Microsite Habitat, Species Associations, and Habitat Suitability Model of a Globally Imperiled Shrub
ORCID
Correa: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4466-6923
MSU Affiliation
College of Forest Resources; Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Department of Forestry; College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Creation Date
2026-03-30
Abstract
Miller's witch-alder (Fothergilla milleri, Hamamelidaceae) is a newly described globally imperiled shrub that is known from disjunct populations in coastal Alabama, the panhandle of Florida, and one location in Georgia. Little is currently known about the natural history or ecology of the species. We conducted inventories of three populations of F. milleri in Alabama and Florida. A total of 3060 ramets were found; 45% were in one subpopulation ≤0.5 ha in area and 79% were in one population within an area of 4.5 ha. Low ramet counts in few locations makes the species particularly vulnerable to extinction due to stochastic events. Also, all seed capsules found within the surveys were infected by an aphid, which is possibly preventing sexual reproduction within the populations. Microsite habitat data indicated F. milleri grows in a unique transitional habitat between upland conifer forest and wetlands. The sites where extant populations of F. milleri inhabit tend to have acidic and well-drained soils with a high sand content. Further, many populations were under thick midstory vegetation. Thus, fire or other forms of removal may be needed to release those subpopulations before they may become shaded out. Lastly, a habitat suitability model was developed to better facilitate conservation efforts. However, only 0.5% of the study area was within the highest level of suitability. Fothergilla milleri is facing multiple threats that could lead to its extirpation from the wild, and direct and intense conservation action may be necessary to ensure F. milleri remains on the landscape.
Publication Date
7-20-2022
Publication Title
Natural Areas Journal
Publisher
Natural Areas Association
First Page
206
Last Page
217
Recommended Citation
Clayton W. Hale, Joshua J. Granger, Courtney M. Siegert, Sandra B. Correa, Janice L. DuBien, Caleb D. Goldsmith, and Will Kruckeberg "Microsite Habitat, Species Associations, and Habitat Suitability Model of a Globally Imperiled Shrub," Natural Areas Journal 42(3), 206-217, (20 July 2022). https://doi.org/10.3375/21-41
