Urban Woodland Species Inventory
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This study of a 3.8-acre urban woodland fragment in Fort Circle Park, Washington DC, demonstrates the significant ecological value of small green spaces within urban environments. Despite its modest size and proximity to busy urban infrastructure, this forest patch supports a diverse array of wildlife, including at least 39 vertebrate species — 8 mammals and 25 birds — identified in the two-month study period. The presence of several Species of Greatest Conservation Need and an IUCN Red Listed species underscores the conservation importance of maintaining such habitats within cities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1
Removing Non-Native and Invasive Plants and Restoring Native Understory
Our findings revealed a stark contrast between the predominantly native canopy and the invasive-rich understory. To address this, a comprehensive invasive species removal program should be implemented, focusing on species like Bush Honeysuckle, Japanese Honeysuckle, and English Ivy that were observed dominating the understory. This should be followed by a native plant restoration effort. Restoring native understory plants will not only support local biodiversity but also provide better habitat and food sources for the diverse wildlife observed in our study, including species of conservation concern like the Eastern Towhee and Brown Thrasher.
2
Enhancing Connectivity
A. Expanding nearby habitat: The large open fields adjacent to the woodland present a significant opportunity for habitat expansion and diversification. Creating native plant meadows would support species like the American Goldfinch and Cedar Waxwing observed in our bioacoustic recordings, while also benefiting crucial pollinators. Wetland restoration in nearby parks (a stream is present in the same park about 650 meters southeast of the study woods) could provide much-needed water sources, addressing the lack of natural water in the immediate area that led to frequent wildlife visits to our artificial water stations.
Daylighting underground streams currently running beneath streets and rerouting them through the park would create valuable riparian habitats. This could support a wider range of species not currently present. The restored streams could be designed with meanders and pools to slow water flow, reduce erosion, and create microhabitats.
The expansive nearby fields offer a blank canvas for creating a mosaic of native habitats. This could include areas of prairie grasses, shrublands, and even small wooded copses to complement the existing forest. Such habitat diversity would likely increase the overall species richness of the area, potentially attracting new species not observed in our current study.
B. Traffic mitigation: South Dakota Avenue and Sargent Road pose significant barriers to wildlife movement, as evidenced by our observations of an injured deer and the generally low numbers of larger mammals like Virginia Opossums. These roads effectively dissect the park lands, creating isolated habitat fragments and impeding the natural movement of wildlife. Implementing comprehensive traffic calming measures, particularly through road diets and lane reductions, is crucial for reconnecting these fragmented habitats.
A road diet on South Dakota Avenue, including protected bike lanes, reduced vehicle lanes, and features like bulb-outs, would have multiple benefits for wildlife connectivity. Reducing the number of lanes and overall road width decreases the distance animals need to cross, significantly lowering their exposure to traffic. The addition of protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks creates a buffer zone between vehicular traffic and the park edges, potentially serving as a safer transition area for wildlife.
Slower traffic speeds, a natural consequence of road diets, greatly increase drivers' reaction times and reduce the severity of any wildlife-vehicle collisions. This is particularly important for species like White-tailed Deer and Red Foxes observed in our study, which are more likely to attempt road crossings.
Bulb-outs and other traffic calming features not only slow vehicles but can also be designed with native plantings, creating small habitat stepping stones across the urban landscape. These features can be particularly beneficial for birds and small mammals, providing cover and resources as they move between larger habitat patches.
Moreover, the reduced noise and vibration from slower, less dense traffic can expand the effective habitat area for many species, particularly birds and small mammals that are sensitive to these urban disturbances. This could potentially increase the diversity and abundance of wildlife using areas near these roads.
Implementing similar measures on Sargent Road would further enhance connectivity, creating a more permeable urban landscape for wildlife movement. These road modifications, when implemented comprehensively, can transform these streets from barriers into functional eco-corridors, significantly enhancing the ecological value and connectivity of Fort Circle Park and the broader urban ecosystem.
C. Green Streets Program: Implementing a "green streets" program in surrounding residential areas could create wildlife corridors through urban areas. This would involve encouraging residents to plant native species in their yards and along street verges, creating a network of small habitats that connect larger green spaces. Species like the Northern Cardinal and Gray Catbird, frequently observed in our study, could benefit from such an approach.
3
Proactive Litter Management and Mitigation
Our observations noted the extensive presence of large amounts of litter in the woodland, which can pose risks to wildlife. A proactive litter prevention and removal strategy should be implemented. This could involve regular community clean-up events, strategically placing wildlife-proof trash receptacles, and implementing an education campaign about the impacts of litter on urban wildlife. Particular attention should be paid to items that could entangle or be ingested by animals, based on the species we observed frequenting the area.
4
End Park Neglect and Mismanagement
The issues observed in this woodland fragment, such as the dominance of invasive species in the understory and consistent problems of littering, dumping, multiple acres of grass being burned by wildfire caused by fireworks being set off in nearby fields, and even possible signs of poaching, are symptomatic of much broader problems in NPS-managed neighborhood parks across Washington, DC. The challenges are particularly acute in this area, with a troubling history of toxic waste in nearby parks that requires urgent attention and remediation.
Fort Circle Park and adjacent NPS-managed areas have a documented history of contamination, including the presence of hazardous materials from past military activities. This legacy of pollution poses potential risks not only to the wildlife we observed but also to public health. The prevalence of toxic waste underscores the critical need for more responsive, localized management that can address these complex environmental challenges effectively.
Transferring management of these neighborhood parks to local authority would allow for more tailored, intensive care of these spaces. Local management could more quickly respond to issues like toxic waste remediation, invasive species control, littering, dumping and habitat restoration. It would also facilitate better integration of these parks into the city's broader green infrastructure and biodiversity plans.
If full transfer is not possible, establishing robust cooperative management agreements is crucial. These agreements should clearly delineate responsibilities and give substantial authority to local entities to implement necessary conservation and remediation efforts. This could include partnering with local environmental organizations and academic institutions to conduct regular soil and water quality testing, crucial given the area's history of contamination.
Furthermore, local management could more effectively coordinate with city agencies on issues that affect park health, such as stormwater management and urban planning decisions. This holistic approach is necessary to address the complex environmental challenges faced by these urban green spaces and to maximize their ecological value as revealed by our species inventory.
5
Installing Wildlife Nesting Sites
Installing wildlife-friendly infrastructure like nesting sites could further enhance the habitat value of this urban woodland. Bird boxes tailored to species like the Tufted Titmouse and White-Breasted Nuthatch could provide additional nesting sites. Bat boxes would support urban bat populations, which were likely present but not captured by our current methodology. Additionally, considering the frequent observations of raccoons with juveniles, strategically placed den boxes could offer safer alternatives to human structures, potentially reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
6
Mobilizing Neighbors
Mobilizing community members to assist in monitoring and addressing persistent issues in the park can greatly enhance conservation efforts. Local residents could be trained to identify and report invasive species spread, allowing for more timely interventions. A neighborhood watch program focused on deterring dumping and littering could help maintain habitat quality for the diverse wildlife we observed.
Suggestions for Future Study
Expanded Bioacoustic Monitoring: Future studies should employ bioacoustic devices capable of capturing vocalizations from a wider range of species, particularly bats. While our current study provided valuable data on avian species, the urban woodland may support a diverse bat community that went undetected. Utilizing ultrasonic detectors and analysis software specifically designed for bat echolocation calls would provide crucial information about chiropteran diversity and activity patterns in this urban habitat. This data could inform conservation strategies for these important but often overlooked urban mammals, many of which are severely threatened.
Small Animal Detection Methods: To better capture the presence and diversity of smaller animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals like mice, future studies should incorporate additional survey techniques for observing these animals.
Comprehensive Soil Testing: Given the history of toxic waste in immediately adjacent parks, a thorough soil testing program is crucial for understanding potential environmental contamination and its impacts on wildlife. This should include:
Extensive sampling across the woodland for heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury
Testing for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that may have accumulated from past industrial or military activities
Analysis of soil pH, organic matter content, and nutrient levels to assess overall soil health
Results from these tests could reveal potential health risks to wildlife and humans using the park, inform habitat restoration efforts, and guide future management decisions. Additionally, this data could be valuable for broader urban ecology research, providing insights into how urban wildlife adapts to potentially contaminated environments.
3D locator map of the project study woods and surroundings on the DC side of the border