In 1993, graduate student Nur Ritter and Daniel Sperduto (The Nature Conservancy) conducted an intensive study of the State's remaining Atlantic White Cedar populations. Their findings were presented in a report submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (Sperduto, D. and N. Ritter. 1994. Atlantic White Cedar Wetlands of New Hampshire). The summary of the report is presented here, along with some images from various AWC swamps. Eventually, we hope to post a checklist of species associated with these systems. Currently, graduate student Lara Gengarelly (Advisor: Dr. Thomas Lee) is investigating regeneration in the Chamacyparis thyoides swamps.

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT:

Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is largely restricted to the near coastal areas of the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plain, becoming relatively uncommon or scattered at its northern terminus in New Hampshire and Maine. This report documents the status of Atlantic White Cedar (AWC) in NH, including the distribution, condition, acreage, vegetation and ecological characteristics of the known populations.

Thirty swamp systems or sites are known to contain Atlantic White Cedar in the state and are distributed across 20 towns (where the next nearest population is at least one-half mile away). Total extent of swamps where cedar forms at least 25% of the canopy is estimated at approximately 479 acres. One-half of these occurrences total only 25 acres while the other 15 contain some 455 acres; 228 of these 455 acres occur within 1.5 miles of each other in a relatively small area in Kingston and Newton.

One hundred ninety vascular plant species are associated with Atlantic White Cedar swamps in NH, including several rare plants. One rare coastal plain plant, Carex striata var. brevis (Walter's sedge), is new to the state. Quantitative vegetation sampling revealed three primary community types corresponding to a Boreal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Type, a North Coastal Atlantic White Cedar-Yellow Birch-Sweet Pepper Bush Type and a Seasonally Flooded Atlantic White Cedar Type. A variant dominated by an understory of Rhododendron maximum (great laurel) occurs at one site and is disjunct from locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

	There has been a general decline of many Atlantic White Cedar populations in the state documented from this and previous studies, however, some excellent swamps still remain. It is hoped that the results of this study will direct protection efforts to include the full range of biological variation associated with cedar wetlands, both within the state and regionally. Priority sites in need of protection are identified within the different community types across the state.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Special thanks are due to the many people who played a role in this project. Prior Natural Heritage staff and

contractors, including Tom Rawinski, John Korpi, Frankie Brackley and Liz Harvey, conducted earlier visits to several cedar stands. Others accompanied the authors on field forays to assist with sampling, including Linda Fahey, Eric Hellquist, Don Padgett, and Sheila Frye. Sheila Frye also provided cover illustrations. Clotilde Straus shared information from her botanical explorations and conservation efforts in Portsmouth. Toni Reznicek confirmed several sedge identities. Information on the locations of new stands was also provided by Phil Osier and Greg Lowell. Further details on known stands were provided by Robert Fox, Louise Tallman, and Amy Blitzer.

Several others reported the apparent absence of cedar in their towns. The late Henry Baldwin deserves special mention for his long time interest and dedication to the study of New Hampshire's western swamps. His early accounts have provided a valuable historical perspective. Mark Anderson and Tom Lee provided helpful comments in developing sampling strategies and interpreting results. Stacey Freeman assisted with the assembly of the report.

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