POSTER PRESENTER: http://tinyurl.com/2024WSC-Little TITLE: Vegetation and hydrology of two black ash (Fraxinus nigra) swamps in western Wisconsin ABSTRACT: Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) is an important overstory dominant in northern hardwood swamps, but it is declining due to the invasive emerald ash-borer (Agrilus planipennis). We investigated plant community and hydroperiod characteristics in two black ash-dominated wetlands in Western WI in preparation for long-term study. The swamp in Muddy Creek Wildlife Area (MC) had a muck substrate, while the swamp in Gilbert Creek Fishery Area (GC) was located on a silt loam soil. We anticipated that the plant communities would be different and may respond differently to ash loss. Tree, shrub, and herbaceous vegetation data were collected in 8-10 permanent plots in each wetland. A set of nested piezometers was installed in each wetland with dataloggers. Fifty-one percent of trees at MC were showing signs of damage, while only 10% at GC were. Canopy cover was significantly higher at GC (94%) than at MC (86%), although ash made up a larger proportion of the canopy at GC. Co-dominants at MC included red maple, yellow birch, and American elm. The black ash at MC had a larger stem diameter but lower density than those at GC. There was little overlap between the herbaceous plant communities. MC was dominated by cinnamon fern, while GC was dominated by Carex bromoides. There was more evidence of ash reproduction with significantly more ash seedlings, saplings, and small-diameter trees at GC. GC also had larger groundwater-level fluctuations than MC. Future research will investigate how these two wetlands respond differently to ash decline using vegetation, soil, and hydrology surveys. This research may help us understand how contextual factors such as overstory diversity and soil type may contribute to swamp plant community resistance and resilience. BIO: Mandy Little is a professor and program director of environmental science at UW-Stout in Menomonie, WI. She studies wetland plant ecology, with current research projects in black ash swamps, trout stream restorations, and wetland restoration sites.