Nature preserve management plan -- Bessey Creek Preserve, Little Traverse Conservancy.

Abstract

Bessey Creek Nature Preserve (BCNP) is a nature preserve in Cheboygan County, Michigan, owned by the Little Traverse Conservancy, Harbor Springs, Michigan. Limited information has been available pertaining to the natural environment and management concerns of the Preserve. To better understand the plant diversity, ecological significance, and management requirements for BCNP, the Field Botany Class at University of Michigan Biological Station conducted a comprehensive investigation of the flora of BCNP in the summer of 2011. BCNP is a relatively small preserve (0.2 ha), with 109.8 m of water frontage on northwest Douglas Lake and 46.1 m of road frontage. Four general habitats were found within the preserve. These habitats include the relatively dry roadside with many weedy or invasive species, the Fraxinus nigra (black ash) swamp consisting mainly of wetland species, the littoral zone along Douglas Lake dominated by grasses and sedges, and the open water of Douglas Lake and Bessey Creek. Despite of its small size, BCNP has relatively high preservation value. The diversified covertypes in the preserve ensure high plant diversity and provide various wildlife habitats. We collected 116 plant specimens in total within BCNP. Among these species, seven invasive or weedy species (Phalaris arundinacea, Myosotis scorpioides, Lonicera morrowii, Cirsium arvense, Aegopodium podagraria, Celastrus orbiculatus,and Lythrum salicaria) were identified. Fourteen species of conservation concern (Myriophyllum sibiricum, Campanula aparinoides, Carex lasiocarpa, Comarum palustre, Dulichium arundinaceum, Equisetum fluviatile, Lathyrus palustris, Lobelia cardinalis, Platanthera psycodes, Nuphar variegata, Cladium mariscoides, Carex aquatilis, Carex rostrata, and Chelone glabra ) were also identified within BCNP, and may need protective management. In addition, Bessey Creek has aesthetic value with its beautiful views of Douglas Lake and the creek area that is not blocked by any structures. Accordingly, we recommend the following points for future management: 1) The invasive species such as Lythrum salicaria, Aegopodium podagraria, and Celastrus orbiculatus should be controlled as they are in the early stages of colonization but could severely impact plant communities. 2) We recommend minimum disturbance of human activities in BCNP, because of the small size of the preserve and the high biodiversity, as well as diversified habitats there. 3) Several signs of unnatural disturbances (dumping of lawn waste, litter, a dragging trail, etc.) have been found within BCNP. These conditions should be monitored. 4) We noticed relatively high wildlife diversity in BCNP. Many different species of birds, fish (young pike, swarms of baby bullheads), and aquatic mammals, as well as a turtle hatching area have been observed in BCNP. A study of animal use of the preserve would be a useful addition to the ecological knowledge of BCNP.