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Evaluation of Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands to Climate Change

This is a ResilientMass action.
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The Challenge

Massachusetts contains many exemplary occurrences of Atlantic white cedar (AWC) wetlands, a globally declining freshwater wetland type found within a narrow band along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. These wetlands are also regional refugia for species that are rare, endangered, or threatened in Massachusetts and the Northeast U.S. The wetlands contain distinctive assemblages of organisms that are capable of growing in conditions of prolonged or seasonal flooding, and acid, low nutrient conditions.

Atlantic white cedar wetlands have been altered by logging, by drainage for agriculture, by alteration of hydrological regimes, alteration of fire regimes, and impacts to water quality. Their area is much reduced from their former extent. The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program considers all Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands to be Imperiled. They are considered Priority Natural Communities for protection and stewardship because of their unique vegetation and limited distribution.

Project Scope

MassWildlife and Woodwell Climate Research Center staff developed a draft plan to assess the current status and structure of Atlantic white cedar forested wetlands in Massachusetts. The plan will: (1) assess the occurrence of AWC wetlands across Massachusetts; and (2) develop protocols and metrics by which the composition and structure of AWC wetlands will be evaluated in future field studies. 

The plan incorporates protocols and metrics that will provide a current baseline from which future changes caused by climate and other human-caused modifications can be quantified. This plan was developed in collaboration with Mass Wildlife staff, Woodwell Climate Research Center staff, and other participants invited by mutual agreement through a series of field assessments, meetings, and document drafts shared in FY24,   

Development of GIS models and metrics along with other tools to help evaluate distribution and occurrence statewide.    

Metrics

Investigators conducted a series of meetings with MassWildlife staff to develop the scope and details of a draft plan. The following parameters were taken into consideration to determine the metrics to be included in a future state-wide assessment of Atlantic white cedar wetlands:

  • The number and distribution of sites to be evaluated,
  • The aspects of climate change that will likely be important for determining the future

status and biodiversity of Atlantic White Cedar ecosystems

  • The field methods to be conducted at each site
  • Field equipment and metrics used for wetland assessments including species monitoring
  • The duration of the assessment study and target partners 

Results

  • Effective team meetings held by MassWildlife and Woodwell Climate Research Center. 
  • Research information and background data shared with partners, goals and strategies developed. 
  • Draft plan for Assessments of Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands in Massachusetts was completed by Woodwell Climate Research Center in consultation with MassWildlife.
  • Terrestrial LiDAR and other equipment/supplies were purchased, and metrics for data collection explored. 
  • Multiple agency and organizational partners identified for next phase of project focused on occurrence assessments, vulnerability analyses, and knowledge sharing.     
  • Initial GIS modeling and metrics investigated by MassWildlife staff to determine distribution statewide and ground truth select occurrences. Multiple new occurrences identified through this process. 

Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Initial meetings, site visits, and collaboration with agency, organizational, and tribal partners underway but due to project development, procurement, and timing constraints this component will be more fully implemented in FY25.     

Project Alignment with ResilientMass Plan Priority Actions

This project contributes to the following actions under the 2023 MA State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan, Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation 

  • Action 10: Restore forest ecosystem health to bolster climate change resiliency to coastal flooding, inland flooding, drought, wildfires, invasive species
  • Action 1: Increase regional capacity building to help communities plan and implement climate resilient ecological restoration projects
  • Action 11 and 11a: Developing an approach for detecting and responding to invasive species management, Assessment for Invasive Plant Species
  • Action 15: Monitor and Restore Climate Refugia aquatic ecosystems 

Further Action

Next steps for this project include finalizing the protocol for Atlantic White Cedar Assessments in FY25 using guidance outlined in the Draft Plan for Future Atlantic White Cedar Assessments produced by Woodwell Climate Research Center; conducting field assessments and establish baseline monitoring within representative subset of Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands statewide; and conducting periodic partner meetings in FY25, site visits, and share findings with investigators, agencies, conservation organizations, tribal partners, landowners, and other stakeholders to ensure project recommendations are integrated into the vulnerability analyses, future monitoring protocols, and recommendations for restoration, climate actions, and conservation of Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands.  

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