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SPRING PEEPER MEADOW RESEARCH Vegetation Surveys Small Plot Surveys Small Plot Surveys were conducted in 1998 and 1999. In subsequent years they were conducted in conjunction with the more comprehensive Large Plot Surveys. For the small plot survey, data points are set at Transects 5, 10, and 13. A floristic list is compiled for all species occurring in a one meter square quadrat placed beside the monitoring pole at each elevation (data point) along the transect. Cover values are assigned to each species found in the plot using a 7-point cover scale (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg, 1974). Data collected 1998 1999 2000 2004 2008 Large Plot Surveys After conducting small plot surveys in 1998 and 1999, it was felt that they did not adequately represent the floristic picture of SPM. It was determined that a modified releve using larger plots would provide better floristic data. The entire area comprising the emergent marsh, sedge meadow, and wet prairie are divided into 28 permanent large plots with areas ranging from .05 to 1.1 acres. Researchers walk through the plots identifying and listing every species found in the plot. Cover values are assigned to each species using the 7-point cover scale (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg, 1974) Data collected 2000 2004 2008 Seed Bank Assays Seed bank assays are conducted in conjunction with the large plot vegetation surveys. In October, soil samples were collected near each monitoring pole. Subsamples are removed from each batch and spread out in a 10x10x2 inch flat. The flats are placed in the greenhouse in a randomized design and allowed to grow. Seedlings are identified as soon as possible after germination. The goal of the seed bank assay is to determine how rich the post restoration seed bank becomes over time after a long history of farming that depleted the native seedbank. Data collected 1997 2000 2004 2008 Seed Longevity Study The seed longevity study is designed to assess the life of the seeds of three wetland species in wetland soils. The three species chosen for the study include porcupine sedge (Carex hystericina) and tussock sedge (C. stricta), both native sedges, and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), an invasive species. The seeds were placed in short sections of PVC pipe with a small amount of wetland soil. A fine mesh was glued to both ends of the tube and the tubes were placed randomly in an ammunition box with several holes cut into it. The boxes with the seeds were buried in the wetland at three elevations representing flooded, seasonally flooded, and rarely flooded. At each elevation the seeds are exposed to the ambient soil environment (gases, water, and soil microorganisms). Every few years a set of the seeds are removed from the box. The seeds are germinated in Petri dishes under lights in a controlled setting to determine the viability of the seeds after a known amount of time in the seedbank. Data collected 2001 2004 2005 2008 Vertebrate and Invertebrate Studies Amphibian Surveys Methods used for amphibian surveys include Day Visual Encounter Survey (DVES), Night Visual Encounter Survey (NVES), Chorusing Survey, and Larval Trapping. Data collected 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2008 Breeding Bird Surveys Methods used for breeding bird surveys include Point Count Survey, Nest Search, and Secretive Bird Calls. Data collected 1998 1999 2000 2001 2004 2005 2008 Monarch Study Students from St. Hubert Middle School along with their mentor and science teacher, Cindy Peterson, have been studying monarchs at Spring Peeper Meadow since 1999. Data that the students collect is contributed to the ongoing monarch migration study at the University of Minnesota. The students also conduct individual research projects that they present at a science fair. For more information go to the Monarchs in the Classroom website at www.monarchlab.org Data Collected 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Hydrology Surface Hydrology A staff gauge was installed in the south end of the wetland in 1998. A second staff gauge was installed in the north end of the wetland in 2004. Readings from a set of staff gauges are used to monitor water depth in the wetland. Readings are taken approximately weekly. The hydrology data supports other data collected at SPM. Data collected 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Ground Water Peizometers, or groundwater monitoring wells, were installed in 1997 in nested sets along 3 transects in the wetland. Data collected from the wells is used to create a more accurate picture of the hydrology of Spring Peeper Meadow. Data collected 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 (instruments defunct after 2003) Soils Deep Soil Cores 1997 Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 1998 2004 Temperature 1998 1999 Texture 1998 Total Nitrogen (TN) 2004 Total Phosphates (TP) 2004 Water Chemistry Chemistry 1998 Water Temperature 1999 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 1999 pH 1999 2005 Conductivity 1999 2005 Salt 2001 2005 Alkalinity 1999 Other Perception Survey 1998
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