Migration of plants into watershed due to climate change

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

I present the Bald Cypress as a species that may be migrating into the watershed. The watershed is currently at the northern reaches of the habitat, but may move northward into the watershed to become a keystone species in the watershed.

The Bald Cypress is a deciduous confer with a slow growth rate , but has been commercially harvested for its rot resistance  for  use as fencing floors and cabinetry.  Harvesting has been reduced due to the slow rejuvenation stands, and the diminished number of trees available for harvesting.

As a pneumatophore, the tree grows from horizontal roots just below the water surface with shoots above the water line that are suspected to bring air to the drowned root structure.

(NWF,2016)

Bark: Brown Gray with a stringy texture

Growth: Slow growing tree that can reaches heights of 120’

Benefits:

• Provides forage for turkeys, wood ducks, water birds and squirrels; 
• Traps sediment and nutrients in root structure; 
• Mitigates flood waters, erosion control. ( NWF, 2016)

Reference

NWF, (2016), National Wildlife Federation, Wildlife Library, Bald Cypress Accessed from:

http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Plants/Bald-Cypress.aspx