Kimberly run preserve

MOLLUSCA: Stylommatophora

Endodontidae

Philomycidae

Polygyridae

Succineidae

Jim Moses, President

Box 241, Somerset, PA 15501

By Daniel J. Feller and Ken Hotopp

Appalachian Conservation Biology

83 Frost Ave., Frostburg, MD 21532

Abstract

Introduction

Odonate surveys were conducted on June 1, July 17, and August 17, 2002. Weather conditions on the collection days in June and August were hot, calm and sunny, while on the July date temperatures were in the high 60^o’s, breezy and overcast. Surveys were executed by two collectors each on the first two dates and three on the last date. Survey work on June 1 and July 17 covered the North Bog, South Bog, a ½ km stretch of Kimberly Run, the northern field edge, woodland hiking trail, spring seeps, and alder dominated wetlands. The July date also visited newly-dug pools or ponds along the northern field edge and in the north bog and the adjacent DOT wetland mitigation site. Work in August covered most of these bog and shrub swamp habitats but with additional effort spent on adjacent DOT land and at a southwestern part of the field.

Field observations were by binoculars or capture by net. Sampling was limited to adult odonates, with most species determinations confirmed by microscopic observation of collected voucher specimens, or otherwise noted in species summaries listed below. For the first two collection dates, global position system readings (NAD 83) were taken at collection or observation sites unless the species was commonly observed and widespread.
Results

A total of 6 damselfly and 16 dragonfly species were documented. No rare, threatened or endangered species were recorded. The majority of species were skimmers (Libellulidae). Odonates were most common in the bogs in June, though by July the north field edge near the newly created ponds was also densely populated.

Discussion

The nearby DOT wetland mitigation project appeared to have an abundance of Odonates, and was a likely source of emigration to the new pools on the Kimberly Run Preserve. As the newly-dug pools age, odonate use is expected to increase at these sites. For future management, however, careful consideration should be given to the unique features of bogs and other sensitive habitats before the use of heavy equipment for pond construction is allowed.

Continued conservation and restoration of wetland and stream habitats at Kimberly Run and adjacent lands is expected to maintain and increase species richness and numbers of Odonates. However, water quality impacts - due to local mine drainage or highway runoff, or the transboundary effects of air pollution - may pose a threat to some species and habitats.

Beaver activity along Kimberly Run should be tolerated as this would help diversify aquatic habitat structure and therefore odonate species.

Acknowledgements

Literature

Needham, J. G., M. J. Westfall, and M. L. May. 2000. Dragonflies of North America.

Scientific Publishers, Gainesville.

Nikula, B., J. Sones, D. Stokes, and L. Stokes. 2002. Stokes Beginners Guide to

Westfall, M. J. and M. L. May. 1996. Damselflies of North America. Scientific

Publishers, Gainesville.

Annotated Odonate List for June 1, July 17, 2002, by Daniel J. Feller.

Damselfly (Zygoptera)

A few individuals observed near pools in small fern dominated light gaps of an old hemlock forest stand in June. Moderately abundant along Kimberly Run by mid-July where small groups of males and females were often gathered at light gaps along the stream bank.

GPS: 395911N 790201W - June 1 - Hemlock Woods
2) Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)

Scattered individuals in open sphagnum/sundew bog in June and July. A few observed at nearby newly constructed USFWS ponds in July. Females were observed only during the July sampling effort, though they are known to be scarce in wetlands except when ready to breed.

GPS: 395921N 790154W - June 1, July 17 - North Bog

395931N 790201W - July17 - USFWS Ponds

3) Eastern Forktail (Ischmura verticalis)

Commonly observed both sexes in several habitats, including a skunk cabbage seep opening in riparian forest of Kimberly Run, flying along a rivulet in the open sphagnum bog, perched on skunk cabbage in the south bog, and the mitigation project ponds surrounded by dense stands of reed canary grass.

GPS: 395921N 790154W - June 1 - North Bog

395914N 790204W - June 1 - Skunk Cabbage Seep

395912N 790152W - June 1 - South Bog

395910N 790154W - June 1 - South Bog

395924N 790149W - July 17 - Turnpike Wetlands Mitigation Project (TWMP) Ponds
4) Slender Spreadwing (Lestes rectangularis)

One individual observed at newly constructed vernal pond in old field near mixed deciduous-hemlock woods edge and one in reed canary grass/sedge area adjacent to TWMP ponds.

GPS: 395923N 790214W - July 17 - USFWS Ponds

395924N 790149W - July 17 - TWMP Pond

1) Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

Commonly observed cruising the bogs and field edges on both field days.

GPS: 395922N 790153W - June 1 - North Bog

One individual observed cruising through the sphagnum openings of South Bog. Also probably same species briefly observed earlier that day at the trail bridge over Kimberly Run. This species is known to fly miles from its clear stream habitat.

GPS: 395912N 790152W - June 1 - South Bog
3) Common Baskettail (Tetragoneuria cynosura)

A few individuals observed patrolling near blueberry patches in the open sphagnum/sundew bog, occasionally perching obliquely on dead branch tips of the shrub. Not observed during mid-July survey, as it may have been past the flight period.

GPS: 395920N 790154W - June 1- North Bog
4) Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus)

Commonly observed in both open bogs this dragonfly frequently perched horizontally on low blueberry between short undulating flights. Both sexes present in June, though none observed in mid-July.

GPS: 395920N 790152W - June 1 - North Bog

395912N 790152W - June 1 - South Bog

395910N 790154W - June 1 - South Bog
5) Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)

Female observed at largest of newly constructed USFWS pools in field near edge of alder thicket. Common around ponds at nearby TWMP ponds.

GPS: 395924N 790211W - July 17 - USFWS Ponds

395924N 790149W - July 17 -TWMP Ponds

Only one juvenile observed in June, at a skunk cabbage seep in the riparian forest along Kimberly Run. Both sexes abundant at newly created USFWS ponds, North Bog and at South Bog by mid-July.

GPS: 395914N 790204W - June 1 - Skunk Cabbage Seep
7) Twelve Spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

Both sexes abundant along field edge in vicinity of USFWS ponds, in South and North bogs, and around TWMP ponds in July. None observed on June1.

GPS: 395924N 790211W - July 17 - USFWS Ponds

395923N 790214W - July 17 - USFWS Ponds

395924N 790149W - July 17 - TWMP Ponds
8) Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens)

Commonly observed flying in both bogs, often perching low on blueberry branch tips over temporary shallow puddles on the sphagnum mat, some patrolling a small territory. This species was not confirmed by capture, though all physical and behavioral characteristics are congruent with descriptions in field guides and Needham et al. The early date, dense number of individuals observed, and the lack of subsequent sightings in the mid-July survey suggests that many individuals were part of a migrating swarm.

GPS: 395922N 790153W - June 1 - North Bog

395912N 790152W - June 1 - South Bog

One observed cruising along southern edge of TWMP ponds in mid-July.

GPS: 395924N 790149W - July 17 -TWMP Ponds
10) White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrususm)

While meadowhawks were abundant in all open habitats (fields, bogs, etc.) during the mid-July visit, though only a few mature individuals were captured or collected for positive species determination. Most meadowhawks observed appeared to be this species. Notably absent in the June sampling effort, most meadowhawks have a late summer-fall flight period.

GPS: 395912N 790152W - July 17 - South Bog

395924N 790149W - July 17 -TWMP Ponds

One mature male collected at newly constructed USFWS pond and keyed to this species.

GPS: 395924N 790211W - July 17 - USFWS Pond

Data Summary of Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Collected at Kimberly Run Preserve on 23 April 2003

• 
  Taxa Richness = total # of taxa recognized
  
• 
  Total EPT Taxa = total # of recognized taxa of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera
  
• 
  Ephemeroptera Taxa = # of mayfly taxa
  
• 
  Diptera taxa = # of “true” fly taxa (including midges)
  
• 
  % Ephemeroptera = % mayfly nymphs
  
• 
  % Tanytarsini = % Tanytarsini midges to total fauna
  
• 
  Intolerant Taxa = # of taxa considered to be sensitive to perturbation (Values 0 – 3)
  
• 
  % Tolerant = % of sample considered tolerant of perturbation (Values 7 – 10)
  
• 
  % Collectors = % of sample that feeds on detrital deposits or loose surface films
  

• 
  Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI)
  

• 
  Taxa Richness: >22 = 5, 16-22 = 3, <16 = 1
  
• 
  EPT Taxa: >12 = 5, 5-12 = 3, <5 = 1
  
• 
  Ephemeroptera Taxa: >4 = 5, 2-4 = 3, < 2 = 1
  
• 
  Diptera Taxa: >9 = 5, 6-9 = 3, <6 = 1
  
• 
  % Ephemeroptera: >20.3 = 5, 5.7-20.3 =3, <5.7 = 1
  
• 
  % Tanytarsini: >4.8 = 5, >0.0-4.8 = 3, 0.0=1
  
• 
  Intolerant Taxa: >8 = 5, 3-8 = 3, <3 = 1
  
• 
  % Tolerant: <11.8 = 5, 11.8-48.0 = 3, >48.0 =1
  
• 
  % Collectors: >31.0 = 5, 13.5-31.0 = 3, <13.5 = 1
  
• 
  Above scores are averaged to calculate IBI
  

Index of Biological Integrity
IBI Score Range	Narrative Rating
4.0 – 5.0	Good
3.0 – 3.9	Fair
2.0 – 2.9	Poor