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Coastal Plain Poor Fen |
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System: Palustrine
SubSystem: Open Peatlands State Protection: Not Listed Federal Protection: Not Listed State Rarity Rank: S1 
A State Rarity Rank of S1 means: Typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology makes it especially vulnerable in New York State. Global Rarity Rank: G3?
A Global Rarity Rank of G3? means: Vulnerable globally (most likely) - Conservation status is uncertain, but most likely at moderate risk of extinction due to rarity or other factors; typically 80 or fewer populations or locations in the world, few individuals, restricted range, few remaining acres (or miles of stream), and/or recent and widespread declines. More information is needed to assign a firm conservation status. Did you know? Sedges and rushes are often found in coastal plain poor fens. Naturalists have come up with a saying to help remember the differences between these two grasslike plants: "Sedges have edges, rushes are round (and grasses have nodes from the top to the ground). Rushes (members of the Juncus Family of plants) have had many uses in human history. One origin of the word Rush is from old English or German meaning to knit. The stems of the rush plant have been used for centuries to weave chair seats and in Japan to weave the soft surface of tatami mats. The pith, or center of the rush, was also used to make a type of candle called "rushlight." It is best to try and identify individual rush species in the late summer. Don?t forget to bring your hand lens! |
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| State Ranking Justification | [-] |
There are very few occurrences of this community type. A few have good viability and are protected on public land or private conservation land. This community does not have statewide distribution, occurring only on the coastal plain of Long Island. The current trend of this community is probably stable for occurrences on public land, or declining slightly elsewhere due to moderate threats related to development pressure or alteration to the natural hydrology. This community has declined moderately to substantially from historical numbers likely correlated with population increase.
| Short-term Trends | [-] |
The numbers and acreage of inland poor fens in New York have probably remained stable in recent decades as a result of wetland protection regulations. The complete, historical, acreage for this community type is unknown but was probably less than 1000 acres. The total, current, acreage for this community type is currently less than 100 acres. This decline is due primarily to alterations in hydrology caused by residential and commercial development. Alterations included draining, ditching or filling in, and an increased demand for fresh water resulting in a lower water table. Invasive species could speed up the decline of this community by out-competing the native species.
| Long-term Trends | [-] |
The numbers and acreage of coastal plain poor fens in New York have probably declined moderately from historical numbers. This decline is correlated with the settlement of the area and corresponding residential, agricultural, and commercial development.
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Home | Advanced Search | About Us Animal Guides | Plant Guides | Community Guides © 2004-2012 New York Natural Heritage Program, a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Please cite this page as:
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2013. Online Conservation Guide for Coastal Plain Poor Fen. Available from: http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9933. Accessed May 24th, 2013. 
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