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.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment