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Center for Earth and Environmental
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SCOTT STARLING NATURE SANCTUARY BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Project Location,
History and Setting The area was settled in the mid-1800s. Nearly all of the land on the north side of Fishback Creek was utilized for agricultural purposes during most of the twentieth century. Aerial photographs from 1936 show several areas that are now covered with young second growth forest were in row crop (Tungsevick, 1997). The area was purchased by the City of Indianapolis in 1966 as a portion of the land designated for the developing Eagle Creek Park and Reservoir. Several agricultural fields continued to be cultivated until 1991. The area was officially dedicated as the Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary in 1992 and is managed by Indy Parks and Recreation. The physical setting of the Nature Sanctuary is defined by Fishback Creek and the associated stream valley. This deeply incised valley originated from glacial meltwaters of the Wisconsin epoch when water flows were significantly higher than those in the current stream (Barr et al., 1996). The valley is characterized by a narrow floodplain and steep bluffs on the south and west sides of the creek. A broad floodplain with a gentle slope occupies areas north and east of the creek. This is the area of the wetland restoration. Glacial meltwater has left broad outwash deposits dominated by permeable sand and gravel. These deposits are the source of groundwater seeps on the preserve. During pre-settlement times, the majority of
the Starling Sanctuary was forested and included both upland and
floodplain forests. A section of the property likely contained an
open sedge meadow. This area is located around the groundwater
seepage area and contains a deep muck soil consistent with the
presence of a saturated sedge meadow (Tungesvick, 1997). Prior to
the initiation of restoration, the area consisted of a small seepage
along Wilson Road north of an infrequently mowed grassy area. The
area is sunny, but contains abundant evidence of disturbance (Tungesvick,
1997).
Wetland Functions and Benefits
Habitat Change and Wetland Loss in Indiana and Marion County
After settlement, most of these forest and wetland plant communities were cleared, drained and converted for agricultural use or other development. Wetland drainage most commonly consisted of the installation of a subsurface tile drainage network. These tiles were typically fired clay and were designed to move water through an underground plumbing system to an outflow point, typically a creek or artificial ditch. Fragments of Marion County’s original forest were allowed to grow back for timber harvesting or because the soils were unsuitable for farming or other development. These forest fragments make up most of the remaining hardwood forests of Marion County and in 1997 accounted for only 13% of the county (Barr et al., 2002). Indiana’s wetlands fared poorly. The best estimate of the wetlands in Indiana prior to settlement is based on the presence of wetland (hydric) soils. Analysis of soil data statewide by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Indiana Department of Natural Resources concluded there were approximately 5.6 million acres of wetlands in Indiana circa the 1780’s representing 24% of the state’s surface area (DNR, 1996). Surveys completed during the 1980’s concluded that there are 813,000 wetland acres today accounting for only 3.5% of the surface area of the state (DNR, 1996). These estimates indicate that Indiana has lost 85% of its wetlands and ranks 4th (tied with Missouri) among the 50 states in proportion of wetland acreage lost (Dahl, 1990). The vast majority of the 85% of the wetlands lost was due to drainage for agricultural purposes (DNR, 1996). The current distribution of wetland types in Indiana heavily favors forest wetlands with 62% of the remaining wetlands being of this type. Fen wetlands and sedge meadows are classified within the “other” category along with bogs and together combine only 3% of the remaining wetland types statewide (Rolley, 1991). Northeastern and southwestern Indiana have the greatest proportion of remaining wetlands with several counties retaining wetland acreage of 10-15% of the county acreage. Marion County has retained only 3-6% of its acreage as wetland. Indiana’s wetlands continue to be lost or impacted in a variety of ways. Comprehensive data for the current extent and causes of wetland loss are largely unavailable. Recent Supreme Court rulings have significantly reduced wetland protection, especially for small, isolated wetlands. The State of Indiana is currently debating the future of wetland protection and several wetland protection bills are currently before the Indiana legislature (HB1221 and SB491). The future status of wetland protection in Indiana is uncertain at this time. References Cited
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