Ecology of Red Maple Swamps in the Glaciated Northeast: A ...

Chapter 7. Vertebrate Fauna
Although red maple swamp is the most abun- wetlands can be broadly categorized as either wetdant
freshwater wetland type in much of the glaci- land-dependent species or facultative species.
ated Northeast, relatively little research has been
canducted on its fauna and their habitat requirenents.
This ia eswially noteworthy because several
states (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York,
Massachusetts, and mode Island) include wildlife
habitat as a recognized value of wetlands within
replabry acts.
The vertabrah faunal community of northeastern
red maple swamps is large and varied
(Appndix C). For tire most part, this community is
cornpased of spies that select swmps as habitat
either on the b(wis of vegetation structure or on the
baais of water regime. Vegetation structure has
been shown to be a primary factor in wildlife
habitat, selection, especially in forested areas
(MncArthur and Mrlchrtbur 1961; Anderson axid
Shugart 1974; Miller axld Cetz 1977a; James and
Warner 1982). Water regime is critical for those
spx5as that, require shallow surface water during
p& of the year.
No studies have hen published oh the iiiverkbrat0
fauna of no~zflootiplain forested wetlands of
the Nart+heast. This lack of information merits attention
because invertebrates are important as
prey of forested wetland wildlife (Getz 1961~;
McGilwy 1968; Clark 1979; Craig 1984). Many
aquatic invertebrates found in streams, vernal
pooXs (Kexxk 1949; Wiggirm et al. 1980), bottondand
Xrardwood forests (Batema et d. 1985; White 1985),
md m~t~-thxt~r impouxx&~xenh (Kxull 1%9) nlay
oecw in red maple swamps as weil, but documentation
is lacking, Therefore, this profile of the fauna
of red maplc swmrps focuses on vertebrate taxa.
Wetland Dependence of'
Wildlife
For community analysis and habitat evaluation
purposes, it is useful Lo consider the degree ta which
various animal species or groups are dependent;
upon wetlands (Golet 1973). Vertebrate wildlife
that inhabit red maple swmps and other types of
wet hznd-dependent Species
Under natural conditions, wetland-dependent
species cannot exist without wetlands. Included
are two groups that vary in the extent to which
they use wetland habitats.
Wetland Species
Species for which wetlands are primary habitat
may be considered wetland species. This group
lives principally, or exclusively, in wetlands and
depends upon wetlands for most or all of its habitat
requirements (i.e., food, water, cover, breeding
sites). Examples of wetland species that mur in
red maplc swamps include the wood duck (Ark
sponsa), American black duck (Anas rubrips),
northern waterthrush (Sciurus nouehmcensis),
beaver, river otter (Lutra canademis), and mink
(MusteZu vison).
Wetland-dependent Upland Species
These are species such as the spring peeper
(Pseudacris crucifer), American toad (Bz& americanus),
wood frog (Ram syluaticu), and spothd salamander
(Ambystoma macukttum), which live primdy
in upland habitats but lay their eggs and
develop through larval stages in the shallow water
of wetlands. Wetlands are as critical to the survival
of this group as they are to the wetland species. Red
maple swamps provide breeding habitat for many
wetland-dependent upland species.
Facultative Species
For the remaining species, the wetness of wetlands
is neither a require~nent nor a limiting factor.
Taxa in this group are generally considered
upland wildlife, but they also inhabit wetlands,
so~xnetinres in iarge nunhrs. Facuitative species
span a M.ide range in the extent of wetland use.
Many passerine species, such as the gray catbird
(EXLnzeteZk mrolinensis), black-capped chickadee
(Pam atrimpillus), common yellowthroat
(Geothlypis tricb), and black-and-white warbler