Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest

24 Pages·2011·3.9 MB·English

Selecting
Plants
for
Pollinators
A Regional Guide for Farmers, Land Managers, and Gardeners In the
Central
Appalachian
Broadleaf
Forest
Coniferous
Forest
Meadow
Province
Including the states of:
Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia
And parts of:
Georgia, Kentucky,
and
North Carolina,
NAPPC
South Carolina, Tennessee
Table of CONTENTS
Why Support Pollinators? 4
Getting Started 5
Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest 6
Meet the Pollinators 8
Plant Traits 10
Developing Plantings 12
Farms 13
Public Lands 14
Home Landscapes 15
Bloom Periods 16
Plants That Attract Pollinators 18
Habitat Hints 20
This is one of several guides for
Checklist 22
different regions in the United
States. We welcome your feedback
to assist us in making the future Resources and Feedback 23
guides useful. Please contact us at
[email protected]
Cover: silver spotted skipper courtesy www.dangphoto.net
2 Selecting Plants for Pollinators
Selecting Plants for Pollinators
A Regional Guide for
Farmers, Land Managers,
and Gardeners
In the
Ecological Region of the
Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest
Coniferous Forest
Meadow Province
Including the states of:
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
West Virginia
And parts of:
Georgia, Kentucky,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
a nappc and Pollinator Partnership™ Publication
This guide was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the C.S. Fund, the Plant Conservation Alliance,
the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management with oversight by the Pollinator Partnership™
(www.pollinator.org), in support of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC–www.nappc.org).
Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest – Coniferous Forest – Meadow Province 3
Why support pollinators?
In theIr 1996 book, the Forgotten PollInators, Buchmann and “
Nabhan estimated that animal pollinators are needed for the reproduction Farming feeds
of 90% of flowering plants and one third of human food crops. Each of us
depends on these industrious pollinators in a practical way to provide us
with the wide range of foods we eat. In addition, pollinators are part of the
the world, and
intricate web that supports the biological diversity in natural ecosystems
that helps sustain our quality of life.
Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can improve fruit set we must remember
and quality, and increase fruit size. In farming situations this increases
production per acre. In the wild, biodiversity increases and wildlife food
sources increase.
that pollinators
Alfalfa, apples, blueberries, and strawberries are some of the crops raised
in the Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest that rely on honey bees and
native bees for pollination. Domestic honey bees pollinate approximately are a critical
$10 billion worth of crops in the U.S. each year.
Unfortunately, the numbers of both native pollinators and domesticated
link in our food
bee populations are declining. They are threatened by habitat loss,
disease, and the excessive and inappropriate use of pesticides. The loss of
commercial bees to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has highlighted how ”
severe the issues of proper hive management are to reduce stresses caused systems.
by disease, pesticide use, insufficient nutrition, and transportation practices.
-- Paul Growald,
Currently, the pollination services that the commercial beekeeping industry
provides are receiving much needed research and conservation resources. Co-Founder,
The efforts to understand the threats to commercial bees should help us Pollinator partnership
understand other pollinators and their roles in the environment as well.
It is imperative that we take immediate steps to help pollinator populations
thrive. The beauty of the situation is that by supporting pollinators’ need
for habitat, we support our own needs for food and support diversity in the
natural world.
Thank you for taking time to consult this guide. By adding plants to your
landscape that provide food and shelter for pollinators throughout their
active seasons and by adopting pollinator friendly landscape practices, you
can make a difference to both the pollinators and the people that rely on them.
Laurie Davies Adams
Executive Director
Pollinator Partnership
4 Selecting Plants for Pollinators
Getting Started
thIs regIonal guIde Is just one States Forest Service, is a system Appalachian valleys feature a
in a series of plant selection tools created as a management tool mixed oak-pine forest; above this
designed to provide information and is used to predict responses zone lies the Appalachian oak
on how individuals can influence to land management practices forest, comprised of birch, beech,
pollinator populations through throughout large areas. This guide maple, elm, red oak, and basswood.
choices they make when they farm addresses pollinator-friendly land Spruce-fir forests are also common
a plot of ground, manage large management practices in what is on high peaks of the Allegheny and
tracts of public land, or plant a known as the Central Appalachian Great Smoky Mountains.
garden. Each of us can have a Broadleaf Forest, Coniferous Forest,
Long before there were homes
positive impact by providing the Meadow Province.
and farms in this area, the original,
essential habitat requirements for
Portions of nine states make up the natural vegetation provided
pollinators including food, water,
68,100 square miles of this forested, continuous cover and adjacent
shelter, and enough space to allow
mountainous province. The feeding opportunities for wildlife,
pollinators to raise their young.
topography is primarily composed including pollinators. In choosing
Pollinators travel through the of low mountains with greatly plants, aim to create habitat for
landscape without regard to varied elevation, ranging from 300 pollinators that allow adequate food
property ownership or state to 6,000 feet. This province features shelter, and water sources. Most
boundaries. We’ve chosen to use a temperate climate with distinct pollinators have very small home
R.G. Bailey’s classification system winter and summer seasonal ranges. You can make a difference
to identify the geographic focus patterns, and all areas are subject to by understanding the vegetation
of this guide and to underscore frost. Average annual temperatures patterns of the farm, forest, or
the connections between climate are mild, ranging from 50° to 64°F. neighbor’s yard adjacent to you
and vegetation types that affect Average annual rainfall varies from and by making planting choices
the diversity of pollinators in the 35 inches in the valleys to up to 80 that support the pollinators’ need
environment. inches on the highest peaks. for food and shelter as they move
through the landscape.
Bailey’s Ecoregions of the United This province is characterized by
States, developed by the United vertical zonation. The southern
Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest – Coniferous Forest – Meadow Province 5
Understanding
the Centr al Appalachian Broadleaf Forest
n This region is designated number M221 in the Baileys’
Ecosystem Provinces. To see a map of the provinces go to:
www.fs.fed.us/colorimagemap/ecoreg1_provinces.html
n Not sure about which bioregion you live or work in? Go to
www.pollinator.org and click on Ecoregion Locator for help.
n 68,100 square miles within 9 states.
n Primarily forested and mountainous.
n Elevations ranging from 300 feet to 6,000 feet.
n Average annual temperature range from 50° to 64°F.
n Average year-round precipitation between 35-80 inches.
n USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-7a (1990 version).
Characteristics
n Dominated by vertical zonation, with the lower limits of each
forest belt rising in elevation toward the south.
n Common tree species include oak, pine, birch, beech, maple,
elm, basswood, hemlock, and spruce.
n Chestnut was once abundant, but has now been greatly
reduced because of blight.
6 Selecting Plants for Pollinators
“
The Central Appalachian Broadleaf
Adding native plantings in riparian areas
Forest, Coniferous Forest,
Meadow Province to improve pollinator habitat makes
includes the states of:
sense in advancing our family farm’s
Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia conservation and economic objectives,
enhancing beneficial wildlife and
And parts of:
improving pollination in our orchard
Georgia, Kentucky,
”
North Carolina, South Carolina, and garden.
Tennessee
--Lee McDaniel, Farmer and President,
National Association of Conservation Districts
Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest – Coniferous Forest – Meadow Province 7
Meet the Pollinators
Who are the Solitary bees include carpenter bees
(Xylocopa spp.), which nest in wood;
pollinators?
digger, or polyester bees (Colletes
spp.), which nest underground;
Bees leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.),
Bees are well documented which prefer dead trees or branches
pollinators in the natural and for their nest sites; and mason bees
agricultural systems of the Central (Osmia spp.), which utilize cavities
Appalachian Broadleaf Forest. A that they find in stems and dead
wide range of crops including apples, wood. Cactus bees (Diadasia spp.)
alfalfa, strawberries and blueberries are also solitary ground nesters.
are just a few plants that benefit
from bee pollinators.
Butterflies
Most of us are familiar with the
Gardeners have been attracting
colonies of honey bees that have
butterflies to their gardens for
been the workhorses of agricultural
some time. These insects tend to
pollination for years in the United
be eye-catching, as are the flowers
States. They were imported from
that attract them. Position flowering
Europe almost 400 years ago.
plants where they have full sun and
There are nearly 4000 species of are protected from the wind. Also,
native ground and twig nesting bees you will need to provide open areas
n
e
Gre in the U.S. Some form colonies (e.g. bare earth, large stones) where
e
av while others live and work a solitary butterflies may bask, and moist soil
D
oto life. Native bees currently pollinate from which they may get needed
h
P many crops and can be encouraged minerals. By providing a safe place
Bombylid fly, or beefly.
to do more to support agricultural to eat and nest, gardeners can also
endeavors if their needs for nesting support the pollination role that
habitat are met and if suitable butterflies play in the landscape. It
sources of nectar, pollen, and water might mean accepting slight damage
are provided. Bees have tongues of to the plants, known as host plants,
varying lengths that help determine that provide food for the larval stage
Gulf Fritillary butterfly. which flowers they can obtain nectar of the butterfly.
and pollen from.
A diverse group of butterflies
The bumble bee (Bombus spp.) forms are present in garden areas and
small colonies, usually underground. woodland edges that provide bright
net They are generalists, feeding on a flowers, water sources, and specific
o.
hot wide range of plant material from host plants. Numerous trees, shrubs,
p
ng February to November and are and herbaceous plants support
a
d
ww. important pollinators of tomatoes. butterfly populations.
w
y The sweat bee (family Halictidae)
es Butterflies are in the Order
urt nests underground. Various species
o Lepidoptera. Some of the species in
c
oto are solitary while others form loose the Central Appalachian Broadleaf
h
P colonies.
8 Selecting Plants for Pollinators
Forest are Brush-footed, Gossamer- as butterfly or bird watching. Yet members of the carrot family like
winged, Swallowtail, Parnassian, beetles do play a role in pollination. Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota).
Skipper, White, Sulphur and Some have a bad reputation because
Milkweed butterflies. They usually they can leave a mess behind,
Birds
look for flowers that provide a good damaging plant parts that they eat.
landing platform. Beetles are not as efficient as some Hummingbirds are the primary
pollinators. They wander between birds which play a role in
Wet mud areas provide butterflies
different species, often dropping pollination in North America. Their
with both the moisture and
pollen as they go. long beaks and tongues draw nectar
minerals they need to stay healthy.
from tubular flowers. Pollen is
Butterflies eat rotten fruit and even Beetle pollinated plants tend to be
carried on both the beaks and
dung, so don’t clean up all the large, strong scented flowers with
feathers of different hummingbirds.
messes in your garden! their sexual organs exposed. They
The regions closer to the tropics,
are known to pollinate Magnolia,
with warmer climates, boast the
sweetshrub (Calycanthus), paw
largest number of hummingbird
Moths
paws, and yellow pond lilies.
species and the greatest number of
Moths are most easily distinguished
native plants to support the bird’s
from butterflies by their antennae.
need for food. White-winged doves
Butterfly antennae are simple with a Flies
(Zenaida asiatica) are also pollinators
swelling at the end. Moth antennae It may be hard to imagine why one
of the saguaro cactus (Carnegeia
differ from simple to featherlike, would want to attract flies to the
gigantea) in the south central United
but never have a swelling at the garden. However, like beetles, the
States.
tip. In addition, butterflies typically number of fly species and the fact
are active during the day; moths at that flies are generalist pollinators Bright colored tubular flowers
night. Butterfly bodies are not very (visit many species of plants), attract hummingbirds to gardens
hairy, while moth bodies are quite should encourage us all to leave throughout the United States.
hairy and more stout. those flies alone and let them do Hummingbirds can see the color
their job as pollinators. red; bees cannot. Many tropical
Moths, generally less colorful
flowers, grown as annuals in the
than butterflies, also play a role Recent research indicates that flies
Central Appalachian Broadleaf
in pollination. They are attracted primarily pollinate small flowers
Forest, along with native woodland
to flowers that are strongly sweet that bloom under shade and in
edge plants, attract hummingbirds.
smelling, open in late afternoon or seasonally moist habitats. The
night, and are typically white or National Research Council’s Status
pale colored. of Pollinators in North America study
Bats
states that flies are economically
Though bats in the Central
important as pollinators for a range
Appalachian Broadleaf Forest
Beetles
of annual and bulbous ornamental
are not pollinators, bats play an
Over 30,000 species of beetles are flowers.
important role in pollination in the
found in the United States and
Plants pollinated by the fly southwest where they feed on agave
many of them can be found on
include the American pawpaw and cactus. The long-nosed bats’
flower heads. Gardeners have yet
(Asimina triloba), dead horse arum head shape and long tongue allows
to intentionally draw beetles to their
(Helicodiceros muscivorus), skunk it to delve into flower blossoms and
gardens, possibly because beetle
cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), extract both pollen and nectar.
watching isn’t as inspiring
goldenrod (Solidago spp.), and
Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest – Coniferous Forest – Meadow Province 9
Plant Tr aits and the Pollinators they Attr act
Pollinator
Plant
Which Flowers
Trait Bats Bees Beetles Birds Butterflies Flies Moths Wind
Do the
Pollinators
prefer? Pale and dull to Dull green, brown, or
Bright white, Scarlet, orange,
Dull white, green Dull white or Bright, including dark brown or purple; Pale and dull red, colorless;
Color yellow, red
not all PollInators are found or purple green red and purple flecked with translucent purple, pink or white petals absent
in each North American province, blue, or UV or white
patches or reduced
and some are more important
in different parts of the United
States. Use this page as a resource
Nectar
to understand the plants and
Absent Present Absent Absent Present Absent Absent Absent
pollinators where you live. guides
Plants can be grouped together
based on the similar characteristics Strong musty; Fresh, mild, None to strongly Strong sweet;
Odor None Faint but fresh Putrid None
of their flowers. These floral emitted at night pleasant fruity or fetid emitted at night
characteristics can be useful to
predict the type of pollination
method or animal that is most Abundant; Sometimes
effective for that group of plants. Ample; deeply Ample; deeply Ample; deeply
Nectar somewhat Usually present present; Usually absent None
This association between floral hidden hidden hidden
hidden not hidden
characteristics and pollination
method is called a pollination
syndrome.
Limited; often
Abundant; small,
Pollen Ample sticky Ample Modest Limited Modest in amount Limited
The interactions of animal
smooth, and not sticky
pollinators and plants have and scented
influenced the evolution of both
groups of organisms. A mutualistic
relationship between the pollinator
Regular; bowl Shallow; have Large funnel Narrow tube with
and the plant species helps the Flower Large bowl-like, Shallow; funnel like or Regular; tubular Regular; small and
shaped – closed landing platform; like; cups, strong spur; wide
pollinator find necessary pollen and
Shape Magnolia complex and trap-like without a lip stigmas exerted
nectar sources and helps the plant during day tubular perch support landing pad
reproduce by ensuring that pollen is
carried from one flower to another.
This chart and more information on pollinator syndromes can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/syndromes.shtml
10 Selecting Plants for Pollinators