NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND
NATURAL RESOURCES
Wild Resource Conservation Fund--2002 Annual Report
[33 Pa.B. 3742] Wild Resource Conservation Board Members
Michael DiBerardinis, Secretary
Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesExecutive Director
Fish and Boat CommissionHonorable Vern Ross, Executive Director
Game CommissionHonorable Mary Jo White
Majority Chairperson
Senate Environmental Resources and Energy CommitteeHonorable Raphael J. Musto
Minority Chairperson
Senate Environmental Resources and Energy CommitteeHonorable William F. Adolf, Jr.
Majority Chairperson
House Committee on Environmental Resources and EnergyHonorable Camille ''Bud'' George
Minority Chairperson
House Committee on Environmental Resources and Energy
2001-2002 Projects
Project Sponsor Amount * Invertebrate Biodiversity of State Game Lands 211 Bioblitz Penn State $7,000 * Evaluating Reintroduced River Otters Frostburg University $25,000 * Den Affinity & Movement Patterns of Allegheny Woodrat Penn State $7,000 * Extension Fact Sheets on Wildlife Penn State $10,000 * Important Bird Areas Volunteer Training and Bird Monitoring National Audubon $10,000 * Important Bird Area Conservation Project National Audubon $20,000 * Susquehanna River Birding & Wildlife Trail National Audubon $50,000 * Appalachian Cottontail Distribution in this Commonwealth Lock Haven University $9,000 * Wild Action Grant Game Commission $4,000 * Impact of Hemlock Woolly Aldegid Infestation on Habitat Use and Productivity of Hemlock Dependent Songbirds East Stroudsburg University $10,000 * Preparation and Deposition of Vertebrate Specimens from Shippensburg University to the State Museum Nature Conservancy $17,000 * Genetic Structure of Vernal Pond Salamander Populations Shippensburg University $32,000 * Survey Inland Populations of Burbot Penn State $50,000 * Assessment of Genetic Variation of Timber Rattlesnakes Arcadia University $9,275 * Conservation and Management of Fish, Herptiles and Aquatic
SpeciesNature Conservancy $45,600 * Impact of Timber Harvesting on Woodland Amphibians Randy Cassell $9,000 * Ex-Situ Conservation of Pennsylvania Native Flora Phipps Conservatory $5,000 * Refining Knowledge of Vernal Ponds Western Pennsylvania Conservancy $20,000 * Surveys of Aquatic & Terrestrial Plant Species Morris Arboretum $30,000 * Citizens Guide to the Control of Invasive Plants in Wetland and Riparian Ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay Region Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay $5,000 * Native and Introduced Flora Associated with Glacial Lakes Western Pennsylvania Conservancy $20,000 * Herbarium Studies of Plant Species of Special Concern in this Commonwealth Carnegie Museum of Natural History $5,500 * Field Studies of Plant Species of Special Concern in this Commonwealth Nature Conservancy $10,000 * 2002 Rare Plant Inventory within Northwest Pennsylvania Cleveland Museum $15,000 * Use of PNDI Data Management System for the Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Survey Data Nature Conservancy $15,000 * Development of Pennsylvania Biodiversity Conservation Plan Pennsylvania Partnership Biodiversity $30,000 * Keystone Ecotones: The River Otter in a Changing Habitat Celtic Moon Publishing $10,000 * Rare Land Snails of Western Pennsylvania Appalachian Cons. Biology $9,000 * Interactive Display Friends of Wildwood Nature Center $10,000 * Natural Areas Inventories Nature Conservancy $200,000 * Natural Areas Inventories Western Pennsylvania Conservancy $200,000
The Balance Sheet and Statement of Unreserved Fund Balance provided were prepared by the Comptroller's Office on a cash basis of accounting, combined with an encumbrance budgetary system. They were not prepared in accordance with General Accepted Accounting Principles.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Wild Resource Conservation Fund
Statement of Unreserved Fund Balance
for the Period Ended June 30,2003
Unreserved Fund Balance, Beginning $104,300.40 Revenue Received: Income Tax Check-offs $204,511.12
Voluntary Donations 16,071.04 Income from ''Osprey'' Film 9,822.00 Wild Plants License/Permits 860.00 Sale of Publications 20,438.45 Wild Resource License Plate 50,819.51 Wild Resource Tee Shirts 205.00 Interest on Securities 3,529.05 (1) Total Revenue Received $406,256.17 Prior Year Commitment Liquidations $121,979.59 Total Funds Available $632,536.16 Deductions: Expenses $447,248.17 Administrative Commitments (2) 1,059.90 Project Commitments (3) 66,443.43 Total Deductions $514,751.50 Unreserved Fund Balance, Ending $177,784.66 (1) This figure includes $395.22 from TV 19802053 which has been paid by treasury but not posted to revenue.
(2) This figure does include administrative commitments $349.50 contingent committed against future years spending authorization.
(3) This figure does not include project commitments of $12,000 contingently committed against future years spending authorizations.
(PREPARED BY COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE)
Public Hearing The Wild Resource Conservation Board (Board) has scheduled a public hearing for September 10, 2003, at 1 p.m. at the Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110. The purpose of the hearing is to provide individuals and organizations the opportunity to comment on the recommendations and programs funded with moneys from the Wild Resource Conservation Fund (Fund). The Board is interested in hearing from individuals or organizations who wish to comment on the projects submitted for funding to the agencies, the Game Commission, the Fish and Boat Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Department) list published in this issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Agencies project recommendations for funding will be presented at the public hearing.
Only comments from the general public regarding the projects received will be heard at the September 10, 2003, public hearing.
The Board will then evaluate all recommendations submitted for its consideration and final funding decisions will be approved at the annual meeting on November 12, 2003.
Annual Meeting The Board has scheduled an annual meeting on November 12, 2003, at 1 p.m. at the Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110. A full report will be presented on the allocation of moneys from the Fund. The Board will consider all presentations made at the public hearing and the plans outlined by the professional technical staffs of the Fish and Boat Commission, the Game Commission and the Department.
The recommendations funded by the Board will be administered by the Fish and Boat Commission, the Game Commission and the Department. The recommendation selections will be based on their individual contribution to the management goals of three agencies and those outlined in the Wild Resource Conservation Act (32 P. S. §§ 5301--5313).
The following list includes the project recommendations requesting funding for 2003-2004 received by the Board. The public is invited to offer comment at the public hearing on September 10, 2003. The public hearing will be held at Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA at 1 p.m. Limit comments to 5 minutes and provide eight copies for the Board.
Project Submissions to the Fish and Boat Commission for Funding 2003-2004 * Conservation and Management of Fish, Herptiles and Aquatic Species--Special Projects
Objective: PNDI reviews and impact evaluations, timber rattlesnake conservation and management, Fish and Boat Commission, The Nature Conservancy, PNDI Liaison.
Justification: 54 fish, 12 herptiles and 3 freshwater mussels are presently on the Pennsylvania endangered, threatened and/or candidate species lists. The position provides much needed baseline data and technical assistance in nongame and endangered species conservation.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy--Anthony Davis
Fish and Boat Commission--John ArwayCost: $52,222
* Development of a Historical Database as a First Step in Assessing Changes in the Crayfish Fauna of this Commonwealth Over the Past 100 Years
Objective: Assemble this Commonwealth's historical crayfish data (mainly Ortmann 1906) into a readily accessible database and to add all of the available contemporary crayfish to this database.
Justification: The crayfish of this Commonwealth were thoroughly inventoried early in the 20th century. Since then, this Commonwealth's landscape has changed markedly. Development, habitat alterations and invasive species currently pose significant threats of this Commonwealth's crayfish.
Sponsor: Penn State--Robert Carline
Cost: $13,690
* Non-Native Trout Effects of Native Commonwealth Fishes and Associated Food Webs
Objective: Determine direct effects of stocked trout on the Commonwealth endangered bridle shiner and iron color shiner in Marshalls Creek. Determine indirect effects of stocked trout on habitat-use by native nongame fishes. Determine cascading effects of non-native reproducing trout populations on headwater stream food webs.
Justification: Non-native trout are being removed from streams where they have displaced native trout in National park streams and wilderness areas. In addition to displacing native trout, introduced trout have had detrimental effects on Federally endangered fishes and have altered food webs in streams in Japan and New Zealand. However, little is known of what effects non-native trout have on nongame native fish in this Commonwealth.
Sponsor: Penn State--Jay Stauffer
Cost: $53,904
* Propagation and Recovery Plan for Longnose Suckers and Sharpnose Darters
Objectives: Comprehensive review of existing water quality data for the Commonwealth portion of the Monongahela River drainage; suitability of reintroduced or introduction sites will be determined using biotic and abiotic determinates such as flora, fauna, water temperature, chemical water quality, flow and substrate, culture 10,000 longnose sucker young and 2,000 sharpnose darter young, release of cultured fishes into recommended sites determined by the Fish and Boat Commission, release sites will be monitored, determine if the population of longnose suckers in this Commonwealth is a distinct species.
Justification: Both longnose suckers and sharpnose suckers could benefit from implementation of a recovery plan. Methods exist for the propagation of both species. Review of case studies and application of current methodologies do hold promise for the recovery of these two species.
Sponsor: Penn State--Jay Stauffer
Cost: $80,412
* Status of the Introduced Rudd in this Commonwealth
Objective: Comprehensive survey of the tributaries and inshore waters of Lake Erie to determine the presence and absence of the rudd; determine age classes and size classes present in each of the areas where rudd are found to determine if they have established reproducing, sustainable populations; develop a watch card to help anglers identify the rudd and educate them the dangers of transporting this species to other waters in this Commonwealth; print and distribute these cards.
Justification: Introduced fishes pose serious threats to the native fish fauna of this Commonwealth. It is extremely important that the rudd not be introduced into other Commonwealth waters through bait-bucket introduction.
Sponsor: Penn State--Jay Stauffer
Cost: $53,224
* Dragonfly and Damselfly (Odonata) Inventory of French Creek Watershed in Northwestern Pennsylvania Glacial Lakes
Objective: Systematic sampling of French Creek and its tributary riverine systems for dragonfly and damselfly aquatic larvae, exuviae and adults. Prepare and submit first preliminary report of collections. Systematic sampling of glacial lakes and their associated wetlands throughout the northwest portion of this Commonwealth for dragonfly and damselfly aquatic larvae, exuviae and adults. Lakes include Conneaut Lake, Edinboro Lake, Canadohta Lake, Sandy Lake, Sugar Lake, Lake LeBoeuf, Lake Pleasant and Crystal Lake.
Justification: The proposed dragonfly and damselfly inventory will fill a key role in interpreting aspects of present conditions of aquatic habitats and water quality in the French Creek watershed and glacial lakes in the northwestern portion of this Commonwealth.
Sponsor: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy--Todd A. Sampsell
Cost: $49,500
* Range Determination of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake in this Commonwealth
Objective: Obtain current, accurate location and distribution information for the Eastern Massasauga in this Commonwealth. Obtain data regarding onsite habitat characteristics and to relate habitat type and quality to the presence or absence of massasaugas. Use GIS technology to begin mapping habitat in known Massasauga areas. Obtain latitude and longitude coordinates of Massasauga locations and potential habitat locations. Visit and search all known location or suspected areas of high probability due to habitat availability or proximity to known sites. Record and report data regarding Massasauga locations, habitat availability and suitability.
Justification: A comprehensive range assessment has not be attempted on over 20 years and is sorely needed due to habitat destruction, alteration and degradation. Proper conservation and protection of this species requires current and accurate locations information. This study will allow for proactive conservation measures to occur before unreported sites are lost to habitat alteration or degradation.
Sponsor: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy--Benjamin Jellen
Cost: $16,930
Project Submissions to the Game Commission for Funding 2003-2004 * A Database of Pennsylvania Mammals in the Academy of Natural Sciences Mammology Collection
Objectives: Capture data related to Pennsylvania mammal species from the mammalogy research collection's handwritten catalog into an electronic database; deliver an electronic copy of these data to the Department; provide these data to the public through a searchable website at the Academy; digital images of types and significant specimens of Pennsylvania mammals held at the Academy.
Justification: The mammalogy research collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences is one of the oldest in the hemisphere. It is a rich historical collection with much material dating from between 1850 and 1940 including much regional material from the late 1800s and early 1900s that is not duplicated elsewhere. The collection consists of 23,000 lots mostly well organized study skins and associated skeletal material.
Sponsor: The Academy of Natural Sciences--Paul J. Morris
Cost: $7,598
* Support for Paid Field Assistants in the First Year of the 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas
Objective: Provide salary, benefits and defray travel costs for two teams each of two experienced and skilled field assistants working throughout this Commonwealth for up to 8 weeks between mid-May and mid-July 2004. They will provide complement to those of an anticipated 1,000 or more volunteers in meeting the project's primary objective. Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania, the presence or absence of breeding evidence for some 200 bird species in nearly 5,000 25 km survey blocks in this Commonwealth.
Justification: The 2nd Pennsylvania Atlas will incorporate specially designed survey protocols that will provide a new dimension of understanding of the distribution of this Commonwealth's avifauna that will help insure its future conservation.
Sponsor: Carnegie Museum of Natural History--Robert S. Mulvihill
Cost: $25,000
* Evaluating the Distribution and Abundance of Reintroduced Otters in the Allegheny River Drainage: Applications of GIS, Genetic and Digital Technologies for Management of Rare Species
Objective: Continue development and methodologies for identification of individual otters through extraction of DNA from their scats. Apply genetic methodologies to estimate population density of otters through analysis of DNA extracted from scats collected at study sites. Evaluate seasonal variation in group composition and behavior of otters at latrine sites for use in determining most appropriate times to collect scats for genetic analysis. Evaluate the distribution of reintroduced otter populations throughout the Allegheny River drainage in the western portion of this Commonwealth by conducting shoreline surveys to detect otter signs.
Justification: The Pennsylvania River Otter Reintroduction Project has been among the most successful and highly publicized projects ever implemented in this Commonwealth. This project will fulfill final IUCN reintroduction criteria that encourage the development and implementation of long-term monitoring strategies for reintroduced populations.
Sponsor: Frostburg State University--Thomas Serfass
Cost: $30,000
* Preparation and Disposition of Vertebrate Specimens from Various Collections and Surveys Into the State Museum
Objective: Continue to organize and install specimens that have been transferred to the State Museum including specimens preserved in fluids and accessory collections from SUVM and other sources. Continue to organize and archive, electronically if possible, paperwork concerning the specimens including all trapline records, specimen sheets, accession records and other pertinent paperwork. This will focus on those specimen sheets and paperwork that have not been bound to date.
Justification: There are many specimens still awaiting processing from the Shippensburg University Vertebrate Museum and other museums and collections. New specimens are being collected from various ongoing surveys. These specimens need to be prepared and accessioned by the State Museum to ensure that the State Museum has a thorough collection of Pennsylvania mammals, herptiles and birds. The State Museum will have the assistance of an experienced mammalogist and museum preparator to regain the ASM accreditation.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy--James A. Hart
Cost: $29,472
* Important Mammal Areas Project--Phase II
Objective: Nomination and selection of additional sites; public education efforts; production of maps for each selected site, with boundaries, corridors and buffers. Development of a process for either interfacing with existing management plans or developing management plans if none exist.
Justification: Development of Important Mammal Areas which is a tool for habitat conservation. Generate site maps and pilot the development of management plans for two to three sites. Maintain the IMAP office and its one staff member to provide support and coordination during this work.
Sponsor: Indiana University of Pennsylvania--Alicia Linzey
Cost: $33,503
* Wild Action Grant Program
Objective: Enhance Commonwealth biodiversity encouraging students and youth groups to plant species for wildlife on school grounds and in communities. Provide financial and resource support for 20 schools and/or youth groups to create curriculum club programming and after school programs. Support a minimum of 300 students/youth group members in developing and 1,000 students/youth in using these habitats for helping to address environment and ecology standards.
Justification: Biodiversity is a current issue not well understood. The new State environment and ecology standards address concepts of biodiversity from K-12, primarily in the standard categories of environmental health, threatened and endangered species and ecosystems and their interactions.
Sponsor: Game Commission--Theresa Alberici
Cost: $4,000
* Effects of Acidic Desposition on Forest Birds
Objective: Evaluate the effects of acidic deposition on breeding forest birds on sites where levels of acidic deposition are known to be high and evaluate the effects of liming as a mitigation technique. Compare breeding bird abundance and composition on acidic sites and limed. Compare the abundance and calcium content of soil invertebrates and snails available to ground-foraging birds on acidic sites and limed sites. For ovenbirds quantify territory size, reproductive success and eggshell characteristics between acidic and limed sites.
Justification: Acidic deposition may be responsible in part for declines of some forest-dwelling birds. Forests in this Commonwealth have been exposed to some of the highest levels of acidic deposition of any sites tested in North America, potentially threatening the quality of this habitat for breeding birds.
Sponsor: Penn State--Margaret Brittingham
Cost: $21,677
* Effects of Landscape- and Patch-Level Habitat Characteristics on the Distribution, Abundance and Nest Success of Acadian Flycatcher, Cerulean Warbler and Eastern Wood-Pewee in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Objective: Measure abundance nest success of three forest bird species with declining populations in the Ohio Hills region of this Commonwealth; determine habitat factors within patches and landscapes that influence abundance and nest success; make conservation recommendations to benefit these breeding bird species in this Commonwealth.
Justification: This research will help to determine which habitat factors are the most important in causing declines of many forest bird species through increased predation and cowbird parasitism. This research will help determine which habitat factors are the most important in causing these declines.
Sponsor: California University of Pennsylvania--C. Allan Miller
Cost: $12,118.36
* Inventory of the Birdlife Found in Two Exceptional Value Subwatersheds to the Brodhead Creek Watershed in Monroe County
Objective: Breeding bird survey; migratory and winter use survey; habitat assessment; GIS analysis; presentation of results; important bird area petition to the Ornithological Technical Committee to designate these watersheds as important bird areas.
Justification: The Pocono Mountain region of the northeast portion of this Commonwealth, in particular Monroe and Pike Counties, are the fastest growing counties in this Commonwealth. Designation of a parcel of land as an important bird area gives landowners another tool in developing conservation strategies for their property. An IBA designation gives a potential property greater consideration for open space initiative such as the Forest Legacy Program.
Sponsor: Pocono Avian Research Center, Inc.--Jackie Speicher
Cost: $22,854
* Status, Distribution and Conservation of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (YBFL)
Objective: Survey at least ten sites with potential for the YBFL. Mapping of YBFL and Blackpoll warbler territories in Dutch Mountain wetlands of State Game Land 57 and IBA. Collection of more macro- and micro-habitat data in YBFL territories. Documentation of YBFL and other rare species sites for PNDI, IBA, county NAI and Atlas projects.
Justification: YBFL is a Pennsylvania threatened species that is difficult to study because of its remote habitat and quiet habits. It represents a community of rare boreal and conifer species, including Olive-sided Flycatcher, Blackpoll Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Red Crossbill and Pine Siskin. Habitat studies will enhance inventory and conservation programs.
Sponsor: Douglas A. Gross
Cost: $5,000
* Susquehanna River Birding and Wildlife Trail
Objectives: Host two guide training sessions to train outfitters, employees, to lead bird and wildlife watching tours. Develop wayfinding and destination signs to guide visitors to stops on the birding and wildlife trail. Host a meeting for tourism promotion agencies and vacation bureaus, as well as hotel owners, and the like, to engage them in developing a strong nature tourism program in this Commonwealth. Produce a bird trail book.
Justification: Conservation protection through increased awareness; education through interpretation at sites, visits to nature centers, associated festivals and events and citizen science opportunities. Economic growth through tourism generated taxes, fees and purchases of users which could lead to economic incentives for habitat protection.
Sponsor: National Audubon--Marci Mowery
Cost: $51,000
* IBA Volunteer Training/Bird Monitoring
Objective: Complete all electronic data entry and compilation for IBA point count data collected from 2001 to 2003. Work in partnership with the second round of this Commonwealth's breeding bird atlas property by continuing standardized annual scientific bird inventories and monitoring at 25 IBA's expanding to include a minimum of 5-10 additional wetland and forest sites.
Justification: This Commonwealth's most significant avian habitats are forests and wetlands. ''Penn's Woods'' is an important part of the State's identity and represents our most significant bird habitat. Unfortunately, this Commonwealth's forested landscape has been degraded by deer over-browsing, roads, oil and gas development, inappropriate logging, exotic forest pests and sprawl housing development. Volunteer training is designed to rapidly accelerate IBA bird population monitoring and habitat conservation efforts Statewide.
Sponsor: National Audubon--Steve Hoffman
Cost: $20,000
* Partners-In-Flight (PIF) GAP Analysis: Delineating Bird Conservation in this Commonwealth
Objective: Employ spatial analysis (GIS) methods to assess, quantify and map potential habitat focusing on PIF priority species. Obtain current habitat data to quantify recent trends of habitat loss for PIF priority species. Compare identified habitat to existing protected lands and IBAs to determine gaps in the protection status for these species
Justification: Designed to answer how much ''secure habitat'' can this Commonwealth contribute toward the maintenance of declining land bird populations and where should it be? This question can be best answered on a habitat and species specific basis using spatial analysis and GAP methods as proposed.
Sponsor: National Audubon--Steve Hoffman
Cost: $30,000
* Appalachian Cottontail Distribution in this Commonwealth
Objective: Determine the current distribution of Appalachian cottontail rabbits in this Commonwealth relative to the historical range as reported in the literature. Determine an index of abundance for the Appalachian cottontail rabbit in selected locations to allow future comparisons and trend analysis.
Justification: The current distribution and population trend of the Appalachian cottontail rabbit in this Commonwealth is unknown. This rabbit has declined substantially in adjoining states where monitoring efforts have been completed.
Sponsor: Lock Haven University--Ralph Harnischfeger
Cost: $7,555
Project Submissions to the Department for Funding 2003-2004 * Rare Plant Inventory within Northwestern Pennsylvania
Objective: Continue search for new occurrences of rare plant communities and plants of special concern. Stewardship projects at Presque Isle, Erie National Wildlife Refuge and State Game Land 122. Search for Carex chordorhiza in Tioga County. Aquatic bed survey on the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers.
Justification: There is a great need for additional inventory in the northwestern portion of this Commonwealth for plants of special concern in this Commonwealth. If rare plants or rare natural communities are identified prior to development, a development can be altered or constructed in a manner that will allow the plants to survive.
Sponsor: Cleveland Museum of Natural History--James Bissell
Cost: $15,000
* Taking Stock of American Ginseng in this Commonwealth
Objective: This project will initiate studies to generate information pertinent to the two principle interests in American ginseng: conservation and cultivation.
Justification: The lack of information surrounding ginseng collection in this Commonwealth is especially problematic for forest resource managers since commerce in the species is presently regulated and monitored under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora agreement.
Sponsor: Penn State--Michael Jacobson
Cost: $39,875
* Field Surveys for Euphorbia purpurea, Soldago speciosa and Eurybia radula in this Commonwealth
Objective: Update PNDI population figures for Euphorbia prupurea, glade spurge and contribute to an ongoing demographic study for eventual publication. Update PNDI population figures for Eurybia (Aster) radula rough leaved aster and contribute to a publication on the biology and distribution of the species.
Justification: Do a thorough report to the PNDI on the species conservation status. All four taxa are already either listed or recommended by the PABS for listing as plants of special concern.
Sponsor: Dickinson College--Carol Loeffler
Cost: $1,248
* The Lichen Flora of Eastern Pennsylvania
Objective: Establish baseline data for lichen diversity in the eastern portion of this Commonwealth, inventory taxa present in the region; evaluate the distribution and abundance of taxa in the region.
Justification: Lichens at present are poorly known worldwide. Taxonomically lichens are poorly understood and as a result it is estimated that 15-20% of the species in eastern North America alone remain undescribed.
Sponsor: Carnegie Museum of Natural Sciences--James A. Macklin; James Lenderner
Cost: $4,201.70
* The Status of Crataegus (Hawthorn) in Eastern Pennsylvania
Objective: Clarify the Crataegus species present in the eastern portion of this Commonwealth; evaluate the abundance of the species; identify the distribution patterns of the species; aid in identifying further taxonomic problems present for later study.
Justification: This Commonwealth has a rich diversity of Crataegus species due to its size, physiography and bedrock geology. In the past few hundred years, as eastern North America was settled, Hawthorns have both benefited from the extensive clearing of forest that provide ample distributed habitat and suffered due to competition from exotic species introduced purposely or by accident.
Sponsor: The Academy of Natural Sciences--James A. Macklin
Cost: $8,033.76
* Field Surveys of Aquatic Plants of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Development of Quantitative Monitoring Techniques for Aquatic Vegetation and PNDI Project Review Assistance
Objective: Strengthen the scientific basis for classification of vascular plants as endangered, threatened or rare by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. Expand the coverage of PNDI database by conducting field inventories of poorly studied or completely undocumented sites of probable occurrence of plant species of special concern. Provide project review staff for PNDI
Justification: In an effort to protect the natural biological diversity in this Commonwealth, land development proposals must be screened by PNDI to identify those that pose a threat to endangered, threatened, rare or candidate species.
Sponsor: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania--Ann Rhoads
Cost: $34,550
* Seed Germination and Reproductive Biology of Agalinis auriculata and Endangered Pennsylvania Plants
Objective: Identify host plants in this Commonwealth for endangered Agalinis auriculata, a facultative hemiparasite. Determine the compatibility system and potential pollinators in this Commonwealth.
Justification: Identify methods to preserve and manage the current populations of this species in this Commonwealth by learning more about it reproductive biology and host use in seed germination, growth and reproduction.
Sponsor: Cedar Crest College--Amy Faivre
Cost: $5,613
* Herbarium and Field Studies of Pennsylvania POSCIP
Objective: Data recording and specimen verification. Record specimen label data from historical collections for any new taxa added to the POSCIP list at the Pennsylvania rare plant meeting in early 2004.
Justification: Specimen label data and accurate identification of specimens are essential to efforts to monitor populations of POSCIP species.
Sponsor: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History--Cynthia Morton
Cost: $19,230
* Invasive Plant Training for Friends Groups
Objective: To produce a training program intended to produce a volunteer workforce dedicated to promoting the welfare of our parks and forests that are trained to identify survey and control invasive plants. All friends groups that are chapters of PPF will receive this training along with anyone requesting the training.
Justification: Friends groups are created to support State parks and forests. One kind of support is in the form of volunteer workers. This project is to develop a training program to give the groups the skills to identify and eventually control invasive plants.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation--John Keith
Cost: $30,000
* RAPD Variation Within and Among Populations of Diarrhena Americana in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Objective: Assess the overall genetic variability and population structure in three populations of Diarrhena Americana in southwestern portion of this Commonwealth; determine Nei's unbiased genetic distances and analyses of molecular variance for within and between population variation assessment. Compare genetic similarity between the two ''near'' populations in the same county and the more distant populations in a different county
Justification: Measurements of the genetic diversity in the recently identified local population of Diarrhena Americana will be extremely helpful in accurately determining the endangered status of this species in this Commonwealth.
Sponsor: California University of Pennsylvania
Cost: $5,966
* Determination of Tree Age-Diameter Relationships for Invasive Tree Species to Reconstruct Patterns in Commonwealth Forests
Objective: Quantify relationships between tree age and diameter at breast height for tree-of-heaven and Norway maple, two of the most important invasive plant species in this Commonwealth. Develop these relationships into predictive tools for estimating tree age based on DBH data. Characterize invasion patterns of several populations in the southwestern portion of this Commonwealth.
Justification: Although tree-of-heaven and Norway maple are two of the most important invasive tree species in the northeastern United States, statistical relationships between tree age and DBH have not been determined for these species. This information is critical to forest managers concerned with the invasion patterns of these species.
Sponsor: California University of Pennsylvania--Thad E. Yorks
Cost: $6,830
* Documenting the Native and Introduced Flora Associated with Glacial Lakes in Northwest Pennsylvania, with Emphases on Rare Species and Invasive Alien Species
Objective: Document the flora of the glacial lakes in the northwestern portion of this Commonwealth to facilitate planning for future stewardship of these unusual and fragile natural features.
Justification: Glacial lakes are among the most treasured natural features of this Commonwealth. Of the 1,500 lakes in this Commonwealth, only 50 were naturally formed. These lakes are important scenic and recreational resources. Glacial lakes also comprise habitat for many species of plants and animals that would not otherwise inhabit this Commonwealth.
Sponsor: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy--Steve Grund
Cost: $66,414
* History of Status Changes of Commonwealth Plants of Special Concern
Objective: Track history of status changes for species on the POSCIP list. Accuracy of decisions made by the Vascular Plant Technical Committee will be improved with the document that will result from this work.
Justification: Increasing the accuracy of decisions made by the Vascular Plant Technical Committee concerning the status of plants of special concern will ensure that funding for plant species can better be distributed to projects involving species more in need of conservation funding.
Sponsor: Joseph A. Isaac, Botanical Consultant--Bonnie Isaac
Cost: $4,500
* Special Concern Plant Species--Research Management 2004-2005
Objective: Conduct field surveys in the eastern portion of this Commonwealth to attempt to locate denovo populations, confirm extant or historical populations of plant species of special concern having PBS state statuses of endangered, threatened, rare or special concern in this Commonwealth.
Justification: Field work is necessary for the proper conservation of wild plant resources in this Commonwealth. Without the new and revised data that field surveys provide, the completeness and reliability of the PNHP/PNDI database and therefore plant conservation would be compromised.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy--John Kunsman
Cost: $39,900
Multiagency Projects Submitted for Funding 2003-2004 * Publication of the Checklists and Articles from the 2003 Pennsylvania Invertebrate Biodversity Conference
Objective: Compile and edit the checklists of selected Pennsylvania invertebrates presented in the conference; assemble and edit the manuscripts of papers presented in the conference; publish the papers presented in the conference; publish a hardcover version and put on the Internet an electronic version of the checklists of this Commonwealth's invertebrates by taxon.
Justification: Invertebrates are most numerous of all organisms and major players in the ecosystem processes that support and sustain our life-support system. They are closely involved with our daily lives and effect our enterprises, yet they are the least known group of organisms on this planet.
Sponsor: Penn State--K C Kim
Cost: $7,422
* Inventory and Ecological Studies of Pennsylvania's Aquatic Snails
Objective: Continue field objectives funded in Year 1 which include gastropod collections, measuring water chemistry and recording habitat measures; use date to help build a modern collection record for this Commonwealth's aquatic gastropods; produce a report that will detail the fauna documented at all sites any relationships between water quality and snail species.
Justification: This study will help the Department of Environmental Protection in their efforts to assess all the waters of the State within the next few years.
Sponsor: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy--Ryan Evans
Cost: $46,020
* Land Snail Website and Slugkey
Objective: Develop and launch a website profiling a variety of central Appalachian Mountain land snail species and land snail ecological issues for amateurs, higher education students and professional researchers. Develop a field key to native slugs employing simple field marks for use by amateur naturalists and professional biologists.
Justification: If we are to improve our understanding, use and conservation of land snails, especially among interested amateurs and the scientific community, a first step is to make current information more widely available. Develop a Pennsylvania land snail website and develop a field key to the State's native slugs.
Sponsor: Appalachian Conservation Biology--Kenneth Hotopp
Cost: $14,550
* Pennsylvania Bee Project
Objective: Collect and curate bee specimens from a variety of this Commonwealth's geographic areas to document the state of bee diversity and to establish a baseline data set for this Commonwealth.
Justification: Bees have coexisted with flowering plants for millions of years and as pollinators are vital to the health of native plant populations. The Pennsylvania Bee Diversity Project seeks to understand and protect wild pollinators by collecting baseline data of bee biodiversity in important natural communities.
Sponsor: The Pennsylvania Heritage Society
Cost: $23,437
* A Review and Update of Species Status Categories and Criteria that help Determine Conservation Priorities in this Commonwealth
Objective: Develop an explicit, objective framework for classification of a broad range of species according to the need for or the usefulness of conservation measures for their protection; review and adapt and test the applicability of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List Categories and Criteria for possible use in this Commonwealth; produce a booklet for use by the Pennsylvania Biological Survey and the Pennsylvania Biodiversity Partnership.
Justification: There is a need for listing protocols and for science based categories and criteria that highlight conservation needs commensurate; a species risk of extinction from this Commonwealth.
Sponsor: Jerry Hassinger
Cost: $11,900
* Pennsylvania Biodiversity Conservation Plan: Phase 3
Objective: Continued public meetings to solicit additional comments and recommendations; continued outreach through the PBP website, exhibits at conferences and lectures; continued information gathering. Upgrades to the PBP website to augment its interactive search capabilities.
Justification: Funding both State and private sources is necessary for matching dollars by the United States Fish and Wildlife Title VIII grant received by PBP for the development of the Pennsylvania Biodiversity Conservation Plan.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Biodiversity Partnership--Sue Thompson
Cost: $27,500
* Study of Pennsylvania Fireflies to Facilitate Identification and Conservation
Objective: Project seeks to resolve systematic problems in Pennsylvania fireflies and provide accurate public information on their identification, distribution, phenology and conservation.
Justification: Fireflies are well known insects in this Commonwealth. However, it is difficult to distinguish it from related species.
Sponsor: Carnegie Museum of Natural History--John Rawlins
Cost: $32,733
* Preliminary Study of Pennsylvania Ground Beetles
Objective: Construct a distributional checklist of Pennsylvania ground beetles that is authoritative; supplement that list with new information from unstudied counties and aides for identification.
Justification: Ground beetles are the most frequently used lineage of terrestrial indicator organisms to assess ecological conditions in terrestrial habitats that include soil, understory and semiaquatic communities.
Sponsor: Carnegie Museum of Natural History--Robert L. Davidson
Cost: $15,340
* Illustrated Field Guide to the Crane Flies of this Commonwealth
Objective: Concentrate collecting of crane flies in areas within this Commonwealth that were missed from the existing database. Produce a pictorial crane fly identification field guide with information on habitat, distribution and natural history. Produce a website that provides an expansive link and makes our finding fully accessible to ecologists, students of systematics and museums.
Justification: Crane flies constitute the most diverse family of flies, but are poorly represented in scientific collections due to their fragility. The presence or absence of crane fly species, common as well as rare, are important indicators of ecological function in Commonwealth aquatic habitats.
Sponsor: Carnegie Museum of Natural History--Chen Young
Cost: $22,520
* County Natural Areas Inventories
Objective: To complete the identification of natural areas within Bradford and Carbon Counties and to initiate surveys for rare species and exemplary natural communities and other sites of conservation value in three new counties. To provide these data to county and municipal officials, conservation organizations, the development community and the public to allow them to make better informed conservation decisions in the respective counties.
Justification: The 21st Century Environment Commission Report recommended funding for completion of the NAI's as a step toward preserving this Commonwealth's natural diversity. To preserve that diversity land use planners and other must know what that diversity is and where it is represented on the landscape.
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy--William Gleason, Anthony Davis
Cost: $144,642
* County Natural Areas Inventories
Objective: Complete county natural heritage inventories and initiate and perform inventories in additional counties in the western portion of this Commonwealth.
Justification: A county natural heritage inventory is a systematic study of the biological resources of a county. It includes plants, animals, natural communities and habitats that are important to these living resources.
Sponsor: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy--Jeffrey Wagner
Cost: $344,000
* Multidimensional Diorama at Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center
Objective: Contribute to the cost of the multidimensional interactive exhibit at the Wildwood Lake Sanctuary with the Wild Resource Conservation Fund listed as a contributor.
Sponsor: The Friends of Wildwood Lake Nature Center, Inc.
Cost: $35,000
* Hauto Valley Conservation Park
Objective: Develop the last culm bank in the Hauto Valley into a conservation park. This project includes lands, which had long since been naturally reclaimed and were established in tertiary forest.
Justification: The reclamation plan for this property used the site attributes and historical data about the site to re-establish some semblance of what was originally and naturally on the site while working around manmade conditions that could not be changed.
Sponsor: Nesquehoning Creek Watershed Alliance--Bruce Conrad
Cost: $156,000
MICHAEL F. DIBERARDINIS,
Secretary
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-1493. Filed for public inspection August 1, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]
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