Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
Tifft Nature Preserve Management Plan - Buffalo Museum of Science
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Major Habitats At <strong>Tifft</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Preserve</strong><br />
Cattail Marsh<br />
The cattail marsh is the jewel <strong>of</strong> the preserve, with its native wetland plant<br />
community providing valuable wildlife habitat and a window to the natural environment<br />
<strong>of</strong> the past (Figure 1). Prior to settlement <strong>of</strong> the area and the development <strong>of</strong> commerce<br />
and industry, the cattail marsh was only a small piece <strong>of</strong> an extensive flood plain and<br />
wetland complex surrounding the mouth <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Buffalo</strong> River. Today, the 75-acre (30-<br />
hectare) cattail marsh is the largest section remaining <strong>of</strong> that former natural community<br />
and the largest remnant wetland in Erie County, and one <strong>of</strong> the largest in the Lake Erie<br />
coastal region. The marsh is designated and regulated as a wetland by both the federal<br />
and state government. Unlike other parts <strong>of</strong> the preserve, the cattail marsh is<br />
dominated by native vegetation that provides breeding habitat for threatened bird<br />
species like the Pied-billed Grebe and Least Bittern. Also, the endangered Black Tern<br />
has not nested there since the 1970’s, but could return. The marsh also provides<br />
suitable habitat and a possible site for reintroduction <strong>of</strong> the threatened Blanding’s turtle.<br />
Due to its regional ecological significance and habitats for native plants and rare<br />
animals, preservation <strong>of</strong> the marsh should be the highest priority for natural resource<br />
management at the preserve.<br />
There has been little alteration to the marsh environment over time, but there<br />
have been habitat improvement projects in recent years. First, in 1977, dredging<br />
occurred along the southwestern perimeter creating Berm Pond, and Lisa Pond on the<br />
north side <strong>of</strong> the marsh was expanded and deepened to provide more open water<br />
habitat. In 1999, a series <strong>of</strong> channels were dredged throughout the marsh and in 2006<br />
five shallow ponds with islands were created within the network <strong>of</strong> channels. The<br />
channels and ponds were designed to break up the solid stand <strong>of</strong> cattails and create a<br />
mix <strong>of</strong> open water and emergent vegetation that attracts a greater diversity <strong>of</strong><br />
waterbirds. In conjunction with the dredging activity, the native wetland plants, bur-reed<br />
and buttonbush, were planted in shallow areas and on the created islands. The wetland<br />
is connected via a buried pipe and drains into Lake Kirsty during high water. There is<br />
also a pump that allows water to be pumped from Lake Kirsty into the wetland during<br />
low water levels. These structures allow for water level control which is very important<br />
for management <strong>of</strong> the marsh. Beetles (Galerucella spp.) were released for biological<br />
control <strong>of</strong> the invasive purple loosestrife and have successfully controlled and almost<br />
eliminated the plant from the marsh.<br />
With the above habitat improvements and control <strong>of</strong> purple loosestrife, the marsh<br />
is in excellent ecological condition. The only major management challenge that remains<br />
is the threat posed by common reed (Phragmites australis). Phragmites is abundant on<br />
the perimeter <strong>of</strong> the marsh, but has not severely invaded the interior yet where it could<br />
choke out native plants, greatly diminish wildlife habitat, and reduce the viewing<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> visitors. Eradication on the edges may not be possible, but the plant<br />
should be aggressively prevented from dominating the marsh interior. Although the<br />
dredging activity improved habitat, the lowering <strong>of</strong> water levels to allow equipment<br />
<strong>Tifft</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>Preserve</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> 11