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February 10, 2006
Trees are Being Chewed!
We apparently have a new resident at Litzsinger Road Ecology Center. While no direct sighting has been reported, the evidence strongly suggests that we have a beaver engaged in some riparian corridor landscaping and dining.
These two photos were taken just a few days apart. Notice the progress.
Posted by ejones at 09:40 AM | Comments (1)
February 09, 2006
Weather Station Online
Our WeatherHawk weather station is back online! You can view current conditions at the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center by clicking on Explore and then clicking on Weather.
Posted by Jennifer Krause at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
February 07, 2006
Giant Garlic Mustard Tap Roots
Check out these monster tap roots on this garlic mustard that I pulled from the creek bank! Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive weed that invades forested communities and edge habitats. It was first thought to have been introduced to North America as a cooking herb. As a biennial, it produces basal rosette leaves during its first growing season and then bolts during its second growing season to produce copious amounts of seeds. In fact, garlic mustard spreads exclusively by its seeds, mostly via floodwaters and also on humans, animals, and vehicles. The seeds can remain viable in the soil for at least seven years, but if control measures are taken to prevent the plants from setting seeds its spread can be prevented. We have quite a few infestations of this invasive species at LREC. Staff, volunteers, and even students will continue to pull garlic mustard during the months of October through March before it starts setting seed in April. Staff is also exploring other ways in which we can actively control this species, one of which is spraying select infestations in the early spring. Ultimately, enlisting other watershed neighbors in managing this species and other invasives is the only way to slow the source of seed influxes on our property. A challenge for all of us to work together!
Posted by Jennifer Brown at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)