Advanced Placement Biology Summer Work...
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AP Biology: Summer Plot Study Robert Hammond Mrs. Cunard (Adapted from A. Maines’ “Response to Invasion: Managing Spotted Knapweed”) Part 1: Introduction to Burr’s Pond and The Edna Martin Wildlife Refuge Burr’s Pond is an artificial, man made pond located in the southern part of Seekonk, Massachusetts. The main entrance is down Fall River Avenue, over by the Grist Mill restaurant. The entrance to the Edna Martin Wildlife Refuge is further up the road from the entrance to the pond, and the majority of it can only be navigated on foot. As a hub for wildlife in what is otherwise a human colonized area, the Pond and Refuge are massively important to maintain the biodiversity of that area of the town. To get to where your plots are, you will need to use the Refuge Entrance, not the Pond one. It’s directly across from World’s Gym on Fall River Avenue. Safety Concerns: As a mostly untamed wilderness, the Edna Martin Wildlife Refuge may have things that could be harmful if handled without care. Poison Ivy and Poison Oak are two big concerns, so make sure you wear protective clothing. Insects are a nuisance, so bug spray should probably be something you bring. Make sure you check yourselves for ticks after leaving the refuge, they can turn up in the most random of places. Also, this should go without saying, don’t try to do this at night. You’ll probably get lost. Part 2: Let’s Talk Invasives What is an invasive species? The National Invasive Species Council identifies them as “species that are non-native (or
Transcript of Advanced Placement Biology Summer Work...
AP Biology: Summer Plot StudyRobert HammondMrs. Cunard(Adapted from A. Maines’ “Response to Invasion: Managing Spotted Knapweed”)
Part 1: Introduction to Burr’s Pond and The Edna Martin Wildlife RefugeBurr’s Pond is an artificial, man made pond located in the southern part of Seekonk, Massachusetts. The main entrance is down Fall River Avenue, over by the Grist Mill restaurant. The entrance to the Edna Martin Wildlife Refuge is further up the road from the entrance to the pond, and the majority of it can only be navigated on foot. As a hub for wildlife in what is otherwise a human colonized area, the Pond and Refuge are massively important to maintain the biodiversity of that area of the town. To get to where your plots are, you will need to use the Refuge Entrance, not the Pond one. It’s directly across from World’s Gym on Fall River Avenue.
Safety Concerns: As a mostly untamed wilderness, the Edna Martin Wildlife Refuge may have things that could be harmful if handled without care. Poison Ivy and Poison Oak are two big concerns, so make sure you wear protective clothing. Insects are a nuisance, so bug spray should probably be something you bring. Make sure you check yourselves for ticks after leaving the refuge, they can turn up in the most random of places. Also, this should go without saying, don’t try to do this at night. You’ll probably get lost.
Part 2: Let’s Talk Invasives
What is an invasive species? The National Invasive Species Council identifies them as “species that are non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. Invasive species can be plants, animals, or pathogens.” Invasive species tend to out compete native ones for the same resources, and therefore invasive species often lower an area’s biodiversity, making the whole ecosystem more susceptible to threats such as disease and natural disasters. For your part, you have been assigned a set of plots which are marked with your team color. Your job is to create a plot study that is 1m2 in area and document your findings. An abbreviated list of plants you may find in your assigned plot areas is on website. There are many other plants. Use guides to assist you in identification.
Part 3: So, now what?Now that you’ve done your plot studies, it’s time to do some social networking! You will be sharing your findings with your classmates when class starts in September.
Oriental Bittersweet (Invasive)Celastrus orbiculatusNative Range: Eastern Asia (China, Korea, Japan)Origin: Originally an ornamental plant, Oriental Bittersweet is still planted even today as a decorative item, which only adds to its spread.
Autumn Olive (Invasive)Elaeagnus umbellataNative Range: AsiaOrigin: Introduced circa 1830
Hay-Scented FernDennstaedtia punctilobula
Poison IvyToxicodendron radicansLab Safety: Poison Ivy is really easy to spot when you know what you’re looking for. Make sure to wear protective clothing when you’re out in the Refuge to prevent exposure.
Virginia CreeperParthenocissus quinquefolia
American ElmUlmus americana
White AshFraxinus americana
Works Cited
"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)." National Invasive Species Council – Frequently Asked Questions. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014.
<www.invasivespecies.gov/main_nav/mn_faq.html>
"Going Native: Choosing Non-Invasive Plants." Rhode Island Wild Plant Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2014. <http://www.riwps.org/Going_Native_-_Selecting_Non-Invasive_Plants.pdf>.
Maines, Anastasia P. "Response to Plant Invasion." National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science. University of Colorado at Boulder, 9 Apr. 2013. Web. 06 Apr. 2014. <http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/detail.asp?case_id=676&id=676>
Michigan Department of Natural Resources “Autumn Olive” Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Web. 06 Apr. 2014 <http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/invasive-species/AutumnOliveBCP.pdf>
"Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria)." Purple Loosestrife. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014. <http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticplants/purpleloosestrife/index.html>
United States. National Park Service. "PCA Alien Plant Working Group." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/ceor1.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/eues1.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/beth1.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/hema.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/romu.htm>
