Scott's Marsh
Location
MI Natural Community Types:
Based on the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Scott’s Marsh RNA contains the following community types: northern shrub thicket (94%), patterned fen (3%), hardwood conifer swamp (3%), and poor conifer swamp (1%).
Potential Research Topics:
Potential research topics include climate change impacts on wetlands; successional pathways of a transitional ecosystem; effects of fireon woody succession; and studies on rare species that occur in this wetland.
Ecological and Physical Description
Scott’s Marsh contains more wetland acreage than any other RNA within the Hiawatha National Forest. It consists of a large complex of wetlands, rivers, and lakes that flow through the Shingleton area and branch both south and north toward the Great Lakes. This wetland complex provides ample habitat for plants and wildlife, helps to cleanse waters from surrounding areas, and establishes the headwaters for streams. Scott’s Marsh also represents a vital resting stop for rare and globally declining neotropical migratory birds.
Annual rainfall averages 39 inches (98cm).
The nearest weather station is Munising, (I.D. 205690, latitude 46 ̊24’N, longitude -86 ̊39’W). The station is about 10 miles due southeast of the RNA.
Soils on the Scott’s Marsh RNA consist of sandy soils formed in sandy material that lies on till, outwash, and lake plains. Wetland soils include are Carbondale, Lupton, and Rifle Soils, while the soils in the upland forest are generally within the Rubicon and Croswell sand series.
The wetland complex within Scott’s Marsh radiates outward and is connected to streams, rivers, inland lakes, and other aquatic bodies in the surrounding areas. No large rivers pass through the RNA, but the South Branch of Stutt’s Creek and Beaver Creek run on either side of the RNA.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I spp. | birch species | Common Flora | ||
| Vaccinium spp | blueberry | Common Flora | ||
| Acer saccharum | eastern white pine | Common Flora | ||
| Abies balsamea | balsam fir | Common Flora | ||
| Picea glauca | white spruce | Common Flora | ||
| Tsuga canadensis | Common Flora | |||
| Andromed polifolia | bog rosemary | Common Flora | ||
| Alnus rugose | tag alder | Common Flora | ||
| Peridium spp. | bracken fern | Common Flora |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ondatra zibethic | muskrat | Common Mammals | ||
| Tamias striatus | eastern chipmunk | Common Mammals | ||
| Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | red squirrel | Common Mammals | ||
| Lepus americanus | snowshoe hare | Common Mammals | ||
| Procyon lotor | raccoon | Common Mammals | ||
| Lutra canadensis | river otter | Common Mammals | ||
| Odocoileus virginianus | white-tailed deer | Common Mammals | ||
| Ursus americanus | black bear | Common Mammals | ||
| Canis latrans | coyote | Common Mammals | ||
| Vulpes fulva) | redfox | Common Mammals | ||
| Alces alces | moose | Common Mammals | ||
| Grus canadensis | sandhill crane | Common Bird Species | ||
| Anas rubripes | black duck | Common Bird Species | ||
| Branta canadensis | Canada goose | Common Bird Species | ||
| Gavia immer | common loon | Common Bird Species | ||
| Ardea herodias), | great blue heron | Common Bird Species | ||
| Colaptes auratus | northern flicker | Common Bird Species |