Weden's Bay
Location
MI Natural Community Types:
Weden’s Bay RNA is composed of the following: 41% Rich Conifer Swamp, 33% Boreal Forest, 18% Limestone Cobble Shore and 8% Limestone Bedrock Glade.
Potential Research Topics:
Weden’s Bay RNA provides a wealth of fauna and flora to study in detail or in conjunction with climate change research and its effects on shorelines and northern wetlands. The shoreline and wetland areas also provide opportunities to focus studies on the rare and endangered species endemic to the RNA.
Ecological and Physical Description
Weden’s Bay RNA provides protection to a unique juxtaposition of lakeshore, dune, swale, and wetland and upland complex. The undisturbed nature of the upland and wetland ecosystems offers a rich species diversity and the opportunity to study fresh water transition zones. Also, the relatively pristine remnants of pre-European settlement lakeshore to upland transitional ecosystems are uncommon in the region, providing great biological significance.
Annual precipitation averages 28.7 inches (73 cm); 50% received as snowfall. Average seasonal snowfall is 49.5 inches (125.7 cm).
Escanaba (station ID number: GHCND: USW00014824, latitude 45.7181°, longitude -87.0939°). The station is about seven miles due northeast of the RNA.
Bedrock of the area includes Big Hill Dolomite (45%) and Stonington Formation (42%) with surficial geology of thin to discontinuous glacial till over bedrock (81%).
Along the Lake Michigan coast, soil complexes consist of Eastport Series, which are well drained or moderately well drained, nearly level or gently sloping soils on beach ridges and low dunes. These soils formed in sandy material and are generally 1–60 inches (2.54–152.4 cm) deep. Limestone bedrock is often found below these soils at depths ranging from 40 inches (101.6 cm) to a maximum depth of 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 meters). These soils have low available water capacity and low natural fertility; runoff is slow and permeability is rapid. Smaller areas within Weden’s Bay are classified as marsh and Tawas muck.
The shoreline and wetland areas in Weden’s Bay RNA are important to several wildlife species. Avian species use the wetland areas as a resting stop during migratory flights. The shores are a pristine habitat for piping plover, and the entire site’s high water table benefits the plant and animals species that require wet habitats.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinus strobus), | Eastern white pine | Common Flora | ||
| Thuja occidentalis | Northern white cedar | Common Flora | ||
| Betula papyrifera | scattered paper birch | Common Flora | ||
| Picea glauca | white spruce | Common Flora | ||
| Fraxinus nigra | black ash | Common Flora | ||
| Aralia nudicaulis | wild sarsaparilla | Common Flora | ||
| Cornus canadensis | Canadian bunchberry | Common Flora | ||
| Trientalis borealis | starflower | Common Flora | ||
| Maianthemum canadense | Canada mayflower | Common Flora | ||
| Iris lacustris | dwarf lake iris | Common Flora |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canis latrans | coyote | Common mammals | ||
| Lepus americanus | snowshoe hare | Common mammals | ||
| Procyon lotor | raccoon | Common mammals | ||
| Ethizon dorsatum | porcupine | Common mammals | ||
| Odocoileus virginianus | white-tail deer | Common mammals | ||
| Actitis macularius | spotted sandpiper | Common bird species | ||
| Sterna hirundo | common tern | Common bird species | ||
| Larus delawarensis | ring-billed gull | Common bird species | ||
| Megaceryle alcyon | belted kingfisher | Common bird species | ||
| Agelaius phoeniceus | red-winged blackbird | Common bird species | ||
| Melospiza melodia | song sparrow | Common bird species | ||
| Troglodytes hiemalis | winter wren | Common bird species | ||
| Turdus migratorius | American robin | Common bird species | ||
| Oreothlypis ruficapilla | nashville warbler | Common bird species | ||
| Geothlypis trichas | common yellowthroat | Common bird species | ||
| Sitta canadensis | red-breasted nuthatch | Common bird species | ||
| Poecile atricapillus | black-capped chickadee | Common bird species |