Brief Introduction to Flora and Fauna of Anderson University Upland and Wetland Sites – Keystone of the Rocky River Conservancy Nature Park

Tom Kozell, Ph.DProfessor of Biology Anderson University

http://rockyriverconservancy.org/

Uplands and Wetlands

Uplands – 2nd to 3rd growth early to mid-successional, oak-hickory forest

White oak, Southern red oak, Post oak, Mockernut hickory, Pignut hickory, Shortleaf pine, Loblolly pine. Black gum, Sweetgum, Tulip tree, flowering dogwood, Eastern redbud, Hill cane, Carolina jessamine, Japanese honeysuckle, Poison ivy, Smilax, American mistletoe, Muscadine, Blackberry

Uplands and Wetlands – cont’d

Wetlands – alluvial forest along margin; palustrine persistent emergent wetland

Red maple, Sweetgum, Sycamore, Alder, Red mulberry

Cattail, Needlerush, Phragmites, Water primrose, Parrotfeather, Arum

Upland Trail – July 2011

Shortleaf Pine

View NW Toward Rocky River With Uplands in Background

AU Wetlands in Winter – January - 2009 (L) and 2014 (R)

Use of the Property by AU Biology

The combined upland and wetland systems have been used as a field site/outdoor lab by classes such as – Ecology; Economic Botany; Ornithology; Wetlands Biology; Field Biology and several Senior Research Projects

60 species of birds observed

Well-established populations of white-tail deer and beavers

PVC Tree Frog Tube

AU Wetland in August – Happy Biologists

Ecology Lab in the Upland

Beaver Lodge

Beaver Signs

Some Animals We Have Seen on the Property or in

the Rocky River or Cox Creek

Some Vertebrates

Birds – 60 species in 27 families

Mammals – 8 species in 7 families

Reptiles and Amphibians – 17 species in 9 families

Common Musk Turtle – cont’d

2 – 5”

Dark brown or black carapace – often w/algae

2 distinct stripes on head and barbels on both throat and chin

Exposed areas of skin between plastron plates

Male N. lutipinnis – Breeding Colors

Spotted Salamander – Ambystoma maculatum (L) Marbled Salamander –

Ambystoma opacum (R)

Cope’s Gray Treefrog (L) and Green Treefrog (R)

Spring Peeper (L) and Upland Chorus frog (R)

Bullfrog (L) and Green Frog (R)

Painted Turtle – Chrysemys picta

Eastern Box Turtle – Terrapene carolina

Ground Skink – Scincella lateralis

River Cooter with Leech

Future Plans – cont’d

Walking trails

Viewing sites, including elevated platforms

Discovery Center

Community ecology/environment education

Wetland preservation