The Ending of an Era: Climate Change to Blame?

Field Observations

This week I traveled out to Wysong following a small thunder and rain storm that quickly pushed through the area.  I wanted to visit at that point to see how the various plants/animals responded.  When I first walked into the area I couldn’t help but notice a large white tail deer with her fawn which still had spots.  As I walked into the area I of course scared her away towards the woods.  So as I walked around the old field this week with the recent influx of rain I couldn’t help but notice the darker colors of green that were present.  

Also there seems to be many changes taking place around the area.  Many of the species that I saw in my first couple of weeks (Butterfly Weed, Black-eyed Susan, and Queen Anne’s Lace) are all either completely done or quickly finishing up for the year.  Other species such as Tall Ironweed, Rough Blazing Star, and thistles are brilliant colors across the landscape and are providing a very important food source for pollinators.  This week there was a huge influx of pollinators, from the monarch butterflies, spicebush swallowtail, many moth species, as well as bees and insects the area was very popular for pollinators.  Especially the species Tall Ironweed and Rough Blazing star were very popular flowers for pollinating insects. 

This week I was not able to find the large milkweed insect nymphs that I had been seeing but rather found another generation of small nymphs still taking advantage of the milkweed plant.  Below is a photo of the Pennsylvania Leather-wing which is in the family of soldier beetles and is used as a biological control of corn earworm caterpillars which I found very interesting.  The thistles this week have also started blooming out in full force which can be seen below.  So sadly as this blog comes to an end some species are ending with me while some are just beginning to emerge, guess you will have to come and visit to see it firsthand one day!

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Species Identification

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus)

Commonly called a bumble bee this is a somewhat large bee ranging in size from ½ to ¾ inch.  It is a very robust and hairy bee with the head and face mostly black, a black band between the wings running across a yellow thorax.  The abdomen of the bee is yellow with the tips being just dashed in black.  Like many other bees the social structure is very important in the hive.  With this species (as well as many others) there are worker and drone bees, and one queen bee.  Each year all of the members of the hive die in the winter with the exception of the queen bee that emerges in the spring and begins building brood cells and laying eggs.  The queen that overwinters will live until the end of autumn and she will die as one of her daughters takes over (Golden, 2015 & Milne and Milne, 1980).  

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus) collecting pollen (K. Bradley 8/14/2016)

Here the bee is seen feeding from a tall ironweed which continues to flower and thrive here in Wysong.  The Golden Northern Bumble Bees are very good pollinators and recently have been seen throughout Wysong due to the great influx of brightly colored flowering plants, mainly the rough blazing star and continuing with the tall ironweed.  So here they have a great food source but they also are very beneficial to have in the area for pollination.  The worker bees have open pouches or pollen baskets on their hind legs which they use to collect pollen grains that they then take back to the colony and are eventually made into honey, here in the photos you can even see the light colored pollen attached to the bee (Golden, 2015).  So having pollinators such as this species of bumble bee is very important for the plants that make up this ecosystem, helping them spread the pollen and thus increasing the genetic diversity. 

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus) collecting pollen from a slightly different angle (K. Bradley 8/14/2016)

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Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum)

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed is a perennial with large purplish to pink flat topped cluster of fuzzy and rayless flower heads sitting on top of a deep purple or purple spotted stem (if you looks closely at the photo you can actually see some of the purple spots).  The leaves are very distinguishing with whorls of 3-5, coarsely toothed, and the leaves have a single main vein which tapers to the base.  It can grow up to 6 ½ feet but here in Wysong is only about 4 feet tall.  They flower from July to August and here some are just beginning to flower out while others are finishing up (Newcomb, 1977 & Thieret et al., 2001).

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) with the large pinkish cluster of flowers (K. Bradley 8/14/2016)

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed prefers deep meadows, thickets, and shoreline, which makes it perfectly adapted here in Wysong with the high water table and old lake shore.  It is also very well adapted with a root system that is fibrous and rhizomatous allowing it to quickly form a small colony.  Here in Wysong there is a large colony in one specific area of the field indicating to me that it is a very moist and rich, as Spotted Joe-Pye Weed is normally found in high quality areas rather than degraded habitats or a habitat with frequent disturbance (Spotted, 2016).  Historically Native Americans used this plant to help cure fevers and early settlers used it to help treat outbreaks of typhus.  

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) with the purple spots on the stem and whorled leaf arrangement (K. Bradley 8/14/2016)

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Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)

Also known as green clouded swallowtail this is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 4-5 inches.  The wings themselves are dark with yellow to pale marks along the margins of the wing.  The males have greenish iridescent wash over outer ½ of the hind wing and the female has the same but blueish instead of greenish.  The caterpillar of spicebush swallowtail is green with orange-red head, large eyespots located on the thorax, a pair of yellow ovals on the first abdominal segment, and yellow stripes along the side, with orange on the belly side (Milne & Milne, 1980).

Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) feeding on tall ironweed in Wysong (K. Bradley 8/14/2016)

The most common food sources for this swallowtail is foliage of spicebush, sassafras, sweet bay, prickly ash, as well as many other plants (Milne & Milne, 1980).  Here in Wysong it was seen feeding from tall ironweed which this week has shown to be a very important food source for pollinators.  The life history of spicebush swallowtails is a bit interesting in the fact that the males patrol the woods, fields, and edges to find receptive females in which the females then lay a single egg on the underside of the host plant leaves.  When the caterpillars emerge they live in the shelters of leaves that are folded over and come out in the evenings to feed.  Also there are two generations of swallowtails in the north and then once they migrate there are three generations in the south as they fly normally from mid-spring to August (Butterflies, 2016 & Milne & Milne, 1980).  

Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) feeding on a thistle (Photo Credit: Mike Newton)

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Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

Canada goldenrod is a member of the sunflower family and is a native, warm season perennial that can spread by rhizomes and can form large dense clusters reaching 1-7 feet tall.  Here in Wysong there are many different types of goldenrod but Canada Goldenrod as of right now is the first one to bloom out, thus making it easier to identify.  The stems are smooth near the base and as you move up the stem become covered with small hairs or downy.  The leaves are narrow and lance shaped and sharply toothed with three veins, two of which are very prominent and run parallel to the midrib.  The flower heads themselves are very small, only about 1/8 inch long and come out in a curved, one sided cluster but when looked at from a distance look as if they are forming a large terminal cluster.  Canada goldenrod usually blooms from July to October which makes sense here in Wysong where it is one of the first goldenrods to open up but I think that in just a few weeks the entire old field will be coated in varying shades of yellow (Newcomb, 1977 & Pavek, 2012).

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) (K. Bradley 8/14/2016)

Canada goldenrod is very common throughout most of North America and is normally adapted to field and a roadside so it can grow in full sun or partial shade and it prefers moist soil.  Here in Wysong the area it is most commonly found is right along the trail edge.  According to Pavek (2012) all of the Solidago species are very important nectar and pollen sources for bees and other insects especially in the late summer and early fall as many other flowering plants are not around.  It can also be grazed by cattle, sheep, and deer, as well as historically was used by many Native American tribes as a medicinal plant.  

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) displaying its characteristic curved one sided cluster and 1/8 inch flowers.

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Response Question

Climate change is one of the hottest buzz words in today’s society with many people starting to realize the large scale implications it will have on the world around us.  From rising temperatures, sea level rises, and so much more climate change will ultimately affect every place on earth.  Countless research is now being conducted on how these changes will affect the natural world with a consensus on increasing amounts of precipitation, increased droughts, and rising temperatures (Botanic, 2016).  With all of that large scale research what does that mean for a small old field in northern Indiana?

In Wysong there are two distinct areas that intermingle, one of which is a more sandy dry soil while the other is a moist soil due to the historic lake bed that touches one side of the loop.  When thinking about how climate change might affect the system it is important to remember many of the natural history of the plants and animal species that I have observed over the past six weeks. 

Some of the plants that are adapted for dry conditions will probably do alright with the rising temperature changes as they are already adapted for these dry conditions (long root systems, waxy leaves, etc.).  The only possible problem might be the long drought times in which some of the plants will not be able to store enough water to get them through long periods of drought.  On the other side of the spectrum if there is an increase in rainfall the water tolerant plants would be better adapted.  So it really just is very dependent on the climate assessing both the temperature and rainfall is very important. 

It is also important to keep in mind that some of the native plants might have to shift their ranges further north or higher in elevation to combat the climate change which for some might not even be possible.  Some species of plants require specific germination temperatures and moisture levels which have to be met to continue reproduction.  This range shifting would obviously be easier if you were an animal but some plants depending on their seed dispersal might be able to thrive.  The other important point to consider is invasive plants being better adapted to the changing climatic conditions compared to some of the natives.

 

So overall it really just depends on the environmental factors (precipitation and temperature) and how well adapted the plants and animals are to the change of environment as well as how slowly or quickly the changes take place.  I also wanted to make note that this is the last blog post but not due to climate change but rather a change of classes for me.  I just want to end with a great quote about climate change!

Climate change does not respect border; it does not respect who you are- rich and poor, small and big.  Therefore, this is what we call global challenges, which require global solidarity.  (Ban Ki-moon)

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Creative Contribution

For this week for my creative contribution I put together various plants that I have been collected even from the first week of observations.  I pressed each of the plants out and then arranged them in a very creative way trying to show the vast diversity that is in Wysong.  This is by no means every species; I wouldn’t have space for them all but rather some of the common ones trying to include grasses and wildflowers.  

A Snapshot of Wysong Meadow Flora (K. Bradley)

Citations

Botanic Gardens Conservation International. (2016). Climate change and plants. Retrieved August 19, 2016 from https://www.bgci.org/policy/climate-change-and-plants/

Butterflies and Moths of North America. (2016). Attributes of Papilio trolius. Retrieved August 16, 2016 from http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Papilio-troilus

Golden Northern Bumble Bee. (2015). Insect identification for the casual observer. Retrieved August 15, 2016 from http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Golden-Northern-Bumble-Bee 

Milne, L., & Milne, M. (1980) National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders. New York, NY: Chanticleer Press.

Newcomb, Lawrence. (1977). Wildflower Guide. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Pavek, P. (2012) NRCS Plant Fact Sheet: Solidago canadensis). Retrieved August 18, 2016 from http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_soca6.pdf

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed. (2016). Illinois Wildflowers. Retrieved August 16, 2016 from http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/sp_joepye.htm

Thieret, J. W., Niering, W. A., & Olmstead, N. C. (Eds.). (2001). National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers Eastern Region. New York, NY: Chanticleer Press. 

Non-Native and Invasive Species

Field Observations

This week when walking out to the ecosystem the sky surrounded me in various shades of reds, oranges, blues, and purples thus setting the tone for the rainbow of colors I encountered.  I know it might seem like each week I keep going back to the beautiful colors but it truly is a different experience each week I visit.  The first thing I noticed this week was that many of the plant species, grasses, and wildflowers alike have greatly grown in height some of which now tower over me.  The first species I noticed was the Tall Giant Sunflower with its bright yellow flower head standing up among the grasses.  Also the Tall Ironwood continues to make a beautiful bloom while other species such as Wild Bergamot and Butterfly Weed are done for the summer while other species such as goldenrod are continuing to make their appearances.  

Once again this week I could hear the close presence of wild turkeys and driving to class a few times this week or even while walking around the area I have run across two hens with their poults.   So it seems as if some animals are becoming more active such as the white tail deer and her two fawns beginning to move around a lot more with new young while others, such as many plant species, are beginning to fade out for the year.  Also due to the drier environment things like decomposition has begun to slow down, around the loop trail there is a lot of coarse woody debris that at first seemed to be decomposing quite quickly with various fungi on board but lately at least by sight seems to be slowing down.  This could be due to the fact that we are nearing late summer and traditionally less precipitation and warmer temperatures which many species might not be well adapted thus they are making their graceful leaves.  Also the milkweed bugs that I have been observing seem to keep getting larger and larger and they seem like they are adults now or only a short time away from reaching adult maturity and breeding. 

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Species Identification

Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana)

Virgin’s Bower is a climbing vine species with small white flowers, which climbs by twisting the leaf stalks around the supporting vegetation, which here in Wysong is the old staghorn sumac and goldenrod.  The flowers themselves have four white sepals which are about an inch wide, and the male and female flowers are on different plants.  The leaves are compound with three sharply toothed leaves each about two inches long. The stem of the vine can grow up to ten feet tall depending on the structure of the supporting vegetation but flowers from July to September and this was the first week that I had observed it’s blooming (Newcomb, 1977 & Thieret et al. 2001).  

Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana) common viny arrangement on supporting vegetation (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

Virgin’s Bower is normally found in moist thickets or the borders of woods and moist places which makes sense given the environment it is found in here in Wysong.  It can be located right along the trail close to the forest edge, which makes sense given the moist old lake soils.  Also with the large variety of shrubs gives it the perfect opportunities for have proper structures to climb up.  This beautiful vine can also be found as a cultivated clematis as this species can trail over many structures including fence posts, shrubs, and so much more making it very desirable to your gardeners and landscapers (Thieret et al. 2001).

Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana) common compound leaf arrangement (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

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Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera)

Rough Blazing Star is also known as tall blazing star and is a perennial which forms a spike of rounded rayless lavender or white flower heads along a stiff stem.  It can reach upwards of 4 feet in optimum growing conditions but here in Wysong reaches about 2 feet.  It is very noticeable with the bright purple and white flowers providing a stark contrast to surrounding vegetation; it almost looks like bright purple and white fireworks!  The flower head is about ¾’’ wide and the bracts are broadly rounded with translucent edges.  It normally flowers from August through October but this week it made its first appearance flowering in Wysong.  The leaves themselves are rough and lancelet thus the rough blazing star (Newcomb, 1977 & Thieret et al. 2001).   

Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) with bright white flower heads (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

This wildflower prefers open plains and thin woods in sandy soil which makes it perfect for this ecosystem due to the residual sandy soil from an earlier historical lake.  Also the rough leafs provide protection from water loss allowing it to adapt to the drier sandy soils.  According to the Wildflower Center (LIAS, 2014) the Liatris genus is a very important group for native pollinators such as bees and butterflies, as well as hummingbirds.  This would make sense given its very bright and showy colors.  Here in Wysong it is also unique as we have two very different colors (purple and white) growing so closely together.  

Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) with the bright purple flower head (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

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Wood Sage (Teucrium canadense)

Also known as Germander or American Germander this is a rhizomatous perennial with a terminal spike like cluster of aromatic lavender pink flowers on a downy square stem.  The square stem is very characteristic of the Mint Family Lamiaceae of which Wood Sage is apart. The flowers themselves are ¾ inch long with the stamen protruding upward from the base of the flower with the upper lip absent and the lower lip prominently broad, looking almost like a small orchid.  The leaves are lance or egg shaped and range from 2-4 inches long, are opposite, toothed, and densely hairy on the underside of the leaf.  This flower can get up to 3 feet tall in optimum growing conditions but here in Wysong only grows about 1-2 feet and flowers from June to September (Newcomb, 1977 & Thieret et al. 2001).  

Wood Sage (Teucrium canadense) terminal spike of aromatic lavender pink flowers. (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

Wood Sage prefers thickets, woods, and even shorelines which makes it perfect for the old field habitat here in Wysong with sufficient moisture and shade on certain sides of the loop. The leaf is hairy on the underside of the leaf for many possible reasons one of which could be to reduce predation such as aphids not being able to feed on the bottom of the leaf.  This herbaceous perennial is deciduous and can be planted for ornamental purposes and also is a good pollinator attractor.  An interesting fact is that the common name Germander was from the Greek name for ground oak, chamaidrys (Thieret et al. 2001).

Wood Sage (Teucrium canadense) with opposite and toothed leaves and squarish stem. (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

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Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus)

Also known as Giant Sunflower as the name suggests this is a very tall (3-7’) large and showy plant with a bright yellow flower head.  The tall, rough, purplish stem can bear several flower heads that are 2.5-3.5 inches wide with 9 to 15 rays each.  So although the plant itself is “giant” the flowers themselves in comparison are relatively small.  The leaves can be from 3-8 inches and are lance shaped and shallowly toothed.  They can flower from August to September and are found through most of the United States.  

Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus) with it's tall (3-7') stem and showy yellow flower head. (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)  

Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus) trying to show the purplish colored stem (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus) with the bright yellow flower head (K. Bradley 8/8/2016)

Tall Sunflower prefers woods, thickets, and clearings which seem to be very similar to many of the plants identified this week, preferring moist soil which can be found in most of Wysong with a very high water table and sandy soils.  Also the height of the plant allows it to tower above most competing vegetation and provides a perfect landing site for many pollinators as they can see this flower from a much greater distance than say a flower only 1 foot tall.  According to the Wildflower Center (HEGI, 2014) this is a very important wildlife plant as it can attract many birds.  Also the stem and leaves can cause skin irritations to humans as well as avoid ingestion of the plant as it can be toxic. 

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Response Question

This week the topic to consider is non-native and invasive species found in the ecosystem.  Invasive species and non-natives are very important to know about in an ecosystem because it can drastically affect the management of that area.  Before we can jump into it too much it is very important to understand the differences and some similarities between the two.  So the definition of non-native species that we used for class was a species living outside its native distribution that arrived by human activity (can be deliberate or accidental), normally a plant species is compared to pre or post European settlement introduction.  An invasive species is a species that is non-native and affects the habitats and biodiversity in a “negative” way.  So a non-native species is not necessarily invasive but rather depends on the affect that species has on the ecosystem, flora and fauna around it.  For example non-native species coming in and disrupting the native flora and fauna can be invasive if it can out compete the natives, or on the other hand a non-native plant can also be very beneficial such as providing a new food source. 

Queen Anne's Lace

Here in Wysong there is a great number of species that could be considered non-native, invasive, or both.  For example a non-native species that I have studied is Queen Anne’s Lace, which is found throughout the old field and especially along the trail ways.  In the more disturbed areas (mostly by mowing) where it is found it is thriving but I would not say to the point that it is invasive or out competing the surrounding vegetation.  In the forested area very close by and from the trail you can see strong evidence of Emerald Ash Borer which is an invasive pest and attacks ash trees causing wide spread mortality of which many of the effects are still unknown (The Nature Conservancy, 2016).

Common Mullein

 Common Mullein is also an example of a non-native species that is found in small patches in Wysong but is prolific throughout North America.  I would not consider this invasive on the scale of Wysong due to the fact that it is in a very isolated area and doesn’t appear to be negatively affecting surrounding native plants.  Another non-native species that I have talked about in my blog has been the Japanese beetle which some weeks has been seen extensively in the old field.  Here is an example of a non-native and slightly invasive species depending on the insect densities.  So for example if a large group comes in the area and eats all of the native species it could be labeled invasive, or there could just be a few individuals who come in the area in which case it wouldn’t be invasive, so it is important to think about the scale as well as the disturbance on the ecosystem. 

Another example that is specifically written about in the management plan of this area is eliminating oriental bittersweet, white sweet clover, and autumn olive.  These three species have been identified as invasive through the long term monitoring of the area and thus management has been in place to remove these from the area (W. Minter, personal communication, July 2016).  This is done through active prescribed fire as well as chemical treatments.  So this week when I was out looking for these three species I could not find the oriental bittersweet or autumn olive which is a great indication of successful management efforts. 

Overall when discussing both non-native and invasive species it is important to think about the fact that ecosystems are not static systems, they are constantly changing and adapting through time.  So although some plants are non-native they can still provide important ecosystem benefits and can live in mutual cooperation with native plants while others are more aggressive and can easily outcompete and thus eliminate native plants.  This is a very important topic that with climate change it is beginning to shift many species ranges thus making some areas more susceptible to the ever changing environment and thus invasive and non-native species so stay tuned to next week’s blog!

Creative Contribution

This week I tried to capture the beautiful colors that are on display or have been over the past few weeks.  There is so much beauty and color arrangements in the landscape so I tried to capture it in a series of photos all revolving around one stunning sunrise from this week.  Enjoy!

Colors of Wysong (K. Bradley)

Citations

Wildflower Center (Lady Bird Johnson): The University of Texas at Austin. (2014). Retrieved August 8, 2016 from http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LIAS

Wildflower Center (Lady Bird Johnson): The University of Texas at Austin. (2014). Retrieved August 9, 2016 from http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEGI

Newcomb, Lawrence. (1977). Wildflower Guide. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

The Nature Conesrvancy. (2016). Journey with Nature, Invasive Species. Retrieved August 12, 2016 from http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/united

states/indiana/journeywithnature/invasive-species-3.xml

Thieret, J. W., Niering, W. A., & Olmstead, N. C. (Eds.). (2001). National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers Eastern Region. New York, NY: Chanticleer Press. 

Winters Coming!?

Field Observations

This week for the response question I was asked to think about the strategies for winter survival for my species in Wysong loop.  So as I was walking out there early on the first morning of August I was trying to imagine winter in the Wysong.  As I was just sitting still trying to take notes of some new plants and sweating surrounded by horse flies and mosquitos I couldn’t help but dream of winter.  Also this week our friendly farmer neighbor decided to start emptying his cattle lagoon onto the field which in the early morning fog sends over wonderful aromas which helps get me moving! 

The beautiful old field early Monday morning, just as the sun was hitting the field.

So once I got over dreaming about winter and snow, even though I’m sure when it’s here I will be wishing for summer, I actually began making observations.  It is amazing in how just one short week things can really change.  This week as you can see in the photos I had just splashes of new colors everywhere, from small white flowers to the tall ironweed which continues to grow and expand its brilliant purple flowers.  Also new this week was some of the goldenrod beginning to open up and emerge, so I am hoping that over the next few weeks, before this blog is over, that I can show you the field covered in yellow!  I have found that when I come out to do observations every day I can’t see any differences thus I have been “avoiding” the area and visiting at no more than every three days so I can better observe the changes. 

Tall ironweed coming into full bloom!

Some new goldenrod growth, fall is coming!

I also checked on my large milkweed bug nymphs and they seem to be growing more and more each time I see them and looking more like their adult forms.  Each time I visit there is new animal life, some of which is exciting to see, like birds flying over.  On Monday morning for example I had a great blue heron fly over my old field, probably leaving from one wetland to travel elsewhere, but I was so captivated by the beautiful creature that I forgot to take a photo.  It always amazes me that such a large bird can be such a graceful and quiet flyer!  Also I have been trying my best to start documenting more birds in my old field after our bird banding experience, but unlike trees who always stand nice, tall, and unmoving the birds are constantly on the move in the mornings darting from one area to the other.  Perhaps over the next couple of weeks I can just practice some more!

Some of my large milkweed bug nymphs.

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Species Identification

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Big Bluestem is a native perennial warm season grass that is prevalent around Merry Lea property and throughout most of the United States.  It is a tufted grass that forms sod and has short and scaly rhizomes, it can be distinguished from other warm season grasses by the blueish coloration at the base.  The heights are quite noticeable across Wysong as it can reach upwards of 6-8 feet tall in areas, as this area is mostly protected from grazing (Big Bluestem, 2004).  Another noticeable characteristic is the 3 part flower or spikelets that appear like a characteristic “turkey foot” which can be seen in the photos below.

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) growing in the old field. (K. Bradley July 31, 2016)

Big Bluestem is a very important grass species in prairie ecosystems and it can also be used for mine reclamation, logging road restoration and other projects that have sandier or dry soil conditions.   Also it is used as an erosion control due to the extensive rooting depths common with prairie plants and is used for rain water erosion as well as wind erosion due to the tall heights.  It is best adapted to moist, sandy, or loam based soils but can also occur in drier soils.  It is well adapted to prairie conditions, which is partly why it is found so prevalent in this area (Big Bluestem, 2004).  Also less than a ¼ mile away is a larger prairie which could be where the seed source came from originally and since then has just spread naturally across the field starting on the northern side moving out from there.   

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) in the grassy sod stage. (K. Bradley July 31, 2016)

Historically Indians and early settlers used the roots as diuretics and to help alleviate stomach pains, as well as the leaf extracts were used for fever washes and analgesic.  The leaves were used to help fasten support poles of structures and to cover fruit during ripening and drying to protect from pests.  Now Big Bluestem is a well sought after plant for restorations projects, as well as in landscaping, and foraging, as it provides a high quality crude protein for cattle (Big Bluestem, 2004).

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) with the characteristic turkey foot flower. (K. Bradley August 1, 2016)

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Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot is also knows as bee balm, is an aromatic herbaceous perennial.  It forms a dense cluster of lavender to purplish/lilac pink tubular flowers sitting on a square stem.  The leaves are about 2.5 inches long and are grayish triangular shaped, and are joined opposite on the stem.  They can reach heights up to four feet and flower from June to September (Newcomb, 1977 & Thieret et al. 2001).  

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) typically found around the edge of the old field.  (K. Bradley July 31, 2016)

Here in the old field there was an early flush of flowers and now is a second flush just starting to flower, providing a great splash of color and aroma.  Wild Bergamot prefers dry fields, thickets, prairies, and borders and is found throughout the United States.  Here it is common across Wysong along the edges with not much occurring in the center of the field.  This could be due to less competition along the edges of the fields compared to the middle.  

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) with the large aromatic and showy flowers perfect for pollinators.  (K. Bradley July 31, 2016)

Historically bee balm was used in a wide variety of purposes such as boiling the leaves down for mint tea, as well as used the oil to treat respiratory ailments (Wild Bergamot, 2000).  Now it is commonly used to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and humming birds due to the bright and showy flowers, and nutritious nectar.  Here in the Wysong old field and across Merry Lea bees are constantly found around this plant.  The showy aromatic flowers are also great for floral arrangements!

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Japanese Beetle (Popilla japonica)

The Japanese beetle is native to northern Japan and was first found in the United States in New Jersey in 1916 believed to have come over on iris roots, and since then they have spread across the country.  What is unique about this beetle is that the adults can eat over 300 different species of plants!  The main feeding usually occurs between June through August, and the beetle eats between the leaf veins giving the leaves a skeletonized look.  Since the accidental introduction measures have been taken to reduce populations by using parasitic flies and wasps that prey on the beetle larvae (Japanese Beetle, 2016).  

Japanese Beetle (Popilla japonica) eating. (K. Bradley July 31, 2016)

The beetle itself is ³/₈ to ½ inch oval and a sturdy body.  The body is bright metallic green and the elytra are mostly brownish as you can see in the photos below.  They have grayish black hair on the underside and characteristic 5 patches of white hair along each side of abdomen with two white tufts at the tips.  The adults deposit 1-4 yellowish white eggs onto the soil at a time and the larvae overwinter in the soil and then pupate in the spring.  So each year one generation of adults emerge in the summer as the blackberries ripen and in the north it can take two years for this cycle to occur (Milne and Milne, 1980). 

Japanese Beetle (Popilla japonica) (K. Bradley July 31, 2016)

Due to the large variety of plants they can eat they are able to easily establish themselves and can disperse by flying, and commonly form large groups around specific plants (Milne and Milne, 1980).  It is also important to note that healthy plants generally can recover after a Japanese beetle feeding but plants that are stressed due to other reasons (drought, etc.) may not be able to recover.  So here in the old field I am not surprised to see them as I have recently been seeing them around other areas, particularly around the farmstead in the gardens.  They have more than sufficient food sources in Wysong and have many friends around to keep them company. 

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Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

The downy woodpecker is a common and familiar sight through most of North America.  They are commonly found on backyard feeders, in parks, and patches of trees, and are one of the smallest woodpeckers with a very short bill.  They are only about 6 inches tall as an adult and are very acrobatic in their foraging behaviors when compared to other woodpeckers.  The adult males have a red crown, small bills, white patch on their back, and dark bars on their lower feathers.  The female does not have the red crown but rather conspicuous tufts of nasal bristles (hairs out towards the beak), a clean white chest, and extensive white spots on the wings, both of these you can see clearly in the photos below (Downy Woodpecker, 2015 & Sibley, 2003).  

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) male.  (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

The call is a short and gentle flat pik, and they drum short and slowly and repeat frequently, usually ten or more times per minute.  Here in Wysong just about every time that I am out to visit they are usually found on the staghorn sumac moving up and down the dead limbs and trunk or on a nearby tree.  Woodpeckers like a Downy normally eat insects and bugs and the larvae which is why old trees and branches provide the perfect microhabitat to find food.  So here both in and surrounding Wysong there is plenty of food source as well as forest cover.  

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) female.  (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

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Response Question

This week as mentioned before the focus is on strategies for winter survival for the plants in my ecosystem.  The two main problems for any plants going into winter is trying to reduce water loss (as well as have water available) and the cold temperatures.  So I am going to first talk about adaptations of trees as they prepare and survive the cold winter.  Many trees like Eastern Cottonwood is a deciduous which means that each fall it loses its leaves, other trees like the Eastern Red Cedar, also found in my ecosystem, have a bit of an advantage as they keep their needles during the winter so on sunny winter days they are still able to photosynthesize. 

The best adaptations trees have to preparing for the cold is the gradual temperature changes, so for example not going from 80 degrees one day to 5 degrees the next.  Trees are able to make both chemical and structural adaptations.  When the trees have this gradual temperature decline they can build up their cold tolerance.  The cells in the trees can increase their lipid concentrations with less complex lipids, help break apart long protein chains, and then the water can migrate out of the cell.  So the water outside the trees cell wall will freeze first, and as normal as water changes from a liquid to a solid a very small amount of heat is released which helps prevent the cellular water from freezing (Cook, 2013).  Then as the spring comes this all happens in reverse and hopefully without any late unexpected frosts or large ice storms the trees will live to see another spring!

For many of the old field plants the most important adaptation for survival is a large extensive root system.  Just like with the trees ideally the winter will slowly come on giving the plants time to adapt. In the late summer/ early fall for example the soils in general become drier and the vegetation takes up nitrogen from the soil providing essential food for the long winter.  For many healthy plants they are able to store the energy that the leaves manufacture over the summer, and with a healthy root system acting as a storage tank holding the precious sugars and nutrients.  These sugars and nutrients will be very important to the plants again in the spring to get them started photosynthesizing again (All About Snow, 2016).   

Some plants just go completely dormant and the biomass on top of the ground dies off, leaving only root structures alive which are advantageous to surviving the winter. Other plants produce large amount of seeds which are able to overwinter in the snow pack and will begin growing when ground temperatures become warm enough.  Depending on the year with snow pack once snow has settled it can provide a “mini shelter” and protect the plant from the freezing temperatures and wind.  Here in Noble county according to the state of Indiana the frost line is at 50-60’’ (Depth of Frost Line, 2016).  Also many plants are adapted with thick and waxy coatings that can help protect them against the cold winds.  So overall there are many adaptations that plants and trees have made to overwinter, it’s not as simple as putting on a good warm pair of boots and snow suit!

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Creative Contribution

This week I decided to complete more of an art project that could be used to demonstrate insects at the fair, as well as insects commonly found in my ecosystem. Although the totem pole may have been forgotten at the fair it can still be used for future educational purposes.  So below you will see two of my creations using recycled materials (old ½ gallon milk jug and cool whip container).  The reason for making these was to help demonstrate the various characteristics that insects share such as 2 pairs of wings and 2 antennae.  The first is a honey bee taking a photo next to one of its favorite nectar sources, Wild Bergamot.  The second is a ladybug beetle next to Queen Anne’s lace (which if you look closely also has a ladybug beetle sitting on it).  So it was just a more fun change of pace and an opportunity to help educate others about insects and interact with my ecosystem through the eyes of a child, creating a story in my head!

Citations

All About Snow. National Snow and Ice Data Center. (2016) Retrieved August 3, 2016 from https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/snow/plants.html

Big Bluestem: Andropogon gerardii. USDA: NRCS Plant Materials Program, Plant Fact Sheet. (2004). Retrieved August 2, 2016 from http://www.plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pgange.pdf

            Cook, Bill. (2013) How do trees survive in the winter? Michigan State University Extension

            Depth of Frost Line. (2016). Indiana State Department of Health.

Downy Woodpecker. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds. (2015). Retrieved August 3, 2016 from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/id

Japanese beetle (Popilla japonica). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Terrestrial Animals. (2016). Retrieved August 2, 2016 from http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/japanese_beetle/index.html

Milne, L., & Milne, M. (1980) National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders. New York, NY: Chanticleer Press.

Newcomb, Lawrence. (1977). Wildflower Guide. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Sibley, D. A. (2003). The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. New York, NY: Andrew Stewart Publishing.  

Thieret, J. W., Niering, W. A., & Olmstead, N. C. (Eds.). (2001). National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers Eastern Region. New York, NY: Chanticleer Press.

Wild Bergamot: Monarda fistulosa. USDA: NRCS Plant Materials Program, Plant Fact Sheet. (2000) Retrieved August 2, 2016 from http://www.plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_mofi.pdf