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The Nature Conservancy

Midwest Regional Office

1313 Fifth Street S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota

(612) 379-2207

Element Stewardship Abstract (ESA)

.For

Phyllitis scolorendrium var. americana

Asplenium scolorendrium var. americana)

Prepared for

Eastern Region, Forest Service, USDA

1990

Headquarters Office, 1815 North Lynn Street, Arlington, Virginia 22209

PPASPO21EO

>== 0012 STEW-ABS-RESP

MRO

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

MIDWEST REGIONAL OFFICE

1313 5TH STREET PO BOX 78

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55414

612/379-2207

>= 0016 PREPARER

WAYNE OSTLIE (1990)

>= 0020 NAME

PHYLLITIS SCOLOPENDRIUM VAR- AMERICANA (= ASPLENIUM SCOLOPENDRIUM VAR. AMERICANA)

>== 0050 COMMON-NAME

AMERICAN HART’S TONGUE

>= 0100 DESCRIPTION

The American hart's-tonque (Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana) is listed as a federally threatened species (USFWS 1988a). The USFWS (1988a) described the taxon, P. scolopendrium var. americanum, as follows:

For an in-depth description of the species, including comparisons of plants from Tennessee and New York, see Shaver (1945). See Maxon (1899) for a brief description of the characters indicative of immature hart's-tongue in New York.

Fernald (1935) originally described the American hart's-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana) as a variety of the European hart's-tongue. Although some scientists still believed that the plant deserved the status of a distinct species (due to morphological and cytological differences) or subspecies, Wagner (1955) agreed with Fernald's treatment. The new world taxon is considered a separate variety of the old world taxon.

Fernald (1935), in his original description of the variety,, P. scolopendrium var. americana, differentiated between the European and North American varieties, stating:

For a more in-depth treatise on the differences between the two varieties, see Fernald (1935).

>== 1000- HABITAT

Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana occurs disjunctly, restricted to localized populations in New York,, Michigan,, Ontario, Tennessee and Alabama. At present, the species is extant in seven counties in the province of Ontario,, two counties in New York,, two counties in Alabama, two in Michigan and one county in Tennessee (USFWS 1989a). A population introduced from a rescue activity in New York in the 1930's still thrives in New Jersey (Snyder pers. comm.)

The hart's-tongue fern is a strict calciphile. In fact, all known North American populations occur on or over dolomite (USFWS 1990, USFWS 1988a, Hagenah 1953, Fernald 1935). As a rule, the species appears to require a cool, well-shaded, moist microclimate.(USFWS 1988a) associated with limestone ravines, talus fans or steep hillsides, where rich woodland soil is sufficiently porous to allow for cold air movement, but firm enough to retain considerable moisture (Maxon 1900). There is some evidence that the species is somewhat intolerant of excessive shade. Cinquemani et al. (1988) found most populations beneath canopy openings where sunlight and precipitation readily reached the ground, but characteristically found no plants in adjacent close-canopied areas.

The extant Michigan populations are restricted to second-growth sugar maple forests along the edge of the Niagaran escarpment, on dolomite ledges and outcrops (Crispin and Penskar 1900, MI NFI 1990, Crispin 1984, Futyma 1978, Hagenah 1954, 1953). Average tree diameters of the dominant overstory species, sugar maple, range-from 5 to 10 cm (Crispin and Penskar 1900). Populations occur on prominent hills, 30-100 m above the surrounding plains, on thick glacial drift in an area that is underlain by the Niagara escarpment (Futyma 1980). This dolomite often comes to the surface in the form of boulders and pavement (Henson 1978). Individual plants grow on low, moist, moss-covered boulders typically associated with Geranium robertianum, Polystichium lonchitus and Cystopteris bulbifera (Crispin and Penskar 1900, Nepstad 1981). Additional associates include Polystichium braunii, Camptosorus rhizophyllus, Viola ericoides, V. canadense, Dryopteris sp. and Cystopteris fragilis (MI NFI 1990b).

Futyma (1980) further noted that all Michigan populations occur at elevations near or above that of Glacial Lake Algonquin. It is not believed that the species arrived when the lake was still in existence, as pollen records indicate a preponderance of pine, a species with which Phyllitis scolopendrium does not coincide. Instead, current belief holds that the extant populations occur on the high hills of the region because the current environment, largely shaped by the past actions of Lake Algonquin, provides a suitable habitat (Futyma 1980).

The two original Michigan populations (the Trout Lake and Hagenah stations) were discovered by Dale Hagenah (1954 and 1956, respectively). The Hagenah site was dominated by forested slopes of second-growth maple, basswood and birch (Hagenah 1954). During the year 1955, the Hagenah site was lumbered (Morton 1956). The Trout Lake population was believed to be extinct (Putyma 1980) due to the action of a fern collector, but individuals have since germinated from parental spores deposited prior to their removal (Wagner pers. comm.). The Hagenah site occurs in similar habitat, on an east-facing hillside, with mature hardwood forest, northern holly-fern, herb robert (Geranium robertianum) and walking fern as associates (Hagenah 1956). The Michigan population growing in the Hiawatha National Forest occurs in a very rich maple forest that was clear-cut in the first decade of the 20th century (Henson 1978). Associates of the overstory include Ulmus sp., Tilia americana, Fraxinus americanus, ostrya virginiana and Populus grandidentata. The ferns, Polystichium lonchitus and Geranium robertianum,, are commonly associated with the hart's-tongue (MI NFI 1990b, Henson 1978). The Phyllitis population appears to grow in an area of high plant diversity (Henson 1978).

Extant New York stations occur in conjunction with a dolomitic limestone formation known as the Lower Helderberg (Maxon 1900). Plants are typically found in or along deep ravines and "pit-hole lakes" or "plunge-basins", where limestone cliffs surround the water. Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americanum in New York is typically found along deep, cool ravines, rooted, in black humus beneath beech, maple, hemlock and yellow birch forests well below the overhanging ledges on east and north-facing slopes or in similar shaded areas (Faust 1960, Maxon 1900b). Mitchell and Sheviak (1981) described the habitat as rich, moist soil on limestone slopes, in depressions and on shaded cliff margins. Wherry (1936) stated that basswood was a good indicator for the presence of hart's-tongue. For further detailed descriptions of New York locations see Maxon (1900a), Cinguemani et al. (1988) and Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold (1990b). The habitat of one population-in central New York was described by Maxon (1900b) as follows:

Maxon (1900a) described the habitats of the species in Canada as the steep sides of deep chasms on limestone talus, in cracks and level ground in maple forests where soil is thin, and on hummocks slightly raised above the moist woods and crevices within limestone cliffs. Ontario populations are centered around the Bruce Peninsula where it is locally abundant in the fissures and depressions of dolomitic woodlands (Fernald 1935, Ransier 1913). Typically, these populations occur on the same formations as those in Michigan, tall hills on the Niagara Escarpment (Futyma 1980, Hagenah 1954). The specific habitat has been described as wooded talus, limestone boulders, or rocky woods in seams and crevices along the outcropping Niagara escarpment (Soper 1954, Taylor 1934, McColl 1925). Ransier (1913) apparently found it along roadsides and even in a cow yard, where it was inaccessible to the herbivores. Ransier (1913) further stated:

At Ontario localities, Phyllitis Scolopendrium var. americana is restricted to areas with dolomitic bedrock (Soper 1954). On the Niagara Escarpment, the most prevalent location for the species is on boulders along wooded talus slopes. The Hart's-tongue also grows in rocky woods at the top of escarpments, often near the brow of cliffs and in seams and crevices (Soper 1954). At other stations, P. scolopendrium is found on limestone bedrock lying along tributaries of the Saugeen River which has cut through layers of glacial debris. Throughout its range in Ontario, the hart's-tongue shows a close association with Polystichium lonchitis, growing like "twins" (McColl 1925). For a detailed description of Ontario sites, see Soper (1954) and Ransier (1913).

Fernald (1935) stated that a New Brunswick population was known from a ravine. According to Soper (1954), however, this station has never been re-established and there exists some doubt whether or not this station was indigenous. Hinds (in litt.) stated that the material collected from this site was that of the European variety, and was not native to Canada.

A population arising from,a transplantation effort (with origins in New York) is still extant in New Jersey (Snyder pers. comm.). The plants were believed to have been transplanted to the site in 1936 (Snyder and Vivian 1981).

In the northern portion of its range, American hart's-tongue is found on or adjacent to limestone outcrops. The species is restricted to limestone pits or sinkholes in the south, where high humidity, shade and the presence of cold air combine to mimic the conditions of sites farther north (USFWS 1988b). At the southern-United States sites, typical associates include Urtica dioica, Arisaema triphylla, Sambucus canadensis, Adiantum pedatum, Cystopteris bulbifera, C. tennesseensis, Asplenium resiliens, A. rhizophyllum and Athyrium pycnocarpon (Evans 1981).

A population of the hart's-tongue fern, numbering roughly 20 plants, was recently found in Alabama (Batchelder 1979), growing on rocks or soft black soil at the bottom of "The Morgue" sinkhole on Nat Mountain (Short 1979). The pit measures roughly 40 feet in diameter and is 75 feet deep (Evans 1981). Phyllitis plants grow on ledges of the pit, roughly 40 feet below the rim (Evans 1981, Evans 1980). The pit has no waterfall entering it and is rather wide and open (Evans 1981). Vascular plant Associates include Athyrium pycnocarpon,, Asplenium resiliens, A. rhizophyllum and Cystopteris tenneseensis, Arisaema triphylla and Sambucus canadensis (Evans 1981). Associated bryophytes include Thamnobryum allegheniense, Palamocladium leskeoides, Mnium affine, M. hornum and Entodon inacropodus.

A second population was later found southwest of the Hat Mountain population in Peterson's Pit within a region of Morgan County called Newsome Sinks (Short 1980, Batchelder 1979). The sinkhole possesses a cascading waterfall with Phyllitis plants growing on the sinkhole wall and floor. Apparently, this site provides an exceedingly good habitat for the species (Evans 1981). Vascular plant associates at the Newsome Sinks site include Cystopteris bulbifera, Laportea canadensis (Short 1980), Urtica dioica, Adiantum pedatum, Asplenium resiliens and Arisaema triphylla (Evans 1981). Associated bryophytes and liverworts include Palamocladium laskeoides, Mnium hornum, Campylium hispidulum, Thannobryum allegheniense, Plagiochila austinii and Conocephalum conicum.

At the sole extant Tennessee site, known as South Pittsburgh or Poplar Branch Pit, water issuing from a spring twenty yards uphill, tumbles into the sinkhole, spraying a mist of water on the walls of the sinkhole (McGilliard 1936, Maxon 1900a, 1900b, Williamson 1879). It is chiefly upon this wall and the clayey sinkhole floor that the fern grows. The population at this site has stabilized at roughly 17-19 individuals from a high of 200 in 1898 and a low of 6 in 1936 (Evans 1981) Recently, Kral (1983) reported no sporophytes from the floor or the wall of the sinkhole. Vascular plant associates are conspicuously absent from this site. Associated bryophytes and liverworts include Bryhnia graminicolor, Trichocolea tomentella, Dumortiera hirsuta and Conocephalum conicum (Evans 1981). Another historic population (Post Oak Springs) is reported from Tennessee at the mouth of a cave (Maxon 1900a), but this is believed to have been extirpated (Short 1979, McGilliard 1948, Shaver 1945, Anderson 1931).

>==2000 BIOLOGY-ECOLOGY

Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana reproduces only via spores. Sporelings apparently require the presence of cool, moist, calcareous environments for development (Crispin and Penskar 1900). Bryophytes appear crucial to the survival of P. scolopendrium var. americana sporelings (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a). Bryophyte beds apparently enhance seedling regeneration by providing a favorable site for fertilization, spore germination and gametophyte growth. Reduced temperature extremes and moisture maintenance likely protect P. scolopendrium from desiccation during its early stages of growth. Over 80% of all sporelings observed at sites in New York occurred on bryophyte beds (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a).

As P. scolopendrium sporelings mature, they apparently out-compete bryophytes for available resources and replace them (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a). An indirect correlation between percent bryophyte cover and life stage of Phyllitis was noted in New York; the older a given hart's-tongue became, the less likely it would be found growing on bryophyte mats.

Distribution of P. scolopendrium is also apparently affected by herbaceous cover. Cinguemani Kuehn and Leopold (1990a) found that most adult plants were found beneath 0-25% herbaceous cover,, while most sporelings were found beneath a higher percentage,(26-50%) of herb cover. Few individuals of any life stage were found where herbaceous cover exceeded 75%. A lack of herbaceous cover over sporeling microsites typically resulted in lower sporeling vigor. Herbs probably aid sporeling growth by maintaining humidity and preventing desiccation of sporelings and as a result, function similarly to bryophytes. since sporelings have no effective root system, they do not readily compete with other herbaceous plants for resources. Mature P. scolopendrium, however, likely compete with other herbs for resources. When mature hart's-tongue fully occupy a site, very few other herbs are present (Cinguemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a).

The presence of shrubs-is directly associated with sporeling vigor, but only indirectly with overall vigor (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990). Although shrubs likely create ideal germination and early lifestage growth sites,, they eventually provide too much shade for maturing P. scolopendrium.

Positive relationships between sporeling vigor and substrate crevice depth were observed at New York sites (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a). Although crevice depth is apparently important in preventing desiccation during summertime droughts, it is not a factor in preventing desiccation during periods of freezing temperatures and absent snow cover.

Winter snow cover is apparently necessary for the vigor and long-term survival of a population. During periods of insufficient snow cover, P. scolopendrium may not be able to obtain adequate soil moisture, and may be adversely affected by frost heaving (causing dislodged root systems) and direct cold damage to individual plants (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990b). In fact, the distribution of this taxon in North American is apparently strongly influenced by depth of snow cover. Where population are found in the northern United States and Canada,, annual snowfalls range from 200-300 cm per year. Annual snowfalls greater than this probably persist longer into the summer and prevent individuals from obtaining enough springtime sunlight. Annual snowfall less than this amount likely leads to freeze damage (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990b).

Slope position has been correlated with percent cover of P. scolopendrium at all life stages (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a). Individuals occur predominantly at upper and mid-slope positions, but are absent from the lower slope areas. Although significantly more nutrients are available at lower slopes, P. scolopendrium growth is apparently not limited at upper slope areas. The absence of P. scolopendrium on lower slopes may be attributable to the lingering of winter snow during the spring at such sites (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990b, Faust 1960).

The species appears to be able to colonize early successional habitats as evidenced by a population found within a young Populus grove in Ontario (Futyma 1980). In fact, most northern populations occur in forests of secondary growth where canopy openings are somewhat more abundant. Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold (1990a) found a direct correlation between sporeling vigor and openings in the tree canopy. Gaps allow light and precipitation to reach sporelings during normal periods of precipitation.

During drought periods or deforestation events (leaf miners, gypsy moths), however, sporelings growing directly beneath the openings are injured by higher light densities (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a, Crispin and Penskar 1980). Sporelings growing under the edges of canopy openings receive adequate light and precipitation amounts and are also protected by desiccation during drought periods (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a).

Phyllitis scolopendrium rarely occur beneath conifers in New York (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a) and Michigan (Futyma 1980). When present, the most prominent conifer in New York was Tsuga canadensis (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a). The hart's-tongue is probably restricted from the areas of conifers by a numbers of factors: (1) concentrations of magnesium, calcium,, potassium, percent nitrogen and organic matter were lower under conifers, (2) reduction of light intensity reaching P. scolopendrium under Tsuga in comparison to hardwood sites during early spring, (3) lack of protective winter snow beneath conifers and (4) lack of bryophytes for sporeling germination sites beneath conifers (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990a).

Fronds of the hart's-tongue remain green and functional throughout the winter and following growing season (Crispin and Penskar 1990). New fronds are produced at the start of each growing season, and likewise remain functional for two growing seasons. In Michigan, new fronds typically emerge in mid-June. Spores are produced on year-old fronds from May through August (MI NFI 1990).

>== 2500 EO-QUAL-DET

This field is designed to help the field worker determine the quality (A-excellent,, B=good, C--marginal, D=poor) of an occurrence of this element. These ranks are based on size and productivity of the population, vitality and vigor of individuals w - ithin a population, and size and quality of the habitat in which the element occurs. Headings (habitat,.and populations size and vigor) should be considered separately in determining the overall quality of an element occurrence. A ranking of "U" is recommended for occurrences or habitats of unknown size or condition.

Population Size and Vigor: A population of 500 or more mature or subadult individuals. Populations of this rank must also possess adequate numbers of sporelings for maintenance of a population at current numbers, although some degree of annual fluctuation is permitted.

Population Size and Vigor: A population of 100-499 mature,or subadult individuals, with enough sporelings to indicate adequate population maintenance at current levels. Some degree of annual fluctuation in sporeling numbers is permitted due to periods of drought, etc.

Population Size and Vigor: A population of 10-99 mature or subadult individuals with enough sporelings to indicate adequate population maintenance at current levels; OR, populations larger than 99 individuals that show population maintenance problems as indicated by persistent sporeling survival or spore germination problems.

Population Size and Vigor: A population of less than 10 mature or subadult individuals; OR, populations less than l00 individuals that show continued population maintenance problems. Populations of this size indicate an unavailability of appropriate habitat for spore germination and development. Extended periods of drought or isolated events may decimate populations of this rank.

>= 3000 THREATS

The major threats to the hart's-tongue are man-made, and include habitat alteration via logging, quarrying, residential development and trampling (USFWS 1990, 1988a, 1988b, Crispin 1984, Nepstad 1981, Faust 1969).

Since the species is a strict calciphile, it is extremely susceptible to quarrying activities. Apparently the dolomite outcrops in Michigan have been extensively quarried (Hagenah 1954), as have sites in New York (House 1934) and elsewhere. Continued quarrying activity is still a concern.

The southern populations in Tennessee and Alabama are especially at risk to trampling due to their small size and the precarious nature of their habitat (USFWS 1988a). Such trampling has been noted in the past (see Soper 1979)i Excessive visitation to these sites for pleasure (spelunking) or population monitoring could severely undermine the existence of the species at these sites.

Faust (1960) reported that at the Split Rock site in New York, the species still exists although trees that were shading the site had been cut and a TNT explosion and quarrying had destroyed many of the sheltering rocks. The ultimate consequence of such an action would be to raise the light levels and decrease the humidity of the site (USFWS 1988a). Destruction of this sort, although not apparently detrimental to the adult populations, may have a serious impact on the Population's ability to reproduce. A few plants from the Tennessee site were transplanted to a University of Tennessee greenhouse, but have apparently shown only very limited success (Evans 1981). Plants are simply surviving but have not been able to reproduce. Evans (1981) stated that high temperatures, inappropriate soil pH and excess sunlight may be the cause.

Stebbins (1935) noted the decline of the species in New York and attributed it to abnormally dry conditions accompanied by "beautification" work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps, including the removal of shrubs and small trees around the hart's-tongue populations. Such work served to enhance the effects of the already-dry conditions.

Erosion and collapse of sinkholes is also a threat to the southern populations (Stebbins 1935). A collapse and consequent reduction in individual number is believed to have occurred in the Tennessee site sometime between 1911 and 1929 (McGilliard 1936).

Crispin (in litt.) reported that an infestation of leaf miners removed the leaves from trees above a Michigan site. Apparently the plants became desiccated,, but it is not known what long-term effects this had on the population.

Concern for the survival of the species has been expressed since the turn of the century. In 1911, Graves raised concern over the fact that a cement plant was blasting and removing limestone in the vicinity of the single Tennessee location. Later, papers written by Benedict (1925), "Saving the hart's-tongue", and House (1934), "Saving the Scolopendrium fern", expressed similar concerns. Early efforts to save populations of the plant from imminent destruction came into fruition during the much-publicized -transplantation of the entire Green Pond, NY, population to Clarks Park Reservation in 1924 and 1925 (House 1934, Hunter 1934) to avoid quarrying activities.

One offshoot of the activity, however, was to distribute "left-over" plants to "fern-lovers" all over the country (House 1934, Hunter 1934). This transplantation into the wild of plants from various populations is well-documented in literature (Faust 1969, McGilliard 1936, 1948, House 193 and could have led to the loss of genetic information through gene swamping. The act of gene swamping would be most pronounced in small populations, particularly those in the south. In fact, McGilliard (1936, 1948) stated that E. W. Graves had sown spores into the South Pittsburgh sinkhole from a population growing in Ontario. If these spores germinated and produced viable adults, the genetic character of the population in Tennessee may have been altered.

Collecting of live ferns for "fern gardens" and herbaria was a craze at the turn of the century. Frequent referrals to such activities, including the collection of Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana (Taylor 1934, Graves 1920, Williamson 1879), can be found in the literature. As early as 1945, some botanists were alarmed about the over-collecting of the rare plant, suggesting the discontinuance of such activities (Shaver 1945). This behavior is still a limited threat today (USFWS 1990,, Mitchell and Sheviak 1981). One of the occurrences in Michigan was nearly destroyed by this activity. It is likely that some populations were either completely destroyed or diminished in size by such activities in the past. To discourage collecting, site localities should remain confidential (Crispin and Penskar 1900).

>== 3500 LAND-PROT-SPECS

Adequate land protection must take into account the immediate land upon which the hart's-tongue fern grows, as well as the buffer lands immediately surrounding the population. At sites which include sinkholes or are influenced by rivers, upstream watersheds should be secured to prevent deterioration of water quality and species habitat. Logging, physical disruption of soil and other associated events should be disallowed in the immediate vicinity of P. scolopendrium var. americanum populations.

>= 4000 RECOVERY-POT

Headway for the recovery of this species has been made along several fronts. A number of sites are owned and protected by various groups and agencies. The Nature Conservancy is protecting the sole Tennessee site with a conservation easement. The Michigan Nature Association owns two sites (USFWS 1988, Crispin 1984). The New York State Park system owns two sites. The U.S. Forest Service owns one site within the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns two sites in Alabama (USFWS 1988a). Several states (Michigan, Tennessee and New York) restrict the take of the species under State law (USFWS 1988a).

Recovery of the species through artificial propagation has been studied in the past. Dr. Ralph Benedict of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden was apparently able to propagate individuals from spores (House 1934, Benedict 1925). Spores were sown in 8-inch pans and produced excellent germination rates (Benedict 1925). Hunter (1934) stated that she was able to successfully grow plants which produced sori in a period of'five months under greenhouse conditions. Spores were sown on several types of culture media and were easily germinated. She noted, however, that records indicated poor transplantation success for the species.

Successful transplantation of individuals does not appear to be easy. Transplantation was first attempted within Clark Reservation State Park in New York in 1900, when several plants were moved to a ravine a short distance away (Faust 1960). These apparently died. In 1925, an entire population was moved in order to avoid destruction from a quarrying operation (Cinquenani et al. 1988, House 1934,, Hunter 1934). The transplants (roughly 400 individuals) initially flourished, but many did not survive beyond 1935 (Cinquemani et al. 1988). Individual plants were apparently able to survive transplanting, but were not able to reproduce (Faust 1969), suggesting a very specific habitat requirement for the species. A small population with origins in New York state still persists in New Jersey as the result of a 1936 transplantation effort.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has stated that the hart's-tongue fern will be considered for delisting as a federally threatened species when there are at least 13 self-sustaining populations (2 in Alabama, 2 in Tennessee, 3 in Michigan and 6 in New York) under adequate protection (USFWS 1990). A self-sustaining population is a reproducing population that is large enough to maintain sufficient genetic diversity to enable it to survive and respond to natural habitat changes. Populations must also be sufficiently large area to ensure that isolated natural events do not pose a risk to the population, and that management of the site to maintain suitable habitat is minimal.

>== 5000 BIOL-MONIT-NEEDS

As evidenced,by the dramatic swings in population size at the Clark Reservation State Park in New York (Cinquemani et al. 1988),, monitoring of population numbers is important. Sporeling survival and spore germination are very susceptible to periods of drought, as was reflected in the populations of the park in the 1930's. Ballard (pers. comm.) has suggested the careful, annual census of the four extant known Michigan populations. Similar monitoring programs should be initiated where they are not already in place.

Currently, logging is occurring near one of the Michigan populations. The impacts of this act need to be assessed through annual census work (Ballard pers. comm.). Monitoring of habitats at all extant sites should also be instituted in order to determine if slow, long-term changes in habitat are

occurring at extant sites.

>= 5200 BIOL-MONIT-PROCS

Since populations are typically isolated and fairly small, individual counts of all growth stages should be conducted. Monitoring on a 5-year (or less) interval would provide the necessary information, particularly where excessive monitoring could threaten-the integrity of the site. Estimates of canopy, shrub and herbaceous ground cover should also be considered at existing sites. Plotting of individual plants within quadrats would provide detailed information pertaining to various life history events.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1990), long-term demographic studies should be conducted in permanent plots located within each study site established for habitat analysis. Plots should be visited annually for at least four consecutive years, with mapping of all individuals with regards to stage/classes done during this period. Data collection on overall plant size and number/size of leaves should also be undertaken. Areas around each intensely-monitored plot should also be checked for sporeling establishment, with sporelings being mapped and measured. Changes in habitat (light intensity, soil disturbance, moisture, etc.) should also be noted.

>= 5400 BIOL-MONIT-PROGS

Periodic censuses of hart's-tongue populations in Clark Reservation State Park in New York have been conducted since 1916 (every five years since 1936) by students at Syracuse State University (Cinquemani et al. 1988, Faust 1960). Stem counts of populations are conducted by groups of volunteers sweeping the talus fans from bottom to top, typically during the late fall or early spring, when taller vegetation is not present. Since 1988, all populations within the state of New York have been monitored. There are plans to continue this effort indefinitely. Contact: Dr. Donald Leopold, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210. Telephone No. (315) 470-6784.

The Tennessee population has been intermittently monitored since 1898 when roughly 200 plants were observed (McGilliard 1948). Although numerous counts were made of this population since that time, no counts have been made since 1980 (Somers pers. comm.). Contact: Paul Somers, Ecological Services Division, Tennessee Department of Conservation, 701 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Telephone No. (615) 742-6545.

The Michigan Natural Features:Inventory has been monitoring one of the state's populations to obtain data on population trends and demographics (Penskar pers. comm.). Monitoring consists of tracking several tagged clumps of plants and has been conducted over the last five or six years. Contact: Mike Penskar,, Michigan Natural Features Inventory,, Mason building, 5th Floor, Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909. Telephone No. (517) 373-1552.

The Alabama populations-are being intermittently monitored by Dr. Murray Evans of the University of Tennesseee . Contact: Dr. A. Murray Evans, Department of Botany, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916. Telephone No. (615) 974-2256.

>== 6010 RSRCH-NEEDS-COMM

Some botanists have maintained that P. scolopdndrium is a species of secondary forests requiring partially sunlit, yet cool, moist environments. It would be appropriate to measure the light levels reaching the forest floor at each site and to determine if very minimal canopy thinning will encourage population enhancement. Effects of past and present habitat disturbance should be analyzed in order to assess the degree to which each has influenced hart's-tongue populations.

Information pertaining to specific life-history events is also needed. What are the requirements for successful propagation of this species?

Determination of the degree of genetic variability within populations and within the species is a strong need. Through isozyme analysis, the degree of genetic variability between population should be determined. Such information is necessary in order to determine which populations are essential for protection with respect to genetic variability maintenance (USFWS 1990).

Research also needs to be centered around the development of techniques to reestablish populations in suitable habitat within the species' historic range. Techniques for propagation and transplantation will be crucial to any future reintroduction program.

>== 6410 RSRCH-PROGS-COMM

Dianne Cinquemani Kuehn and Don Leopold have recently completed a research program designed to determine the habitat variables to which P. scolopendrium var. americanum is particularly sensitive. All extant sites in New York state have been visited and analyzed with respect to environmental parameters within the last few years. Contact: Donald Leopold, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York 13210. Telephone No. (315) 470-6784.

Phyllitis scolopendrium plants from the Tennessee site have been transplanted to the University of Tennessee herbarium with minor success. Contact: Gene Wofford, Curator, Herbarium, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37016. Telephone No. (615) 974-6213.

Dr. Herb Wagner is currently working with two other individuals on the publication,, Pteridophytes of the Upper Great Lakas. It is expected to be completed within the next three years. Contact: Herb Wagner, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Telephone No. (313) 764-1484.

>== 7010 MGMT-NEEDS-COMM

In the northern portion of its range, occasional clear-cutting has been suggested as a management technique for P. scolopendrium, as most of the known populations in Michigan and New York occur in cut-over second-growth forests (Henson 1978). Ballard (pers. comm.) stated that maintenance of secondary growth, young-to-medium aged mesic forest canopy was a management requirement for the species in Michigan, while cutting of encroaching conifers and hardwoods was proposed as a necessary management tool in New York (Cinquenani et al. 1988). Although excessive shade may be damaging to hart's-tongue populations, excessive sunlight may lead to desiccation and the failure of spore germination and subsequent growth (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990b). As a result, clear-cut logging is not considered to be a viable management alternative. If future research indicates the need, selective thinning of forest canopy may be considered.

Management of lands for ground-layer bryophytes apparently will also benefit sites with P. scolopendrium var. americana. Thinning of shrubs, from selected sites may reduce overall germination of spores and initial sporeling development,, but may increase the long-term survival of hart's tongue individuals. Again, information pertaining to the appropriate levels of thinning are needed.

Discouraging the poaching of individual plants is another management need for the species. Among fern fanciers, the hart's-tongue has always been a prized species. This may be partially a result of the enormous amount of publicity that has been reaped upon the species in the last century. In any case, precise locations of extant populations should be kept confidential if illegal fern removal is considered a significant threat.

According to the USFWS technical draft recovery plan for P. scolopendrium var. americana (USFWS 1990), the determination and implementation of management practices for long-term reproduction, establishment, maintenance and vigor are essential. Since very little is known about the management of the species, information regarding basic life history, population biology, genetic diversity and ecology is needed prior to implementation of any management guidelines. Management needs include: (1) determination of size and stage-class distribution for all populations, (2) determination of abiotic and biotic features of occupied habitat, (3) long-term demographic studies, (4) determination of genetic variability between populations, (5) determination of effects of past and on-going habitat disturbance, (6) definition of criteria for self-sustaining populations and determination of size of area needed to protect each population.

>== 7400 MGMT-PROCS

Before any type of management should take place, the specific requirements of P. scolopendrium var. americana at each site should be analyzed. Canopy thinning if deemed appropriate, should not be excessive. In the case of the hart's-tongue, insufficient thinning would prove to be far better than being excessive. Excessive thinning may lead to desiccation of habitat and the deterioration of extant populations. In any case, full scale thinning efforts should not be undertaken prior to experimentation of the effects of thinning on a smaller scale.

At sites where -populations occur in sinkholes, management must restrict the amount of usage of such cave entrances by spelunkers or other users. Trampling And alteration of natural vegetation appear to be the primary threats at these sites.

>== 7710 MGMT-PROGS-COMM

The Tennessee Chapter of The Nature Conservancy recently (1982) purchased a conservation easement from a cement company to protect the sole Tennessee population (Somers pers. comm, USFWS 1989b). Consequently, the site has been protected from quarrying and other potentially destructive acts. Contact: Paul Somers, Tennessee Department of Conservation, Ecological Services Division, 701 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Telephone No. (615) 773-6545.

The vast majority of plants in New York occur within the Clarks Reservation State Park. Managers of the park are aware of the populations and are cooperating in its protection (USFWS 1989b). Two Additional populations occur within Chittenango Falls State Park in Madison County, but trail construction in the 1950's and subsequent erosion has eliminated many of the plants (USFWS 1988a). Located within state parks, legal protection is provided to these populations from picking and habitat destruction (Cinquemani Kuehn and Leopold 1990b). Contact: Dianne Wheelock, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation, Central Region, Jamesville, NY 13018. Telephone No. (315) 492-1756.

Sites possessing two populations in Michigan have been purchased by the Michigan Nature Association, specifically to provide better protection for the species (USFWS 1989b). Contact: Bertha Daubendick, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 102, Avoca, MI 48006. Telephone No. (313) 324-2626.

One Michigan population (approximately 25 plants as of 1988) occurs on U.S. Forest Service land within the Hiawatha National Forest. Managers of the forest have rerouted a trail that traversed the population in hopes of reducing impacts on it (USFWS 1989b). Otherwise, no active management is taking place. Since the population at this site is fairly large, efforts have been shunted towards other projects at this time. Management will likely follow successes reached by other management programs. Contact: Jan Schultz, Plant Ecologist, Hiawatha National Forest, 2727 N. Lincoln Rd., Escanaba, MI 49829. Telephone No. (906) 786-4062.

The Alabama population on Nat Mountain occurs in a sinkhole within the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, on land managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At present, no active management for the hart's-tongue is occurring at the site due to the precarious status of the population. The American Speleological Society issues permits to spelunkers wanting to enter the sinkhole at this site. Consequently, access is somewhat restricted. Contacto Harry T. Stone, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, RR#4, Box 250, Decatur, AL 35603. Telephone No. (205) 353-7243.

>== 8000 SUM-STEW-NEEDS

Monitoring needs include the tracking of population numbers in each growth stage at each extant site. Long-term changes in habitat shoul4 also be monitored. Research needs are centered around the life history of the species, as well as determining if canopy thinning is an effective and necessary management practice. Management needs include the possible thinning of overstory canopies and management for ground-layer bryophytes apparently suited for hart's-tongue spore germination. Poaching of individual plants is also a problem.

>== 9000 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, W. A.,, Jr. 1931. A list of Tennessee ferns. An. Fern J. 21:13.

Ballard, H. 19894 Preserve Design Ecologist, Michigan field office. Personal communication: ESA questionnaire for Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana. 3 pp.

Batchelder, E. 1979. The hart's-tongue discovery. Huntsville Grotto Newsletter 20(6).

Benedict, R. C. 1925. Saving the hart's-toncjue. Am. Fern J. 15(l): 124125.

Cinquemani Kuehn, D. M. and D. J. Leopold. 1990a. Site characteristics associated with Phyllitis Scolopendrium (L.) Newm. var. americana Fern. in central New York. Unpublished manuscript. 23 pp.

Cinquemani Kuehn, D. M. and D. J. Leopold. 1990b. Long-term demography of Phyllitis scolopendrium (L.) Newm. var. americana Fern. in central New York. Unpublished Manuscript. 31 pp.

Cinquemani, D. M., M. E. Faust and D. J. Leopold. 1988. Periodic censuses (1916-1986) of Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana in central New York state. Am. Fern J. 78(2): 37-43.

Crispin, S. 1984. State 'element ranking form: Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana. Michigan Natural Features Inventory report. 1 pp.

Crispin, S. and M. Penskar. 1990. Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana.

Unpublished abstracts, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Endangered

Species Manual. 3 pp.

Evans, A. M. 1981. Status report: Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana. Unpublished report to the USFWS, Southeast Region, Asheville, NC. 24 pp.

Faust, M. E. 1960. Survival of hart's-tongue fern in central New York. Am. Fern. J. 50: 55-62.

Faust, M. E. 1969. Conservation of the hart's-tongue fern in North Am6rica.

Biol. Cons. 1: 256-257.

Fernald, M. L. 1935. Critical plants of the upper Great Lakes region of Ontario and Michigan. Rhodora 37(438): 197-222.

Ferris, J. H. 1899. The Tennessee locality for the hart's-tongue fern. Fern Bull. 7: 98.

Futyma, R. P. 1980. The distribution and ecology of Phyllitis sc6lopendrium in Michigan. Am. Fern J. 70: 81-87.

Graves, E. W. 1920. My experiences with a fern garden. Am. Fern J. 7: 71-76.

Graves, E. W. 1911. The hart's-tongue in Tennessee. Fern Bull. 19: 70-71.

Hagenah, D. J. 1956. More hart's-tongue in Michigan. Am. Fern J. 46(l): 70-74.

Hagenah, D. J. 1954. The hart's-tongue in Michigan. Am. Fern J. 44: 2-7.

Hagenah, D. J. 1953. Rare hart's-tongue fern found in Michigan. Cranbrook Institute Sci. Newsletter 23: 2-5.

Henson, D. C. 1978. Survey and mapping of hart's-tongue fern in 1000 acre area of Hiawatha National Forest. 14 pp.

House, H. Do 1934. Saving the Scolopendrium fern. Am. Fern J. 24(3): 65-71.

Hunter, M. R. 1934. Notes on Scolopendrium vulgare Sm. Am. Fern J. 14: 102-104.

Kral, R. 1983. A report on some rare,, threatened, or endangered forestrelated vascular plants of the South. USFS Tech. Publ. R8-TP 2, Atlanta, GA. Vol. 1: 718 pp.

Lellinger, D. B. 1985. A field manual of the ferns and fern-allies of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 389 pp.

Maxon, W. R. 1900a. On the occurrence of the hart's-tongue in America. Pp. 30-46, In Fernwort Papers, M. Sloscail-m (ed). Willard N. Clute and Co., Binghampton, NY.

Maxon, W. R. 1900b. The hart's-tongue in New York and Tennessee. Plant World 3(9): 129-132.

Maxon, W. R. 1899. Young hart's-tongues at Green Lake. Fern Bull. 7(l): 1-2.

McColl, W. R. 1925. Data on Scolopendrium vulgare J. E. Smith. Am. Fern

J. 15(l): 90-93.

McGilliard, E. 1948. The hart's-tongue in Tennessee in 1947. Am. Fern J.

38(2): 48-52.

McGilliard, E. 1936. The hart's-tongue in Tennessee. Am. Fern J. 26: 113-122.

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 1990. Database records for Phyllitis

scolopendrium var. americana. 2 pp.

Mitchell, R. S. and C. J. Sheviak. 1981. Rare plants of New York State. New York State Museum, Bull. 445. 96 pp.

Morton, C. V. 19. Hart's-tongue in Michigan again. An. Fern J. 46(4): 157-158.

Nepstad, D. C. 1981. Phyllitis scolopendriura var. americana Fernald,

American hart's-tongue fern (Polypodiaceae). Unpublished Michigan

Department of Natural Resources report, Lansing. 10 pp.

Ransier, H. E. 1913. Hunting the hart's,tongue and holly fern at Owen Sound, Ontario. Am. Fern J. 3(2): 25-37.

Shaver, J. M. 1945. Some notes on Tennessee cliff brakes, chainferns and the American hart's-tongue. J. Tennessee Acad. Sci. pp. 195-202.

Short, J. W. 1980. A second Alabama locality for the hart's-tongue. Am. Fern J. 70(4): 137.

Short, J. W. 1979. Phyllitis scolopendrium newly discovered in Alabama. Am. Fern J. 69: 47-48.

Snyder, D. B. 1990. Botanist, New Jersey Natural Heritage Program. Personal communication with Wayne Ostlie, MRO, The Nature Conservancy.

Snyder, D. B. and V. E. Vivian. 1981. Rare and endangered vascular plants in New Jersey. USFWS report.

Somers, P. 1989. Botanist, Tennessee Ecological Services Division. Personal communication: ESA questionnaire for Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana. 5 pp.

Soper, J. H. 1954. The hart's-toncjue fern in Ontario. Am. Fern J. 44: 128-147.

Stebbins, G. L. 1935. Further notes on the hart's-tongue. Am. Fern J. 25(l): 105-106.

Taylor, T. M. C. i934. Notes on some Ontario pteridophytes. Am. Fern J. 24: 79-83.

USFWS. 1990. Technical draft American hart's-tongue fern recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville, NC. 36 pp.

USFWS. 1989a. Final listing rules approved for 10 species. End. Spec. Tech. Bull. 14(8): 7-8.

USFWS. 1989b. Final rule: Threatened status for Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana. Federal Register 54(134): 29726-29730.

USFWS. 1988a. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: Proposed threatened status for Phyllitis scolopendrium var. am6ricana (American hart's-tongue fern). Federal Register

USFWS. 1988b. Listing protection is proposed for eight vulnerable

species. Endangered Species Tech. Bull. 13(9-10): 11 6-

USFWS. 1979. Redbook of threatened and endangered species. Great Lakes

Region.

Wagner, W. H. 1990. Professor of Botany,, University of Michigan.

Personal communication with Wayne Ostlie, MRO, The Nature Conservancy.

Wagner, W. H. 1955. Should the American hart's-toncjue be interpreted as a dist nct species? Am. Fern. J. 45: 127-128.

Wherry, E. T. 1936. American fern society. Am. Fern J. 26(3): 110-111.

Williamson, J. 1879. Scolopendrium vulgare discovered in Tennessee.

Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 6(57): 347-348.

>== 9900 UPDATE yy-mm-dd

90-06-30

>= 9999 END