Ohio Journal of Science: Volume 105, Issue 2 (April, 2005)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/31809

Front Matter
pp. 0
Article description | Article Full Text PDF (62KB)

An Amphibian Survey of Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio
Wicknick, Jill A.; Anthony, Carl A.; Reblin, Jaret S. pp. 2-7
Article description | Article Full Text PDF (35KB)

Composition and Structure of Two Old-growth Forest Ecosystem Types of Southeastern Ohio
Goebel, P. Charles; Hix, David M.; Semko-Duncan, Marie pp. 8-16
Article description | Article Full Text PDF (65KB)

A Survey of the Coleoptera Associated with Carrion at Sites with Varying Disturbances in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Shea, John pp. 17-20
Article description | Article Full Text PDF (25KB)

Hydrology, Water Chemistry, and Vegetation Characteristics of a Tamarack Bog in Bath Township, Ohio: Towards Restoration and Enhancement
Miletti, Tara E.; Carlyle, Cameron E.; Picard, Christian R.; Mulac, Kathleen M.; Landaw, Adam; Fraser, Lauchlan H. pp. 21-30
Article description | Article Full Text PDF (179KB)

Back Matter
pp. 999
Article description | Article Full Text PDF (46KB)

Browse

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Back Matter
(2005-04)
Hydrology, Water Chemistry, and Vegetation Characteristics of a Tamarack Bog in Bath Township, Ohio: Towards Restoration and Enhancement
(2005-04) Miletti, Tara E.; Carlyle, Cameron E.; Picard, Christian R.; Mulac, Kathleen M.; Landaw, Adam; Fraser, Lauchlan H.
The current state of the Bath Tamarack Bog has raised concern about the health and function of the system. Only 6 tamarack (Larix laricina) trees remain, while deciduous trees, particularly red maple (Acer rubrum) and invasive species such as glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), dominate the bog. Our purpose was to assess the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the tamarack bog. Environmental and biological properties of Bath Tamarack Bog were measured from May 2001 through November 2002. In 2001, the center of the bog experienced water levels below those typically found in bogs, yet experienced normal water levels in the following year. Water chemistry results indicate the pH is much greater than that characteristic of a typical bog, ranging from 5.94 to 7.41. Nutrient levels fluctuated and were generally higher for calcium, potassium, and phosphate than a typical bog, while nitrogen levels remained low. These results indicate that the bog is not functioning normally and is in decline. The degradation of the bog is most likely due to anthropogenic activity. Ditching occurred between 1963 and 1969 and seems to have induced the progression of red maple trees and invasive species into the bog by lowering water levels. Since 1938, the first aerial photo we have record of, the bog has reduced to approximately a third of its size, which is approximately 1.99 hectares. The bog appears to be in a late successional stage, rapidly changing to a forested wetland. We discuss possible management and restoration efforts needed to restore or enhance the tamarack bog, including 1) planting Sphagnum mats, 2) introducing tamarack seedlings, 3) controlling invasive species, and 4) maintaining the hydrology close to the soil surface. All of these measures are suggested in association with educational outreach.
A Survey of the Coleoptera Associated with Carrion at Sites with Varying Disturbances in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
(2005-04) Shea, John
Human activity disrupts the natural environment to varying degrees and can lead to differences in biodiversity among localities. It was hypothesized that a site with low anthropogenic disturbances would have higher carrion-associated beetle diversity than sites exhibiting increased disturbance. Carrion beetle diversity was measured at three sites in northeast Ohio, and a total of 71 species were collected from among the three sites in July and August of 1995 from chicken and pig carrion. Luce Creek, the least disturbed site, had the highest number of specimens, families, species, and unique species while Euclid, the most disturbed site, had the lowest. Staphylinidae was the most abundant family at all three sites. The most commonly collected species at Dike and Euclid was the staphylinid Aleochara bimaculata, while at Luce Creek, it was the silphid Silpha noveboracensis. The Simpson and Shannon indices indicate that the less disturbed environment had the highest diversity of beetles associated with carrion.
Composition and Structure of Two Old-growth Forest Ecosystem Types of Southeastern Ohio
(2005-04) Goebel, P. Charles; Hix, David M.; Semko-Duncan, Marie
Less than 1% of the pre-European settlement forest in Ohio currently remains, mostly as small and scattered woodlots. Consequently, few studies have been undertaken to quantify the composition and structure of Ohio’s old-growth forests using a landscape ecosystem perspective. We used an existing multifactor ecosystem classification system developed for the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio to compare the composition and structure of two old-growth forest ecosystem types, located on contrasting north-facing and south-facing middle slopes. No differences in physiography were observed among the stands other than aspect; however, the north-facing old-growth ecosystem type had a greater A horizon thickness and a higher pH than the south-facing old-growth ecosystem type. Mixed-oaks dominate the south-facing ecosystem type, while sugar maple, American beech and northern red oak dominate the north-facing ecosystem type. No differences were detected in stand structural components. Similar trends were observed for the ground-flora layer; specifically, we observed differences in groundflora composition between the two ecosystem types but no differences in total percent cover or species richness. Finally, the composition and structure of coarse woody debris differed between the contrasting ecosystem types. Maple and oak snags and fallen logs dominate the north-facing ecosystem while oak standing snags and fallen stems are typically observed in the south-facing ecosystem. Few differences between the two ecosystem types were detected in coarse woody debris structure, except that snag density tends to be higher in the south-facing old-growth ecosystem and log density and volume tends to be higher in the north-facing ecosystem (P <0.10). Through the use of this ecosystem approach, we can begin to quantify the ecological factors regulating the composition and structure of old-growth communities, improving our ability to effectively manage and restore these rare ecosystems.
An Amphibian Survey of Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio
(2005-04) Wicknick, Jill A.; Anthony, Carl A.; Reblin, Jaret S.
We surveyed Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio, for amphibians during a 4-year period, from 1998-2002. Sampling techniques used were visual encounter surveys (hand collecting in terrestrial and aquatic habitats), call surveys for anurans, and sampling larvae using nets. We located 439 individuals of 16 species; of these, 7 were caudates and 9 were anurans. Specimens collected included 6 township records (Wayne County, Franklin Township: Plethodon glutinosus, Rana sylvatica; Wayne County, Wooster Township: R. clamitans melanota, R. pipiens; Holmes County, Prairie Township: Eurycea l. longicauda, Bufo a. americanus). The most common species were R. clamitans melanota and R. pipiens. The wildlife area contains extensive marshland and abundant temporary aquatic habitats (ponds, roadside ditches) that serve as breeding areas for anurans and pond breeding caudates (Ambystomatidae)that cannot coexist with predatory fish. Forested upland areas provide habitat for woodland salamanders (Plethodon) and their predators such as Pseudotriton r. ruber and Diadophis punctatus edwardsii. We compared our data to those of a previous survey. The amphibian community at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area appears to have changed little during the last 40 years, but increases in the number of forest dwelling species may be a result of continuing forest maturation at KMWA.
Front Matter
(2005-04)

Browse

Recent Submissions