July 17, 2012
First Day of Research Project
Today we began working on our group projects. I am enthusiastic about working on this project- Plant Identification on Various Disturbed Areas of BHW. Originally, I wanted to work with water, but after working with Tom Lee yesterday, I became interested in working with invasive plants. I have always loved plants and I will be able to work with water when we survey the beaver pond. This will give me the opportunity to solidify and build to my understandings of plant identification. Anyways, I hope this project will be useful in the long term for the management of BHW.
In Ohio, where I first learned plant identification, the deciduous forests are very different than the woods surrounding my house. But the woods surrounding my home seem different than the forest here. I live only an hour north, but the difference in species dominance is interesting. We have less deciduous variety amongst our trees. I wonder why the difference is so notable within such a short distance? Temperature? More inland? Different topography? The further north we travel, diversity of deciduous trees decreases.
Doing a plant inventory is something I have wanted to do for years. I don't know why... after I had seen a picture of a plant biologist searching through bushes for peppers in Mexico, I have wanted to complete one. Perhaps after this, I will take the time to document plant material on our land. Recently, I had noted plants that I had not observed before... elm, high bush blueberry... but other plants I am no longer able to find; like, bluebell lily and pink lady slippers. Succession is quick- it seems to happen overnight.
Your comment about forests changing within a short distance made me wonder how the forest in inland southern NH (what's left of them along the I-93 corridor ;( )are different from coastal and the Wolfboro area forests. I don't recall seeing as much witchhazel. My interest in plants really started after I left Idaho. I often think about the plant pallet there...lots of sage brush. One of the best smells in the world is during/just after a sprinkle of rain falls. The scent of moist dust and sagebrush...ahhh. Makes me wonder what kinds of childhood scents we are all connected to our homes by.
ReplyDeletePlant inventories are a wonderful experience. The process really motivates the scientist to observe carefully and document the existing vegetation. I encourage you to continue to document plants in your woods. Your children will enjoy the process too.
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