Tom Kozell , Ph.D Professor of Biology Anderson University

1. 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

2. http://rockyriverconservancy.org/

3. 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

4. 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

5. Upland Trail – July 2011

6. Shortleaf Pine

7. View NW Toward Rocky River With Uplands in Background

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

9. 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

10. PVC Tree Frog Tube

11. AU Wetland in August – Happy Biologists

12. Ecology Lab in the Upland

13. Beaver Lodge

14. Beaver Signs

15. Some Animals We Have Seen on the Property or in the Rocky River or Cox Creek

16. Some Vertebrates • Birds – 60 species in 27 families • Mammals – 8 species in 7 families • Reptiles and Amphibians – 17 species in 9 families

17. 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

18. Male N. lutipinnis– Breeding Colors

19. Spotted Salamander – Ambystomamaculatum(L) Marbled Salamander –Ambystomaopacum(R)

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

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

22. Bullfrog (L) and Green Frog (R)

23. Painted Turtle – Chrysemyspicta

24. Eastern Box Turtle – Terrapenecarolina

25. Ground Skink – Scincellalateralis

26. River Cooter with Leech

27. Future Plans – cont’d • Walking trails • Viewing sites, including elevated platforms • Discovery Center • Community ecology/environment education • Wetland preservation