Assessing Forest Health in Central New Jersey: Community College

Assessing Forest Health in Central New Jersey: Community College Students and Ci1zen Science 9/28/15 Jay F. Kelly, Ph.D. & Nellie Tsipoura Ph.D. Raritan Valley Community College & NJ Audubon Society Citizen Science as a Way to Collect Data
Purpose: to collect broad scale data across many sites that can be used to answer scienLfic quesLons and to inform management and policy decisions Not a new concept. Ci.zen science type programs, such as the Christmas Bird Count (Na.onal Audubon) and the Breeding Bird Survey (USGS), have existed for decades Citizen Science as Informal Science Education
Purpose: To increase awareness, knowledge and skills and to engage the public Connec.ng people with Nature Citizen Science Projects
Joint projects between New Jersey Audubon Society and collaboraLng organizaLons Citizen Science: Shorebird Survey
Ini.ated: 2004 (ongoing) Kristin Mylecraine
Harbor Herons
Ini.ated -­‐2008 Kristin Mylecraine
Grassland Birds
Ini.ated -­‐2005 Piedmont Survey
Lower Raritan Survey
2007-­‐2008 Kristin Mylecraine
2012-­‐2013 Collabora.on with RVCC MicroplasLc Community Well Test Program Arsenic in Public Parks and Playgrounds Surveys of microplasLc on NJ Beaches Emerging Invasive & Endangered Species Surveys Assessing Forest Health in Central NJ
SENCER SENCER-­‐ISE (Science Educa.on for New Civic Engagements and Responsibili.es, Informal Science Educa.on) focuses on the improvement of undergraduate teaching and learning through the framework of civic engagement. With funding from NSF and the Noyce Founda.on, SENCER provided 10 grants to partnerships that integrate the higher educa.on community with informal science opportuni.es to form long-­‐term partnerships over issues of civic importance. Assessing Forest Health in NJ 114,231 acres of forest lost in 21 years (1986-­‐2007) Forest Cover >30% of NJ developed (1.5+ million acres) More urban land than forest in 2007 Impervious Surfaces Hasse and Lathrop (2010) Open Space PreservaLon 1.2 million acres preserved or protected BUT … Highly Fragmented Landscape i.e., Need for Management/Stewardship Open space prevents habitat loss but the quality of natural areas is not necessarily maintained Integrity of the natural ecosystems is threatened by the physical and biological effects of fragmentaLon Invasive Species Approximately 2,200 indigenous plant species, subspecies, hybrids or varieLes in New Jersey… and ca. 1,300 non-­‐indigenous species = 37% of state flora!!! Number of ExoLc Species per County Density of ExoLc Species -­‐ #/10,000 km2 (Snyder and Kaufman 2004) (BONAP 2012) Historic: 8-­‐11 deer/mi2 Deer Overabundance Current: 13-­‐76 deer/mi2 >10 deer/mi2 impact preferred browse species >20 deer/mi2 prevent forest regenera.on >200 deer/mi2 recorded in Hunterdon and Somerset CounLes (Drake et al. 2002) Forest Health in Central New Jersey Raritan Watershed – Piedmont Province Forest Study Sites – 90 TOTAL 30 -­‐ Mountain, 30 -­‐ Upland, 30 – Floodplain Measure Forest Structure and Composi1on Moldenke Watchung ReservaLon (1936) Cantlon Cushetunk Mtn (1948-­‐49) Buell and Wistendahl Burnt Mills, Duke Island Park, Johnson Park (1954-­‐1955) Van Vechten and Buell Millstone River (1956) Historical Forest Studies (1936-­‐1957) Monk Memlars Woods (1956-­‐57) Forest Cover in Central NJ in 1899 Hunterdon County Forest Cover 1899 – 14% 1960 – 32% Sapling and Tree Layer 20 “NEW” – 10x10m Quadrats (2000 m2) Stem Density, Basal Area “NEW” Shrub and Liana Layer “OLD” 20 -­‐ 10 m segments (200 m) % Cover – Line Intercept Method “OLD” 2 Forest Ages: “New” (since 1930’s); “Old” (before 1930) 3 Forest Types: Riparian, Upland, Mountain Riparian (Floodplain) Upland Mountain Raritan Valley Community College Dr. Jay Kelly & Students Planning & Study Design New Jersey Audubon Dr. Nellie Tsipoura & Staff General Ecology (BIOL-­‐231) Basic Ecological Concepts Field Methods in Forest Ecology CiLzen Science Training Environmental Field Studies (ENVI-­‐201) Applying Concepts and Methods to Assess & Improve Forest Health Case Studies & Environmental Data Analysis Communica.on Field Botany (BIOL-­‐232) Plant Iden.fica.on Invasive Species ID Forest Bird ID & & Survey Methods Survey Methods Forest Bird Surveys Rapid Assessment of Bird Point Invasive Plant Species Counts Forest VegetaLon Studies Measurements of Forest Structure & Composi.on Assessing Impacts of Deer, Invasive Species, History and Land Use Forest Management RecommendaLons Present Results of Study and Recommenda.ons to Local Officials to Improve Forest Health RVCC Field Botany Classes RVCC Ecology Classes Student presentation development for citizen
science training in ENVI-201!
Student-developed training materials for citizen
scientists in Environmental Field Studies ENVI-201!
Invasive Species NaLve Species RVCC Students PresenLng at CiLzen Science Training Scherman-­‐Hoffman Preserve and Duke Farms RVCC Students PresenLng InterpreLve Materials to CiLzen ScienLsts Results of student pre-­‐ and post-­‐assessment on issues of forest health and civic engagement in ENVI-­‐201 (Spring 2014) Survey included 21 quesLons categorized above: 44% increase overall 36% increase for forest health 25% increase for civic engagement TesLng Accuracy of CiLzen Science Rapid Assessment Presence/Absence of Invasive Species 2014-­‐2015 Vegeta1on Studies: RVCC Interns 2014: 4 student interns 12 sites surveyed 420 tree quadrats 840 seedlings plots 50,156 trees counted!! 2015: 7 student interns 56 sites surveyed 1120 tree quadrats 2240 seedlings plots 326,972 trees counted!! Trees – Size/Age Class Structure Tree Size Class Categories Seedlings: <1’ height, <1” diameter Saplings: >1’ height, <1” diameter Small trees: 1-­‐3.9” dbh Medium trees: 4.0-­‐9.9” dbh Large trees: >10.0” dbh Trees – Size/Age Class Structure Comparison of Past and Present Forest Size Class Structure % Change from 1940’s-­‐1950’s Floodplain Saplings Old -­‐88%, New -­‐91% Small Trees Old -­‐81%, New -­‐80% Upland Saplings Old -­‐81%, New -­‐84% Small Trees Old -­‐26%, New -­‐14% Mountain Saplings Old -­‐98%, New -­‐99% Small Trees Old -­‐74%, New -­‐84% 3000 2500 2000 1000 800 600 1500 1000 400 60 50 40 30 20 500 200 10 0 7000 0 700 60 0 6000 600 50 5000 500 4000 400 3000 300 2000 200 1000 100 10 0 14000 0 4500 180 0 12000 4000 160 3500 140 3000 120 8000 2500 100 6000 2000 80 1500 60 1000 40 500 20 0 0 10000 4000 2000 0 40 30 20 TesLng Hypotheses with Ecology and Environmental Field Studies Students: Why the lack of regeneraLon? Shade Intolerance vs. Deer H O H O H
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Management Solu-ons Developed and Presented by Students •  Literature research on deer management op.ons •  Costs of deer: •  insurance sta.s.cs, Lyme’s disease, landscaping… •  Case studies of deer-­‐forest management •  Senng Preserva.on Targets •  Historic and Old Growth Forests •  Deer Exclosures vs. Tree Plan.ngs •  Hun.ng Op.ons •  Community-­‐based Management •  Township Policies for Hun.ng on Public Lands Cost Analysis: Fencing vs. Plan-ng
Approximate Cost for Fencing a 10 Acre Area: $22,399.70 Es.mate done by BASH Contrac.ng, in conjunc.on with NJ Ecological Solu.ons hpp://www.bennersgardens.com/Access-­‐Gates/8-­‐h-­‐Access-­‐Gate-­‐with-­‐Moun.ng-­‐Frame.html (Gate Price) hpp://www.lowes.com/pd_202781432RP48T40N_4294612396__?productId=3173193&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo (Pressure Treated Posts) Fencing vs. Plan-ng
Approximate Cost for Replan.ng a 10 Acre Area: $74,736.40 ReplanLng understory trees on a 10 Acre Plot *Tree prices based off Rutgers Nursery (Rt. 202) **Medium trees not included in total cost $52,5336.70 Difference Hun-ng Op-ons for Deer Management: Analyzed Lease Agreements for Hun-ng on Town Lands
• Recommended Changes in hun.ng policies •  Harvest Reports •  Enforcement •  Increased take (3 to 1 ‘earn a buck’) HUNTING AGREEMENT
Cole Road, Block 52.01, Lot 14.06
THIS AGREEMENT, is made this ____ day of ____________________between the
TOWNSHIP OF READINGTON, a municipal corporation and body politic, having its
municipal offices at 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 (hereinafter referred to as
the "Township”); and _____________________________ , a non-profit corporation of the State
of New Jersey, having its offices at ________________________________ (hereinafter referred
to as the “Hunting Club” and (if different) a mailing address of
;
WITNESSETH:
In consideration of the sum of $ ___________ paid by the Hunting Club to the Township,
together with the mutual promises, covenants and conditions contained in this Agreement and for
the purposes of conservation of lands and management of deer on New Jersey Green Acresassisted public park lands as set forth in the Project Agreement between the N.J.D.E.P. and the
Township of Readington and applicable Green Acres regulations, the parties agree to perform
and be responsible to each other as follows:
1.
LICENSE TO HUNT: The Township, subject to the terms of this Agreement, grants to
the Hunting Club the exclusive license (that is, permission) to bow and shotgun hunt
game during the official New Jersey hunting seasons, applicable to Readington Township
during the time period from the date of this Agreement through the 2013-2014
Fall/Winter Hunting Season only, on 72.02 acres of real property owned by the
Township, located in the Township, lying along Cole Road and known as Block 52.01,
Lot 14.06 on the Tax Map of Readington Township (referred to below in this Agreement
as the “Property”). While the Township will not grant any license or other rights to hunt
game on the Property to any other organization or person, the Township shall not be
responsible to the Hunting Club if any person or persons who are not members of the
Hunting Club actually hunt game on the Property during the period of this license. This
license is further subject to the rights of the public, as set forth in Section 5 below.
This license to hunt is granted solely for the period of the official New Jersey game
hunting seasons, as they apply to Readington Township, during the period from the date
of this Agreement through the 2013-2014 Fall/Winter Hunting Season only, and for no
other time period. The parties understand and agree that this license is restricted to bow
and shotgun hunting only, and the Hunting Club agrees to abide by this restriction. It is
understood that one (1) antlerless deer must be taken before an antlered deer can be
taken.
2.
PAYMENT: In consideration of this license to bow and shotgun hunt under the terms of
this Agreement, the Hunting Club agrees to pay to the Township the sum of
$__________ payable at the time of signing of this Agreement.
3.
SECURITY DEPOSIT: A security deposit in the amount of ten per cent (10%) of the
sum paid in Section 2 above shall be due and payable at the signing of this Agreement to
guarantee the Hunting Club’s performance in accordance with the terms herein. The security
RVCC Student Outreach to Local Officials
Other Research Findings: Shrub & Liana Cover Summary Comparisons Nearly twice as many invasives in “new” forests as “old” forests HISTORIC: 71-­‐100% less invasives than naLves “OLD”: 21% more invasives than naLves overall “NEW”: 82% more invasives than naLves overall (165% more in mountain forests!!!) Student Research Projects in Environmental Field Studies (ENVI-­‐201) “THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEER USE AND INVASIVE SHRUB COVER” Adam Kohler -­‐ Capstone Research Project Deer Census: Spotlight Surveys Round Mountain Site (RM): DEER DENSITY: 60 deer/mi2 Cole Road (CR)/Pleasant Run (PR) Sites: DEER DENSITY: 73 deer/mi2 RVCC Campus: DEER DENSITY: 196 deer/mi2 Student Research Projects in Environmental Field Studies (ENVI-­‐201) “EXAMINING EFFECTS OF INVASIVE SHRUBS ON TICK ABUNDANCE IN CENTRAL NJ” Alison Severino -­‐ Capstone Research Project 2014 Field Research: Preliminary Results – Ci1zen Science 2014: 192 points surveyed at 17 sites >3000 birds counted! 2015: 25 sites, 293 points Raritan/Piedmont surveys Raritan/Piedmont surveys Raritan/Piedmont surveys Future Research •  Engaging more local officials •  Integra.ng vegeta.on and bird data •  Nes.ng Guilds – impacts to understory and ground nesters compared to ground nesters? •  Edge Effects – Edge/generalist species favored over forest interior birds? •  Effects of vegeta.on diversity and structural complexity on bird diversity and abundance? •  Beper evidence of impacts of deer •  Deer abundance/densi.es at different sites •  Collect data from deer exclosures in region •  Studies of .cks and Lyme’s disease •  More data on .cks, microclimate, and rodents •  Effects of selec.ve/salvage logging on fungi and amphibians •  Forest history and age Acknowledgements •  SENCER-­‐ISE program – Hailey Chenevert, Ellen Mappen •  RVCC Student Interns – Rebekah Buczynski, Lee Minicuci, Jason Hafstad, Cory Snyder, Dylan Hardy, Jessica Ray, Adam Kohler, Ali Severino •  NJAudubon – Kelly Wenzel, Mike Allen, Dale Rosselet; Ci.zen Scien.sts •  RVCC Students: Environmental Field Studies; General Ecology; Field Botany •  RVCC Science Lab Staff – Donna Gero, Jacques Drummer; RVCC Founda.on -­‐ Ronnie Weyl; RVCC Administra.on – Eileen Abel, Lynnepe McCarthy, Theresa McAllister •  RVCC Environmental Club; Private Dona.ons from RVCC and Local Community