Effects of Natural Gas Drilling on WildlifePowerPoint PresentationWhat are the impacts?Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Pad SiteLinear Openings: Roads, Seismic Lines, and PipelinesSlide 10Slide 11Invasives:Japanese Knotweed/BambooSlide 14Autumn OliveMile-a-MinuteImpoundmentsNoiseSlide 19Habitat FragmentationSlide 21Slide 22Slide 23Species Area Curve: Bats on Caribbean IslandsSlide 25Slide 26Slide 27Allegheny National ForestSlide 29Roads and WildlifeDisturbance to Sensitive HabitatsWhen the ‘edge’ increases…Increased PredationBrown-headed CowbirdThe Winners: habitat generalists, tolerant of distubance and peopleSlide 36The Losers: intolerant of disturbance or habitat specialistsPoor Dispesral AbilitiesArea sensitive or forest interior birdsSlide 40Timber RattlesnakeSlide 42Impacts to Plants & CommunitiesIs there legal protection?Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI)Possible Outcomes of PNDI “Hits”PNDI Species of InterestPNDI: Grassland Birds -avoid activity during nesting seasonShort-eared OwlNorthern Harrier/Marsh HawkBald EagleGreat Blue HeronryMinimizing ImpactReclamation of Disturbed SitesState Gamelands and ForestsAnd what of the aquatic species?Slide 57Effects of Natural Gas Drilling on WildlifeDr. Jerry SkinnerKeystone CollegeWho…"speaks for the trees, as the trees have no tongues“?What are the impacts?It depends……–Land use-farmland of forest?What are the impacts?It depends……–land use-farmland of forest?–core forest is of special concern•>300 ft from edge or opening–number of wells and their placement•depends on geology, proximity to pipelines and water, and size of the gas drainage unitThe bottom line…the landscape will change.Pad Site•often 4-6 acres•stabilized with compacted stone and aggregate•created ponds•roads and pipeline connectionsLinear Openings:Roads, Seismic Lines, and Pipelines•some wildlife avoid roads-even deer•forest-dependent salamanders are impacted by both active and inactive roads•encourage trespass by ATVs•seismic lines 8 m wide became territorial boundaries•lines 2-3 m wide were incorporated into territories–highways for invasive species:•Multiflora rose•Stiltgrass•Autumn olive•Garlic mustardLinear Openings:Roads, Seismic Lines, and PipelinesInvasives:Garlic Mustard•Allelopathic•AggressiveJapanese Knotweed/BambooJapanese BarberryAutumn OliveMile-a-MinuteImpoundments•freshwater reservoirs•frac waters•trap for amphibians•attractor for migratory waterfowlNoise•Drilling is temporary•Compressors stations are permanent•Birds and amphibians communicate vocally during breeding season–along highways, birds wait until big trucks have passed to sing–low frequency sounds travel farther–songbird diversity is 1.5x higher away from noise (Baynbe, Habib, and Boutin 2008)Ovenbirds had lower pairing success by compressors; younger males occupied sites nearer to compressor stations. (Habib, Bayne, and Boutin 2007)Habitat FragmentationSpecies Area Curve: Bats on Caribbean IslandsLog of island size in square milesLog of cumulative # of speciesConclusion: Larger islands patches have more species.Allegheny National ForestRoads and Wildlife•Forest dependent salamanders negatively impacted by both active and inactive logging roads (Semiltisch et al. 2007)•Road traffic and location influence mortality rates (Langen et al. 2009, Eigenbrod et al. 2008)•40-60% reduction in density of sage-brush songbirds within 100 m of roads associated with natural gas extraction (Ingelfinger and Anderson 2004)Disturbance to Sensitive HabitatsWhen the ‘edge’ increases…•the core “deep dark woods” decreases•higher predation and nest parasitismIncreased PredationBrown-headed CowbirdThe Winners: habitat generalists, tolerant of distubance and peopleAmerican Crow, Common Raven, Blue JayThe Losers: intolerant of disturbance or habitat specialistsNorthern Goshawk, Broad-winged HawkPoor Dispesral AbilitiesSpotted Salamander, Northern Red Salamander, Wood FrogScarlet Tanager, Blue-headed VireoArea sensitive or forest interior birdsAllegheny Woodrat, Timber RattlesnakeTimber Rattlesnake•PA candidate species–species of immediate concern•responsibility species-may have 5% of total world breeding population; PA is the NE US stronghold•strong correlation to Marcellus shale distribution•seismic testing can collapse densImpacts to Plants & Communities•Pads–Direct mortality & loss of ecological community–Fragmentation (more on this later)–Invasive-on equipment or natural dispersal–Won’t be restored to original community•Related Activities–Seismic survey–Access roads–Impoundment–Water use and disposal–PipelinesIs there legal protection?Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI)Possible Outcomes of PNDI “Hits”•No impact•Recommend moving the site•Other mitigations•Extensive survey for species of special concern (endangered, threatened, etc.)•Monitor impactsPNDI Species of InterestNorthern MyotisIndiana BatSilver-haired BatEastern Small-footed MyotisPNDI: Grassland Birds-avoid activity during nesting seasonUpland SandpiperShort-eared OwlNorthern Harrier/Marsh HawkBald Eagle•>200 nests in PA•Keep well 1000 feet away•Nests off-limits for 3 yearsGreat Blue Heronry•0-600 feet-no activity that alters habitat•600-1000 feet-low impact activity•Nesting season-Feb 15-Aug 15Minimizing Impact•Buffers around important features•Encourage sanitization of equipment•Encourage placement of sites, roads, etc. by existing disturbances•Monitor invasives pre/during/post•Hand cut seismic routesReclamation of Disturbed Sites• Revegetation guidelines• Encourage use of native species• Require monitoring of aggressive non-natives• Lessen potential of invasives-plant a cover quicklyState Gamelands and Forests•In many cases the State does NOT own mineral rights•Owners may exercise their right of removal but still must follow environmental laws•PA laws favor the extractor over the landowner.And what of the aquatic species?Change is coming…Change is here already…What level is