Section I. Vegetation Survey
Part A. Remnant Management Area
Vegetation sampling as described in this section is necessary in order to document restoration activities, as well as to help make management decisions. Part A includes vegetation sampling across selected portions of the remnant management area (i.e., the approximately 125-acre corridor of Coffee Creek consisting primarily of remnant wooded lands). Part B includes vegetation sampling within the new native landscapes associated with the restoration or newly planted area.
By the end of 1998, selective clearing had occurred across most of the remnant management area. By spring 1999, most of the work was complete. In addition, most portions of these woods experienced a prescribed burn by the fall 1999. In order to document these initial restoration activities, permanent sampling plots and straight-line transects were established within specific areas of the woodlands. Their locations are such that the different habitats and plant communities across the Preserve will be represented. Figure 1 (page 4) indicates the locations of all plots and transects established in 1998, in addition to the photo locations. Figure 2 (page 5) indicates the location and dates of prescribed burn activities that have occurred throughout the Preserve since 1997.
The initial clearing and herbicide applications in these remnant timberlands created much more "open" atmosphere allowing for more available light to reach the ground layer, thereby increasing the floristic quality and diversity across the site.
Materials and Methods
Reconnaissance Inventories
In 1997, prior to establishing plot and transect locations, a general reconnaissance of the site was completed in March and in late summer for the purpose of initially cataloging the site. Reconnaissance surveys were also completed in 1998.
Plot Sampling
Plots were not sampled during the 2002 site visits.
Transect Locations
The location of each transect can be found in Figure 1 and is described in Appendix 1.
Transect Sampling Methods
Site visits took place on June 4, June 6, and September 5, 2002. Site visits for previous years took place on June 1, September 30, and October 1, 1998; June 2, June 14, and September 15,1999; June 26, June 27, and August 11, 2000; and September 6, September 10, and September 13, 2001. During each of these visits, quantitative plant sampling was conducted along the seven permanent straight-line transects. Each of these transects was sampled twice during the growing season in 1998 and once in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. These transects are located within the woodlands along the creek corridor. A ½-inch diameter metal conduit pipe was driven into the ground to mark the starting point of each transect, and can be re-located with the aid of a metal detector. Along each transect, 1m 2 quadrats were placed randomly at regularly spaced intervals. The vegetation within each quadrat was identified and given a relative cover/abundance number from 1 to 5 as follows:
Cover/Abundance No. |
Approximate Cover |
1 |
1 to 5 plants present |
2 |
5 to 25% cover |
3 |
25 to 75% cover |
4 |
common/scattered throughout |
5 |
Ubiquitous |
A useful method for determining the floristic quality of an area is through an analysis of the conservatism and diversity of species appearing in a plant inventory. Conservatism represents the degree to which an experienced field botanist has confidence that a given species is representative of a high-quality, remnant habitat (i.e., those natural areas with intact presettlement structure, composition, and processes). Native plants of a given region exhibit an observable range of conservatism. Therefore, each native species can be assigned a coefficient of conservatism (C value) ranging from 0 to 10, weedy to conservative, reflecting this disposition.
The Mean C is the average coefficient of conservatism for a site. The floristic quality index (FQI) is a statistic derived by multiplying Mean C by the square root of the number of species inventoried. In general, sites with FQI values less than 20 are degraded or derelict plant communities, or are very small habitat remnants. Sites with FQI values in the twenties through low thirties suffer from various kinds of disturbance, but generally have potential for habitat restoration and recovery. When sites have FQI values in the middle thirties or higher, one can be confident that there is sufficient native character present for the area to be at least regionally noteworthy. Sites with indices in the middle forties and higher are often also statewide significant natural areas (Wilhelm and Masters, 1996).
Results and Discussion
Composite Floristic Inventory
The 2002 inventory and floristic quality assessment results for the entire site, combining remnant areas (Transects 1-7) and new native landscape areas (Transects 8-12), can be found in Appendix 2. Appendix 3 lists the combined species inventory for the years 1997 - 2002. The FQI and Mean C values are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 (below).
The graphs should be viewed in a way that compares the years where the same amount of effort was made. The 1997 and 1998 entire site inventory data should be compared separately from the 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 entire site inventory data. The 1997 data is based on reconnaissance surveys over the entire 175-acre Preserve throughout the year, and the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 data includes only species from the transect sampling and inventory. The 1998-2002 data for Transects 1-7 and Transects 8-12 is comparable because it is taken only from the transect data, however in 1998 transects were visited two times per year and in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 each transect was visited only once each year.
The FQI of the entire site and the transect data for Transects 1-7 (Remnant) and 8-12 (New) show an initial peak in 1998 data, and a gradual rise between 1999 and 2001, meeting or exceeding the 1998 peak (Figure 3). This rise continues in 2002 for the entire site and in Transects 1-7, however there is a decline in the FQI of Transects 8-12 from 2001 to 2002. The native mean C, as illustrated in Figure 4, also shows this same trend. This is consistent with what is expected after initial restoration activities on the site. The floristic quality index of Transects 8-12 in 2001 exceeds the 1998 results due to the conversion of mesic tall grass prairie from a monotypic pasture. The decline in 2002 may be due to an increase of lower quality species such as tall goldenrod ( Solidago altissima ) throughout portions of the prairie, possibly due to an altered burn regime.
With every site visit during each growing season in 1997 and 1998, plant species were added to a general inventory of the entire remnant management area. In 1998, 95 more species were found than in 1997, bringing the total species list to 446, of which 344 are native. Between 1999 and 2000 an additional 52 species were added, bringing the species list to 498, of which 385 are native. In 2001, 17 additional species were added, bringing the total species list to 515, of which 399 are native. In 2002, an additional 59 species were added, bringing the total species list to 574, of which 437 are native (Appendix 3).
Figure 3 . Floristic Quality Index data based on plot and transect inventory data of the entire site, remnant areas (Transect 1-7), and new native landscapes (Transects 8-12) from 1997 through 2002. In 1997, data was collected from reconnaissance surveys, not from transects.
Figure 4 . Native Mean C based on plot and transect inventory data for the entire site, remnant areas (Transects 1-7), and new native landscapes (Transects 8-12) from 1997 through 2002. Transect data was not collected in 1997.
Transect Sampling
Appendix 4 is a summary of the Remnant Management Area data for transects 1-7. Figures 3 and 4 also depict the combined FQI and Mean C transect data. Individual transect data are presented for 1998-2002 in Figures 5-8 below. Corresponding data are presented in appendices listed later in this section.
Figure 5 . Floristic Quality Index of the remnant areas (Transects 1-7) based on
transect data sampled at Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Figure 6. Native Mean C values for the remnant areas (Transects 1-7) based on
transect data sampled at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Figure 7. Percent native species in the remnant areas (Transects 1-7) based on
transect data sampled at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Figure 8. Total species in the remnant areas (Transects 1-7) based on transect
data sampled at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Transect 1
Transect 1 is located along a disturbed bluff in Plot 1. This area burned only sparsely in spring 1999 due to a light fuel load, and another burn was attempted in fall 2002. Significant efforts of mechanically thinning woody resprouts occurred in spring/summer 2002, to encourage native species. Additional work focusing on minimizing woody invaders will encourage greater diversity. An increase in native fine fuels will ultimately provide suitable material for a prescribed burn to be conducted. Appendix 5 presents the transect data.
Transect 2
Transect 2 is located in a mesic terrace between Plot 3 and the creek. This area burned sparsely in spring 1999, and has not burned since. Overall, the floristic quality values are good. The generally increasing floristic quality values indicate that the area is progressing positively. The slight decrease in floristic quality values in 2002 may indicate that a prescribed burn is needed in the 2003-2004 burn season. Appendix 6 presents the transect data.
Transect 3
Transect 3 is located in the bottomland woods west of Transect 4. All of the floristic quality values increased in 2002 as compared to the 2001 data, and are slowly rising toward, and in some cases exceeding the 1999 values. Due to the wet nature of these woods, fire does not carry consistently through them, and may not have historically. Appendix 7 presents the transect data.
Transect 4
Transect 4 is located along a degraded bluff in low-quality woods. Overall, the floristic quality values in 2002 remained similar to those in 2001. There has been a steady increase of the FQI since 1998 and a jump in the total number of species in this area since last year. The Mean C remained the same as last year, and the percentage of native species dropped slightly in 2002. During the winter 2001-2002, woody control reduced the number of resprouts and volunteers, however, continual work is needed to reduce weedy invader species in this area. In January 2002, a moderately complete fire carried through these woods, which have not historically burned well due to high woody density. This disturbance may have caused an increase in the number of (pioneer) species this year. Appendix 8 presents the transect data.
Transect 5
Transect 5 is located north of the pipeline right-of-way and runs through much of Plot 4. Overall, the results reflect a high-quality area both pre and post restoration activities, with the FQI exceeding the pre-restoration values. Portions of this area burned in fall 1998, spring 2001, fall 2001, and spring 2002. The FQI and Mean C as well as the total species in the area increased in 2002. The percentage of native species decreased slightly from last year's value of 100% native. Appendix 9 presents the transect data.
Transect 6
This transect is located within low wet woods and extends through Plots 5 and 6. This area has improved considerably in quality since 2000. However, because fire has never successfully carried through these woods, the resprouts and seedlings are growing toward the pole size class. Many of these poles are beginning to start shading the understory, which may explain the decrease in floristic values in 2002 as compared to the 2001 values (Mean C, percent native). Floristic values are still higher than prior to initial thinning efforts. The area was burned in spring 2001, which could explain the jump in FQI and Mean C values between 2000 and 2001. In addition, woody control of some volunteers and resprouts occurred throughout 2002, and the response of the plant community should be watched closely in 2003. With continued burns and woody control, the quality of the area is expected to rise. Appendix 10 shows the transect data from 2001.
Transect 7
Transect 7 is located across a bottomland terrace between Plots 7 and 8. The floristic quality values are high and reflect the diverse native flora present, some of which exists along a wet discharge zone along the adjacent bluff. No successful burning has occurred regularly in this wet bottomland, although it was attempted in Spring 2001 and fall 2001. The FQI and Mean C values dropped slightly after initial restoration efforts and slowly rose again, dropped in 2001, and rose again in 2002. Exotic species control took place in 2002, along the edges of the path, partially explaining the rise in FQI and Mean C in 2002 as compared to the 2001 values. This work should continue in 2003. Appendix 11 presents the transect data.
Part B. New Native Landscapes
Introduction
Plant introductions within the new native landscapes were started in the late Spring 1998 through the early fall 2000. Seeding of the mesic and prairie communities in phase one began in the beginning of June 1998 and plug planting began in mid-June. Approximately 150,000 plugs and several hundred pounds of seed were planted within the new native landscape areas including mesic prairie, mesic savanna, wet prairie, and moranic swamp wetland. The initial planting of these areas was made difficult due to the construction delays within the Preserve. Because of the desire to allow plant communities maximum time to mature before final construction, seeding and plugging began before the construction of level spreaders, walking paths, bridges, pavilion, overlook features, and creek restoration work. Construction infringement in new native landscape as well as remnant areas required some follow up planting. Construction infringement will continue to impact the edges of the Preserve boundary until the Coffee Creek Center build out is complete.
Plugs of native species were grown and cared for at the JFNew Native Plant Nursery in Walkerton, Indiana. Where possible, local genotype of native species was propagated. Seed was collected from remnant areas in the region and in some cases, where species could not be found locally, were bought from other vendors and propagated. Most of the plugs propagated were in the 2-inch to 2½-inch size category, although for some species, specialized plug sizes were used.
Materials and Methods
Site visits took place in late summer, on September 5, 2002. Site visits for previous years were made on September 6, 10, and 13, 2001; August 11, 2000; September 15, 1999; and on August 20 and September 8, 1998. During each of these visits, quantitative plant sampling was conducted along the five permanent straight-line transects. These transects were initially sampled after the areas that were seeded and planted had one to several months to grow. A ½" diameter metal conduit pipe was driven into the ground to mark the starting point of each transect. The pipe can be re-located with the aid of a metal detector. Along each transect, 1m 2 quadrats were placed randomly at regularly spaced intervals. The vegetation within each quadrat was identified and given a relative cover/abundance number from 1 to 5 as follows:
Cover/Abundance No. |
Approximate Cover |
1 |
1 to 5 plants present |
2 |
5 to 25% cover |
3 |
25 to 75% cover |
4 |
common/scattered throughout |
5 |
ubiquitous |
Results and Discussion
Transect Sampling
Appendix 12 is a summary of the New Native Landscape transect data (Transects 8-12). Figures 3 and 4 also depict the summed FQI and Mean C transect data. Individual transect data are presented for 1998-2002 in Figures 9-12 below. Corresponding data are presented in appendices later in this section.
Figure 9. Floristic Quality Index of the new native landscape areas (Transects 8-12) based on transect data sampled at Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Figure 10. Native Mean C of the new native landscape areas (Transects 8-12) based on
transect data sampled at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Figure 11. Percent native species in the new native landscape areas (Transects 8-12) based
on transect data sampled at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Figure 12. Total species in the new native landscape areas (Transects 8-12) based on
transect data sampled at the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve from 1998 through 2002.
Transect 8
Transect 8 is located in the "Cottonwood Cathedral" and new prairie, north and west of the "Tuning Fork." The prairie portion of this transect was seeded in 1998, the first year of prairie planting at Coffee Creek. In the past, this area was fairly diverse with some disturbance near the edge. This area was burned in the early Spring 1998, 2000 and 2001. In 2002, the regular spring burn regime was amended to experiment with reducing warm-season grass dominance which regular spring burning sometimes encourages. A burn did not take place until fall 2002, 1 ½ years following the previous burn in spring 2001. The floristic quality values dropped or remained the same in 2002 possibly due to the amended burn regime. Continued work targeting exotic species and tall goldenrod via herbicide application, mowing, and burning is necessary in the future. The floristic quality assessment results are presented in Appendix 13.
Transect 9
Beginning at the cluster of four white oaks ( Quercus alba ), this transect traverses the edge of the oak bluff, a small slice of land outside the Preserve, and its longest stretch runs through the oldest prairie planting at Coffee Creek (Spring 1998). The prairie was burned in Spring 2001 and the edge of the bluff in fall 2001. As in Transect 8 and discussed in last year's report, the burn rotation in the prairie was extended from annual spring burns to periodic autumnal burns; the first autumnal burn being in fall 2002, 1 ½ years after the previous burn. In general, the floristic quality values for the area all dropped in 2002, possibly due to this adjustment in burn regime. Tall goldenrod and Kentucky blue grass ( Poa pratensis ) showed the greatest increase in dominance in 2002. Spring burns may have suppressed these species in the past, and this changed burn regime allowed them to flourish this year. Mowing, herbicide application, and spring burning are recommended in the future. The floristic quality assessment results are presented in Appendix 14.
Transect 10
This transect runs through the perched wetland east of the pond. The improved floristic values seen in 2001 declined slightly in 2002, except for the percentage of native species. Though some hydrophytic species reappeared in 2002 due to normal spring precipitation, summer drought conditions affected the overall plant diversity. Some of the early successional weedy species that established a foothold during the drought of 1999 and 2000, such as reed canary grass ( Phalaris arundinacea ), have continued to spread. Control of this species should continue to be a focus of restoration efforts. Small portions of this area burned in Spring 1998, late fall 1999, Spring 2000, Spring 2001, and spring 2002. The floristic quality assessment results are presented in Appendix 15.
Transect 11
This transect runs through the edge of the savanna north and west of the perched wetland. Floristic quality values declined slightly in 2002 as compared to the 2001 values, except for the total number of species, which stayed the same. Prior to restoration work, this area was densely overgrown with multiflora rose ( Rosa multiflora ) and honeysuckle ( Lonicera sp.). Little or no herbaceous vegetation was present and there was evidence of severe overgrazing. The native plant community still struggles here due to a lack of native seed bank and past disturbance. Continued burning, herbicide work, and additional enhancement of native grasses should be a focus of restoration efforts. This area has carried moderately complete burns in spring 1998, late fall 1999, spring 2000, spring 2001, and early spring 2002. An increase in fine fuels is necessary before more complete burns will be possible. The floristic quality assessment results are presented in Appendix 16.
Transect 12
This transect runs through the swale north of the perched wetland. Similar to Transect 11 in its pre-restoration appearance, the floristic quality was originally low; however, has been improving save for a slight drop in 2002 values. Seed rain from the successful prairie planting immediately to the east of this transect has helped aid the increased FQI and Mean C values. It is expected that with continual burning, herbicide work and supplemental seeding to increase the fine fuel burn matrix, the quality of the site will continue to show signs of improvement. The northern area was seeded in fall 2001. Portions of this area burned in spring 1998, late fall 1999, spring 2000 and early spring 2001. The floristic quality assessment results are presented in Appendix 17.
Section I. Conclusions and Recommendations
In general, the remnant lands still show signs of positive improvement in overall floristic quality. A total of 574 vascular plant species have been recorded between 1997 and 2002, 437 of which are native. The areas of remnant lands showing the greatest improvements in floristic quality are those that support appropriate conditions for successful prescribed burns, have at least somewhat intact seed banks, and show the least evidence of disturbance (grazing, erosion, etc.). The bottomland woods or areas that support regularly wet conditions are not capable of regular burning, and in most cases would only have burned irregularly, during extreme drought conditions when fire is capable of carrying through fine fuels. Some of these bottomland areas have seen an increase in seedlings/resprouts to the pole size class because of lack of prescribed burning opportunities in multiple years. More energy (more regular mechanical removal of woody species, more fuel used during a burn) than what may have been historically required may be necessary to push fire through the bottomland woods in order to achieve historical conditions. In addition to the difficulties carrying a complete prescribed fire, many of these bottomland woods also received the most intense damage from past grazing,
reducing the viability of the seedbank. Despite difficulties recovering native plant communities, the bottomland woods have improved floristically from pre-restoration values.
In contrast, the mesic woodlands, especially those directly adjacent to the prairie buffer, have progressed exceptionally well. Regular prescribed fires have burned these woodlands more completely than the bottomland woods due to more consistent fine fuels. Seedlings and woody resprouts are kept in check by fires hot enough to kill them. Fire that is set along the boundary buffer burns the prairie edge, then the mesic woods, and slowly heads down slope toward the bottomland woods, often extinguishing itself along the way. Thus the bottomland woods have a tendency to burn less completely than the mesic woodlands. In addition, seedbank has shown greater resiliency within the mesic woodlands, as evidenced by improved floristic quality values post prescribed burning efforts.
The new native landscapes have, in general, shown increased floristic quality from pre-restoration efforts (1997). However, because these areas have undergone more intense disturbance regimes than the remnant lands (i.e. row crop agriculture, pasture, grazing), the floristic quality values fluctuate more noticeably. A community that undergoes significant changes from a monotypic community to one of increasing diversity will experience some ups and downs in floristic quality values. The seedbank supports very few native species and instead weed species that will be persistent for many years. Also, trails and increased edge disturbance will continually bring in disturbance oriented (sometimes invasive) species. After only five growing seasons, it is expected that the plant communities are still sorting themselves out and competing with non-native and invasive species. After five years of regular spring burns, the burn regime was extended to experiment with an autumnal burn, 1 ½ years following the previous burn in order to reduce the dominance of warm-season grasses in the prairie and increase forb diversity. The site still has competing non-native and invasive species to contend with and it is recommended that the burn regime continue under annual spring burns or minimally targeted spring mowing and herbicide control in areas of non-native and invasive infestations. Diligently targeting the most intense non-native and invasive infestations will continue to encourage improved floristic quality in the new native landscape areas of the site.
Prescribed burn regimes for the higher quality remnant lands should continue on a three to five year rotation, depending on the specific location. More frequent fires may be necessary in more degraded locations. In the new native landscapes annual or biennial burn regimes are recommended until non-native and invasive species are under control. In both remnant and new native landscapes focused non-native and invasive species control efforts should include burning where possible, mowing, and selective chemical herbicide. Additional supplemental seeding in areas lacking diversity or non-native and invasive species control should also be targeted. Target of the invasive species will continue throughout the site as build-out and potential construction impacts continue.
At some point, additional monitoring should include a more detailed reconnaissance survey of the entire 175-acre corridor throughout the year to be compared to the 1997 and 1998 data. This is not necessary as an annual event, but approximately every 5 years, or more frequently as the Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy (CCWC) desires. Plot demography was collected last in 1998 and should be collected again to learn more about the overstory and subcanopy species and their distribution throughout the site. This also is not necessary as an annual event, but can be set on a schedule of approximately 5-year intervals. In addition, permanent photo stations were last photographed in May of 1998 and should be recorded once every 5-10 years. The transect data collection is a rather quick (2-3 day) collection of data that can reasonably occur on an annual basis and allows for yearly analysis of the site progression and can also pinpoint major changes that have occurred. It also allows the examiner to visit the same representative areas yearly throughout the entire Preserve. This is especially important throughout the build-out of the Coffee Creek Center.