Wonder Blog A UVM blog

6/28/2024, 1:15 PM

Weather – 73°F, Humidity 38% (dew point 46°F), partly cloudy, 0% precipitation

I noticed that there was less animal activity compared to the previous blog, probably because there was a bear roaming the area. Plants seemed more rejuvenated since the rainstorms. There was also a lot more erosion and bugs under objects such as logs, likely due to the previous rainstorms. There were a bunch of new things that I found while exploring, especially when I focused on minute details (ex: last blog I noticed a new plant, and this blog I noticed a red fuzzy growth on that plant that I had either missed or overlooked).

Here I am further researching the fungi I found, its pungent smell, and the fungi’s relationship to the environment around me.

Source: Ecological impacts of fungal wood decay types: A review of current knowledge and future research directions – Fukasawa – 2021 – Ecological Research – Wiley Online Library

The fungi found on these trees are actually a couple different species of fungi, even though they all look very similar. The most prominent being what I think are “Red-Belted Conk” fungi, and “Red Reishi” fungi, . Both the Red-Belted Conk and Red Reishi fungi are wood decay fungi, which means that they grow on decaying wood. These fungi, and other wood decay fungi produce extracellular enzymes and actively transfer carbon, nutrients, water, and oxygen, along highly branching hyphal networks. These fungi grow through the vascular tissue of the wood, breaking down and degrading the wood, also causing the wood to weigh less and have less strength. The pungent smell comes from the decomposition of the wood.

1. Why is the ground only covered in pine needles and not leaves from any of the other trees
2. Why is there such a variety of plants growing next to and even on top of each other
3. Why are some plants growing sideways instead of upwards
4. Why did it take so long for all of the wildlife to come out and show themselves
5. Why is there a sign that says no swimming in Walton Pond because it is a wildlife preserve
6. What is a wildlife preserve
7. How does a place get designated as a wildlife preserve
8. Why are some of the trees stripped of its bark and others arent
9. Why are there groups of plants growing inside dead trees instead of in the soil
10. There are a lot of “holes” in the water, what are these
11. Why are some Lilypad’s in full bloom and others don’t even have a single flower bud on them
12. On my trek I found birds nests, both manmade from bird boxes and natural nests. What are the benefits and disadvantages of making manmade habitats for wildlife to use
13. There are portions of the lake that are completely clear of water vegetation, and other portions where the pond is covered by water vegetation, what causes this “inconsistency” in water vegetation growth
14. While inspecting a plant I found a sticky white substance that seemed to have a bunch of flies in it, what is this
15. What is the relation between fungi and plants, is it more symbiotic or parasitic
16. Where were all of the animals when I was waiting for them to come out
17. There are some invasive species present, when would it be classified that they have “taken over” this area
18. Sometimes people come to camp in areas around where I chose, how might this effect the ecosystem
19. Would camping change the ecosystem
20. Would camping change the reaction and behavior of animals with nearby habitiats
21. Winding Trails uses gas powered golf carts to get around the trails, does this effect the ecosystem in any way
22. How long does it take for an ecosystem to change
23. What type of biome is present in winding trails
24. There is apparent erosion on the edges of the pond, however some trees and other plants have grown through the erosion and into the pond, why is this
25. I found the majority of the fungi on a dead tree but only on parts where the bark was stripped. I would like to follow up on if there is a reason for this
26. how does the fungi effect the tree
27. What the caused the fungi’s pungent smell
28. What is the purpose of this smell

6/21/2024, 12:30PM

Weather – 91°F, Humidity 55% (dew point 73°F), partly cloudy, 0% precipitation

The site I chose is a small island in the middle of a pond at Winding Trails called Walton Pond. Surrounding the perimeter of the island are tons of plants, such as tall grass, cattail plants, and a few other plants that I do not recognize. More plants, including different varieties of vines, oak trees, evergreen trees, ferns, and burr bushes were found more towards the inland portion of the island. Some of the vegetation was healthy and thriving, while other dead plants were repurposed by the wildlife into habitat. In the pond water, plants such as flowering Lilypad’s, and a variety of sea weeds and grasses were also found. The island was an oasis of serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of the world around me. I sat in science for around 20 minutes overlooking the island and water, as wildlife came out of hiding. Sounds of fish jumping, frogs croaking, birds chirping, and squirrels barking filled the silence in the air. I came across fish including sunfish, yellow perch, brook trout, and small mouth bass, and large mouth bass. I also came across eastern painted box turtles, snapping turtles, a multitude of bugs and termites, and also a deer. As I was about to leave I noticed a pungent smell filling the air on the path I took to get to my spot. After following the smell, I came across trees covered in a type of fungi bigger than my head. I saw a lot today but there is still plenty left to explore and species that I have seen but would like to educate myself further on what they are and how they affect the ecosystem of this portion of Winding Trails. I specifically would like to follow up on the fungi when I visit next. I found the majority of the fungi on a dead tree but only on parts where the bark was stripped. However, I also found the same fungi on other trees that were alive. I would like to follow up on if there is a reason for this, how the fungi may effect the tree, and what the cause and purpose of the smell is.