Final swamp-servations

When starting observations and identification of species in the Kesling swamp, it seemed as though it would last forever.  Now, it seems strange for it to come to an end, but boy did I experience some wonderful (and not so wonderful) things in determining what would be in my final post.  To start, I decided to observe the Kesling swamp at night, as well as during the day when identifying species.   The differences are amazing.  Whether or not it was the darkness that helped to heighten my senses, there are more consistent noises that occur during the evening, cicadas being loudest of them all. What was truly amazing was seeing the sun set on the west side of the swamp and the moon rising in the east, nearly level with each other in their respective directions. It was my night time observations that lead me to my creative piece.  An attempt to recreate the sun setting over the swamp using color from plants found in my ecosystem (and some colored pencil help for contrast).  It is not my greatest piece of art work...

My final day time observation of the swamp provided me with the best bird watching next to banding and seeing the American Bittern.  In the time I was out, I saw 3 Green Herons, a pair of Wood Ducks, a Great White Egret and the Great Blue Heron that I still can't get a picture of.  The Egret was the first to catch my attention as it was on the opposite side of the swamp as I walked down from the farm house, it's distinct white plumage and lanky body making it hard to miss.  As I walked along the trail attempting to find a better spot to capture a picture of the Egret, I noticed something out of the ordinary ahead of me.  As I got closer, I realized it was a frog turned on it's back and still breathing.  Upon further inspection, the Northern Leopard Frog had both of its legs broken and bits of skin missing around its lower body.  I suspect that one of the many birds I saw or another predator had attempted to eat it as it appeared it's back legs were broken.  Sad and unsure of what to do, I picked him up and put him next to the waters edge in hopes that would make his last few breaths a little more pleasant. 

Global climate change stands to effect my ecosystem in a variety of ways.  In the case of increased occurrences of drought, such as last year, there is the possibility that the the restored Kesling wetland could dry out completely.  In the event of such an extreme drought, many species would stand to be effected in the ecosystem.  Many bird species would be effected, ducks, geese and wading birds such as herons would lose feeding grounds and would be forced to find new areas to feed.  Decrease in water level would also cause many frog and fish species to be eliminated from the wetland, if not confined to a small area providing less safety from predators.  Increases in temperature could also cause many of these species to move further North, along with more southern species moving North.  Climate change could also effect life cycles of many different species in my ecosystem such as trees and insects.  Due to different cues between plants and insects, changes in temperature could cause insects to emerge too long after a plants has been cued by day length.

Source: Ecosystems Impacts & Adaptation | Climate Change | US EPA. (n.d.). US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts-adaptation/ecosystems.html

Hog Peanut

Amphicarpaea bracteata

Characteristics:  Native, herbaceous annual vine lacking tendrils.  Stem is light green to reddish green with faint white hairs.  Leaves are alternate with 3 egg-shaped, short pointed leaflets, lateral leaflets being shorter than the terminal leaflet.  Upper surface of leaves is medium green and smooth, while underside of leaves are paler and slightly hairy.  Flowers are irregular, pea-like and pale-purple to whitish, about 1/2" long in racemes.  Small petal-less flowers also form near base of the plants which are self pollinated forming a long pod in the fall.  Commonly found in woodlands, especially those that are near water.  Climbs on other plants and are host to larva of Silver Spotted Skippers, Long Tailed Skippers and Grey Hairstreak.

Adaptations:  Hog Peanut is capable of setting seeds both above ground and below, providing it additional opportunity to appear the following season.  Self fertilization of the lower flowers also allow this vine to ensure growth the following season, regardless of visiting pollinators.  Adaptation to shade and moist soil provide ample conditions for Hog Peanut to grow on the forested side of Kesling swamp.

Source: Hog Peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata). (n.d.). Illinois Wildflowers. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/hog_peanut.htm; Restoring The Landscape With Native Plants: Native Plant of the Week: Hog Peanut Vine ~ Amphicarpaea Restoring The Landscape With Native Plants. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.restoringthelandscape.com/2011/02/native-plant-of-week-hog-peanut-vine.html

bracteata. (n.d.).

Great White Egret

Ardea Alba

Characteristics: The Great White Egret is a tall white bird, slightly smaller than the Great Blue Heron, but with similar impressive wingspan.  They have long S-curved necks with yellow-orange bills.  In flight, their long necks are tucked in with their long black legs trailing behind.  They are wading bird that hunt in shallow waters (fresh or salt) for fish, frogs and other aquatic animals.  Although slow flyers with 2 wing beats per second, they are capable of cruising around 25 miles per hour. They are colonial nesters, forming stick nests high in trees to avoid mammalian predators. 

Adaptations:  Their long necks and bills help to make them precision hunters.  The shallow waters of the Kesling swamp provide ideal conditions for catching prey.  Long wingspan provides them the ability to fly swiftly for safety and to new feeding grounds.

Source:  Great Egret, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Your online guide to birds and bird watching. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/great_egret/id

American Toad

Bufo americanas

Characteristics:  The American Toad is 2-4 1/2" long with many variations in color and pattern.  Colors may range from brown to brick red to olive green with patterns of lighter color and dark spots.  Each spot contains 1-2 warts, some have a stripe down their back.  They tend to have white-yellowish bellies with black or grey spots.  Male and female can be distinguished by a darker spot on the males throat and smaller appearance in size.  Like many other species of frogs and toads, they will eat nearly anything that fits in their mouth.  A typical diet consists of insects, spiders, earthworms, slugs and snails, while larger prey are aided down with their arms.  Predators include snakes, owls, skunks and racoons.  They can be found in nearly any environment they are able to attain moisture, such as forests and meadows.

Adaptations:  The American Toad has adapted numerous predator defenses which allow it to survive in ecosystems such as the Kesling swamp.  Paratoid glands on their backs secrete a fowl smelling, toxic chemical which deters many predators from eating it.  Additionally, they will play dead and puff up their bodies to look larger than they are when feeling threatened.  The adaptation of lungs allows them to breathe outside of water, but must maintain skin moisture.  In order to help conserve moisture they are most active at night, hiding below rocks, logs and leaf litter during the day.

Source:  american toad. (n.d.). FCPS Home Page Redirect Page. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/american_toad.htm 

Dryad Saddle

Polyporus squamosus 

Characteristics:  Dryad's Saddle is a polypore mushroom that is edible while still immature.  It is a flattened mushroom that exhibits sinking near the stalk found primarily on hardwoods.  The cap is circular to kidney shaped and can reach 1' when mature.  Coloration is yellow-brown to brown on the cap with darker scales before reaching maturity.  Flesh of the mushroom is white along with the underside which can also be faintly yellow.  Pores run down upper part of stalk which is thick, stubby and lateral becoming black as it reaches the base.  A distinguishing feature from other mushrooms, Dryad's Saddle smells like a watermelon rind.  When mature, the mushroom becomes too leathery and bitter to eat.

Adaptations:  The capability of Dryad's Saddle to digest lignin and potentially cellulose from trees allows it to grow under numerous conditions on hardwood trees.  Basidiospores which are produced from the many pores found on the mushroom allow for optimum dispersal of pores throughout the ecosystem.  The combination of these two adaptations allow it to develop along the Kesling swamp.

Source:  Dryad's Saddle. (n.d.). Foraging With the "Wildman". Retrieved August 21, 2013, from http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mushrooms.Folder/Dryad%27s%20Saddle.html; Polyporus squamosus, dryad's saddle or pheasant's back mushroom, Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month for May 2001. (n.d.). The Virtual Foliage Home Page!. Retrieved August 21, 2013, from http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/may2001.html

Good Morning Swamp

It is a beautiful morning in the swamp, hardly a cloud in the sky.  The air is warm and the ground is damp from last nights dew.  The position of the early morning sun perfectly hits the spiderwebs that have been constructed along the trails edges.  The air hums with bees and other pollinators which seem to be particularly active, two of which I identified and had not seen in my ecosystem previously!  The birds and frog were also quite alive in the swamp and all too quick for my slow hand.  One little leopard frog was the exception to this.  I had not seen him as I made my way around the swamp until hearing something rustle what seemed to be between my feet, and then not one, but two slimy thuds into my leg.  I caught him after the second time and he sat in my hand for what seems like minutes, perhaps dazed from the impact.

Much of the vegetation near the trails edges is still attempting to hold on to life after the disturbance of the lawn mower a few weeks back.   It is amazing that some of these plants stems are parallel to the ground with the flower head perched up at a 90 degree angle to get the most from the sunlight.   The prairie docks are as tall as ever, achieving heights that make them look like something out of Dr. Seuss.  Much of this prairie area is blooming in yellow as most of the purple petals of monarda have fallen, but big bluestem has taken place as the dominant cool color.  Many of the grasses are in bloom, showing of their tiny, yet brightly colored flowers.

While native species in my ecosystem appear to out number those invasive and non-native species, there are still a number that are present here.  The most recognizable invasive is autumn olive which is occurring in numerous spots along the waters edge, although mostly small in size.  This invasive is capable of growing in poor soil conditions, especially in disturbed areas.  Has direct effects on the nitrogen cycle which can adversely effect native species.  Autumn olive is capable of "chocking out" other species  and suppressing sunlight for those species that require it be direct.  Queen Anne's lace is also present in some sections of the swamp, but not in high quantities.  As this is just a non-native species and it's populations appear to be under control, I do not suspect that this has any negative effects on surrounding species.  While I was unable to find evidence of garlic mustard, I do believe it is something I saw near the southern wooded edge of the swamp.  Like autumn olive, garlic mustard is capable of "choking out" native herbaceous species and altering the habitat of many native insects, thereby effecting bird and mammal populations.  Another common invasive in my ecosystem is the Japanese beetle, which are very difficult and expensive to control.  These beetles can be extremely detrimental to many types of vegetation from grasses to flowers to crops.

Sources: Garlic mustard - Invasive species: Minnesota DNR. (n.d.). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Minnesota DNR. Retrieved August 12, 2013, from http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/herbaceous/garlicmustard.htm; Invasive Plant Species Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Autumn Olive. Retrieved August 12, 2013, from www.in.gov/dnr/files/Autumn_Olive.pd; USDA - APHIS - Plant Health, Plant Protection and Quarantine. (n.d.). USDA - APHIS. Retrieved August 13, 2013, from http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/jb/ 

For my creative piece I chose to do a collage representation of my ecosystem using plants found in my ecosystem (with kudos to Lisa M. for coming up with this in Jonathon's class):

 

Monarch Butterfly

Danaidae danaus

Characteristics: One of the most commonly known butterflies to North America, the monarch has a wingspan of 3-5" Wings are reddish-orange with black vein like markings and white spots along boarders.  Males and females similar in appearance with males being slightly larger and females with thicker black veins.  Body is black with circular white spots.  Can be distinguished from its mimic viceroy species by black stripes across their hind wing (viceroy has an extra black stripe). Monarchs feed only on milkweeds as larva, nectar from many flowers as adults.  Only butterfly that migrates north to south regularly, south in the fall and north in the spring.  Life span of a monarch depends on which generation they were born: first three generations like 2-6 weeks while fourth can live up to eight months as they are the generation that begins migration.  Their ability to store fat allows them to survive the long trip south and duration of the winter.  During the first 5 months of their southern migration, remain mostly still in dense clusters, by mid-February they begin to disperse to gather nectar for their trip north.

Adaptations: Bright red-orange color on the monarch provides warning to predators that it is not a tasty meal.  Alkaloids obtained from their milkweed diet in the larval stage gives it an unpleasant taste, providing efficient protection from predators.  Due to the vast presence of of milkweed in the Kesling swamp, this is an ideal location for monarchs to lay eggs.  Migration allows for continued generations through the cold winter months they would otherwise not survive.

Source: Life Span of a Monarch Butterfly.Monarch Butterfly Site: Life Cycle, Migration, Pictures, News, More!. Retrieved August 11, 2013, from http://www.monarch-butterfly.com/life-span.htm; Monarch Butterfly - Danaus plexippus - NatureWorks. (n.d.). New Hampshire Public Television - Engage. Connect. Celebrate.. Retrieved August 11, 2013, from http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/monarch.htm (n.d.).

American Hazelnut

Corylus americana

Characteristics: Native perennial shrub reaching 8-16' tall that forms in colonial thickets.  Leaves are alternate, broadly oval with heart-shaped or rounded base, doubly toothed and hairy beneath.   Multi-stemmed with rounded brown-gray twigs.  Both male and female parts flower in spring with males producing a 2-3" long yellow-brown catskin, and females a small, reddish catskin.  Female flower give way to edible nuts encased in a green husk with ragged edged bracts.

Adaptions: Capable of surviving in numerous environments, but does best in rich, well drained soils.  Can be found in dry or moist thickets, woodlands/margins, prairies, streamsides and roadsides.  It's location in the Kesling wetland between the swamp and prairie provide optimal growing conditions. A very hardy winter plant and capable of broad climatic adaptation.

Source: Corylus americana. (n.d.). Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved August 11, 2013, from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/c350/corylus-americana.aspx; Plant Guide. Retrieved August 11, 2013, from plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_coam3.pdf

American Hazlenut. (n.d.).

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum 

Characteristics: Native perennial grass that grows 2-6" tall.  Thick, rounded, columnar form which can have red to straw tint.  Leaves are medium sized, green fading to yellow in autumn and beige in winter.  During mid-summer produces flowering panicles which are finely textured and tinged with tiny pink flowers.  Panicles turn beige as seeds mature into fall with seeds persisting through into winter, providing a valuable food source for birds.

Adaptations: Various climatic adaptations allow for this grass to grow naturally in prairies, open oak, pine woodlands, shores, riverbanks and marshes.  Does best in deep soils ranging from dry to poorly drained, and sandy to clay loam soils.  These adaptations allow for its occurrence within the Kesling wetland.

Source: Panicum virgatum. (n.d.). Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved August 11, 2013, from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/l460/panicum-virgatum.aspx

Red-Spotted Purple

Limenitis arthemis

Characteristics:  This butterfly of the Nymphalidae family has 4 known subspecies with wingspans ranging 2-4".  These species will often hybridize, creating variations in pattern and color.  The astyanax subspecies which I believe I found has a mostly blue, black upperside with brownish coloration on forewing.  Some also have red-orange to brown bars near the base of leading edge.  Brightest blue and somewhat iridescence can be seen on hindwings.  Typically found ini deciduous or mixed forests, moist uplands, valley bottoms and coastal plains.  It is a mimic of the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail.  Caterpillar host on a variety of trees and shrubs including  aspen, poplar, cottonwood, oak, wild cherry and hawthorn.

Adaptations:  Like the viceroy, this butterfly has adapted to mimic its poisonous counterpart, the Pipevine Swallowtail.  Adaptions to food sources allow this species to survive under many different conditions.  Kesling swamp is an ideal location for females to lay eggs considering the wealth of species in the area caterpillars can feed on: cottonwood, oak, basswood and willows specifically in this area that I have recognized.

Source:  Butterflies and Moths of North America | collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera. Butterflies and Moths of North America | collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera. Retrieved August 11, 2013, from http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Limenitis-arthemis

Another day in the swamp...

The Canadian geese that were present last week appear to have gone elsewhere, although their scat still remains along the shores.  My hypothesis from last week that they were deterring many of the other birds from being present in the swamp seems all the more likely as the birds were plentiful while I was out.  Within the span of about 5 minutes I managed to sneak up on a green and blue heron while making my way to the south side of the swamp.  Once there I found a magnificent blue-grey feather of the great blue heron over a foot in length and wondered what caused it to lose that feather.  It was strange to see the two of these herons along the swamp simultaneously as it is usually only one or the other that make themselves known.  As can be seen from my picture, the green heron is no more easily capture by photo than the blue, a frustrating fact that I am starting to come to terms with.

The frogs were not as plentiful this week, although I did still kick up a few that got away faster than I could figure out what they were.  The trail has reverted back to what I know as it's original state with far less grassy debris, it's amazing how quickly the bulk of it dispersed.  However, a plethora of cup plants are still holding on for dear life after being trampled by the mower, some more so than others.  It's rather amazing that they're able to survive at all given the damage that some of them have taken to their stems.

The plants of my ecosystem have adapted a number of techniques to ensure survival during the winter.  Deciduous trees such as the red maple, basswood, black walnut and chinquapin oak have developed the strategy of shedding their leaves in the fall to conserve energy during the winter.  This process begins with the leaves developing a corky layer at their base, preventing water from entering the leaves.  As the chlorophyll disappears, the leaves turn their red, orange or yellow colors before eventually falling off completely.  In doing this they are able to conserve energy and focus on using stored energy in their roots for survival. (Source: Wildlife in Winter - Adaptations for Survival :: Environmental Facts :: Young People's Trust for the Environment. (n.d.). Young People's Trust for the Environment - Information for kids on the environment, climate change and wildlife. Retrieved August 7, 2013, from http://www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/wildlife-in-winter-adaptations-for-survival/11)

Flowers have different means of survival during the winter which differs between perennials, biennials and annuals.  Perennials such as cone flowers, spearmint and monkey flowers are capable of surviving due to entering a resting stage during the winter in which they form small low-lying rosettes or transition to below ground structures.  This allows them to store nutrients and water even in the coldest temperatures.  These plants acclimate to their resting periods during the fall while undergoing "winter hardening".  During this process water is pumped out of cells while carbohydrates are accumulated and stored. (Source: Northern latitude plant adaptations allow for winter survival. (n.d.). Penisula Clarion. Retrieved August 7, 2013, from peninsulaclarion.com/stories/122305/outdoors_1223out002.shtm)

Red Milkweed Beetle

Tetraopes tetrophthalmus

Characteristics: Longhorn beetle with red-orange base and black spots.  Red, black coloring is aposematic, advertising it's in-edibility to predators.  This beetle has 4 eyes, one pair situated above the long antennae and the other below.  The un-ringed antennae are distinctive to this species.  Typically, these beetles are host specific to milkweeds incorporating the toxins during early instar becoming distasteful to predators.  Favors prairies and roadsides, but can be found where ever host plant is present.

Adaptations: One of it's most obvious adaptations is the development of two pairs of eyes.  This adaptation allows the beetle to see what is above and below him, making him more weary of lurking predators.  Another important adaptation is it's specificity in plats of the milkweed family.  As milkweed is abundant around the Kesling swamp, this species has no difficultly finding food.  With milkweed consumption during early instar stages, this species is able to use the toxins of the milkweed to its advantage.

Source: " Species Tetraopes tetrophthalmus - Red Milkweed Beetle - BugGuide.Net ." Welcome to BugGuide.Net! - BugGuide.Net . N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Aug. 2013. <http://bugguide.net/node/view/2966>.

Thin-leaved Coneflower or Brown-eyed Susan

 Rudbeckia triloba

Characteristics: Native biennial or perennial that can grow up to
 5' tall, but typically 3'.  Densely branching stems that are red in color, with white hairs near upper section of stem.  Leaves thin and rough on both sides.  Upper leaves with few teeth, smaller and stalkless.  Lower leaves up to 6" long with 3 lobes, course teeth and long stalk.  Flower head 1-2" with purplish brown central disk, yellow petals.  Can be distinguished from a Black-eyed Susan by a more profuse bloom of smaller flowers, typically with fewer rays per flower head.
Adaptations:  This flower is capable of growing in many conditions, although does best in moist, well drained soils free of shade, which makes the Kesling swamp and ideal location for growth.  It is also somewhat tolerant of drought.  It is also tolerant of deer due to its unpleasant taste.
Souce: Rudbeckia triloba. (n.d.). Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved August 7, 2013, from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/b937/rudbeckia-triloba.aspx

American Basswood

Tilia americana

Characteristics: Native, large deciduous tree.  Bark is dark and shallowly grooved when mature, often greyish, smooth near top.  Leaves are alternate, heart shaped, uneven at base and finely toothed.  Buds green to bright red with only 2-3 visible bud scales.  Clear sap with moderate amounts of sugar.  Very unique fruits that form small nutlets clustered beneath large, leafy wings attached to leaf.  Wood easily decays forming cavities which become home to cavity nesting animals like wood ducks, pileated woodpeckers and other small mammals.

Adaptations: Capable of forming large, deep roots allowing for more absorption of water and nutrients.  Grows best in rich, mesic soils making the Kesling swamp an ideal location for water, nutrients and in turn growth.  

Source: Plant Guide. (n.d.). American Basswood. Retrieved August 7, 2013, from plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_tiama.pdf 

Green Heron

Butorides virescens 

Small figure flying away in center.

Characteristics: A small, stocky heron about the size of a large crow, 1 1/2-2" in length.  Short yellow or orange legs and thick necks.  Deep green-grey or blue-grey color on back with rust colored breast and neck.  Dark head with small black crown feathers, sometimes raised into a crest and sharp, daggerlike bill.  Juveniles are more brown with pale streaking on neck and sides.  Unlike larger herons, do not often wade while hunting.  They will remain motionless along waters edge, typically on solid ground of vegetation, while they hunt for fish or amphibians.  Favor wooded wetland areas.

More detailed photo, Wikipedia.

Adaptations: Long legs developed for wading through shallow waders.  Bright orange or yellow color of legs believed to have adapted to attract fish.  The long, daggerlike bill is ideal for catching and controlling large prey.  Their acute vision greatly aids in capturing prey.  While hunting, they remain crouched with neck retracted, swiftly elongating it when capturing prey.

Source:   Green Heron, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Your online guide to birds and bird watching. Retrieved August 7, 2013, from http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/green_heron/id; UWL Website. (n.d.). BioWeb Home. Retrieved August 7, 2013, from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/ausloos_jane/adaptation.htm

For my creative piece I dedicded to look at pollinators of the South Kesling swamp...