Field Study of Shoup-Parson Woods

by Melody Taylor, Victoria Ruiz and Connie Stalhandske

This is a summary of our field study project for NASC 310. The site of this study covers an area of approximately 484 square feet (26.5 X 18.25) along the bank of the Elkhart River with in the Shoup-Parson Woods located in Goshen, Indiana. The purpose of this study was to observe, identify, and monitor several elements of this site. This included plants, soil and other organisms residing there. We made six visits to the site during May of 2000 in order to gather data and record photographic evidence of changes.

The site hosted a variety of plant life which included schrubs, trees, wildflowers, and vines. There were different species of animals present within our site, including this inquisitive black squirrel. We also observed signs of domestic animals as well (dog prints and feces). We observed the presence of a golden finch, red wing blackbird, and a cardinal. We noted the presence of several insects as well, including flying ants, mosquitos, bees, and sow bugs.

The riverbank area of our site was covered with large patches of poison ivy (Rhus radicans). We also noticed that the poison ivy grew on tree trunks intermingled with Virginia Creeper. We learned that poison ivy can occur in three different forms: ground cover, stalks (often mistaken for poison oak) and vines.

Besides three leaflets per leaf, poison ivy stems are covered with hairy looking roots that enable the vine to cling to other vegetation at any time of the year. These roots are aerial , and the vines provide berries that serve as food for birds.

Poison ivy is a very adaptable plant and it can be found on river banks, marshes, dunes, forest paths, and ditches. The stems, roots and berries of the plant contain a strong poison that causes allergic reactions in many people.

Though the plant consistantly produces three leaflets, their size and shape vary greatly. They can often be confused with other nearby vines (Virginia Creeper or grape vines). Therefore, it is safer for nonexperts to remember the saying "Leaves of three , let it be!"

Stands of poison ivy are excellent sand and soil stabilizers. Parent plants send out underground runners with a large root system and many root hairs. These runners curve up and become new plants some distance from the parent plant.

Poison ivy matures quickly, as seen in this photo taken one week after the above photograph. Mature plants will produce a creamy white berry and in the fall the bright green foliage will become bright orange-red in color. Unsuspecting leaf collectors often come down with poison ivy rash!

We observed many changes in the plant life over a three week period. One poison ivy plant grew almost twelve inches, and the wildflowers have all but disappeared. We noticed an increase in the river's water level after a few days of heavy storms. The water level seems to fluctuate with precipitation changes. The soil in this particular plot consisted mostly of sand, with the concentrations being higher closer to the river 's edge. We found evidence of decaying vegetation higher along the bank, across from the walking path.

We categorized the organisms that we recognized on our site into two categories: riverbank and high ground.

River bank: river, sandy soil, small round pebbles, poison ivy runners (stalks), ground cover poison ivy (shrub) pawpaw saplings, mustard plant, purple violets,and honeysuckle.

High ground: Blood root plants, trillium, wild white violets, maple tree saplings, horse chestnut tree, poison ivy vines, virginia creeper vines, wild ginger, smooth solomon's seal, honey locust tree, sycamore tree, mustard plant, litchum, daisy, dandelions,swamp buttercups, clover, wild garlic, honeysuckle, pawpaw trees,mayapples, sticky grass, bees, black squirrel, ladybugs, ants, mosquitos, flies, cabbage moth, damsel fly, cardinals, golden finch, red headed woodpecker, red winged blackbird

	Besides three leaflets per leaf, poison ivy stems are covered with hairy looking roots that enable the vine to cling to other vegetation at any time of the year. These roots are aerial , and the vines provide berries that serve as food for birds.
	Poison ivy is a very adaptable plant and it can be found on river banks, marshes, dunes, forest paths, and ditches. The stems, roots and berries of the plant contain a strong poison that causes allergic reactions in many people.
	Though the plant consistantly produces three leaflets, their size and shape vary greatly. They can often be confused with other nearby vines (Virginia Creeper or grape vines). Therefore, it is safer for nonexperts to remember the saying "Leaves of three , let it be!"
	Stands of poison ivy are excellent sand and soil stabilizers. Parent plants send out underground runners with a large root system and many root hairs. These runners curve up and become new plants some distance from the parent plant.
	Poison ivy matures quickly, as seen in this photo taken one week after the above photograph. Mature plants will produce a creamy white berry and in the fall the bright green foliage will become bright orange-red in color. Unsuspecting leaf collectors often come down with poison ivy rash!