Geology topics

Research about Seney National Wildlife Refuge

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2019

Response of vegetation in open and partially wooded fens to prescribed burning at Seney National Wildlife Refuge

The health and function of northern peatlands, particularly for fens, are strongly affected by fire and hydrology. Fens are important to several avian species of conservation interest, notably the yellow rail ( Coturnicops noveboracensis ). Fire suppression and altered hydrology often result in woody encroachment, altering the plant community and structure. Woody encroachment and its effects on biodiversity have become an increasing concern in the conservation and management of plant communities. This study evaluated the effects of spring and summer prescribed burns on the plant community, cover, and structure in open and partially wooded fens at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Michigan, using a before-after-control-impact design. Paired, 1-hectare blocks were established in two fen areas, C3 and Marsh Creek, and data were collected for 2 years before burning (2006–7) and 3 years after burning (2008–10). We used generalized linear mixed models and ordination to assess differences among four treatments: C3 control, C3 spring burn (May 2008), Marsh Creek control, and Marsh Creek summer burn (July 2008); results from a block burned under drier conditions in July 2007 also are reported. Variables include water depth; litter depth; graminoid height; species richness and diversity; percent cover of plant taxa, mosses, and open area; shrub height, number of patches, and cover; and visual obstruction readings. The 2008 prescribed burns were done under moderate fire conditions, whereas the 2007 summer burn on one block was done under high fire conditions because of prolonged drought. We identified 104 plant taxa over the 5 years and noted differences between C3 and Marsh Creek communities. We examined data for effects of treatment, year, and year × treatment interactions for percent open and the 28 most common taxa. Most differences among treatments were related to natural differences in the plant community and hydrology between the two areas rather than fire effects; year effects were likely related to annual differences in water conditions. We detected few effects of spring burning in C3, even in the same year of burning. In Marsh Creek, most treatment effects were in 2008, when data were collected within 3 weeks of burning. Some fire effects there, however, persisted one to two growing seasons (2009, 2010) and two to three growing seasons in the block burned in the more intense summer 2007 fire. Effects of burning on shrub measures were more apparent on summer-burned blocks, but most measures returned to preburn conditions by 2010. Our results demonstrate the heterogeneity of plant community and environmental conditions of fens within and among years and the interactions of water conditions with burning. The results also demonstrate that neither single spring nor summer burning under moderate fire conditions are effective in setting back woody cover. Maintaining more open conditions in fens may require different approaches to water management, more frequent fires, more aggressive fire management, or a combination of tools to control woody cover.

Michigan↗

USGS2013

Relating Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) occupancy to habitat and landscape features in the context of fire

The Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) is a focal species of concern associated with shallowly flooded emergent wetlands, most commonly sedge (Carex spp.) meadows. Their populations are believed to be limited by loss or degradation of wetland habitat due to drainage, altered hydrology, and fire suppression, factors that have often resulted in encroachment of shrubs into sedge meadows and change in vegetative cover. Nocturnal call-playback surveys for Yellow Rails were conducted over 3 years at Seney National Wildlife Refuge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Effects of habitat structure and landscape variables on the probability of use by Yellow Rails were assessed at two scales, representing a range of home range sizes, using generalized linear mixed models. At the 163-m (8-ha) scale, year with quadratic models of maximum and mean water depths best explained the data. At the 300-m (28-ha) scale, the best model contained year and time since last fire (≤ 1, 2–5, and > 10 years). The probability of use by Yellow Rails was 0.285 ± 0.132 (SE) for points burned 2-5 years ago, 0.253 ± 0.097 for points burned ≤ 1 year ago, and 0.028 ± 0.019 for points burned > 10 years ago. Habitat differences relative to fire history and comparisons between sites with and without Yellow Rails indicated that Yellow Rails used areas with the deepest litter and highest ground cover, and relatively low shrub cover and heights, as well as landscapes having greater sedge-grass cover and less lowland woody or upland cover types. Burning every 2-5 years appears to provide the litter, ground-level cover, and woody conditions attractive to Yellow Rails. Managers seeking to restore and sustain these wetland systems would benefit from further investigations into how flooding and fire create habitat conditions attractive to breeding Yellow Rails

Michigan↗

USGS2005

Changes in streamflow patterns related to hydrologic restoration of a sedge fen wetland in Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Michigan, 1998-2004

Vast expanses of sedge fen in Schoolcraft County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula were ditched and diked in the early to mid-1900s to promote agricultural development and create waterfowl habitat. Unintended consequences of these actions were far reaching and included the deposition of large amounts of sand in the Manistique River. In 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which now manages much of the wetland as part of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, attempted to restore streamflow to Walsh Creek and overland flow downgradient of Walsh Ditch, near C-3 Pool. Streamflow data were collected before and after remediation activities. These data indicate that efforts to restore flow to Walsh Creek were partially successful, but it is unclear whether overland flow was restored downgradient from Walsh Ditch. Alternatives for future evaluation of restoration of flow to Walsh Creek include monitoring streamflow at three easily accessible locations. Restoration of overland flow downgradient from Walsh Ditch can be assessed in the future by monitoring flows at three additional sites. Restoration of either site can be assessed by monitoring vegetation shifts, possibly with aerial or satellite imagery.

Michigan↗

USGS1975

Leucocytozoonosis in Canada Geese at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge

A history is given of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and the losses of goslings of Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) recorded since inception of the refuge in 1935. Since 1960, when more reliable data became available, losses have been extensive every 4 years. Gosling deaths are attributed to the infection with Leucocytozoon simondi . The blackfly ( Simulium innocens ) is considered to be the prime vector in the transmission of this blood parasite to goslings.

Michigan↗

USGS1966

Flexible plastic collars compared to nasal discs for marking geese

Construction of a flexible plastic collar for marking geese is described. The usefulness of the collars, tried on 468 Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge from 1963 to 1965, was compared with that of nasal discs attached to 361 Canada geese at Seney in 1961 and 1962. The collars were superior to the discs in visibility, retention, and ease of placement, and injury to the geese was eliminated. There was no evidence that the collars affected breeding behavior.

Michigan↗