Brief Introduction to Flora and Fauna of Anderson

Brief Introduction to Flora and Fauna of Anderson University Upland Wetland Sites – Keystone of the Rocky River Conservancy Nature Park Tom Kozell, Ph. D Professor of Biology Anderson University

http: //rockyriverconservancy. org/

Uplands and Wetlands Uplands – 2 nd to 3 rd growth early to midsuccessional, 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 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