natural features inventory of the Great Lakes coastal zone of Michigan

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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NATURAL FEASURES INVENTORY OF
THE GREAT LAKES COASTAL ZONE
I OF MICHIGAN
I SEP 1982
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MICHIGAN
OCZM GRANT #NA-80-AA-H-CZ157
SUBTASK 4C-3

A NATURAL FEATURES INVENTORY
OF THE GREAT LAKES COASTAL ZONE OF MICHIGAN

by the

Michigan Natural Features Inventory Program
(The Nature Conservancy)
Susan R. Crispin, Coordinator/Botanist
Kim A. Chapman, Ecologist
Judith D. Soule, Zoologist
Lawrence L. Master, Zoologist
Stuart J. Ouwinga, Data Manager

Under Contract No. LRP-404

with the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

September 30, 1982

US Department of Commerce
NOAA Coastal Services Center Library
2234 South Hobson Avenue
Charleston, SC 29405-2413

This document was prepared in part
through financial assistance provided by
the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
administered by the Office of Coastal Zone Management
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

US Department of Commerce
NOAA CoaBtal Services Center Library
2234 South Hobson Avenue
Charlestox4 SC 29405-2413 j

Table of'Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 1
Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . . . . .. . 2
Inventory Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 2
Special Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Special Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . ... . . . . . 3
Natural Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 4
Organization of Occurrence Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Results and Discussion ... . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Special Animals . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Special Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . 8
Natural Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . 22
Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . ... . . 22
Open Dune . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . 23
Interdunal Wetland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 24
Prairie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . 25
Coastal Wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Wooded Uplands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Cliffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Recommendations . . . . . . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 35
Special Animals . . . .. . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . 35
Special,Plants . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
-Natural Communities . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

List of Tables

Special animals occurring primarily or exclusively in
Michigan's coastal zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2. Special animals occurring partly in Michigan Is coastal zone

3. Special plants occurring primarily or exclusively in Michigan's
coastal zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . ;. . . . . . . . 14

4. Special plants occurring partially in Michigan's coastal zone 17
5. Special plants with old records (none since 1940) in Michigan's
coastal zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Introduction

The state of Michigan possesses 3200 mi.les of Great Lakes shoreline,
which harbor a diversity of*.outst'anding natural communities and provide
habitat for many rare, threatened, and endangered species. This inventory
was conducted to document and catalog the occurrences of these communities
and species, and of special geologic/geomorphic and other selected natural
features in Michigan's coastal zone, as defined by the Michigan Coastal
Management Program.

Methods

Inventory Techniques

The term "element" is used to refer to any listed plant or animal species$
natural community, or other'natural feature considered' exemplary, rare, or
endangered on a state or national basis (in accordance with the newly. revised
state list, currently awaiting Legislative approval). Statewide occurrence
records on these elements (with emphasisonhigh- and medium-priority elements)
were compiled from various sources. Initially, searches were conducted of
pertinent literature sources, including the Michigan Botanist and Jack Pine
Warbler (journals), reports of the Michigan Natural Areas Council, theses and
dissertations, and miscellaneous books and articles.
Information was then solicited from individuals knowledgeable on the
natural features of Michigan's coastal zone. Among these individuals were
recognized scientific experts, science and natural history educators, and
amateur scientists.
Previous MNFI field surveys (1980 and 1981) also provided leads and general
information on element occurrences. For instance, special pla nt surveys along
the Great Lakes shores often collected incidental data on prime natural commu-
nities. Similarly, The Nature.Conse rvancy's Michigan Field Office files
yielded leads-on element 6ccurrences.from properties investigated for potential
acquisition.
Fiel'd surveys were routinely conducted to document occurrences of high-
and medium-priority (endangered and threatened) elements, and to collect
detailed information on those occurrences when preliminary repo*rts were,insuf-
ficient. Extensive "de novo" searches were also conducted along much of the
state's coastal zone to locate previously unreported element occurrences.
Specific inventory and field survey techniques for the various element classes
are described below.

Special Animals. All known coastal breeding locati6ns for endangered and.
threatened species, other than fish and mollusks, were checked in 1982.
Partial surveys of fish and mollusks were made. A.number of rare and peripheral
birds confined to the'coastal zone, and the eastern fox snake were also surveyed.
This work was carried out under the directfon of the.MNFI staff zoologist,
except for surveys of wolves, eagles and ospreys. Those fish and mollusk

species which were not thoroughly surveyed in .1982 breed primarily outside
of the coastal zone and so work was concentrated in non-coastal areas.
Surveys of' historic peregrine falcon eyri.es were made via plane, boat,
and on foot by the staff of Ecological Research Services, Inc., under contract
with MNFI using US Fish and-Wildlife Service funds. This survey included
evaluation of potential hacking sites for reintroduction of peregrines to
Michigan.
Colonial nesting birds were surveyed by . the''MNFI staff zoologist, volun-
teers, Dr. William Scharf and Gary Shugart contracted with assistance from
Living Resources Program funding, and by staff of Ecological Research Services,
Inc., contracted with assistance from the Bureau of Land Management. All sites
were ground checked following reconnaissance by float plane, boat or automobile.
All known piping plover nesting beaches were walked by the MNFI zoologist
or by volunteers (Beaver Island archipelego) and all,nests were 1ocated and
checked. Selected sites along the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair-, and Lake Erie
shorelineswere checked on foot for rare bivalves, fox snakes, and king rails.
Known coastal sites for the channel darter were searched by Dr. C. L. Smith and
his class at the University of Michigan Biological Station.
flistorical and current data collected for surveys of the sta"Ce's eagle
prey and wolf populationswere compiled, computerized and mapped by MNFI staff
in 1982.
os

Special Plants. Michigan's Great Lakes shoreline was intensively surveyed
for special plant occurrences either on foot or by car (stopping to spot-check
at approximately one mile intervals). In addition to MNFI staff and contractees,
several volunteers assisted with this effort. As a result,, no .,iarge stretches
(over 20 miles) of shoreline escaped some level of survey. Even regions with
no previously recorded occurrences (e.g., Escanaba to the Wisconsin border)
were surveyed.
Infra-red aerial photographs were used'to 1o*'cate areas of potential
habitat forseveral important shoreline species characteristic of sand beaches
and foredunes, for example Cirsium pitcheri and Tanacetum-huronense. Aerial
photography was also used for intensive surveys (partially funded by the Living
Resources Program) of Saginaw Bay and the St. Clair River delta, in search of
'Habenaria leucophaea and other special plant species of wet prairie habitats.
Most Great Lakes islands with known or potential special plant occurrences
were surveyed-6y Ecological Research Services under contract with the QS Bureau

'of Land Management. This work was conducted in accordance with MNFI
recommendations, and a copy of the report was submitted to this program.
Lastly, consultation was provided for -intensive studies of two high-
priority species, Iris lacustris and Mimulus qlabratus var. michiganensis,
by graduate students at the University of Michigan Biological $tation.

Natural Communities. Aerial photography (color infrared, CIR) prove d
an invaluable tool for surveying coastal commun.ities. It was used in two
ways: for general, comprehensive surveying of one natural community type,
and for spot-checking leads from the literature, knowledgeable individuals,
and previous field surv eys. In this last regard, CIR photography was used
to detect Lhe boundaries of communities surveyed this year in order to map
them accurately.
-In a comprehensive survey, CIR photos are coordinated with maps
(topographic, soil, exposed bedrock, presettlement vegetati.on, etc.), and
leads from literature, persons, and previous surveys. This method is very
efficient when seeking high-priority natural communities of limited distribu-
tion that show a distinct edge and characteristic features on CIR (e.g.,
prairie, interdunal wetland, boreal forest). Disturbance is usually easily
detected. After identifying prospective high-quality examples of a community
type, ground- truth.i ng eliminates those which do not meet more restrictive
criteria. A 'nearly exhaustive survey for examples of an element in a
particular setting and region is possible. A survey of coastal prairies,
accomplished partly through a Living Resources Program grant, was executed
in this manner.
Spot-checking of leads requires a knowledge of the characteristics
displayed on CIR photos by all natural communities. Though more difficult
than a comprebentive @urvey, many sites can be eliminated upon detection of
disturbance, or a decision that the community is too. small or difficult to
defend can be made. The number of sites which mutt be ground-truthed is
this reduced.

Organization of Occurrence Information
Each type of element has its own alpha-numeric code, and each occurrence
of an'element statewide has its own numeric code. In this way, a single

occurrence i.s distinguished from all others in the state. These-codes appear
on the topographic maps and on the computerized Element Occurrence Records (EORs).
Each element occurrence on a map has its own margin number particular to
that map. Elements are listed simply in order of mapping they are not
grouped in any manner. A -circle, triangle or square. around the margin number
indicates the accuracy with which it was mapped: to the second,'to the
minute, or in the general area, respectively. The margin number and circle,
triangle or square are also written on the map 'proper, to' locate the
occurrence. In order to distinguish different types of elements readilyl
clear color dots are put over- the number on the map: red = Special Animal,
blue = Special Plant, green = Plant Community, brown = Geologic-Geomorphic
Feature, orange = Other. Plant -communities and managed areas have had the
.boundaries drawn in, where possible.
Theinformation given in the map margin includes the official element
name, its three-digit numerical occurrence code, the year of the last field-
observation, and a ten-by-ten grid number for ease in location. The first
number given is for the horizontal axis, numbered from left to. right; the
second number is for the vertical axis, numbered from top to bottom. Common
names are given for managed areas, since these have no offical element names.
Element occurrence numbers are given for Others. Under the element name and
accompanying.information.for a natural community, the cover types (plant
communities) present and their occurrence numbers are listed. Plant
communities that have-not been incorporated into the MNFI data base have
been listed separately at the lower end of-the map margin, with only' the
natural community name and ten-by-ten location code gi,ven.
Detailed information on each occurrence is stored in a computerized data
management system. The format used is described on the following pages.

6
COMPUTERIZED ELEMENT 6ccURRENCE (EOR) INFORMATION'
EO-CODE: The 10-digit alpha-numeric element narle code and the 3-digit numeric
occurrence code.
EL-CODE: The same as the first 10 digits of the EO-code.
NAME: The official element name that corresponds to the EL-code; the scientific
plant or animals species name, or the natural community or geologic feature
name.
COMMON-NAME: The common name for the plant or animal species, or the plant com-
munity (cover type) code(s). The plant community code consist of tile first
three digits of the natural community code, a seven-digit plant community
code, and a three-digit occurrence code specifically for the plant commun-
ity. The names corresponding to these codes are given under GEN-DESC (see
below).
MARG-NUM': The margin number on the appropriate topographic map, given under
QUAD-CODE,(see below).
IDENT: Y ind 'icates that identification of the element is positive.
EO-RANK: A comparative 'evaluation of this particular occurrence; A =.Excellent,
B = Good, C = Marginal, D ='Poor, X = Destroyed.
EO-RANK-COMM: Any further information to back.up the-EO-rank.'
FIELD-EVAL-DATE: The date of the field evaluation used to assign the EO-rallk.
LAST-OBS: The 'date the elcment was last observed extant at this site.
FIRST-OBS: The year in which the occurrence was first reported from this site.
EL-RANK: A priority code based on the need for protection; Al = highest, D = lowest.
STATE: MI; the two-letter U.S. Postal Service code for the state.
ALL-COUNTY-CODES: MI (Michigan) + the three'-digit coun I. ty code; if an occurrence
overlaps into more than one county, all of the codes are given.
COUNTY-CODE: The code for the county that most of the occurrence is in..
ALL-COUNTY-NAMES: Four-letter abbreviations are used; the main county is listed
first-, than all of the others.
ALL-QUAD-CODES: The numerical code(s) for the topographic map(s), based upon degrees
latitude, degrees longitude, and an additional two-digit number; if.an ele-
ment occurs on more than one map, all of the codes are given.
QUAD-CODE: The code for the primary map of occurrence.
ALL-QUAD-NAMES: The names of the topographic maps as listed in their lower right
corners'.
PRECISION: S = mapped to the second, M = ma-pped to the minute, G = mapped to the
general area; these letters correspond to the circle, triangle, or square,
respectively, which are given on the map.
LAT: The precise latitude-of the center of the occurrence in degrees, minutes,and
seconds.
LONG: the precise longitude of the center of the occurrence.
S: The latitude of the southernmost extent of the occurrence..
N: The latitude of the northernmost extent of the occurrence
E: The longitude of the easternmost extent of the occurrence
W: The longitude of the westernmost extent of the occurrence*
TOWN-RANGE: The township, range, section, and partial section.where known.
PLAN-REG: The state planning region code
WILD-DIST : The state wildlife district code.
FOR-DIST: The state forestry district code.
QUAD-SCALE: 75 = 7.5.minute, 15 = 15 minute.
,PHYS-PROV: (Physical province) This field is not used in Michigan.
WATERSHED: The eight-digit code as taken from the Hydrologic Unit Map (U.S.G.S.).
NAT-REG: I = western upper peninsula, 2 = eastern upper-pen.insula, 3 northern
lower peninsula, 4 = southern lower peninsula.
DI*RECTIONS: the local name 'for the site followed by simple walking 'ordriving dir-
ections.

GEN-DESC: A general description of the community or area in which the element
occurs, or, if the element is a community, the name of the plant commun-
ity(s) (cover type(s),--see also COMMON-NAME), and a general description
of the community.
ELEV: The field.is not generally used in Michigan; -11111 = unknown.
SIZE: The size in acres, if known; 0 = unknown.
EO-DATA: Data on the element at the site, e.g., numbers, size, condition, etc.
COMMENTS: Additional information.
OWNER-TYPE: FG = federal, SG = state (incl. state universities), LG = local
(county, municipal, regional), PO = organizational, PC = corporate, PI
private individual, PY = private college or.univeristy, MX mixed, no one
owner type predominant, XX = other.
OWNER: The names(s) of the own-er(s).
MULT-OWNERS: Y if there is more than one owner.
MA: Managed area; Y if*fhe EO i Is on a.managed area, N if it isn't, P (partial),
if a substantial amount is on a managed area.
MA-NAME: The name of the managed area, if the previous is checked Y or P.
NUM-OWNERS: The total number of the owners of the site, if known.
PROT-STATUS: Protection status; I = preserved (officially designated), 2 = pro-
..tected, 3- no protection.
DESIG-STATUS: A code indicating whether a special status has been assigned to
the site; e.g., SF = state forest, DDS = dedicated state nature preserve,
SPK = state park, NNL = national natural landmark, etc..-
OWNER-PROT: Y = owner known to be protecting, N = owner known to be not protect-
ing, (blank) = unknown.
PROT-NEED: A = adequately protected, B = needs help, C = probably @nhelpable.
PROT-NEED-COMM: Explanation of the above, if..needed.
BEST-SOURCE: The single best source of information for this particular occurrence;
in formal citation form.
ALL-SOURCE-CODES: All sources of information on this occurrence are listed in code:
first digit = letter indicating type (see below); second and third digits
year; fourth, fifth and sixth digits = first three letters of author's or
collector's last name; seventh and eighth digits = "breakers," a numerical
code for different works of the same author, or, for specimens (S), the two-
letter abbreviation of the museum or herbarium.

A = article, B book, F = field form, J = journal, M = map ot aerial photo,
0 = organization, P =-person, S = specimen, 0 unpublished literature.

BEST-SOURCE-CODE: The source code for the BEST-SOURCE; always listed first in the
previous field.
DATA-SENS: We-have,not-u'sed this field.
BOUNDARIES: Y if a map, sketch or other information on the boundaries is available.
PHOTOS: Y if photos of the occurrence are available'.
QUAL-SURV: Y if general field information is available.
QUAN-SURV: Y if information from a quantative survey is available.
OWNER-INFO: Y if additional information on ownership is available.
TRANSCRIBER: The initials (3) of the person who filled out this form; the date.
form: SJO 82-10-12
EA-REV: Y if the element abstract has been updated is necessary, considering in-
fo rmation from this occurrence.
CD-REV: Y if the countY-of-distribution map and element occurrence log book have
been updated for-this occurrence
1,t@-@EO-REV: We have not used this-field.
-RAPPER: The initials of the person who mapped this occurrence; the date.
QC: Quality control; Y if the computerized-record has been checked for errors.
UPDATE: The initals of the person who most recen-tly updated the computerized
record; the date.,

Results and Discussion

Special Animals

Of Michigan's 42 endangered or threatened animal species, 12 occur
primarily or exclusively in the state's coastal zone (Table 1), while another
14 such species occur partly in the coastalzone (Table 2). In addition to
these top priority species, 13 rare or peripheral species are confined to the
coastal zone, and 12 more are known partly from this area (Tables 1 and 2).
The results of our,coastal zone surveys 'reflect both.good and bad news
for the animal species concerned. Double-crested cormorants, Forster's terns,
ospreys, and bald eagles continue to. prosper and expand in the state. Species
such as fox snake, king rails, and herons seem to be holding their own for the
present despite continuing loss of habitat in the coastal zone. Their

*
persistence can be attributed largely to a number of large protected fresh-
water coastal marshes such as The Nature Conservancy's Erie Marsh Preserve and
the Erie and'St. Clair Flats State Game Areas.
Other species continue to decline.. No peregrine falcons were found
nesting in Michigan (the lastnaturally nesting peregrines east of the
Mississ ippi River nested along Michigan's Lake Superior shore in the early
1970's). Piping plovers continue to decline dramatically, down in 1982 to
14 pairs nesting at 7 sites, versus 17 pairs. at 12 sites in 1981, and 31-.pairs
at 19 sites in 1979. Common terns, although seemingly holding their own,
show very poor to nonexistent reproductive success at many colonies. No live
specirrens of endangered or threatened bivalves, or of the channel darter
turned up in samples this year. Several species.of mollus,ks and fish may
al ready be extirpated from Michigan, as live specimens have not been recovered
for a numBer of years (Table 2).

Special Plants,
A total of 145 special plant species have recorded occurrences in,Michigan's
coastal zone. Of those, 28 species (Table 5) have not been found since 1940
and likely do not occur at their historically-known localities, though they
may persist elsewhere.in the coastal zone.
Of'those species with recently-documented coastal occurrences, 51 occur
e@clusively or primarily in the coastal zone, with few:o,r no inland localities.
Included in this.group are the Great Lakes. shoreline endemics Iris.lacustris
(dwarf lake iris),' Cirsium pitcheri (Pitcher's thistle), and Solidago houghtonii

TABLE 1: SPECIAL ANIMALS OCCURRING PRIMARILY OR EXCLUSIVELY IN MICHIGAN'S
COASTAL ZONE

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS*** STATUS

MOLLUSKS

**Anodonta subgibbosa T

Dysnomia sulcata, white cat's paw E E
pearly mussel

FISH

Acipenser fulvescens, lakesturgeon T

*Coregonus bartletti, Siskiwit Lake R
Cisco

Hiodon tergisus, mooneye P

Hybopsis storeriana, silver chub P

Ictiobus cyprinellus, bigmouth buffalo P

Noturus stigmosus, northern madtom E

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Elaphe vulpina gloydi, eastern fox R
snake.

*Pseudacris triserrata maculata, P
boreal chorus frog

BIRDS

Charadrius melodus, piping plover E
Falco peregrinus, peregrine falcon E E
Larus minutus, little gull P
Nycticorax nycticorax, black-crowned P
night heron

Phalacrocorax auritus, double- T
crested cormorant

TABLE 19 continued

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS STATUS

BIRDS, continued

Phalaropus tricolor, Wilson's R
phalarope

Rallus eleqans, ki.ng.rail T
-'Sterna caspia, caspian tern T

Sterna forsteri, Forster's tern R

Sterna hirundo, common tern T

Strix nebulosa, great gray owl P

MAMMALS

*jCanis lupus, gray wolf E E

*Felis I.Ynx, lynx T

Pipistrellus, subflavus, eastern P
pipistrelle

Sorex.fumeus, smokey shrew P

Believed to be restricted to Isle Royale in Michigan
No recent records of occurrance in coastal zone
E endangered, T threatened, R rare, P peripheral

TABLE 2 SPECIAL ANIrIALS OCCURRING PARTLY IN MICHIGAN'S COASTAL ZONE

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS*** STATUS

MOLLUSCS

**Cyclonaias tuberculata, purple R
warty back

Pysnomia torulosa, northern E
riffle shell

*@Qysnomia triquertra, snuffbox T

**Lampsicus fasciola R

Obovaria subrotunda T

**Si_mpsoni concha ambiqua, salamander F
mussel

**Stagnicola contracta T
*'*Villosa fabilis E

FISH

Ammocrypta, ellucida, -eastern
sand darter

Coregonus zenithicus., shortjaw E
Cisco

Coregonus artedii, cisco or lake T
herring
Fundulus notti, starhead topminnow P

**Ictiobus niger, black buffalo P

Notropis anogenus, pugnose shiner R

"Notropis emiliae, pugnose minnow P

**Percina copelandi, channel darter T

**Percina shu'mardi, river darter P

UBLE.2, continued

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS STATUS

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Clemmys guttata, spotted turtel R

Clonophis kirtlandi, Kirtland's E
snake

BIRDS

Ardea alba, great egret P

Haliaeetus leuco cephalus, bald T
eagle

Pandion haliaetus, osprey T

Tyto alba, barn owl E

MAMMALS-

Alces alces, moose R

**Microtus ochrogaster, prairie vole P

Microtus pinetorum woodland vole R

Believed to be restricted to Isle Royal.ein Michigan
No recent records of occurrance in coastal zone
E endangered, T threatened, R rare, P peripheral

(Houghton's goldenrod). These species grow nowhere else in the world, and
Michigan's coasts harbor over 95% of their total world populations. With
scattered colonies in Ontario, Indiana, and. Wisconsin, Cirsium pitcheri is
the most widely distributed of this trio. Its Michigan occurrences number
over 100, and it is common. on low dunes along several multi-mile stretches
of undeveloped shoreline. Solidago houghtonii also occupies sandy shoreline
habitats, but is much more limited in its distribution, with ca. 50 occurrences
centering around the Straits of Mackinac. Iris* lacustris' inhabits moist
alkaline sandy or gravelly shores, and is similarly distributed around the
Straits region, with 60-70 occurrences. Iris colonies are sometimes extensive
along the shore and may extend inland, especially along ancient beach ridges
of the postglacial Great Lakes.
Only two plant species listed as state endangered grow in the coastal
zone.- Orchis rotundifolia (small round-leaved Orchis) has been found in recent
years only on Isle Royale and at one Mackinac County locality, where a very.
small and declining colony existed in 1981. Habenaria leucopha ea (prairie.
fringed orchid) was newly discovered in 1982 at several coastal .prairies on
Saginaw Bay. These colonies represent the best Michigan occurrences of this
regionally threatened orchid, and are remnants of once-extensive population's
on the former coastal wet prairies of Saginaw Bay, now largely under cultiva-
tion.
Mimulus.glabratus var. michiganensis (Michigan monkey-flower) occurs at
one coastal locality which is a Michigan Nature Association preserve. This
variety is endemic to the Mackinac Straits region, and though some botanists
have questioned its taxonomic validi ty, this summer's study by a University of
Michigan graduate student suggests that its varietal st atus, is justified.
The most dramatic loss of coastally occurring-special plants has taken
place in the s6u'theastern Lower Peninsula, where land development has been
most intense and relatively little shoreline remain's unaffected by human activ-
it.ies. Elsewhere in the state, habitat loss has been concentrated near coastal
cities and along shorelines with heavy residential/resort development. However,
enough undisturbed or minimally disturbed coastal habitat still remains that,
with careful planning, most special plants occ urring there can'be conserved at
safe population levels,

TABLE 3 SPECIAL PLANTS OCCURRING PRIMARILY OR EXCLUSIVELY IN MICHIGAN'S
COASTAL ZONE

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS** STATUS***

Allium shoenoprasum, chives T

*Antennaria rosea T

Asplenium ruta-muraria, wall-rue T

Aster modestus T

Braya humilis T

Bromus pumpellianus T

Carex atratiformis T

Castilleja septentrionalis T

Cirsium pitcheri, Pitcher's thistle T PT

*Cryptogramma achrostichoies, T
American rock-brake

Danthonia intermedia SC

Draba arabisans T

Draba cana T

*Draba incana T

Eclipta alba, yerba-de-tajo SC

Elymus mollis SC

Empetrum nigrum, black crowberry T
*Euphrasia arctica, eyebright T

*Hibiscus palustris, swamp rose SC
mallow, or marsh mallow

Iris lacustris, dwarf lake iris ST PT

*Lactuca pulchella T

Lonicera involucrata T

TABLE 3, continued

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS STATUS

Luzula parviflora T

Nelumbo lutea, American lotus T

*Nymphaea tetragona T

*Oplopanax horridus, devil's club T

Orobanche fasciculata T

*Parnassia palustris SC

*Phacelia franklinii T

Pinguicula vulqaris, butterwort T

Poa alpina T

*Poa canbyi T

*Polygonum viviparum, alpine bistort T

*Potentilla pensylvanica T

*Ranunculus macounii T

Sagina nodosa, pearlwort T

Sagittaria montevidensis T

*Saxifraga aizoon, yellow mountain T
saxifrage

*Saxifraga tricuspidata T

Senecio indecorus T

Solidago houghtonii, Houghton's T PT
goldenrod

Stellaria longipes SC

Subularia aquatica, awlwort T

Tanacetum huronense, Lake Huron tansy T

*Tofieldia pusilla T
Trichostema brachiatum T

TABLE 3, continued

STATE 'FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS STATUS

.*Vaccinium uliginosum, alpine blueberry T

Verbena simplex SC

*Believed to be restricted to Isle Royale in Michigan
,**E endangered, T = threatened, SC special concern
***PT proposed threatened

TABLE 4: SPECIAL PLANTS OCCURRING PARTIALLY IN MICHIGAN'S COASTAL ZONE

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS" STATUS***.

Adlumia-fungosa, climbing fumitory SC

Arenaria macrophylla T

Armoracia aquatica, lake cress T

Arnica cordifolia, hea,rt-leaved arnica T

Asclepias sullivantii T

Asplenium viride, green spleenwort Sc

Aster nemoralis, bog aster Sc

Berula pusilla T

Boltonia asteroides SC

Cacalia plantaginea, prairie Indian T
plantain

Calamagrostis lacustris T

Calamagrostis stricta T

Callitriche hermaphroditica SC

Callitriche heterophylla Sc

Calypso.bulbosa, fairy-slipper T

'Camptosorus rhizophyllus, walking fern Sc

Carex platyphylla T

Carex rossii T
-Carya laciniosa,,'b'ig shellbark hickory SC

Ceanothus sanguineus T

Chimpaphila maculata, spotted wintergreen SC

*Collinsia parviflora, small blue-eyed Mary T
Cryptogramma steller, slender cliff-brake* _SC

apripedium arietinum, ram's-head SC
lady-slipper

Table 4 (continued)

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS** STATUS***

Drosera anglica SC

Dryopteris assimilis SC

Dryopteris filix-mas, male fern T

Eleocharis compressa T

Elymus glaucus SC

Geum triflorum, prairie smoke T

Gratiola lutea, hedge-hyssop T

Habenaria leucophaea, prairie fringed E PT
orchid

Habenaria unalascensis Alaska orchid T

*Juncus stygius T

Juncus vaseyi T

Justicia americana water-willow T

Listera auriculata auricled twayblade SC PT

Littorella americana SC

Ludwigia sphaerocarpa T

Lycopodium selago fir clubmoss SC

Mimulus glabratus var. michiganensis, T PT
Michigan monkey-flower

*Myriophyllum alterniflorum SC

Myriophyllum farwellii T

*Nuphar microphylla T

Orchis rotundifolia, small round-leaved E
orchis

Panax quinquefolius, ginseng T

Panicum leibergii T

Pellaea atropurpurea purple cliff-brake T

Table 4 (continued)

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS** STATUS***

Phleum alpinum, mountain timothy SC

Potamogeton hillii, Hill's pondweed T

Pterospora andromedea, pinedrops T

*Ranunculus rhomboideus, prairie buttercups T

Ribes oxyacanthoides SC

Rumex maritimus, golden dock SC

Salix pellita SC

Salix pyrifolia, balsam willow SC

Scirpus torreyi SC

Solidago decumbens SC

Solidago houghtonii, Houghton's goldenrod T PT

Sporobolus heterolepis, prairie dropseed T

Strophostyles helvola, wild bean SC

Thalictrum venulosum T

Triplasis purpurea, sand grass T

Trisetum spicatum SC

Viola labradorica SC

Zizania aquatica var. aquatica T

* Michigan coastal occurrences restricted to Isle Royale
** T = threatened, SC = special concern
*** PT = proposed threatened

TABLE 5: SPECIAL PLANTS WITH OLD RECORDS (NONE SINCE 1940) IN MICHIGAN'S
COASTAL ZONE

STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS* STATUS

Aristida longispica T

Asclepias hirtella T

Beckmannia syzigachne T

Camassia scilloides, wild hyacinth T

Carex synchnocephala T

Cuscuta polygonorum SC

Fimbristylis puberula T

Gentiana alba, yellowish gentian T

Gerardia gattengeri T

Gymnocladus dioica, Kentucky coffeetree SC

Habenaria ciliaris, yellow fringed orchid T

Helianthus hirsutus T

Hydrastus canadensis, golden seal T

Juncus brachycarpus T

Ludwigia alternifolia, seedbox T

Mimulus alatus T

Muhlenbergia cuspidata T

Polygala incarnata, pink milkwort T
Polygonum careyi T
Pycnanthemum verticillatum SC

Sabatia angularis, rose-pink T

Scleria pauciflora T

Senecio congestus T

Sisyrinchium hastile T

TABLE 5 (continued)
STATE FEDERAL
SPECIES STATUS STATUS
lepida T
-Vaccinium vitis-idaea,, mountain cranberry T
Woodsia.alpina, northern woodsia T
Woodsia obtusa, blunt-Tobed woodsia T.

T threatened, SC special concern

Natural Communities

Beach. De fined as the low strand adjacent to the water's edge, beach sub-
strate is highly variable (sand, cobble, gravel, bedrock) and the extreme expo-
sure to waves and winter ice keeps diversity (number of species and their abun-
dance) and cover low. Bedrock beaches exhibit greater diversity than the
others because the substrate is more stable. Sand beaches are abundant and
widespread, concentrated to the qreatest extent along Lake Michigan in the,
Lower Peninsula. Other significant concentrations lie alono Lake Huron, east
of the Straits to Rogers'City and between Sand Point and Port Austin in Saginaw
Bay; in the Upper Peninsula along Lake Michigan just west of the Straits; and
scattered on Lake Superior from Grand Sable Dunes to Whitefish Point. Cobble
and gravel beaches are of sporadic occurrence and absent from the lower two-
thirds of the Lower Peninsula. Bedrock lies chiefly along Lake Superior, from
Wisconsin east around the Keweenaw Peninsula. Isolated examples can be seen
in the rest of the western Upper Peninsula, along the Niagara Escarpment where
it meets water (e.g. the Garden Peninsula and Drummond. Island), and -in the
Lower Peninsula most notably at Pointe aux Barques in the Thumb.
Sand, gravel, and cobble beaches are not threatened in the state. They
are dynamic environments, constantly degraded and rejuvenated by natural
forces. Human influence can be devastating at a time, but if localized,
recovery is rapid. Bedrock beaches are moderately threatened and should be
monitored. They are more susceptible.to damage by foot traffic, which removes
the cover of delicate 1-ichen,-@and-moss. The upper beach (which is partially
forested) above the tilted sandstone and shale beaches of Lake Superior' has
been virtually destroyed west of the Porcupines because runoff from the up-
lands was increased when the forest was clear-cut; in such a case the integrity
of the lower beach is damaged.
Long stretches of sand beach are protected in several state parks along
Lake Michigan. Gravel and cobble beach are not well-documented, but certainly
exist within some northern state parks and the two nationa 1 lakeshores. The
best examples of bedrock beaches, high in biological diversity, are on Copper
Harbor Conglomerate along the north shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula. A short
stretch of Freda Sandstone in the west portion of the Porcupines Wilderness
State Park may be significant because the wooded uplands above it.have not been
cut., and the beach is probably in a natural state.

Ppen Dune. Comprising this community are essentially any non-forested
coastal areas of potentially blowing sand, which includes foreduries, parabolic
dunes (chiefly blowouts in high wooded dunes), complex dune field's (generally
low), and dune features perched on moraines., Most of the cover is provided by
grass and woody species, and this is typically sparse. Beach grass (Annophila
breviligul.ata) predominates 'in places where sand is being deposited (e.g. fore-
dunes) while sand reed grass (Calamovilfa longifolia) is most important where
dunes have stabilized. Other significant and locally dominant species include
sand cherry (Prunus pumila), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), creeping
juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), arid dune willow (Salix cordata).
The greatest number of open dune communities lie along Lake Michigan in
the Lower Peninsula, including those of greatest extent (up to 2500 acres) and
height (windblown up to 200 feet above the lake; perched up to 460 feet above
the lake). Low dunes are scattered along the Lake Huron shore, most being
north of Alpena or between Sand Point and Port Austin on Saginaw Bay. Low
Ip
dunes also occur in the Upper Peninsula on both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior,
but they are not well developed on the latter. The westernmost example is at
Great Sand Bay in the Keweenaw. The best developed windblown dunes are in
southwest Lower Michigan as far north as Point Betsie, but for biological diver-
sity the dunes nearest the Straits excel. At the far edge of distribution
(Port Cresent, Great Sand Bay, etc.) number of species falls off greatly.
Open dunes'are not threatened in the state, but they 'should be closely
monitored. Sand-mining'and off-road vehicle traffic constitute the gr6atest
threats to'them, but foot-traffic has a tremendous impact as well by initiating
breaks in foredunes. Probably every dune region in the state has been traversed
by a vehicle, and in a few cases the community has been nearly destroyed (e.g.
Silver Lake, Point Betsie). Although some movement of sand takes place natu-
rally, humans can accelerate the process, which replaces one set of dominants
with another, changes the typical contours of the surface, and enables exotic
species to colonize on.a. large scale. Recovery may be fairly rapid, but changes
in sUrface topography and introduced species remain. Several good examples of
dunes, both windblown and perched, @re in the hands.of state and federal govern-
ment and private conservation organizations.. The problem is not land acquisi.-
tion; the problem is preventing disruption of'the community by humans.
The best windblown duneland in th e state is at Big Sable Point near Lud-
ington, encompassing state-park and national forest land, thouqhthe latter is

disturbed. Some of the best windblown.high dunes (up to 200 feet -above lake-
level) are included at Hoffmaster State Park, with other. One, but small.,
examples at The Nature Conservancy's Tower Pre.serve near Onekama,, Lake Michi-
gan Methodist Church Camp near Pentwater, and Thunder Mountain Blowout south
of Van Buren State Park. , The best perched dune is not on Lake Michigan, but
rather along Lake Superior--Grand Sable Dunes in Pictured Rocks National Lake-
shore, an expanse of open duneland second only to Big Sable Point in size and
pristine nature. Other very good perched dunes occur on the west shore of
South Manitou Island and at Pyramid Point in Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.

Interdunal Wetland. This natural community occupies low areas within open
dunes which periodically' contain 'water and are strongly -influenced by the lake.
These influences are principally exposure to drifting sand,. the excavating ef-
fects of wind, and a fluctuating water level in synchrony with changes in lake
level. The sand and water is alkaline (pH 7.2-8.0).. Generally a communifty
dominated by herbs develops, with twig rush (Cladium mariscoides) dominant or
very important at sites with high water table, and lake shore rush (Juncus bal--.
ticus) more important on drier sites. Jack pines (Pinus banksiana) often sur-
round the open areas, or have overgrown the most mature swales. Characteristic
species include Panicum lindheimeri, Lobelia kalmii, Carex flava, Eleocharis
elliptica, and *Utricularia cornuta.' Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
afid Kalms's St. John's wort (Hypericum kalmianum) sometimes can be very impor-
tant.
Typically interdunal wetland develops in the trough between the.outermost
foredune of a parallel series of arcuate dune ridges within a former embayment
of.a great lake. This settingis found on Lake Michigan in the eastern Upper
Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula (e.g. west of Platte River Point, Stur-
geon Bay, Pointe aux Chenes Bay). In the southern Lower Peninsula it occurs
within chaotic low dune compl.exes between Lake Michigan and an inland lake (e.g.
Hamlin Lake at Big Sable Point, Crystal Lake) and also at. river mouths (e.g.
Muskegon River, Grand River-at Grand Haven, Kalamazoo River at Saugatuck).
Swales occur sporadically from Tawas Point on* Lake Huron to the Straits; on
Bois Blanc Island and'on the Upper Peninsula side of Lake Huron;.on Beaver Is-
land and west on the Lake Michigan side of the Upper Peninsula perhaps almost
to the Garden Peninsula. Only one swale.is known to exist on Lake Superior--

at Deer Park. The diversity of interdunal wetlands is greatest near the
Straits, the number of species decreasing in any direction away from that gene-
ral area.
Interdunal wetlands are not threatened i*n the state, but th'ey should be
closely monitored. As with the open dune community, interdunal wetlands can
probably recover fairly quic kly from degradation, but changes in land.contours
and the introduction (or loss) of species may result. Because they are low
and wet, only occasionally do vehicles or pedestrians traverse them. Their
persistence, however, certainly is tied to that of the surrounding open dunes.
Major forces of destructi.on do exist. Highway Two in the Upper Peninsula has
disrupted areas of interdunal wetland, and sand-mining and home construction
have encroached on several sites in the Lower Peninsula. It may be that the
migration of a river back and forth across a' dunefield at its mouth is impor-
tant in creating new topography for dune pools in southwest Michigan, in which
case construction of a fixed channel eventually may bring about the. loss. of
interdunal wetland at that spot. IDespite these threats, several good example's
are preserved, but, as with open dunes, watchfulness is required to insure
their survival.

Prairie. The prairies of the coastal zone are of a type distinct from
those in the great prairie region west of Indiana. Having developed under con-
ditions associated with the coast, they are. generally on alluvial fine sandy
loam that typically is alkaline (pH 7.4-8.2) but can be acidic in dry situations....
A deep dark A horizon is present. The moistness of the prairies depends on
their position relative to the shore. While the wettest prairies are nearly
treeless, the drier prairies may support scattered trees (oaks chiefly),
meriting@ the name "savanna." The wettest prairies are dominated by sedges
(principally Carex' aquatilis) and blue-joint (Calamagrostis canadensis-); but
blue-joint is replaced by little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) and Indian
gras-s (Sorghastrum nutans) where conditions are drier. A characteristic set
of species makes up the rest of the community. In species composition,- set-
ting, and soil characteristics, the coastal prairies suggest relationships to
interdunal wetland and fen.
Coastal prairies exhibited two centers of distribution in southeast.Michi-
gan: along and behind the Saginaw Bay shore between Tobico Marsh (Bay County)
and Bay Port (Huron County') as well as up local major rivers (e.g. Saginaw,

Quanicassee); and in the lakebed of glacial Lake'Whittlesey, primarily in the
St. Clair River Delta, along the Detroit River, and at isolated spots on the
shores of Lake Erie (e.g. mouth of the Huron River). Such prair.ies* certainly
also existed as far inland as the bounds of the ancient lakebed.
The coastal prairies of Michigan are highly threatened and efforts should
be continued to discover and'preserve examples of them. ' The suitability of the
prairie soil for agriculture, *and historic. events which placed two large metro-
politan areas at the center of each prairie region brought 'about the destruction
of over 99 percent of this community. Loss of even the few tracts that Sur-
vived continues today. Diking and draining can convert even the wettest sites
to cropland, and industrial and*urban expansion along rivers is an ever-present
threat. Any parcel of this prairie type which is reasonably undisturbed would
qualify for preservation. Unfortunately many prairies which occurred on state
land in the Saginaw Bay region were plowed and planted to 'corn, and vehicular
traffic and road construction in Algonac State Park disturbed the small tracts
of mesic prairie there.
MNFI fieldwork resulted in the discovery of nearly all the good quality
prairie of this type known in the state. Aerial photo surveys gave the best
results. In the Fish Point Wildlife Area a high quality prairie was found at
Sebewaing Bay. Another one, though small9 can be found in the fairways of the
Middle Channel Golf and Country Club on Hars en's Island. known for many years
and formerly sixteen acres in size, it was reduced to less than three acres
when more.fairways were establish ed. A degraded (but significant because it is
the,most northwesterly example of the type) persists on the east shore of the
Tobico Marsh Flooding at Tobico Marsh State Game Area.

Coastal Wetlands.. Wetlands along the coast exhibit a wide range of varia-
tion in vegetation'and setting. Some repeating assemblages of plants can be
detected, and these fall for the most part within. the following natural commu-
nity types: Peripheral Lacustrine Marsh Wetland; Peripheral Riverine Marsh Wet-
land; Delta Wetland; and Peripheral Lacustrine, Riverine, or Insular Swamp Wet-
land. The first three are herbaceous communities while the last three are
wooded. All are wet to varying degrees, al.t.hough the herbaceous communities
may extend into open water where the vegetation is chiefly emergent and some-
times submerged. Wetlands have traditionally been ignored by most"*ecologists,
so much less is known about them than about upland communities. Part of this

neglect is due to the difficult terrain and often dense and tangled growth
which impede movement in them. Except for catas'trophic dis'turbance associated
with large-scale human endeavors (e.g. lumbering, dredging, filling) the same
factors making wetlands difficult to study also tend to protect them. They
are probably not thre atened in the state except on a local level, especially
near large population centers (southeast Michigan, Saginaw Bay*), but further
investigation may reveal that some sub-types of natural communities are
threatened. However, no study is needed to show that Delta Wetland is
threatened in the state.
Peripheral Lacustrine Marsh Wetland describes most appropriately large
expanses of vegetation that develOD on lee shores of the Great Lakes. In this
instance they can be called Great Lakes marshes. They are typically mono- or
duocultures of cattail (Typha and bulrush (Scirpus spp., mainly @. americanus
and S.-acutus) which often extend far into the lake. The community is not very
diverse but, as with other herbaceous wetlands, contributes to the sustenance
of waterfowl and other animals and may be significant in nutrient cycling and
other functions of ecosystem maintenance. Good examples of coastal marsh occur
in Green Bay, Waterfowl Bay, off the lee side of the Thumb's tip and the Garden
Peninsula, off Point-au Gres (Arenac County), and in the Erie State Game Area
south of Luna Pier. Also in the coastal zone are communities within this cate-
gory that occur principally in low areas of arcuate recessive dune ridges that
develop within a lake embayment (e.g. Vermillion), or simply in shallow embay-
ments that were cut off by a bar at the lake. In this respect they are later
stages of interdunal swale development as long as they remain open, or along
Lake Superior where such earlier stages are not possible they become boglike
(e.g. Pequaming, Middle Bay west of Marque-tte, Shot Point east of Marquette).
The examples given have all resulted from single bar. formation across an embay-
ment.
Peripheral Riverine Marsh Wetland develops along the margins of larger
streams that empty into great lakes. A particularly distinct type of this wet-
land has arisen along the dune-covered coast of the Lower Peninsula, south of
Point Betsie and generally south of the Algonquin Hinge Line. During a low
water stage, rivers flowing into Lake Michigan downcut their beds. When water
levels rose, the mouths.of the rivers were "drowned" and became larae estu-
aries which may be slightly influenced by the lake. The vegetation exhibits
patchy monodominance of several species, including cattail, bulrush, bur-reed

(chiefl.y Sparganium.eurycarpum), sedges, and blue-joint (Calamagros tis canaden.-
sis). Despite dredging of channels and construction of breakwaters at river
mouths, the estuaries persist, seemingly undamaged. The greatest threat to
them could be diking and draining for cultivation of truck vegetables. For
extent and lack of disturbance some of the best examples are on the Pentwater
River, Flower Creek (Muskegon County), and the Betsie River (Benzie. County).
Delta Wetland is very rare in Michigan due to the scarcity of conditions
permitting its development. Required seems to be a large stream, unhindered
by bedrock, which flows Into perhaps a shallow portion of a great lake at a
protected spot so that dunes cannot form. Only the St. Clair River Delta and
deltas of certain rivers that flow into Lakes St. Clair and Erie possess the
right conditions. The Rapid River in Delta County may also qualify. The vege-
tation is chiefly a zonation monoculture COM'Dosed of -bulrush, cattail, and sedge.
Delta wetland -is severely threatened, for all have been extremely disturbed by
alteration of channels and manipulation for wildlife producti.on, and because
they are located, unfortunately, within Michigan's industrial heartland.
The wooded communities traditionally have been given such name� as cedar
swamp, tamarack swamp, bog forest (black spruce, Picea mariana, is most charac-
teristic of this), and southern swamp forest. Many of these-are second growth,
especially if the dominant trees grew to a girth and height (as in southern
swamp forest and cedar swamp) that made cutting worthwhile. However, a ragged,
stunted appearance may be quite natural for certain types (e.g. black spruce
swamp),- particularly in the northern portion of the state. All are widespread
and, though restricted to certain topographic features, fairly commonly encoun-
tered. But the tension zone seems to represent a division in the state, some
types being mostly above and some below it. Generally they are not threatened,
though some sites should receive high.priority. For example, uncut.swamp
forest south of' the tens*io n zone may be quite rare. The largest tracts of
coastal wetland are possible in low areas between successive dune ridges that
have developed in lake embayments. This setting parallels that of certain
herbaceous communities, and indeed the wooded communities- eventually do succeed
the open ones. Examples of this situation exist behind Sand Point in Pictured
Rocks National Lakeshore and at Sturgeon Bay in Wilderness.State Park. Bars
can be.deposited to leeward, into a lake, with the same ridge and trough topo-
graphy resulting, as at Point Lookout in Arenac-County, or behind a single bar,
as at Point Isabelle in the Keweenaw Peninsula. At mor'e exposed sites, single

bar embayments can become wooded wetlands, evident at Eagle Harbor in the
Keweenaw Peninsula or Grand Mere in Berrien County.

Wooded Uplands.. Dry, forested land is the commonest feature along Michi
gan's coast, covering more area than all the other communities combined. As
with the wetland communities, much variation is seen. Generally, all the types
that exist inland in Michigan can be found along the coast, with few exceptions.
The following natural communities cover most of the wooded tracts encountered:
Dry, Dry-Mesic, and Mesic Northern Forest; Dry, Dry-Mesic, and Mesic Southern
Forest; Pine Savanna; and Boreal Forest. The most frequently encountered types
are Mesic Northern Forest and Boreal Forest, though Dry Northern Forest is fair-
ly common. Virtually all of the forests along the coast have been cut in some
way, and clear-cutting of large virgin tracts was practiced into the 1950's.
Occurrences include mature second-growth stands or those which were selectively
cut, although virgin timber receives first priority.
Mesic Northern Forestalong the coast grows on moderately'drained soils
which are often poorly suited for agriculture. Its defining trai.t*s are in the
dominance of the canopy by combinations of certain trees--sugar maple (Acer sac-
charum), hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), yellow birch (Betula lutea), American beech
(Fagus grandifolia), and to a lesser degree basswood (Tilia americana)--the
presence of species with a generally northern distribution (Dryopteris inter-
media, Vibernum acerifolium, Galium triflorum, Aralia nudicaulis, Aster macro-
phyllus, Maianthemum @anadense, etc.), and the absence of others of principally
southern distribution (e.g.. Carya spp., Juglans spp.). South of the tension
zone the forest occupies dunes and ravines along Lake Michigan, especially the
north slopes of dunes and in pockets between them. In the south tulip tree
(Liriodendron tulipifera) and a number of other southern species can be very
important, which makes the woods appear intermediate between Mesic Northern and
Southern Forest.. Virgin.stands of this southern sub-type may exist in difficult
to enter dune pockets, such as on the Martin-Marietta Mt. Edward Tract near
Bridgman. In the north, where the forest was originally abundant, scraps of
virgin woods are frequently encountered, and a few large uncut tracts have also
been preserved. The best of these adjacent to the coast is in the west portion
of Porcupines Wilderness State Park. Much virgin timber remained west of the
Porcupines well into this century, but is now gone. An aberrant but significant
tract is located in the Valley,of th e Giants on South'Manitou Isla nd. Here a

forest of extremely large white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) has developed in a
protected dune ravine.
Since some.of the largest tracts of virgin Mesic Northern Forest in the
United States are found in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this type' is not threat-
ened. Several small stands scattered in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower
Peninsula are preserved witOn state or federal parks, which further secures
this type. The forests of southwest Michigan, as a slightly different version
of this forest and because they nearly all were at least selectively lumbered,
should receive more attention, especially virgin stands, if they exist, But
large tracts of nearly mature second-growth forest are protected within certain
state and federal' parks (e.g. Hoffmaster State Park) to offset concern.
Boreal Forest should not exist in Michigan, the bulk of its range being
much farther north. Nevertheless, it is present along exposed shores just be-
hind open beach or dune where exposure to the harsh lake conditions is greatest.
Proximity to the lake is also necessary to generate cool temperatures and high
humidity during the summer, which enables the northern species of Boreal Forest
to maintain themselves. Most diagnostic of this community is the presence, in
good numbers, of balsam fir (Abies balsamea), paper birch (Betula papyrifera)-'-
which are more frequent on the whole than any other canOD -and sonie-
y species-
times'white spruce (Picea glauca). White cedar is a fairly regular member of
this community and is sometimes quite important. Other species often found in
the Boreal Forest are white pine. (Pinus strobus), mountain ash (Sorbus ameri--
cana, S. decora), mountain (Acer spicatum) and red maple (Acer rubrum). Because
of c-on-ditions po.orl.y suited to tree development, stands may be virgin despite a
ragged, tangled appearance and the presence of trees which are relatively small.
Isolated large individuals of white spruce, wh ite pine, and white cedar within
such a tract may indicate that it is virgin..
This community thrives on moist to mesic sites along the shore of Lake.
Superior at numerous locations, but never where red pine ("Pinus resinosa) forest
cove rs the low dune and trough topography of a form er lake emb.ayment. It is
present to a lesser degree on the Lake Michigan side of the Upper Peninsula, and
extends increasingly sporadically southward along Lake Michigan to Point Betsie
and along Lake Huron to Alpena. Boreal forest is not threatened in Michigan,
but stands of high diversity which contain large trees should be sought out and
protected. Stands in situations favorable to the production of large trees are
apparently rare., probably because such conditions are rare and, where they exis-

ted, they attracted loggers. Even if the large trees in a stand have been re-
moved, the community is still intact and virtually indistinguishable from uncut,
ragged-looking forest. Many of these are protected at state and federal parks
(e.g. Wilderness State Park, Beaver Island) and by private conservation organi-
zations (e.g. Michigan Nature Association's Keweenaw Preserves). Virgin stands
also exist as islands within large expanses of open dune, as at Point Betsie
and on Grand Sable Dunes in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Of the dry upland forests, Dry Northern Forest, dominated by red pine and
lesser amounts of jack pine (Pinus banksiana); is the commonest. On the coast
this type grows primarily on the dune and trough topography of recessive dunes
in old lake embayments. The dunes are high enough so that even the swales stay
dry. Ericaceous species (chiefly Vaccinium angustifolium) occupy an important
position in the structure of the groundlayer.' Not surprisingly, the poor soil
(mostly sand) and dry situation result in low diversity for this community. But
the pines were very attractive to lumbermen,,and a coastal stand of uncut Dry.
Northern Forest may not exist today. Moreover, many of these experienced fires
which may have rendered the soil even less fertile. Second growth Stands are
c
ommonest, but not plentiful, along Lake Superior (e.g. Lake. Superior State
orest, Marquette Bay), becoming less common in the upper third of the Lower.
Peninsula. Overall the community is moderately.threatened, for harvesting of
second-growth.stands is proceding today. More study i.s needed to firmly esta b-
lish the. status of this community. and to confirm the complete loss of virgin
stands.
Acommunity seemingly intermediate between pine forest and open dune can
be found on the same dune and trough topography of old lake embayments. - It is
dominated by low woody species like bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), common
(Juniperus communis), and creeping juniper (J. horizontalis). Taking up the
spaces. between the masses of these species are bare sand and clumps, Dr indivi-
duals, of pines (mostly white and jack) under which 'species of pine woods grow.
Open dunes lie toward the water, and it is uncertain whether this community
represents a stage of succession following cutting and burning of Dry and Dry-
Mesic Northern Forest, the dune species having colonized the damaged soil be-
neath surviving pines. However, at one site (Betsie River State Forest in Good
Harbor Bay) the white p.ines are quite large and apnarently unburned. Not enough
is known about this type of Pine Savanna to judge its. status and extent, nor. to
determine whether it is actually natural. All known examples are found-in

Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore (South Manitou Island, Platte Bay, Sleeping
Bear Bay, Good Harbor Bay).
In the south the dry forests on dunes probably have al 1 experienced the
loss of their pine component (red and white). In some spots, where conditions
are hot and dry (such as on southerly slopes at the la-ndward edge of the bar-
rier dune in Berrien County), black oak (Quercus ve-lu-tina) may be the natural
dominant., In the Bridgman Dunes such forests exist in which.the dominant oaks
are large. But in the Muskegon area, where the black oaks are of small to mode-
rate size, considerable tracts of forest certainly suffered the removal of
pines at the-end of the last century. Closely related to southern,oak forest
is a type of community which may have its origin in fire but which persists
despite its absence. Best described as a heath bald, this community occupies
the tops of high dunes typically 'located at the landward edge of the barrier
dune complex. It may also be found on low dune ridges away from the lake's
influence (i.e. windward of it). Stunted oaks and occasionally pines form a
broken canopy, and the ground is dominated by low blueberry (Vaccinium angusti
On
folium) and huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata). ly a few exampl-es are known
(Muskegon State Park, Tobico Marsh State .Game Area, Thunder Mountain) and these
are disturbed because a bald dune top attracts sight-seers. The ecological
significance of this community may be only slight.
None of the types described (except oak-dominated woods) grow along the
coast of southeast Michigan. In fact, upland forest cover from Bay City to
Ohio is either cut or,completely absent. Particularly between the Thumb and
Port Huron the coast is free of woods to a remarkable extent, certainly attri-
butable to the suitability of the region for agriculture. Any tract of mature
woods here, however, would not be different from stands of the same type located
farther inland, for the lake effect on the upland communities is not as great
as it is along Lakes Michigan, Superior, and upper Lake Huron.

Cliffs'. Less is known about assemblages of species which occur on cliffs
in the coastal zone than about other communities there. Few occurrences for the
state have been documented, and much fewer for the coast despite the many obvious
cliffs that are visible along it. Part of this is the difficulty posed by-sheer
cliffs which rise from water, and by cliffs,generally--it is har.d to get around
on them. Classification of cliffs is the second difficulty: many of the
sped es present are those of the surrounding uplands which blurs disti nction s

between types. Often the vascular vegetation i's sparse and lichens or mosses
very important, in which case a bryologist rather than a terrestrial ecologist
would be best equipped to study them. It is evident that cliff must be defined
broadly to include any natural outcrop of bedrock (not moraine) that is fairly
sheer and high. Some bedrock beaches in th6i.r upper levels may actually be
called cliff, but if vegetation of the two communities does not differ signi-
ficantly the separation would.be pointless. One important distinction may be
whether a cliff is wooded or not, and if not, whether it i.s severely exposed
to the sun. Another distinction may depend on the substrate. Calcareous and
non-calcareous cliffs each support at least a number of ferns not found on the
other, and mosses, lichens, and some vascular plants may exhibit the same
habitat dichotomy.
@Cliffs in the coastal zone show the same pattern as cliffs all over Michi-
gan: they are much more plentiful in the Upper Peninsula than in the Lower.
The following is a brief account of the distribution and comp'osition of cliffs
along the.coast. The few cliffs of the Lower Peninsula are limestone, except
at Pointe aux Barques (sandstone), although these at the tip of the Thumb are
mostly so low they are not distinct from the bedrock beach. El Cajon Bay north
of Alpena is ringed by cliffs composed of limestone in the Traverse Group. In
the lower Upper Peninsula the Niagara Escarpment, composed of Engadine Dolomite,
forms steep, high cliffs on the north shore of the Garden Peninsula. The
cliffs of Mackinaw Island are in the same formation. Exposed shale of Ordovi-
cian age can be seen in the valley of the Escanaba River. The most renowned
cliffs in'the state are the Pictured Rocks, Munising Formation sandstone cliffs
that rise straight out of the water sometimes to a height of two hundred feet.
Other sandstone cliffs, chiefly of Jacobsville sandstone, are exposed elsewhere
along Lake Superior, two of these areas being north.of Marquette and Baraga. A
long escarpment of. shale which enters the coastal zone in a couple places winds
from Flarquette to south of the mouth of the Tahquamenon. River.. A Cambrian age
rock called the Cambro-Ordovician Cuesta, this escarpment is responsible for
some of the falls and adjacent cliffs (e.g. Miner's Falls) in Pictured Rocks
National Lakeshore. Cliffs of Freda Sandstone and Nonesuch Shale lie just up-
stream from Lake Superior in and near the Porcupines, producing beautiful water-
falls.
Cliffs my be moderately threatened in Michigan,.but more study is neces-
Wy to determine their actual status. Although true that cliffs along the

coast, particularly sandstone cliffs, are exceedingly poor in vascular species
and possess low cover, it is obvious that heavy human visitation in recent
years has accelerated eros-i-on of the uplands.(and hence of the cliff face) by
completely removing the ground vegetation bac'k froin the cliff. This was evi-
dent at popular spots, such.as the Porcupines and Pictured Rocks, but probably
holds true elsewhere. Higher and steeper cliffs would be less affected than
lower ones. Recovery may be possible since the habitat is a primary succes-
sional one, but if species are lost from a site,.especially an isolated one,
chances are that no recolonization will take place.

Others

The Natural Features Inventory Program has collected and will continue
to refine information on five distinct types of natural phenomena which, be-
cause they do not fit within the major classifications, are inventoried under
the inclusive term "others". So far as we have been able to determine there
are no occurrences of bat caves within Michigan's coastal zone. While a num-
ber of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) groves flourish near Lake Michigan
in the Lower Peninsula (at some distance from the original, natural distribu-
tion of the species), none of these is close enough to the shore to qualify as
a strictly coastal occurrence.
The inventory has identified 37 coastal sites which have become tradi-'
tional.co9centration points for birds in their spring and/or fall migrations.
These area s are further distinguished in their usage by waterfowl, shorebirds,
raptors, and passerines. The MNFI's heron rookery survey, a COOD.erative effort
with the Living Resources Program, has documented 184 rookeries-in the state.
Thirty of these lie within the coastal zone.
Due to the often indefinite locations given by those who report state
record-size trees.a'nd shrubs, it is not possible to determine th e exact number
of these that are found strictly within thecoastal zone. Although there are
six.definite occurrences there, as many as twenty may exist.

Recommendations

Special Animals

Through the use of artificial nesting platforms and boxes eagles, ospreys,
and barn owls should be encouraged to occupy their fo*nner nesting sites along
the coasts of Michigan. Hacking of artificially bred peregrines will probably
be required to bring this species back to the state. The protection of
Michigan's remaining large tracts of coastal fresh-water marshes will ensure
the continuance in Michigan of species such as king rail, fox snake, Forster's
tern, and numerous other less rare species which depend upon these communities
for their existence. Active management such as fencing, selective predator
removal, erosion control, as well' as habitat protection may be required to
ensure the continued survival of colonially-nesting terns in the state.
Continued improvement in water quality, especially in southeastern Michigan,
is urgently needed to save several very rare fish and mollusk species, some
of,which may already be extirpated from the state, such as the federally listed
endangered Dysnomia sulcata. Also urgently required are measures to protect
the Great Lake's last remaining piping plovers.. Such measures. might include
banning off-road vehicles and dogs, and restriction of human access to the
nesting beaches during the brief cr'itical nesting season (late May to early
July).
The dramatic decline in the piping plover population and the changes in
locations, sizes and success of nesting tern, heron'and eagle populations, and
other species indicate the need for close,'continued monitoring of their popu-
lations. For many species,.*our knowledge of their current distribution in the
coastal zone is still very incomplete. This is especially true as re.ga rds
mollusks, several of which are in danger of extinction on a world-wide basis.
Many other rare species such as king and yellow rails, short-eared owl, fox
snake, channel darter, and eastern sand darter are.in need of much additional
survey work in Michigan's coastal zone.

Special Plants
Although no large contiguous stretches of shoreline went unsurveyed in this
inventory, some areas were not con ipletely pvered, due mostly to inaccessibility.
This is true of the Keweenaw Peninsula's outermost tip (where only select portions.
were surveyed) and certain islands not included in the BLM study (e.g., Whitefish
-Bay islands, and Sugar Island, in part). These areas should eventually be.

thoroughly inventoried.
Because of time and resource limitations, fieldwork for this inventory
focused on endangered and threatened species, and in most cases, only incidental
field data were collected on the lower-priority "special concern" plants (which
are not legally designated or protected). Comprehensive field surveys should
eventually be extended to included these species.
Populations of the two endangered coastal plants Orchis rotundifolia (small
round-leaved orchis) and Habenaria leucophaea (prairie fringed orchid) should
be monitored annually, so that serious declines can be noted and reversed, if
possible. Intensive studies of these species' life'histories and specific
habitat requirements will be necessary to develop successful management strate-
gies. At present, we know very little about what -these plants require to thrive
and reproduce. In the meantime, our best conservation strategy must be to pre-
vent human disturbance to their habitats.
As noted in the Results section, Michigan's three plant species endemic to
the Great Lakes shoreline have not declined in the state to perilous levels.
Large, healthy colonies of each species still exist, although some 'have been
damaged or destroyed by concentrated shoreline development (especially urban
and residential). Off-road vehicle traffic and heavy pedestrian traffic have also
contributed to habitat degradation for these (and other) coastal species.
The protection of several large, undisturbed colonies of each of these endemic
species will ensure their conservation in the state. Many ideal sites already
lie on publicly-owned land--for instance, the dunes at Ludington (State Park
and National Forest) and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore support excellent
populations of Pitcher's thistle, and can function as preserves. for this
species. However, to prevent these plants from becoming "museum pieces"--
i.e., restricted to only two or three sites where they have been preserved--
other occurrences, large.and small, should be conserved whenever possible.
This will ensure maintenance of a diverse gene pool', which is critical for the
long -term.survival of a.ny species.

Natural Communities

Clearly the most threatened natural community'in the coastal zone is
prairie. Little work remains to be done in the Saginaw Bay Region before the
possibilities are exhausted, and the St. Clair.River belta is less promising.

fhe lower Detroit River and the mouth of the Huron River may still harbor coas-
tal prairie: a tract of t his type supporting hundreds of plants of the prairie
white fringed orchid (H6enaria leucophaea_). was found just last 'year on Lake
Erie in Ohio. All stands of wet prairie should be given immediate protection.
Delta Wetland is severely threatened, though much more of it exists than
prairie because it can cover so much area. As little more of 'this community
will likely be found, known sites should receive all possible protection to
prevent further degradation and reduct.ion in si-ze.
Natural communities requiring further study and which may be moderately
threatened are bedrock beaches, cliffs, and red pine forest (Dry Northern
Forest). The first two are damaged by foot-traffic and the latter may not be
found in a virgin state. None of the other communities are as threatened as
these, although overuse could easily damage, coranunities which seem particularly-
attractive to humans, such as open dune and included interdunal wetland. Moni-
toring of the most vulnerable and heavily used communities should be initiated
to prevent a change in their status as a consequence of degradation. As indi-
cated in the Results secti on, however, some sub-types may already be in 'danger.
The Erie marshes, though partially protected, have been changed tremendously to
accommodate human endeavor along the coast. The aspect and composition of
remaining tracts may even have changed from that of presettlement times.
The survey for communities was nearly exhaustive along two-fifths of the
coast: Jake Michigan from Indiana to the Leelanau Peninsula and Lake Superior
from Wisconsin nearly to Whitefish Point. Much information existed for the
rest of the coast but certain gaps remain. Because roads were unsuitable or
absent, portions of the Porcupines and Pictured Rocks as well as the' tip of the
Keweenaw Peninsula were inadequately-surveyed. Whitefish Bay, the western por-
tion of the Upper Peninsula along Lake Michigan, a stretch of Lake Huron north
of Alpena, and the islands off the tip of the Upper Peninsula need more work.
A distinct phenomenon, which should mandate careful. planning for natural commu-
nity preservation, is the long strings of homes that have disturbed the integri-
ty.of communities along the coast without destroying them. These are particu-'
larly evident along Lake Michigan, near the Straits, near Alpena, as a con-
tinuum from the Thumb south to Detroit, between Menominee and Escanaba, along
the nor.th shore of the Keweenaw, and in sandy bays and near towns all along the
rest of the coast.

US Deparhnent of Commerce
NOAA Coastal Services Conter L-lbrary
2234 South Hobson Aven-no
L, Charleator4 SC 29/k,05-2413 I
A

NO" COASTAL SERVICES CM LIBRARY I
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