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Impact of Fragmentation and Roads on Albany Pine Bush

Impact of Fragmentation and Roads on Albany Pine Bush. Dr. James Danoff-Burg Dept. Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology Columbia University NY, NY 10027 Jd363@columbia.edu. Value of Albany Pine Bush (APB).

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Impact of Fragmentation and Roads on Albany Pine Bush

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  1. Impact of Fragmentation and Roads on Albany Pine Bush Dr. James Danoff-Burg Dept. Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology Columbia University NY, NY 10027 Jd363@columbia.edu

  2. Value of Albany Pine Bush (APB) • A “Significant Habitat” of the New York Bight Watershed - US Fish & Wildlife Service • Largest worldwide intact inland barrens • pitch pine – scrub oak community • Globally unique ecosystem • Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) • a state & federally listed endangered species • NWF, Nature Conservancy, and other global conservation groups interested • First described from Albany Pine Bush • Populations are declining precipitously • Feeds on Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis) • Recreation and Nature Enjoyment

  3. Threats to APB Biodiversity • Habitat Loss and Fragmentation • Smaller area = smaller populations = decreased species persistence • Habitat Degradation • Edge effects cause effects to percolate into remaining habitat and make some of it unusable • E.g., 200 m Australian rainforest bird avoidance of edge • Invasive Species • Threats to natives b/c competition, predation, parasitism, etc. • Brought in via human movement along roads All are potential outcomes of the proposed development of this parcel

  4. Remaining Viable APB -Currently

  5. Fragmentation & Degradation Habitat Loss Lupe Habitat Degradation (Edge Effects) DiCaprio Farm Habitat Degradation (Edge Effects) APB Unique Area Siver Rd. Old State Rd.

  6. Remaining Viable APB - After Lupe

  7. Invasive Species • Unknown potential impact – probably significant • Competitors, predators on Karner Blue butterfly • Competitors, herbivores, pests of wild lupines • Activities that will lead to introductions: • Construction (e.g., Asian Longhorn Beetle in wood & packing) • Driving and other transportation (e.g., seeds, insects, etc.) • Residences (e.g., escaped plantings, pets, and pests)

  8. Conclusion • Proposed project would have significant negative impact • Impact would involve at least twice the land area of the project • Invasive species could significantly increase this affected area Lupe

  9. Recommendation • Recommend against project • Recommend for listing this area (and surrounding localities) as part of the Pine Bush Unique State Area • Significant Size • Contiguous • Unique ecosystem • Highly endangered • Slow to recover • disturbance

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