Title:

Investigating the Regeneration of Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) in an Inland New Hampshire Bog

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic White Cedar) is a specialized conifer endemic to the eastern U.S. coastal plain and the foundational species of the “cedar swamp” ecosystem. While less common today, they remain valuable for water filtration and carbon sequestration, recreational/cultural importance, and provision of habitat for rare and threatened species. Despite the ecosystem services they provide, AWC’s range has declined by 70-84% since pre-colonization, and key drivers of its regeneration in northeastern forests remain poorly understood. This study investigated environmental factors influencing AWC seedling establishment and success at the species’ northwestern range limit in the Bradford Bog (Bradford, NH). Experimental plots were established in open and closed canopy areas with and without AWC seedlings to compare microclimate, hydrology, porewater chemistry, and vegetation community composition. Piezometer data indicated that drought reduced peat saturation, potentially altering porewater chemistry and limiting seedling recruitment during the study period. Light exposure appeared to influence seedling height (p = 0.023) but not seedling density, suggesting these factors may be more significant to AWC seedling growth than establishment. Additionally, this study revealed microplastic contamination in bog peat, previously undocumented in a cedar swamp. Microplastics were found in all peat cores across treatments through the 12 cm extent of core, representing ~65 years of peat accretion. While the drivers of AWC regeneration remain unresolved, these findings suggest relationships that can inform community-driven management strategies for sustaining this ecologically significant habitat.

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