Dragon Run: In the Lowlands
Presentation January 18, FODR General Meeting by Andrew Lacatell, Director, Chesapeake Rivers program, The Nature Conservancy
Andy presented an overview of the mission and goals of The Nature Conservancy
(TNC), providing statistics on the organization’s work in the United States
and 35 other countries. He discussed the overall plan for Virginia and provided
maps that show the progress of planning for conservation. He described
Chesapeake Rivers Program and graphically illustrated ecological regions. Of
greatest interest to the FODR membership was his description of the Dragon Run
watershed and forest system.
In Virginia, TNC has protected 225,000 acres, owns 30 preserves and has 36,000 members. TNC is presently in a capital campaign with a goal of 50 million dollars.
TNC is defining its activities for conservation of landscapes and ecosystems. The organization has identified 600 functional landscapes and has designed portfolios (regions of similar climate, topography, and vegetation) for 64 areas in the USA. Their conservation approach is a four-step process: eco-region planning, site conservation planning, conservation action, and measuring success.
In Virginia, regions are identified as the following: the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Blue Ridge, Allegheny Highlands, Cumberland and Southern Ridge and Valley "Clinch Valley," the Piedmont, and Chesapeake Bay Lowlands.
The Chesapeake Lowlands is divided into the Virginia Coastal Reserve and the Chesapeake Rivers. The Chesapeake Rivers consist of the Rappahannock, Mattaponi, Pamunkey, and Dragon Run/Piankatank rivers. In the Chesapeake Lowlands, there are five rare natural communities: Bald Cypress-Tupelo Swamp, Fluvial Terrace Woodland (e.g., Big Island on property owned by FODR), Tidal Bald Cypress - Tupelo Swamp, Tidal Bald Cypress - Woodland/Savanna, and Tidal Freshwater Marsh. Within the region, there are 165 plant species, 45 tree species, 83 lichens and fungi, and 90 bird species. Of these, there are 22 rare species.
TNC rates species as G1 (rare, not many species or communities left) to G5 (fairly common). "Element occurrences" means places where rare species are found. TNC has 58 primary conservation targets including five endangered animals and four endangered plants. In the Chesapeake Lowlands, some species had only one occurrence.
The Chesapeake Lowland contains estuarine, coastal, and marine communities. TNC has identified 113 natural communities with 18 vegetation categories and 336 records of communities. Sixty-nine percent of those communities were viable. Examples of communities include Dry Mesic Oak Forest, Mesic Hardwood Forest, and Mixed Coastal Plain.
The forest system surrounding the Dragon Run is the largest block of forest in the Chesapeake Lowlands. The Dragon Run is the northern most cypress forest system and 98% of the aquatic system is contained in the forest matrix. The watershed is a blackwater ecosystem and was selected by 62% of the experts to be of highest priority to preserve (system #5). The Dragon Run is considered high in quality (Tier I). This is the place to save!
The greatest threats to the watershed are development (sprawl), incompatible forestry practices, and invasive and/or nonnative fish and plant species. Other threats include sea level rise, poor water management, lack of fire, fishing, and dam construction by beavers.
Strategies for preservation include good regional planning, compatible development practices, reconnecting or preserving forest systems, ensuring mix hardwood forests, planning for regional water use, and control of invasive species (e.g., Blue cat fish and Phragmites). Planning for a functional landscape needs sound science, compatible economic development, sustainable growth, sustainable timber, and family farm preservation.
TNC promotes community-based conservation and seeks partners from state agencies, businesses and organizations such as FODR. TNC measures success by abating threats, improving bio-diversity, and maintaining a high quality of life.
Adrienne Frank