Texas Wetland News
Texas Wetland Newsa n d W E T L A N D C O N S E R VAT I O N P L A N U P D AT E4 20 0 S m i t h S c h o o l R o a d A u s t i n , T X 7874 4w w w. t p w d . s t a t e . t x . u s / w e t l a n d s / p u b l i c a t i o n sJ A N U A R YTexas CoastalWetlands GuidebookNow Available onthe WebThe Texas Coastal WetlandsGuidebook, written by Dan Moultonof Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and John Jacob of Texas SeaGrant/Texas Agricultural ExtensionService is now available on the Web atw w w.texaswetlands.org. This publication is an excellent resourcedescribing the general evolution andstructure of coastal plain wetlands, inaddition to a description of the functions these wetlands perform as wellas current threats and major causes ofwetlands losses. The guidebook canbe a valuable resource to individualsinterested in learning or teachingabout the values of Texas’ coastalplain wetlands.Within the guidebook, each majorwetland type is described, with anemphasis on each types’ generallocation, geology, soils, hydrology,vegetation, animals, threats, ecologicalfunctions and values. Much of the66-page bulletin is devoted to thedescriptions of 111 wetland sites thatare located on the coastal plain fromLouisiana to Mexico, which are accessible to the general public. Sitedescriptions are organized by regionand include such data as ownership,continued on page 32 0 0 3Wetland Conservationwithin the West GulfCoast Plain InitiativeBACKGROU N DFormed in the spring of 2001, the WestGulf Coastal Plain Initiative (WGCP) is abiological planning effort focused on theconservation of all bird species occupyingall habitat types within the West GulfCoast and Ouachita MountainPhysiographic Provinces of southeasternOklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, western Louisiana and eastern Texas. ThisInitiative is a partnership of the AmericanBird Conservancy, Arkansas Game andFish Commission, Ducks Unlimited,National Park Service, LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries,Oklahoma Department of WildlifeConservation, Texas Parks and WildlifeDepartment, The Nature Conservancy,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. ForestService and the U.S. Geological Survey.The Initiative is a component of the LowerMississippi Valley Joint Venture (LMVJV),which encompasses portions of sevenstates within the Mississippi AlluvialValley and the WGCP. The partners willassist in the development of a landscapelevel conservation plan that is targetedcontinued on the next pageMr. Jim A. Neal,West Gulf Coastal PlainInitiative Coordinator,U. S. Fish and WildlifeService, Nacogdoches, TexasMr. Ricky W. Maxey,Region 3 Wildlife DiversityBiologist, Texas Parks andWildlife Department,Nacogdoches, Texas
2Texas Wetland News and Wetland Conservation Plan UpdateWest Gulf Coast Plain Initiative, continuedtowards meeting the goals and objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Partners In Flight, U.S. ShorebirdConservation Plan and the North American Colonial Waterbird Plan in the WGCP. The partners will build on the conservation visiondescribed in the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) to target resource opportunities associated with the WGCP.Namely, the LMVJV will implement the NABCI vision of “regionally based, biologically-driven, landscape-oriented partnerships delivering the full spectrum of bird conservation” in the WGCP.Information developed through this initiative will be made available to assist landowners in enhancing and restoring habitats valuableto populations of priority bird species. The identification of priority species, their habitat requirements, relationships, and primarylimiting factors will be used to develop models for characterizing habitat suitability for priority species. Habitat suitability models willenable private and public land managers to develop adaptive management strategies to conserve wetland, slope and upland sites ofvalue for bird species.MAPPINGP R O D U CTSA comprehensive planning atlas (CPT), covering the entire West Gulf Coast Plain, isbeing developed. The atlas will include geographic boundaries, soils, geology, wetlands, watershed boundaries, public lands, roads and highways and other landscapeinformation. A seamless National Land Cover Data classification map for the WestGulf Coastal Plain has been completed (see Figure 1). Furthermore, a detailed ecological classification and mapping system has been initiated to further refineNational Land Use classification and to assist in the development of potential or historic land classification maps thatwill be used todevelop population goals for priority bird speciesand their habitats.In addition, thismap can identifyhabitat corridorswith high conservation potential toconnect withother quality habitat areas.PRIORITY BI RD SPECI ES AN DH A B I TAT R E Q U I R E M E N TSA list of priority waterfowl and landbird species and habitatrequirements for these species has been developed. Effortsto develop lists for colonial waterbirds and shorebirds arebeginning and teams will be formed to develop the lists inthe summer of 2003.R E D R I V E R F O R E STW ET L A N D R E STO R AT I O NFOCUS AREASForest Wetland Restoration Focus Areashave been completed for the Red River andimmediate, adjacent tributaries inLouisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.This model is designed to identify conservation areas where forested wetland patchesof 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) or greaterwith a core of 2,500 acres (l,000 hectares)can either be developed or conserved.These conservation areas will be placednear or adjacent to existing patches of bottomland hardwoods and areas of publicownership. The intent of these focus areasis to encourage forest restoration on thosepublic and private lands that are most beneficial to forest landbird conservation. TheNatural Resource Conservation Service(NRCS) and other potential cooperatorswill use the designated focus areas to establish priority sites for the Wetland ReserveProgram (WRP) and other programmaticconservation funding.In the four states, 19 focus areas have beendesignated. Five of these focus areas occurin Texas: Lake Crockett (Fannin County),Big Pine Creek (Red River County and adjacent areas of Oklahoma), Red Slough (RedRiver and Bowie counties and adjacentareas of Oklahoma), Little River (BowieCounty and adjacent areas of Arkansas) andthe Sulphur River (Bowie and Cass countiesand adjacent areas of Louisiana).
Texas Wetland News and Wetland Conservation Plan UpdateO T H E R W E T L A N D C O N S E R V AT I O N E F F O R T SOf the 52.7 million acres with the WGCP, approximately 3.8 million acres (7.3 % ofthe total area) are forested wetlands and emergent herbaceous wetlands. Because ofthe significant losses to these wetland types, and the high potential for future losses,the development of locally-implemented, landscape-based conservation plans for birdspecies utilizing these habitats will receive a high priority. As mentioned earlier, thedesignation of priority restoration areas on the Red River is complete; a similar effortis ongoing along the Arkansas River of Oklahoma and Arkansas. Future similar priority area designations will occur along other river basins within the WGCP, includingeastern Texas.3W H O T O C O N TA C TFOR MOREI N F O R M AT I O NYou may contact the following personsfor more information concerning thiseffort:Mr. James A. Neal, Director West GulfCoast Plain Initiative, U.S. Fish andWildlife Service, Nacogdoches, Texas,(936) 569-6129.C O N S E R V AT I O N D E L I V E R YA number of conservation delivery strategies for landowners have been proposed.The East Texas Wetlands Project Initiative, a joint effort of Texas Parks and Wildlife,U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resource Conservation Service and Ducks Unlimited, isproviding expertise and money to implement conservation strategies within the WestGulf Coastal Plain of Texas. The West Gulf Coast Conservation Team is studying thepossibility of using carbon sequestration credits to reforest agricultural lands andimplement conservation management schemes on existing forest lands.There are a number of other incentive programs including the Texas Parks andWildlife Department’s Landowner Incentive Program and the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService’s Partners for Wildlife Program that may also play significant roles in thisprocess. Upon completion of the WGCP planning effort, there will be a clearinghouse of potential conservation projects for both governmental and private sectorprojects. This planning effort will help identify critical needs for conservation acrossthe WGCP landscape, and will provide information to help ensure that limited conservation dollars are spent where they can do the most good on the landscape for all birdspecies and their habitats, and ultimately for all animal and plant species collectively.Mr. Jeffrey A. Reid, Fish and WildlifeBiologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Lufkin, Texas, (936) 639-8546.Mr. Carl Frentress, Region 3 WaterfowlWetland Biologist, Texas Parks andWildlife Department, Athens, Texas,(903) 675-4177.Mr. Ricky W. Maxey, Region 3 WildlifeDiversity Biologist, Texas Parks andWildlife Department, Nacogdoches,Texas, (936) 564-0234.Mr. Bill Bartush, Ducks Unlimited, EastTexas Regional Biologist, 11942 FM 848,Tyler, TX 75707.Wetlands Guidebook Available on the Web, continuedsize, type of wetlands, recreational and educational opportunities, nearesttown, Web site address, contact telephone number, and travel directions.Educational and informational resources are identified throughout theguidebook.Free paper copies of the guidebook are still available from TPWD. ContactJanet Nelson, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal ConservationBranch, 3000 South IH-35, Suite 320, Austin, TX 78704; (512) 912-7190;janet.nelson@tpwd.state.tx.us.
4Texas Wetland News and Wetland Conservation Plan UpdateLike Father,Like SonsBob and Doc Pearson made a pact aschildren to restore their father’s land tobenefit wildlife. Today, the Pearsons aremaking good on that promise.Over the past several years, thePearson brothers have protected and restored 360 acres of nativewetlands and vegetation on the 960acre property that has been in the family since 1945.But if you ask Bob and Doc, they’ll saythey are just carrying on their father’slegacy of conservation.“My father was one of the originalmembers of the North PlainsGroundwater District in 1955,” BobPearson said. “He won some conservation awards and took care of his land.”Bob and Doc Pearson are following intheir father’s footsteps, and in 2000they were given the Lone Star LandSteward award in the High PlainsEcological Region of Texas for conservation work on their land.Since 1998, the Pearsons have plantedmore than 1,700 native plants, fencedin a 70-acre playa, constructed threebuffered waterways that feed the playa,and f lash-grazed a pasture to restorenative shortgrass – all the while harvesting 50 bushels of dry farm wheatBy Debbie F. Slobe,Playa Lakes Joint Ventureand grazing about 250 head of cattleeach year.“The Pearsons are living proof that theneeds of wildlife can be accommodated in the midst of intensive agriculture,” said David Haukos, a regionalmigratory bird biologist with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service who assistedin conservation projects on thePearson property.The Pearsons’ efforts have resulted inland that has become an oasis forwildlife. This year, Bob Pearson hasalready spotted 39 antelope, 100 muledeer and 22 white-tailed deer, plusnumerous bird species such as pheasant, blue and bobwhite quail, turkey,mallard, teal, geese, and cranes.“When you see those birds comingback in – the mallards, Canada geeseand cranes – it makes it all worthwhile,” he said.Wildlife is so plentiful, in fact, that thisyear the Pearsons began hunting ontheir land for the first time in fouryears.“This year, we got to hunt quail,” BobPearson said. “We’ve got two coveys of30 birds each.”The Pearsons were able to implementthese conservation projects with thehelp of several organizations, includingthe Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV),Texas Parks and Wildlife Department(TPWD), Partners for Wildlife, NaturalResources Conservation Service and BPAmoco.“It’s kinda rare for all these entities towork together without a fight,” saidBob Pearson.That might have been true in the past,but today agencies and organizationsoften work together to conserve habitat for wildlife. For example, the PLJVhas worked in the Texas Panhandlesince 1990 to bring together wildlifeagencies, corporations, conservationorganizations, sportsmen groups andprivate landowners to protect prairiewetlands such as playa lakes forwildlife.continued on page 6
Texas Wetland News and Wetland Conservation Plan Update5Bessie Heights Marsh RestorationAndy Tirpak, TPWDThe Bessie Heights Marsh lies within anarea that has experienced the mostextensive loss of coastal wetlands inTexas. The loss of these coastal wetlands, estimated to be in excess of6,000 acres, can likely never berestored to the conditions that werepresent prior to human inf luence.However, wetlands can be restored inthe form of estuarine-emergent marshby working within the system’s existinghydrologic and salinity regimeFormerly, the Bessie Heights Marsh wasmost likely an intermediate, largelyemergent-marsh system, in which saltsin the water typically didn’t exceedmore than about eight parts per thousand. The area received sediment fromthe Neches River when f loodwaterswould f low across the marsh and thenrecede. Storm events originating in theGulf of Mexico and extremely hightides pushed salt water into the areahistorically, but the marsh seemed tohave weathered these episodic eventsrelatively well.The highly degraded condition of themarsh today can be attributed to severalfactors. TheNeches River wasdredged to twiceits original depth,which allows saltwater to intrudefurther up theriver. In addition,sediment deliveryand freshwatersheet-f low acrossthe marsh wasreduced by thespoil deposits. TheNelda Stark Unit, inwhich the BessieHeights Marsh islocated, has beendeveloped extensively for oil andgas, extraction ofwhich, in the past, has contributed tomarsh loss through subsidence.As previously mentioned in the July2002 Wetland Newsletter, the BessieHeights Marsh Restoration project willutilize terracing as the primary meansof habitat restoration. Terracing is awetland restoration technique used toconvert shallow, subtidalbottom to marsh. Thismethod uses existing bottom sediments to form terraces or ridges at marshelevation. A terrace fieldcomposed of these ridgesis arranged in some pattern that maximizes theintertidal edge and minimizes fetch betweenridges is constructed, andthe intertidal area is planted with marsh vegetation.As of the 1st of December 2002, theconstruction phase of the project hasbeen completed and a total of 110 terraces were built. The terraces arebeing planted and will be closely monitored over the next year for successrates on vegetation growth, percentvegetative cover, and loss of sedimentary material from the terraces.Track hoe with terracesin the backgroundTerrace field upper left handportion of the imageThe construction was done by AffolterContracting of La Marque, Texas whohad set a fairly ambitious constructionschedule for this project. Once theweather permitted, the project wasquickly completed by Affolter andahead of schedule. Affolter used threetrack hoes during the construction tobuild the terraces.As terraces were completed they werereviewed by TPWD project mangersMike Rezsutek and Andy Tirpak alongwith Mo Saleh of ProfessionalEngineering and EnvironmentalConsultants (PEEC), the project engineer. The terraces had to meet previously established construction standards and most of the terraces metthese standards on the initial inspectionand were accepted with little need foradditional work.continued on page 6
6Texas Wetland News and Wetland Conservation Plan UpdateLike Father, Like Sons, continuedIn 2001, the PLJV signed a 10-year agreement with Bob and Doc Pearson to contribute 12,180 to construct a fencearound the 70-acre playa, create terracesto divert water into the playas and preventerosion, and to establish a grassed waterway that feeds into the playa.Even before the terms of the PLJV agreement have expired, the Pearsons havesigned on for yet another conservationproject with TPWD to restore shortgrassprairie for rare species.persist,” Bob Pearson said. “There’s nothing that gives you a better rush that this.”With each project, the Pearson brothershave contributed a large portion of theirown money, including 5,055 for thePLJV project and they expect to contribute 11,641 to the TPWD project.Bob Pearson has passed along the value ofstewardship to his children and grandchildren, who undoubtedly will carry onhis legacy of conservation.“If there’s anything you can cut in stone,it is that our [conservation] efforts will“My grandchildren love to be on our landbecause of all the game. Plus, I have threedaughters and they love it there too.”Bessie Heights Marsh Restoration, continuedThis phase of theproject providedmany challenges,ranging fromsloughing of material off the terraces toold oilfield debrisand pipelines inclose proximity ofthe job site. Allthese challengeswere met by DennisRicord and MoSaleh, and wereonly minor issues inthe progress of theproject.Review of the project site.Driving the boat MikeRezsutek TPWD, Mo Saleh,project engineer seated onthe right, Dennis RicordAffolter project managerseated on the left.Terraces andwrack lineWhile the restoration for this projectyielded approximately 110 acres ofrestored/enhanced habitat, it is a steptowards a larger restoration effort forthe Nelda Stark Unit.Presently, planting of the terraces isbeing done and should be finished bythe middle of December. The primaryspecies planted are: smooth cordgrass,giant bulrush, marshhay cordgrass anda some giant cutgrass. Harvesting andplanting has gone well so far, althoughlow tides have hampered efforts toaccess the site.As you can see, we have a long way togo in replacing more of the 6,000 acreslost in this marsh complex since theearly 1900s. Future work is scheduledfor the area in early2003 in conjunctionwith maintenancedredging of the NechesRiver.Funding for this restoration project was provided by the GLO, USFWSTexas Coastal EcosystemProgram, and theNatural ResourceTrustees in conjunctionwith a USFWS NationalCoastal WetlandsConservation Grant.
Texas Wetland News and Wetland Conservation Plan UpdatePoster and Fact Sheet SetsThese wildlife posters and fact sheets are produced by Texas Parks and7TEXAS PARKKemp’s Ridley SeLepidochea Tulys kem prtleiiLIFES AND WILDTEXAS PARKBronze Frogitanss clamRana clamitanS ANDWILDLIFEWildlife Department with a grant from the Environmental ProtectionAgency. All posters are large, full color artist illustrations of Texas habitatshighlighting native plants and animals. The 8.5 X 11-inch fact sheetsinclude full color photographs with fascinating information about eachPHOTO BY TERRYspecies on the reverse side. Order each set for only 7.50, whichHIBBITTSs,a secretive speciebronze frog isIt may bebody color, theNamed for itscreeks and rivers.tion near ponds,its mating callhiding under vegetaevenings whenuntil warm, humiddifficult to findFor more thearthan 15. Al0Ridley though ma million yeTPWDars, seny sesea tuPHOTOa tua turtlrtle ises hathe mo rtle species areve rost enamedin dadangngeredthespecies er, the Kemp’sworldwide.is heard.includes shipping and handling. Use the order form below.Urban Wildlife Poster/Fact SheetsBlue Jay, Butterfly weed, Cardinal Flower, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern FoxSquirrel, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Inca Dove, Maximillian Sunflower, Monarch Butterfly, NorthernCardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Painted Bunting, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eared Slider,Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Wood DuckPineywoods Poster/Fact SheetsSpotted Gar, Dragonfly, Largemouth Bass, Red-shouldered Hawk, Louisiana Milk Snake, TimberRattlesnake, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, White-tailed Deer, Western Cottonmouth Snake, SouthernLeopard Frog, Bald Cypress, Catfish, Marbled Salamander, Big-eared Bat, Giant Floater, Warmouth,Bronze Frog, Copperhead, Flier, Hellgrammite, Dogwood, Sweetgum, Northern Flicker, PineWarbler, Redfin Shiner, Red Swamp CrayfishCoastal Wetlands Poster/Fact SheetsReddish Egret, American Oystercatcher, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Curlew, Fiddler Crab, StoneCrab, Roseate Spoonbill, Eastern Oyster, Common Blue Crab, Piping Plover, Kemp's Ridley Turtle,Barnacle, Lighting Whelk, Whooping Crane, Common Raccoon, Texas Diamondback Terrapin,Northern Harrier, Atlantic Croaker, Atlantic Bay Scallop, Sheepshead Minnow, Sea Grasses,Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, Gulf Salt Marsh Snakeset(s) of Urban WildlifeNameset(s) of PineywoodsAddressset(s) of Coastal Wetlandstotal number of sets X 7.50 City State ZipTOTALAMOUNTOF ORDERPlease make checks payable to:Texas Parks and Wildlife Fact SheetsDiscounts are available for orders of 10 sets or more.Contact the Project WILD Coordinator at (512) 389-4369Mail to:Project WILD CoordinatorTexas Parks and Wildlife Fact Sheets4200 Smith School RoadAustin, TX 78744Texas Parks and Wildlife Department maintains the information collected through this form. With few exceptions, you are entitled to be informed about the information we collect. Under Sections 552.021 and552.023 of the Texas Government Code, you are also entitled to receive and review the information. Under Section 559.004, you are also entitled to have this information corrected. www.tpwd.state.tx.us4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744 800-792-1112
Texas Wetland Newsand WETLAND CONSERVATION PLAN UPDATETexas Parks and Wildlife Department4200 Smith School RoadAustin, TX 78744Texas Wetland Newsa n d W E T L A N D C O N S E R VAT I O N P L A N U P D AT E4 20 0 S m i t h S c h o o l R o a d A u s t i n , T X 7874 4w w w. t p w d . s t a t e . t x . u s / w e t l a n d s / p u b l i c a t i o n sJ A N U A R Y2 0 0 3TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSIONKatharine Armstrong, Chairman AustinErnest Angelo, Jr., Vice-Chairman MidlandJohn Avila, Jr. Fort WorthJoseph B.C. Fitzsimons San AntonioAlvin L. Henry HoustonPhilip Montgomery DallasDonato D. Ramos LaredoKelly W. Rising, M.D. BeaumontMark E. Watson, Jr. San AntonioLee M. Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort WorthNOTICETexas Parks and Wildlife Department receives federal financial assistance from theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Actof 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the EducationAmendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus prohibitdiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex (ineducational programs). If you believe that you have been discriminated against inany Texas Parks and Wildlife Department program, activity, or facility, or if you desirefurther information, please call or write: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Officefor Diversity and Civil Rights Programs - External Programs, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive,Webb 300, Arlington, VA 22203, (703) 358-1724.PWD BR R0400-003 (1/03)Dispersal of this publication conforms with Texas State Documents DepositoryLaw, and it is available at Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or TexasDepository Libraries.
BACKGROUND Formed in the spring of 2001, the West Gulf Coastal Plain Initiative (WGCP) is a biological planning effort focused on the conservation of all bird species occupying . Mr. Bill Bartush, Ducks Unlimited, East
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wetland ecosystem. The boundary of the wetland is identified by changes in vegetation structure, loss of hydrophytes, and wetland soil characteristics. This wetland definition encom-passes a wide range of ecosystems, from semi-terrestrial fens, bogs, and swamps to semi-aquatic marshes and shallow open water. Excluded from the definition are
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An assortment of wetland plant and animal pictures on page 6 Yarn Materials A Wetland Web Wetland Connections Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 1. Continuing from the “Wetland Food Chains Activity,” randomly pass the pictures to all team members until all pictures are used. 2. Start with the lowest component of the food web .
wetland, freshwater wetland or property line that decreases the shortest existing nonconforming setback distance from the water body, great pond, stream, tributary stream, coastal wetland, freshwater wetland
Lesson Plan Lesson Preparation Review the Science Background provided in the Unit’s Overview and the Teacher Reading Wetland Ecosystems. Review and prepare copies of student reading Ecosystem Interdependence, Food Chain & Carbon Cycle worksheet and Wetland Note-taking worksheet, one for each student. Preview PowerPoint Introduction to Wetlands “Hawai‘i’s Wetland Ecosystems .
list the biotic and abiotic factors in a wetland. 3) Using the list of organisms that they observed and would expect to observe in a wetland, have students create an energy pyramid of a wetland ecosystem on the “Energy Pyramid” worksheet.
In this paper, the effectiveness of the wetland plant Canna indica and . sedimentation etc In this paper Grey water is treated using Modified Rooty zone system in Wetland Column. . (m2/pe) is the one of the major design parameter that is used in practice. The surface area requirement for the treatment of wastewater in constructed wetland .
