Impact of Fragmentation and Roads on Albany Pine Bush

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_at_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