PLANT AND ALGAL ECOPHYSIOLOGY LAB

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Wetland Plant Ecology

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- vegetation change, invasive species, carnivorous pitcher plants…

Research focused on wetland ecology and processes is based at the Cedarburg Bog out of the UW-Milwaukee Field Station in collaboration with Jason Mills and Field Station staff Jim Reinartz and Gretchen Meyer. We are examining long term change in vegetation composition, possibly in response to climate and land-use changes. We are using long term records of research and aerial photography back to the 1940’s as well as update vegetation surveys. We are also examining the progression of the invasive species glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) in the Cedarburg Bog using annual growth rings to estimate age and growth rate of the plants in different parts of the Bog. This research is partially funded by UWM Research Growth Initiative. In 2008, Jason Berg is starting a new project to examine invasive glossy buckthorn by measuring the role of seed deposition (propagule pressure) in establishment of new seedlings.

Research on the nutrient ecology of the carnivorous northern pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea is also focused in the Cedarurg Bog and nearby Sapa Bog. This research is collaboration with Gretchen Meyer and has been carried out by grad student Terry Bott. We have been examining how the distinct morphology of two populations of S. purpurea is influenced by nutrient and light availability and conditions within an acid bog and a neutral pH fen (see Publications). Jamie Smith also investigated the inside and outside leaf surfaces of S. purpurea using scanning electron microscopy (see pics in the Gallery) and Amy Rymaszewski is examining the microbial community in S. purpurea pitchers.

Aerial view of Cedarburg Bog The boardwalk and ‘string bog’ Sarracenia purpurea

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