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Archive for April, 2019

New Life in Disturbance

22 Apr

My phenology spot was once covered in staghorn sumacs, maples, ferns, and other flower plants. Now it is barren and new pioneer species are starting to occupy this new disturbed environment.

As of visiting my phenology spot, I was excited to see new emerging plants! As it is getting warmer with temperatures of 70ยบ F new herbaceous plants are starting to emerge and woody plants are starting to flower. When walking to my phenology spot I was welcomed by a mirage of a fern species, garlic mustard, buckthorn, and phragmites. However to my dismay once arriving at my phenology spot it was torn apart. My site underwent some forest management services blocking the soil from the sun and tear out my beloved sumacs. I was so excited to see the budding of red little bobs, yet all that is left is wood pulp of a once-dominant sumac stand. This disruption event has made it not only difficult for me but the native residents. Flowering plants I saw earlier this year such as New England aster, wild sasparilla, and common boneset will have a difficult time flowering this year trying to break free of the covered forest floor. Despite the difficulties of this new environment some plants have been able to flourish.

One new flowering species I was able to observe was Colts-foot. It may be an invasive species, yet it is a testament of how resilient of species it is in this hostile environment. Another invasive species that has been able to show its resiliency is phragmites. New phragmites shoots are starting to emerge out of the old phragmites stands and will create new habitat for returning bird migrants. As species such as grey catbird, red-winged blackbird, and house wren return they will make good use of these phragmites. I am very much upset about my phenology spot being disturbed, yet I am glad to see some species have been resilient and contribute to a new environment.

Colt’s Foot is an invasive perennial plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It was introduced to the United States for its medicinal uses. It was once used to treat respiratory complications, yet now it is considered a nuisance.

Another phenological event I witnessed was the breeding of wood frogs. Nearby on the shady side of my phenology spot, there is a vernal pool acting as a breeding grounds for many amphibian species. As of now wood frogs are breeding and could be heard as far as one-hundred yards away. Once spotting the wood frogs they remained still, yet after waiting a few minutes they returned to their chirping and mating behaviors. The most interesting mating behavior was a pair of wood frogs in amplexus with the smaller male on the larger female. The male held on even when she decided to hop away. Hopefully, I will be able to see their offspring when I come back to UVM in the fall as they prepare for dormancy.

 
 
 
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