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A large population of the Knieskern's beaked-rush (Rhynchospora knieskernii), a threatened plant, was discovered recently at the Air National Guard's Warren Grove Gunnery Range in New Jersey. Until the discovery, [...]

Because Sphagnum growth is dependent on the availability of water, different species are spatially partitioned along the hummock-hollow gradient influenced by the ability to supply enough water for survival. A previous study demonstrated that Sphagnum flavicomans (Card.) Warnst., more desiccation resistant than S. pulchrum (Briathw.) Warnst., survives in an upper hummock position. Conversely, S. pulchrum is more water limited and restricted to a lower hummock position. The present research compares the rate of photosynthesis between Sphagnum congeners related to distance above the water table and associated water content. Sphagnum cores (ca. 25 plants; 8 cm length) grown in the laboratory at different water contents (% of dry mass) were analyzed for photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, incremental growth, and biomass. Sphagnum cores sampled at varying distances above the water table approximated results of laboratory data. Field and laboratory cores for each Sphagnum species have comparable photosynthetic response curves at optimal water contents. Both species show decreased net photosynthesis with increased moisture sensitivity, which correlates with each species's ability to sequester and transport water to a given distance above the water table. This data suggests that S. flavicomans has a superior water balance for photosynthetic response than S. pulchrum

Although there has been a global decline in herpetofaunal species, populations in some areas have been more impacted than others while other areas show no decline. Therefore, it is important to establish baseline data and monitor existing populations to determine whether herpetofaunal declines are a natural fluctuation or a result of anthropogenic impacts. The spatial and temporal heterogeneity of habitats within the New Jersey Pinelands support a diverse assemblage of herpetofaunal species (39 native and 23 non-native species). The Warren Grove Range (WGR) occupies 3810 hectares of upland pine-oak forests, wetlands, and disturbed sites created by military operations. We conducted a study during 2002-2005 at WGR to develop baseline data and assess whether military operations are having an impact on species composition. We identified 29 native species of herpetofauna from ten different habitats, including thirteen snake, six anuran, six turtle, three salamander, and one lizard species. Native species were widely distributed throughout WGR. Of the 593 captures 57.2% were anurans, 24.6% were snakes, 8.9% were lizards, 7.3% were turtles, and 2% were salamanders. Species richness (n = 29) represented 74% of native Pinelands species. Habitat integrity at WGR supports a significant herpetofauna population including nine species with New Jersey state status. We did not inventory any nonnative species and military operations do not appear to be negatively impacting species composition. While native species impacts associated with development and forest fragmentation have increased throughout the Pinelands, the WGR remains an important refuge and contiguous tract of land for native Pinelands species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crotalus horridus is a state-endangered species and occurs as a disjunct population in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey. The Warren Grove Gunnery Range (WGR) occupies 3810 hectares of upland pine-oak forests, wetlands, and disturbed sites created by military operations. During fall 2002-fall 2004, we used radio telemetry to monitor the home range and movements of three female and six male C. horridus. Radio-tracked snakes did not enter the immediate vicinity of the target zone. Incidentally captured and radio-tracked snakes exhibited an affinity for wetland habitats compared to upland habitats. There were no significant differences in home range size, seasonal activity, core activity area, range length, distance traveled per day, or seasonal differences in movements between male and female snakes. Crotalus horridus utilized hardwood swamp habitat proportionately more than six other habitat types at WGR. In addition to quantifying movement behavior we found 12 hibernacula in undisturbed wetland habitats and we observed C. horridus mating and reproducing. It appears that military operations are not significantly impacting the C. horridus population at WGR. The population of C. horridus and military operations coexist on WGR because they occur in different areas. Our results suggest that WGR is an important refuge for C. horridus in the Pinelands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small mammals are an important biological component of the New Jersey Pinelands; however, few studies have examined their ecology in this ecosystem. We investigated the diversity of small mammals in the Pinelands and focused on the ecology of the southern bog lemming and meadow jumping mouse, two species with undetermined status in the state. We conducted the study over two years (2004-2005) at the Warren Grove Gunnery Range (WGR) in Burlington County, assessing species diversity, evaluating the effect of military operations on species composition, and analyzing the diet and spatial ecology of southern bog lemming and meadow jumping mouse. We sampled 15 habitats using Fitch live traps, resulting in the capture of 185 individuals from nine species. Morisita's index of community similarity suggested that military operations had no effect on species diversity between disturbed and undisturbed habitat types. Microhabitat data showed a preference for both species to use shrubs, hummocks, and Sphagnum mats. Average minimum home range from recapture data was 0.028 ha for southern bog lemmings and 0.021 ha for meadow jumping mice. We analyzed diets through fecal content analysis. Southern bog lemmings primarily fed on Sphagnum moss, sedges, and rushes, while meadow jumping mice ate berries, insects, and fungus. Information on habitat needs, diet, and spatial ecology can be used to develop a habitat profile that identifies potential habitat for these species, which is important given their undetermined status in New Jersey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few avifauna studies are reported for the Pine Plains and none have been previously reported for Warren Grove Gunnery Range (WGR). The WGR (3,810 ha) is located within the East Pine Plains and operated by the New Jersey Air National Guard (NJANG) for air-to-ground gunnery training. Our study (2006-2007) focused on species richness, abundance, distribution and seasonal movement patterns in target areas (310 ha) and surrounding buffer zones. These data are important because many bird-aircraft strikes occur in open airfield environments posing threats to aircraft and pilots. During our first field season (2006) we made 1823 avian observations and inventoried 77 bird species from 9 different habitats. Species richness represents 37% of birds known to occur in the Pinelands (n = 229). The eastern towee (n = 512) was the most common bird and represented 28.09% of all observations. Avifauna are widely distributed throughout WGR with disturbed pine plain habitat (target area) having the highest species richness (n=56) among habitat types. We identified 10 avian species with special status in New Jersey including Cooper's hawk, red shouldered hawk, and barred owl. Distribution, abundance, and seasonal movement data will aid in developing a Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) avoidance plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]