Soil biology field work at Camp Butler Lake,
Peninsula, OH
by
Rocco Mitolo
This field experience took place at Camp Butler Lake in Peninsula, Ohio on April 17, 2014. Camp Butler Lake is found on the boarder of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The objective of the field excursion was to collect 200 red back salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), a species common to this part of Ohio and found in large abundance. Permission for collection on the site was granted by the Boy Scout troop. The salamanders will be used in the research of JCU graduate student, Julie Ziemba, investigating the effects of earthworms on the behavior of egg laying females.
The habitat we visited was characterized by a temperate deciduous forest, with having numerous large trees, and the ground being primarily covered in leaf litter. Large rocks and fallen pieces of tree-remains also were found on the ground. We worked on both flat and sloped areas. The further we moved from our initial basecamp, the greater the slope of the terrain became.
The habitat we visited was characterized by a temperate deciduous forest, with having numerous large trees, and the ground being primarily covered in leaf litter. Large rocks and fallen pieces of tree-remains also were found on the ground. We worked on both flat and sloped areas. The further we moved from our initial basecamp, the greater the slope of the terrain became.
Specimens were gathered by lifting up large groundcover objects such as logs and boulders. Specimens were inspected for proper size and age (Adults longer than approximately 7 centimeters), and then placed into vials containing wet paper towel to prevent desiccation. The specimens were then placed into a cooler, to maintain a sustainable body temperature. Upon collection of the desired number of specimens, the cooler was transported to the lab.
We arrived on site around 10:15 a.m. and immediately began collecting specimens. My first few overturned logs and stones showed no results. After a few more minutes of searching, I began to find multiple suitable specimens. Throughout my time searching, I the only life forms I personally encountered were red backed salamanders, and earthworms. The other members of the group however, encountered three garter snakes (Thamnophis sp.), and a two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata). As we moved through the woods, I found that the more wet the terrain, the less chance there was at finding salamanders under logs. It is possible that too intense moisture is unfavorable for salamanders. After approximately three and a half hours, all 200 specimens of appropriate age were collected. These salamanders will be a part of research that could prove incredibly useful in defining the impact of invasive earthworm species on native predators. It is possible that the loss of detritus and native detritivores due to earthworm activity is negatively impacting the forest ecosystem.
We arrived on site around 10:15 a.m. and immediately began collecting specimens. My first few overturned logs and stones showed no results. After a few more minutes of searching, I began to find multiple suitable specimens. Throughout my time searching, I the only life forms I personally encountered were red backed salamanders, and earthworms. The other members of the group however, encountered three garter snakes (Thamnophis sp.), and a two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata). As we moved through the woods, I found that the more wet the terrain, the less chance there was at finding salamanders under logs. It is possible that too intense moisture is unfavorable for salamanders. After approximately three and a half hours, all 200 specimens of appropriate age were collected. These salamanders will be a part of research that could prove incredibly useful in defining the impact of invasive earthworm species on native predators. It is possible that the loss of detritus and native detritivores due to earthworm activity is negatively impacting the forest ecosystem.