REPORT DOCUMENTATION ' " «eport no. 



PAGE 



Biological Report 85(7.21) 



3. Recipient's Accession No 



4. Title and Subtitle 



The ecology of Atlantic white cedar wetlands: a community profile 



5. Report Date 



July 1989 



8. Performtng Organization Rept. No, 



Aimlee D. Laderman 



9. Performing Organization Name and Addresi 



10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. 



12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

 National Wetlands Research Center 

 1010 Gause Boulevard 

 Slidell, LA 70458 



11. Contr»ct(C) or Grant(G) No. 



(C) 



(G) 



13. Type of Report & Period Covered 



IS. Supptemantary Notes 



16. Abstract (Limit: 200 words) 



Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecypahs thyoides) is geographically restricted to freshwater 

 wetlands in a narrow band along the eastern coastal United States from Maine to Mississippi. 

 The shallow, dar)<, generally acid peatland waters are low in nutrients and are buffered by 

 complex organic acids. Distinctive biotic assemblages grow under conditions too extreme for 

 the majority of temperate-dwelling organisms. In many regions, cedar wetlands are refugia for 

 species that are rare, endangered, or threatened locally or nationally. After centuries of 

 development, the landscape has been so changed that much of the tree's original habitat is 

 destroyed. Major impacts include improper logging, draining, and substrate alteration for 

 agriculture, and commercial construction. Stands can vigorously regenerate despite multiple 

 incursions. With approphate protection and aggressive management where necessary, Atlantic 

 white cedar can also be reintroduced to many former cedar sites. 



17. Dociiment Analysis a. Descriptors 



flora 



ecology 



hydrology 



b. Identlfiers/Ocen-Ended Terms 



Atlantic White Cedar 

 freshwater wetlands 

 forest management 



c. COSATI Field/Group 



fauna 

 trees 



Chamaecypahs thyoides 



logging 



forest reestablishment 



18. Availability Statement 



Unlimited distribution 



19. Security Class (This Report) 



JJnclassiiied__ 



20. Security Class (This Page) 



Unclassified 



21. No. of Pages 



vlii + 114 



(See ANSI-Z39 18) 



OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77) 

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 Department of Commerc* 



