING LANDSCAPES

Transcription

1 VIRGINIA WORKING LANDSCAPES Fannon Farm 2016 Biodiversity Survey Results

2 INTRODUCTION At Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) our mission is to promote sustainable land use and conservation of native biodiversity through research, education, and community engagement. VWL formed as a partnership convened by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in 2010, from a growing desire of regional landowners, citizen scientists, and conservation organizations to conserve Northern Virginia s native wildlife on working lands. VWL staff and a team of SCBI scientists, graduate students, interns, and citizen scientists, now conduct Biodiversity Surveys on over 150 properties in the Northern Virginia region. These surveys help us better understand the factors that affect the region s biodiversity and develop the best land management practices for people and wildlife. In this report, you will find a summary of the 2016 VWL Biodiversity Survey for Fannon Farm. You may also check our biodiversity survey and landowner report pages on our website throughout the year to see results for all other properties and Photo by Jennifer Davis to access another copy of your report. We are grateful for your involvement in the VWL landowner network and appreciate your support of our program! For more information, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Charlotte Lorick, at (540) , visit our website ( and Facebook page ( VirginiaWorkingLandscapes/), or us at SCBIVWL@si.edu. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Racetrack Hill. Photo by Rachel Meulman. 2

3 METHODS Overview In 2016 we conducted surveys on 57 total properties spanning 14 counties from Augusta and Albemarle to Loudoun and Prince William. In grasslands, we conducted a total of 420 plant surveys, 68 bumblebee surveys, 252 breeding bird point counts, and 162 winter bird line transects. We also conducted 210 invasive plant transect surveys in forests, 8 salamander stream surveys, and set up 55 camera deployments for mammal surveys. In fields at Fannon Farm, we sampled birds, pollinators and plants to estimate occurrence, total abundance and relative abundance of each taxa. We sampled birds during the nesting season (May to July) and during the winter (December to February), plants in spring (June) and late summer (August), and bees in spring (June) to summer (early August) when diversity and activity are highest. In addition to grassland surveys, mammal and invasive plant surveys were performed in forests at a select number of properties, including Fannon Farm, from spring (May) to autumn (November). Mammal surveys were conducted using infra-red sensing camera-traps placed at the edges of fields and within forest patches. Invasive plant surveys were conducted by VWL staff at properties that contained large forest patches. We also collected soil samples in the spring (May) to summer (July) from new sites and those that had not been sampled in prior years. Due to the nature of sampling methods, the species lists do not necessarily reflect all species that occur on a property. Breeding Bird Survey Methods: The breeding bird survey was designed to investigate the relationship between grassland birds and both plant diversity and structure during the nesting season. We sampled breeding birds using a point count method for 10 minute intervals and identified each bird seen or heard within 100 Photo by Amy Johnson m of each survey pole. One survey site was defined by three poles (labeled A, B, and C) which were placed at least 100 m from the forest edge and approximately 200 m from each other as shown in Figure 1 (page 6). VWL team members visited each site three times and conducted 3

4 three point counts during each visit (totaling nine point counts for each site). Bumble Bee Survey Methods: The goal of the bumble bee survey is to determine species occurrence and diversity. Bumble bees are vital pollinators and their diversity is a good indicator of grassland forb diversity. Our field team members placed one blue vane trap filled with propylene glycol (a non-toxic preservative) at each survey site, located at least 100 m from the forest edge as shown in Figure 1 (page 6). Team members collected the specimens from the traps four times during the survey period (Juneearly August). Back at the lab, bees were washed, dried, and sorted then sent to Blandy Experimental Farm to be identified. Photo by Charlotte Lorick Plant Survey Methods: Photo by Jennifer Davis The goal of the plant surveys is to determine the plant species composition of each site to provide insight on habitat quality. Field team members identified plant species along a transect at each site defined by three poles (labeled A, B, and C) to determine plant species occurrence and diversity (see Figure 1 page 6). Each transect consists of seven 1 m 2 plots totaling 21 plots per transect. Sites were visited twice, once in the spring (June) and once in the summer (August). Invasive Plant Survey Methods: The invasive plant survey was developed to help document the spread of exotic species across the landscape. This work is directly attributable to the Changing Landscape Initiative ( This survey was conducted on properties containing large forest patches from late-may to early- October. At each site, VWL staff recorded the presence of a select list of invasive plant species along a 100 m transect surveyed in 10 m segments (see Figure 1 page 6). All tran- Photo by Charlotte Lorick sects were at least 60 m from the forest edge. Additional forest composition data were collected that account for differences in forest type and age. 4

5 Mammal Survey Methods: emammal is a wildlife image program run by the Smithsonian Institution designed to study the effects of human activity on mammal distributions. Since 2014, the emammal team has surveyed large and small forests along an urbanization gradient (wild, exurban, suburban and urban) in Virginia. Virginia s forest fragments are mostly privately owned, so this season the emammal team partnered with VWL to detect mammals on select VWL network properties. Reconyx hyperfire cameras ( were deployed at each location (see Figure 1 page 6) for three weeks between May and November. Cameras were spaced a minimum of 200 m apart and were placed both within forest fragments and in old fields. After three weeks, the cameras were retrieved, the wildlife photos identified, and the images and metadata uploaded into a Smithsonian digital repository. The data from this effort will support the work of the Changing Landscape Initiative to understand how wildlife are impacted by land use. Soil Survey Methods: Soil composition is useful for understanding plant communities and can provide information to landowners to improve management practices. One survey site is defined by three poles (A, B, and C) (see Figure 1 page 6). A total of eight samples were taken at each survey pole and mixed together to give an average measure of soil characteristics at each site. Results represent the soil Photo by Chris So composition (i.e. organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ph, acidity and cation exchange capacity (CEC)) within 100 m of the survey poles. Samples were analyzed by A&L Eastern Laboratories ( 5

6 SURVEY LOCATIONS Figure Survey Locations at Fannon Farm. A total of one breeding bird, one pollinator, one grassland plant, two invasive plant, one soil, and six mammal surveys were conducted. Color Survey Type Deployment Latitude Longitude Blue Orange Mammals Breeding Birds, Grassland Plants, Soil Pole A Pole B Pole C Pink Pollinators Green Invasive Plants

7 RESULTS SUMMARY Breeding bird surveys at Fannon Farm recorded 56 species, 14 of which are species of regional or continental concern, and 13 of which are VWL grassland or shrubland target species (See Table 1). The top four most common breeding birds were Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), and Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). A total of six bumble bee species were collected, the most common species being the Black and Gold Bumble Bee (Bombus auricomus), Two-spotted Bumble Bee (Bombus bimaculatus), and Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) (See Table 2). A total of 47 species of plants were identified, of which 23 (49%) are native, 9 (19%) are introduced, two (4%) are considered invasive in the Northern Virginia area, and 13 (28%) are only identifiable to genus (See Table 3). The top three most prevalent plants surveyed within the plots were wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), Carolina horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), and common mullein (Verbascum Thapsus). A total of six invasive plant species were identified in the invasive plant survey. The most common species found in this survey was Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) (See Table 4). With our mammal survey, seven mammal species were photographed at Fannon Farm, along with one bird species (See Table 5 and Figure 2). The most frequently detected species during the survey period were White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Northern Raccoon (Procyon lotor). Soil sample composition is provided (See Table 6). Please see your local soil and water conservation specialist or other soil fertility specialist (e.g. Southern States Coop) for guidance with these results. Citizen scientist conducting bird surveys. Photo by Amy Johnson. 7

8 BIRD SURVEYS Table 1: 2016 Breeding Bird Survey Results from Fannon Farm. Recorded as occurrence in rank order with a maximum of nine point counts per species. Common Name Genus Species Species of Concern* VWL Target Species** Occurrence (out of 9 point counts) + Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla Regional Grassland 9 Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea NA Shrubland 9 American Goldfinch Spinus tristis NA NA 8 Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas NA Shrubland 8 Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens Regional Shrubland 7 Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis NA Shrubland 6 Prairie Warbler Setophaga discolor B Shrubland 5 Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Regional Grassland 4 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Regional NA 3 Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis NA NA 3 Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius NA NA 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea NA NA 2 Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus NA NA 2 European Starling Sturnus vulgaris NA NA 2 Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis NA NA 2 Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea NA Shrubland 1 Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius NA NA 1 Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus Regional Shrubland 1 Mallard Duck Anas platyrhynchos NA NA 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris NA NA 1 White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus NA Shrubland 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Regional Shrubland 1 American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos NA NA Inc. Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus NA NA Inc. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Regional NA Inc. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus NA NA Inc. *Information on species of regional and continental conservation concern, or both (Reg./Con.), for both wintering and breeding bird species, was obtained from Partners in Flight ( **VWL target species are those that SCBI researchers have identified as dependent on grassland/shrubland habitats and therefore are important components of grassland communities. + Incidentals (Inc.) are species observed either before or after survey periods, outside the survey boundaries or observed as flyovers. Birds recorded as incidentals were not included in the final dataset for scientific analysis by SCBI. 8

9 Table 1: 2016 Breeding Bird Survey Results from Fannon Farm, continued. Common Name Genus Species Species of Concern* VWL Target Species** Occurrence (out of 9 point counts) + Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata NA NA Inc. Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater NA NA Inc. Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis NA NA Inc. Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum NA NA Inc. Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Regional NA Inc. Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens NA NA Inc. Eastern Phoebe Sayornis pheobe NA NA Inc. Eastern Wood-pewee Contopus virens Regional NA Inc. Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum Regional Grassland Inc. Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus NA NA Inc. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus NA NA Inc. House Wren Troglodytes aedon NA NA Inc. Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura NA NA Inc. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Regional NA Inc. Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos NA NA Inc. Northern Parula Setophaga americana NA NA Inc. Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus NA NA Inc. Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus NA NA Inc. Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus NA NA Inc. Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus Continental NA Inc. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis NA NA Inc. Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus NA Shrubland Inc. Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea NA NA Inc. Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor NA NA Inc. White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis NA NA Inc. Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo NA NA Inc. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Reg./Con. NA Inc. Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia NA NA Inc. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons Regional NA Inc. *Information on species of regional and continental conservation concern, or both (Reg./Con.), for both wintering and breeding bird species, was obtained from Partners in Flight ( **VWL target species are those that SCBI researchers have identified as dependent on grassland/shrubland habitats and therefore are important components of grassland communities. + Incidentals (Inc.) are species observed either before or after survey periods, outside the survey boundaries or observed as flyovers. Birds recorded as incidentals were not included in the final dataset for scientific analysis by SCBI. 9

10 BUMBLE BEE SURVEY Table 2: 2016 Bumble Bee Survey Results for Fannon Farm. The bumble bee species listed below are all species found in this region, including those that were not detected by this survey. Species are arranged in rank order of abundance from blue vane trapping. Common Name Genus Species Status* Abundance in Trap Black and Gold Bumble Bee Bombus auricomus Uncommon 21 Two-spotted Bumble Bee Bombus bimaculatus Common 21 Common Eastern Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens Common 19 Brown-belted Bumble Bee Bombus griseocollis Common 13 American Bumble Bee Bombus pensylvanicus Uncommon 9 Yellow Bumble Bee Bombus fervidus Uncommon 2 Common Name Genus Species Status* Abundance in Trap Confusing Bumble Bee Bombus perplexus Common 0 Half-black Bumble Bee Bombus vagans Common 0 Lemon Cuckoo Bumble Bee Bombus citrinus Common 0 Rusty-patched Bumble Bee Bombus affinis Rare 0 Sanderson Bumble Bee Bombus sandersoni Uncommon 0 * Information on species status was obtained from the US Forest Service ( BumbleBeeGuideEast2011.pdf) Confusing Bumble Bee, Bombus perplexus. Photo by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab Yellow Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus. Photo by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab 10

11 GRASSLAND PLANT SURVEY Table 3: 2016 Plant Survey Results at Fannon Farm. Recorded as occurrence in sample plots (in rank order) with a maximum of 42 occurrences (present in all plots during both seasons) per species. Not all plants were able to be identified to species and those are listed at the genus level. Common Name Genus Species* Native Status** Growth Form Occurrence Wingstem Verbesina alternifolia N F 38 Carolina horsenettle Solanum carolinense N F 18 Common mullein Verbascum thapsus Invasive F 16 Blackberry Rubus sp. N/I W 12 Woodsorrel Oxalis sp. N/I F 11 Big bluestem Andropogon geraddii N G 10 Japanese bristlegrass Seteria faberi I G 10 Switchgrass Panicum virgatum N G 9 Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca N F 8 Deertongue Dichanthelium clandestinum N G 7 Eastern poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans N F 7 Japanese stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum I G 7 Piedmont bedstraw Cruciata pedemontana I F 7 American pokeweed Phytolacca americana N F 6 Brome Bromus sp. N/I G 4 Mountainmint Pycnanthemum sp. N F 4 Ticktrefoil Desmodium sp. N F 4 Violet lespedeza Lespedeza violacea N F 4 Beefsteakplant Perilla fretescens I F 3 Hedge false bindweed Calystegia sepium N F 3 Vente Conmigo Croton glandulosus N/I F 3 Bedstraw Galium sp. N/I F 2 Black nightshade Solanum nigrum I F 2 Bristlegrass Setaria sp. N/I G 2 Lespedeza Lespedeza sp. N/I F 2 Sedge Carex sp. N/I G 2 Annual ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia N F 1 Blackeyed susan Rudbeckia hirta N F 1 Canada thistle Cirsium arvense Invasive F 1 * Plants are identified to species unless the specimen lacked the necessary characteristics to identify beyond genus. **Plants are characterized native (N), introduced (I), native or introduced, (N/I), or invasive via the USDA plant database ( 11

12 Table 3: 2016 Grassland Plant Survey Results at Fannon Farm, continued. Common Name Genus Species* Native Status** Growth Form Occurrence Common yellow oxalis Oxalis stricta N F 1 Curly dock Rumex crispus I F 1 Fescue Festuca sp. N/I G 1 Field Clover Trifolium campestre I F 1 Geranium Geranium sp. N/I F 1 Goldenrod Solidago sp. N F 1 Green bristlegrass Setaria viridis I G 1 Onion Allium sp. N/I F 1 Openflower rosette grass Dichanthelium laxiflorum N/I G 1 Partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciulata var. fasciulata N F 1 Pennsylvania smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum N F 1 Purpletop tridens Tridens flavus N G 1 Red maple Acer rubrum N W 1 Robin's plantain Erigeron pulchellus N F 1 Roundhead Lespedeza Lespedeza capitata N F 1 Spotted Geranium Geranium maculatum N F 1 White clover Trifolium repens I F 1 Yellow nutsedge Cyperus esculentus N/I G 1 * Plants are identified to species unless the specimen lacked the necessary characteristics to identify beyond genus. **Plants are characterized native (N), introduced (I), native or introduced, (N/I), or invasive via the USDA plant database ( 12

13 INVASIVE PLANT SURVEY Table 4: 2016 Invasive Plant Survey Results from Fannon Farm. The survey for 13 non-native invasive species (most of which are identified as highly invasive by the Department of Conservation and Recreation) detected the following species on your property. Common Name Genus Species Proportion of Species Found* Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica 0.5 Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii 0.45 Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata 0.3 Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum 0.3 Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora 0.25 Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellate 0.05 Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense Absent Kudzu Pueraria montana var. lobata Absent Mile-a-Minute Persicaria perfoliata Absent Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus Absent Porcelainberry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Absent Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima Absent Wavy Leaf Basket Grass Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius Absent *Proportion represents the number of times a species was found in each segment of each transect. For example, a proportion of 1.0 would indicate the species was found in every 10 meter segment of every transect. Japanese Barberry, Berberis thunbergii. Photo by Calin Darabus. Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica. Source: Wikipedia 13

14 MAMMAL SURVEY Table 5: 2016 Mammal Survey Results from Fannon Farm. Recorded in rank order of relative abundance for wildlife detected with camera traps on your property. Common Name Genus Species Number of Detections* Relative Abundance** White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus Northern Raccoon Procyon lotor American Black Bear Ursus americanus Woodchuck Marmota monax Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginicana Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Red Fox Vulpes vulpes *A detection is defined as the event of a camera-trap being triggered by a passing animal. This does not represent total number of photos or individual animals at a survey site. **Relative abundance refers to the frequency in which a certain species was detected by the camera trap. The number represents the frequency of camera detections (sequences of photos) per 100 trap days. Figure 2: Mammal Photo Highlights from Fannon Farm. White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus American Black Bear, Ursus americanus Woodchuck, Marmota monax 14

15 SOIL SURVEYS Table 6: 2016 Soil Survey Results at Fannon Farm. These soil samples were processed for VWL by Waypoint Analytical. Values for organic matter and minerals indicate the abundance in the soil sample. Parts per million (ppm) can be converted to pounds per acre by multiplying by two. Pole Organic matter P* K* Mg* Ca* ph CEC** % Rate ENR lbs/ acre ppm Rate ppm Rate ppm Rate ppm Rate Soil ph meq/ 100g K % Percent Base Saturation Mg % Ca % H % A 6.5 H VH 302 VH 127 H 813 L B 6.2 H L 326 VH 162 H 915 M C 5.9 H M 188 VH 144 M 839 L * These abbreviations represent chemical elements, Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), and Calcium (Ca). **CEC stands for Cation Exchange Capacity and represents the soil s ability to hold nutrients. 15

16 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our volunteers play a vital role in the success of Virginia Working Landscapes, and to them we are grateful. The following VWL volunteers contributed their time and expertise to complete the surveys at Fannon Farm: Jordan Creed, Tim Creed, and Peggy Kenney on mammals, Bob Butterworth on pollinators, and Karl Brotzman, Sally Cunningham, and Fred Fox on plants. Our hardworking volunteers were coordinated by Olivia Cosby and Amy Johnson. Invasive plant, breeding bird, and soil surveys were completed by VWL staff and interns. We would like to thank Fannon Farm for contributing to the efforts of Virginia Working Landscapes by allowing us to survey your property. The data we collect will allow us to inform sustainable management practices in the Northern Virginia region and further protect native wildlife. We look forward to working collaboratively well into the future! 16

17 VWL TEAM Data Collection and Management The following VWL interns, fellows, and staff contributed to the field surveys this year: Tom Akre, Sally Bowers, Justin Cooper, Olivia Cosby, Craig Fergus, Brandon Hayes, Jackie Jennings, Amy Johnson, Iara Lacher, Charlotte Lorick, Sarah Macey, Claire Martin, Bill McShea, Rachel Meulman, Avery Parmiter, Kyle Rhodes, Caroline Roberts, Linnea Stewart, and Daniela Wilner. Report Compilation This report was compiled by Melissa Fuerst. Photo by Charlotte Lorick. 17