The Vernal Pond and Human Habitats

What are the nearest human-dominated habitats to your ecosystem and how do you think they are influencing the ecosystem dynamics of your ecosystem?

Observations: 

The closest and most dominant feature surrounding the Vernal Pond is to the South and East. It is the neighbors Agricultural Field. This season, soybean has been planted as part of a crop rotation technique. Next year, Corn will most likely be planted.  Soybeans are from the Legume family and are instrumental in supplying the farmland topsoil with nitrogen. Corn depletes topsoil of essential nutrients, so farmers will rotate crops as a way to restore nutrients back to the soil. The major concern for the Vernal Pond is from runoff. Agricultural runoff can cause several problems to the balance of the Vernal Pond. Too much runoff can cause high doses of Nitrogen and Phosphorus. This example could result in a chemical reaction and that could produce too much Algae. Herbicide usage can also cause problems with disrupting food webs and biotic/abiotic organisms. Overall, these imbalance could be detrimental to the life cycles of Amphibians, Invertebrates and Mammals. I have an ecotone that works as a buffer between these two ecosystems. The deciduous forest with herbaceous understory layers serve as a barrier, protecting the balance of the Verbal Pond habitat. Another noticeable human-dominate habitat is the dirt road that runs along the edge of the Vernal Pond. The road is constructed upon a culvert. The culvert allows water to flow through underneath the road, however, this could also serve as a barrier preventing animals from being able to successfully transition between the Vernal Pond and the forest or wetland. 

This week, I've noticed an abundance of ferns and fungi growing so beautifully within the Vernal Pond. Our group spent an hour one afternoon locating and identifying species found all over my ecosystem. It was fun to work together in teams while researching and identifying our “treasures”. At the end of class we got to view each others species and identify particular niches of flourishment. Mushrooms are so cool! 

Species Identification:

Upper tree bark


Middle section of tree bark

Lower tree trunk

American Sycamore- Platanus occidentalis- when I moved to Indiana, I noticed an abundance of Sycamore trees. Its bark has this distinctive layered ombre effect. Becoming more noticeable as the tree matures. White, green and smooth bark is towards the top of crown. The base of the trunk is brown and textured. The American Sycamore grows in wet soils and moist habitats. Seeds have a plume of hair for wind dispersal. 

Sugar-Maples have a beautiful color range in the Autumn

Sugar-Maple -Acer saccharum- the more I study the Vernal Pond, I notice that I have two Maple species that are dominate. Most people identify with this tree for its ability to produce a wonderful sap used to make Maple Syrup. The Sugar-Maples love the moist habitat and grows well in shade. It is a dense hardwood species that grows a beautiful dense canopy as it matures. The fruits of the Sugar-Maple are propeller-like in style and character. 

Royal Fern and Mad-dog skullcap blanket the forest floor

Royal Fern -Osmunda regalis- this species of deciduous fern, native to Europe, Africa and Asia. It flourishes in woodland bogs and along river banks. The base of the Fern is hairy and in bunches. If fertile, pinnae are at the the frond tips. Sterile pinnae and pinnules are widely spaced. This is a beautiful Fern and is an abundant part of the Vernal Pond forest floor. 

Mayapple- Podophyllum peltatum- this herbaceous perennial is a woodland plant, typically growing in colonies derived from a single root. The flowers can be white, yellow or red and mature into a fleshy fruit. The flower grows beneath 2 large cleft leaves. All parts of this plant are poisonous, however once the fruit has ripened and turned yellow, it can be safely eaten with the seeds removed.

Creative: Highlights from our field trip to Southern Indiana

References: 

Hallowell, A. C., & Hallowell, B. G. (2001). Fern finder: A guide to native ferns of central and northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Rochester, NY: Nature Study Guild Publihers.

Jackson, M. T. (2004). 101 trees of Indiana: A Field Guide. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

Newcomb, L. (1977). Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group.