INDEPENDENT PROJECT II: FOREST ECOLOGY

The second independent project of the semester will focus on forest ecology at Wood Hollow. You will have two weeks to do data collection in the field. To ensure a successful project, you will submit a brief proposal that outlines your plans for data collection. The proposal must include a title, the names of the researchers, a few sentences describing the purpose, and a detailed description of your methods. Also include a list of all materials you need to take into the field.

Possible topics include:

· density and/or spatial distribution of a particular tree species, canopy trees, understory trees, seedlings, skunk cabbage, vines, fungi, invertebrates—the book Ecological census techniques: a handbook edited by William J. Sutherland is on the shelves in the library; it has lots of useful ideas for ways to sample organisms in the field.

· growth forms of understory versus canopy tree species. Understory trees thrive by spreading out widely in order to collect as much light as possible. On the other hand, canopy species thrive by becoming tall. Therefore, understory trees should have large crowns and thick trunks, and young canopy trees of similar height should have smaller crowns and narrower trunks; see King, D.A. 1990. Allometry of saplings and understorey trees of a Panamanian forest. Functional Ecology 4:27-32 available through JSTOR

· invasion of multiflora rose—multiflora rose forms a thicket of canes along edges, but does it get into the forest interior? For some background on multiflora rose, see the Introduction of Debbie Muffly’s thesis The effect of the exotic species Rosa multiflora on habitat use by small mammals available in the University Archives in the library.

· habitat selection by small mammals—I have some tracking tubes that a team could use to look at small mammals in different microhabitats. For some background on tracking small mammals, see the Methods of Debbie Muffly’s thesis The effect of the exotic species Rosa multiflora on habitat use by small mammals available in the University Archives in the library.

· foraging behavior of small mammals—a team could test the predictions of optimal foraging theory with seed trays; see Wellborn, G. A. 2000. Testing concepts of animal foraging behavior: an experiment using seed trays. The American Biology Teacher 62:46-49 in the bound periodicals in the library.

· bud nipping by animals—when food is scarce, animals (especially deer) will eat the tips of seedlings; these activities remove the buds, and the plants cannot grow. This is a serious problem for forest regeneration in Pennsylvania; see the Audubon Pennsylvania website for more information (follow links to Managing White-tailed Deer in Forest Habitat From an Ecosystem Perspective and White-tailed Deer Management Program).

· comparison of areas at the top, middle, and bottom of hillside

I would be happy to discuss ideas with you or your team.

In the week following data collection, you will do data analysis and prepare a PowerPoint presentation of your project. The following week, you will present your project to the rest of your lab section. Also due that week is the first submission of your written project report.