Imperiled Ecosystems in a Shifting Climate
2016 Atlantic White Cedar Symposium
May 24-26, 2016

Hotel 1620, 180 Water St., Plymouth, MA

Abstract:  Fish and Amphibian Dynamics in Hydrologically Impacted and Restored Atlantic White Cedar Sites in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Authors: Kirk Mantay, Joshua Cary, and William Saffell (South River Federation, Inc.) and Michael Lagua (University of Florida)
kirk@southriverfederation.net

Abstract.  Sixteen Maryland coastal plain valleys, most noted for pre-colonial bog conditions that favored Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) were routinely surveyed for presence, richness, and evenness of frogs and toads during the 2013, 2014, and 2015 field seasons, and surveyed for presence, richness, and evenness of fish species in 2015.   Eight of the valleys are in "modern condition," featuring surface water drainage associated with poorly managed stormwater volumes and entrenched gullies or streams with no historic analog. Reconnected floodplain sites (eight in 2015) feature AWC and associated vegetation, and ranged in age (since disturbance) from <1 year to 14 years in 2015.   These sites feature some improvement in stormwater volume attenuation, stabilized channel form,   groundwater seepage, and wetland function normally associated with highly connected floodplains (notably AWC wetlands).
Baseline data from these sites suggests that fish species richness and anuran species richness are correlated with floodplain inundation and saturation typical of native AWC wetlands Anuran richness remains consistent in subsequent years, whereas fish richness is variable but slowly increases.  Notable fish species like Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) and Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) do not appear until at least ten years after restoration of hydrologic conditions favoring AWC survival and expansion.

Keywords:  Atlantic white cedar, hydrology, anuran response, fish response

Biodgraphy

Kirk Mantay is an ecologist who has been working to restore Maryland’s wetlands and waterways since 1999. A certified Professional Wetland Scientist and adjunct biology professor at Anne Arundel Community College, Kirk holds degrees from Virginia Tech (Fish & Wildlife Management (BS); Physical Geography (BA)) and Appalachian State University (Geography and Env. Planning, MA).