Well, I just requested a bunch of seeds (all but 1 species was collected in Michigan) to do a little amateur study, as well as get some free habitat materials. Also it'll be fun propagating the stuff.
Here is the plan:
"This amateur study is aimed at investigating two things. The first, and primary, is the effect, preference, and amount of damage (if any) induced on these native Michigan species by the Whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in comparison with that of the non-native invasive Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). The second area of interest is the adaptability of the species selected in various habitat types within a 20 acre property in Montcalm County Michigan.
For the investigation of browse, species will be planted in and out of browse exclosures. Following propagation and a year of nursery growing to obtain adequate size for field planting, 2 or 4 specimens of each species will be planted in a single location. One or two of the specimens will have a browse exclosure made of concrete wire mesh placed around it. There will be multiple sites of the plantings in soil conditions ranging from dry sandy soils to wet muck. This portion of the study will work simultaneously with the aspect of adaptability.
Adaptability will be studied through the planting of the species in varying locations. Both survivability and plant growth (form, height, production) will be noted, and correlations between site conditions and form will be observed.
This study is aimed to be long-term, and with success, these species will be able to add floral and support faunal biodiversity with a specific interest in native pollinators. The study will be qualitative and, unless specifically requested, quantitative analysis will be limited to rough estimates of plant dimensions (height and width) and growth rates. These results will be reported publicly on one or two websites (habitat-talk.com & qdma.com), as well as shared with members of the Kalamazoo College Biology Department Faculty. The results will be geared to provide landowners a reference for the use of these native species in a multitude of situations, and specifically in areas where autumn olive is a prevalent species. Additionally, if requested, the qualitative results of this study can be used as comparative data within academia."
Sorry for mentioning "the dark side" by name!
Here is what I requested
PI 667230 - COR - Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis
NA 64730 - NA - Cercis canadensis
NA 81223 - NA - Cornus florida
PI 662003 - NC7 - Aronia melanocarpa
PI 662004 - NC7 - Aronia x prunifolia
PI 468117 - NC7 - Cornus amomum
Ames 26997 - NC7 - Cornus racemosa
Ames 29415 - NC7 - Diervilla lonicera
PI 664867 - NC7 - Hypericum prolificum
Ames 28324 - NC7 - Physocarpus opulifolius
Ames 29429 - NC7 - Physocarpus opulifolius
PI 518502 - NC7 - Rhus glabra
Ames 29435 - NC7 - Rhus typhina
Hopefully it works out!
Here is the plan:
"This amateur study is aimed at investigating two things. The first, and primary, is the effect, preference, and amount of damage (if any) induced on these native Michigan species by the Whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in comparison with that of the non-native invasive Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). The second area of interest is the adaptability of the species selected in various habitat types within a 20 acre property in Montcalm County Michigan.
For the investigation of browse, species will be planted in and out of browse exclosures. Following propagation and a year of nursery growing to obtain adequate size for field planting, 2 or 4 specimens of each species will be planted in a single location. One or two of the specimens will have a browse exclosure made of concrete wire mesh placed around it. There will be multiple sites of the plantings in soil conditions ranging from dry sandy soils to wet muck. This portion of the study will work simultaneously with the aspect of adaptability.
Adaptability will be studied through the planting of the species in varying locations. Both survivability and plant growth (form, height, production) will be noted, and correlations between site conditions and form will be observed.
This study is aimed to be long-term, and with success, these species will be able to add floral and support faunal biodiversity with a specific interest in native pollinators. The study will be qualitative and, unless specifically requested, quantitative analysis will be limited to rough estimates of plant dimensions (height and width) and growth rates. These results will be reported publicly on one or two websites (habitat-talk.com & qdma.com), as well as shared with members of the Kalamazoo College Biology Department Faculty. The results will be geared to provide landowners a reference for the use of these native species in a multitude of situations, and specifically in areas where autumn olive is a prevalent species. Additionally, if requested, the qualitative results of this study can be used as comparative data within academia."
Sorry for mentioning "the dark side" by name!
Here is what I requested
PI 667230 - COR - Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis
NA 64730 - NA - Cercis canadensis
NA 81223 - NA - Cornus florida
PI 662003 - NC7 - Aronia melanocarpa
PI 662004 - NC7 - Aronia x prunifolia
PI 468117 - NC7 - Cornus amomum
Ames 26997 - NC7 - Cornus racemosa
Ames 29415 - NC7 - Diervilla lonicera
PI 664867 - NC7 - Hypericum prolificum
Ames 28324 - NC7 - Physocarpus opulifolius
Ames 29429 - NC7 - Physocarpus opulifolius
PI 518502 - NC7 - Rhus glabra
Ames 29435 - NC7 - Rhus typhina
Hopefully it works out!