Question: How might global climate change affect your ecosystem? Describe some specific pressures or changes your ecosystem might experience.
Observations:
After reviewing the data provided by Purdue University's Climate change report, I can imagine several possible pressures and changes that could arise within the Vernal Pond. This wet, lowland forest area is a delicate system that serves a variety of purposes for the species that depend on this habitat. It's hard for me to imagine this objectively, because my heart sinks when I think about what the Vernal Pond could look like in 2050 and 2080.
The first pressure I imagine is based on temperature. With average temperatures increasing, extreme heat would cause faster evaporation of the water that is held within the Vernal Pond. A dryer habitat would mean less food and water for the aquatic & terrestrial species that depend on this rich, dark, moist soil and cooler temperatures. With winters progressing to warmer temperatures, the length of the freeze-thaw cycle may prevent eggs from incubation or may prevent larvae from overwintering. With the decline in extreme cold events, disease carrying insects and forest pests would be allowed to thrive for longer periods of time.
With the potential for increased precipitation, the amount of heavy rainfall may be damaging due to an increase in the amount of runoff from the neighbors agricultural field. Excessive flooding may also cause damage to trees by altering the area surrounding their flat root system. Trees may not be able to support themselves and fall to the ground. If that happened too much, the opening in the forest canopy would allow more sunlight to penetrate the soil and possible alter the moisture content of the organic floor even further. The amount of rain may also disrupt food webs and reproduction cycles.
With more heat and little rain, the Vernal Pond could disappear completely over time due to droughts. The neighboring wetlands would also dry up and the ecological balance of the Vernal Pond would be forever changed.
A few of the animals and plants that depend on the Vernal Pond for part or all of their life cycle are salamanders, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, newts, turtles, woodpeckers, ducks, herons, raccoons, skunks, moles, dragonflies, damselflies, mosquitoes, mites, beatles, flies, fairy shrimp, ferns, trees, herbaceous vegetation, fungi and decaying matter.
Species Identification:
Spring Peeper -Pseudacris crucifer- this species is one of the smallest frogs in Indiana. It can be identified by its dark colored “X” across its back. It can be found all throughout Indiana and thrives in a variety of habitats. It will breed almost any source of freshwater. Spring peepers are nocturnal insectivores, coming out at night to feed primarily on small invertebrates, such as beetles, ants, flies, and spiders. They do not climb high into trees, but hunt in low vegetation.
Sweetheart Underwing Moth- Catocala amatrix- this moth is camouflage very well. I could hardly see it on the tree bark. As I approached the Vernal Pond, it flew by me. I noticed its distinctive hind wing. The hind wing is pinkish orange with two black bands and white fringe. Females lay eggs on the tree bark and hatch the following spring. The larvae feed on willow and poplars. Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruits, bird droppings or animal scat.
Green Ash Tree - Fraxinus pennsylvanica- this species of ash has a long, pinnately compound leaf, typically found with seven to nine leaflets. Flowers and leafs are produced in spring. Flowers are wind pollinated and do not have petals. They grow in predominantly moist soils. Their autumn color is a golden-yellow. The emerald ash borer is a threat to this tree species and causes destruction by feeding on tissues beneath the tree bark.
Crane Fly -Tipula species unknown- this species is found worldwide in habitats with high humidity and wet soil areas. Adults do not eat, but larvae feed on decaying vegetation, leaves of emergent and terrestrial plants, fungi, and occasionally animal matter. The lifecycle starts with eggs being laid in or on moist soils. Fully grown larvae pupate in soil or mud, where pupae typically overwinter. Adults emerge in spring. Crane flies are important for the food webs of the Vernal Pond. Larvae is often eaten by skunks or moles. Adults are eaten by birds and bats.
Creative: Natural History Expeditions- The Best Pictures from time spent with our instructor, Jonathon aka Nature Dad!
.
No comments:
Post a Comment