Biodiversity survey shows diversity at Goose Pond FWA

Indiana DNR Release:

By the time a final species count at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (FWA) is complete, more than 1,000 species are likely to have been found during the inaugural biodiversity survey at Indiana’s largest wetland restoration area.

Researchers at the 8,000-acre property south of Linton in southwest Indiana aim to lay the groundwork for future studies.

Highlight species found include purple fringeless orchid, which is widespread and secure, but also on the Indiana watch list; American ruby spot dragonfly; bog lemming; and the barn owl.

Researchers found the diversity of wetland plants present through natural recruitment impressive, since no wetland vegetation was planted at the beginning of the restoration.

Survey results showed 20 species of amphibians and reptiles, 79 species of beetles, 33 bee species, 124 bird species, 47 butterfly species, 22 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 41 moth species identified with 40 more to be identified, four species of marsh flies, five fungi, and 375 vascular plant species.

A summary is here.


Data from the survey will be shared with appropriate state agencies and a brief report will be submitted to the Proceedings of the IAS (Indiana Academy of Science) for publication. Watch also for the IAS newsletter publication: Here.

The FWA was created under the Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is the seventh largest such project in the country. It covers 7,138 acres in two sections, Goose Pond (5,945 acres) and Beehunter Marsh (1,193 acres), both of which are both part of Goose Pond FWA. Click here.