Climate change and the Vernal Pond

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! 

 

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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.

The Vernal Pond in Winter

Observations: What might this ecosystem look like in the winter and what are the primary strategies for winter survival for the organisms here?

I imagine the Vernal Pond as a haven for hibernating mammals, such as the Groundhog. I see burrows or holes in the ground located throughout this habitat. The burrows tend to be up closer to the tree trunk base, above the water line. I imagine the Groundhog sleeping all winter long, using the stored fat from the warmer months as fuel to make it through the winter. I also wondered about the Racoons. I have identified the scat that I found a few weeks ago as a Racoon. In the Vernal Pond, Racoons would possibly overwinter in dens made from decaying tree cavities. The fallen Red & Sugar Maple trees would make a great home in this habitat. Snow would make it easy to observe tracks and trails leading in and out of these burrows. Being an Omnivore, I think Racoon would feed upon smaller prey, nuts, insects or remaining vegetation. Another winter element to consider are several varieties of plants that surround the Vernal Pond. Most plants are native perennials. Trees, shrubs, wildflowers and vines will die back and lose their leaves as they transition into a dormant season. They will blossom again from their established home in spring. Annual plants will drop seeds that will survive over winter. These seeds will then start to grow anew in spring. Most birds will migrate south for the winter, however I imagine I might be able to see or hear Woodpeckers, Chickadees or Cardinals. The birds that stay over winter will feast upon seeds and insects.

Scat from Racoon is filled with seeds

Species Identifications:

 

Pin Oak-Quercus palustris- the Pin Oak grows in a variety of soil conditions. In my habitat this beautiful tree is found along the edges of the moist soils from the Vernal Pond. This Oak is easy to identify because of the lower branches droop towards the ground. Another identifiable characteristic is to observe the width of the leaves. Pin oaks will be slimmer/more narrow in comparison to the Red Oak. The Pin Oak leaf lobes come in almost completely towards the middle of the leaf, keeping the leaf shape more thin in profile.

 

Brown Harvestmen- Hadrobunus grandis- commonly referred to as daddy-long-legs. This species is the most widespread species of Harvestman. This arthropod is typically mistaken for an arachnid. Their body parts are fused and they have a single pair of eyes in the middle of the cephalothorax. They are known for their exceptionally long legs. They have no venom glands and therefore possess no danger to humans. They do not possess silk glands and therefore do not build webs. Many species are omnivorous. If hunting, they ambush their prey. 

Repetitive tachinid fly- Peleteria iterans- the black abdominal bristles are a key feature in identifying this species of fly. This species plays an important role in ecosystems because they act as a parasite for the damaging moth populations by keep destructive moth caterpillars in check. The female fly will lay a fertilized egg on the caterpillar or in front of it. The eggs hatch and the fly larvae proceeds to eat the caterpillar to death, from the inside. Adult flies are most active from summer to autumn. They can be found in a variety of habitats, such as, woods, open fields, marshes, coastlines, meadows, parks and forests. 

Lichen agaric-Omphalina ericetorum- this common mushroom is found growing with lichens throughout North America.  This collection of mushrooms was located amongst the moss in the moist soil near the base of a Red Maple tree. The notable characteristics are the small size, flat top with sunken center and scalloped to wavy margin. Color varies from brownish to pale yellow. The Vernal Pond is a wonderful spot for mushroom observation. This moist, nutrient rich soil is the ideal nutrition for mushrooms, since they lack chlorophyll. 

Creative Observations: Morning moments from Kesling Wetland