Changes in Forest Composition of an Urban Bottomland Forest due to Anthropogenic Influences

Michelle Kaiser will present her honors presentation on Tuesday (4/12) from 2 PM in 370 Kottman Hall. Her presentation is Changes in Forest Composition of an Urban Bottomland Forest due to Anthropogenic Influences.
Faculty Advisor:  Roger Williams

Description of research: Next to the OSU Wetland Center lies a small bottomland hardwood forest owned and managed by Ohio State. Over the past few years, efforts have been taken to restore the forest, ranging from restoring a more natural hydrological cycle to the forest to small efforts in removing invasive species in the forest area. However, no study has ever been conducted to quantify the woody and herbaceous diversity present in the forest. Also, the past state or composition of the forest has never been investigated to create a plan which would truly “restore” the forest to its state before heavy anthropogenic influences. Using biodiversity surveys and original records of land surveys conducted in the area in the 1790’s, a clearer picture of the past and present of the forest has been created. It also revealed the extent of anthropogenic influence on the vegetative community of the forest such as the lowering of tree species diversity, and the dominance of in vasive species. This information can be used to plan future restoration of the forest and make it into a valuable recreational, ecological and educational resource for the Ohio State University and Columbus communities.