Hager Lake ProjectProposed Citizen Science Project

Pend Oreille ChapterIdaho Master Naturalist Program

Hager Lake ProjectA Rare Biological GemPreserved for PosterityA Scientific LegacyThe Proposed Work Plan

Hager Lake – A Rare Biological GemHager Lake is a 5-acre pond formed in a

depression left with the retreat of the glaciersHager Lake is a valley peatland of high

biodiversityA peatland is wetland with waterlogged

substrates and 12-inch accumulation of peat Lack of oxygen and cool temperatures limit

decompositionHager Lake contains 10 different rare plant

species

Rare Plants of Hager LakeFloating mat zone – small cranberry (Vaccinium

oxycoccos), rannoch-rush (Scheuchzeria palustris)Fixed mat zone – inundated clubmoss (Lycopodiella

inundata), large St. Johnswort (Hypericum majus)Lake margins – swaying bulrush (Schoenoplectus

subterminalis)Other areas – arctic starflower (Trientalis europaea

ssp. arctica)Rare plants believed extripated – marsh willowherb

(Epilobium palustre), crested woodfern (Dryopteris cristata), bristly-stalked sedge (Carex leptalea), tree groundpine (Lycopodium dendroideum)

small (or bog) cranberry rannoch-rush (or podgrass)

Photo by Ben Legler Photo by Louis-M. Landry

large St. Johnswort

marsh willowherb

arctic starflower

Photo by Dana Visalli

Photo by Ben Legler

Photo by Ben Legler

Preserved for PosterityArchie and Mary George were looking for

land in the country with positive natural characteristics

The Nature Conservancy helped them locate the Hager Lake property

Established conservation easement on the property to protect it from developmentInitially with The Nature ConservancyTransferred to Inland Northwest Land TrustEasement is permanent and stays with the land

through sales and inheritance

A Scientific Legacy at Hager LakeProbably the best studied peatland in north IdahoSite of pollen studies for post-glacial paleo-ecology John Rumely completed his doctoral research on the plant

ecology of Hager Lake Field work completed 1952; thesis submitted 1956

Bursik and Moseley conducted joint USFS and IDFG project in 1992 to revisit the work by Rumely Focused on changes over the 40–year period

Now at 60-year point, time to revisit plant ecology again Archie George eager for the study to be completed No funding available for scientific crew to complete task Can only be accomplished as volunteer project

Perfect citizen science project—significant, relevant, doable Lynn Kinter (Idaho Natural Heritage Program) will provide technical

advice

Proposed Work PlanConduct survey of plant species present

Several trips throughout the growing seasonConcentrate on finding rare speciesMay complete collection of voucher specimensUI Stillinger Herbarium may help with identification

Complete transect across length of Hager propertyUse the methods used by RumelyMay take 2 weeks; can stay in IDFG cabin

Look at water chemistry, lake depth, temperaturePlenty of non-technical jobs—data entry, report

writing, photography, publicity