I had never thought about graveyards specifically, but on a recent field trip to a 19th century graveyard in central Alabama with very old trees I found an amazingly high density of northern parula warblers. They were also found outside the graveyard, but I had never before seen (really heard) so many parulas in a such a small area.
Michael Steinberg University of Alabama On 5/4/12 3:51 PM, "Christopher Tracey" <ctrac...@gmail.com> wrote: >In Pittsburgh, PA we have a fair amount of large cemeteries within the >city limits, and as a result of our "impossible topography" a >significant portion of these are under natural cover on steep slopes >or valleys. I'm not aware of any formal studies on their wildlife >value, but some of these appear to provide at least decent habitat to >some species. I'm heard from longtime residents that these areas did >harbor significant wildflower diversity at some point, but increasing >deer populations and invasive plants have greatly reduced these. >Also,a relatively large and successful great blue heron rookery is >present in one of the cemeteries. > >Additionally, the concept of green burial is gaining ground and >locally we have a new green cemetery which is setting a third of the >land into conservation. Since the site is a natural burial park, >"maintenance is largely limited to reforestation and removal of >invasive plants" http://pennforestcemetery.com/who-we-are/ > >-Chris >-- >Christopher Tracey >Ecologist / Conservation Planning Coordinator >Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program >Western Pennsylvania Conservancy >800 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 >412-586-2326 ctra...@paconserve.org >http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/ > > >On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 4:47 PM, Laura Jodice <jodi...@clemson.edu> wrote: >> >> John >> >> Some work has been done regarding importance of golf courses as >>habitat, including my husband's masters work in Naples, Florida >> >> Jodice P.G.R. 1993. Movement patterns of translocated Big Cypress fox >>squirrels (Sciurus >> niger avicennia). Florida Scientist 56: 1-6. >> >> Jodice P.G.R. and S.R. Humphrey 1992. Activity and diet of an >>urban-population of big >> cypress fox squirrels. Journal of Wildlife Management 56: 685-692. >> >> and his former student's work (see >>http://etd.lib.clemson.edu/documents/1181250764/umi-clemson-1147.pdf >>and Meehan, K.*, P.G.R. Jodice. 2010. Landscape scale correlates of fox >>squirrel (Sciurus niger) presence on golf courses in coastal South >>Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist 9:573-586. >> >> Audubon also has a certification of some sort for golf courses. >> >> Laurie Jodice >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news >>[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of Gould, William A -FS >> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 3:29 PM >> To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU >> Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Cemeteries as habitat >> >> Hi John, >> >> There is such a fundamental difference between impervious surfaces and >>living soil and vegetation that I think it is a good idea to include any >>kind of managed land with things growing on it as part of the >>conservation picture. >> >> BG >> >> >> ************************************************************************ >> William Gould, Research Ecologist, USDA Forest Service International >>Institute of Tropical Forestry Jardín Botánico Sur >> 1201 Calle Ceiba >> Río Piedras PR 00926-1119 >> Telephone:787-766-5335 ext. 302, fax:787-766-6302 wgo...@fs.fed.us >> ************************************************************************ >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news >>[mailto:ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU] On Behalf Of John Mickelson >> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 2:39 PM >> To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU >> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Cemeteries as habitat >> >> Working in NYC and looking at the spatial dimensions of biodiversity in >>this heavily urbanized setting. >> >> Wondering what folks thoughts are re: the extent to which cemeteries >>(and, to a lesser extent: ball fields, play grounds, golf courses >>etc...) "really" serve as habitat. >> >> Clearly they serve multiple purposes and are utilized by a range of >>flora and fauna (presumably more so within "green" managed programs), >>but should they really form a core element within a comprehensive urban >>conservation plan? >> >> I'm finding myself able to argue both sides..... thoughts? >> >> -John >> >> >> >> >> >> This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA >>solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of >>this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may >>violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. >>If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify >>the sender and delete the email immediately.
