If you are hoping to learn more about the biology and ecology of woodland plants, this post might not be of interest to you, but this blog probably will be! So, check back later to read up on some cool flora!
However, if you would like just a few more details, please read on: So, what is the blog really about? In short, plant profiles. Most of the posts in this blog will be focus on various herbaceous forest plants found in northeastern Illinois (DuPage County to be specific), with most of the detail given to the natural history and ecology of individual species. However, some posts may be about grad school life in general, or other subjects related to my research. Why herbaceous plants? Aren’t forests just trees? Although trees are a major component of forests, the herbaceous understory plays a significant role in the overall ecology of temperate forests (see Gilliam 2007 for a full review). Herbaceous plants also make up most of the plant species found in temperate forests (again, Gilliam 2007) and have a unique ecology (see Whigham 2004). They are fascinating and that’s why I study them! Why the wait? Sadly, this blog will be in stasis from now until August or September (2018), or in ecology terms, until after the field season has ended. This is for two reasons: 1. I need the summer to work in the field and this blog is something to keep me busy during the long winters here in Chicago, and 2. I’d like to have nice pictures of all the species I profile, so I need to take pictures first, which can only be done in the field, and I’m only in the field during the summer (you see the problem here). So, check back September 2018! Gilliam, Frank S. “The ecological significance of the herbaceous layer in temperate forest ecosystems.” BioScience. 57 no. 10 (2007): 845-858 Whigham, Dennis F. "Ecology of woodland herbs in temperate deciduous forests." Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 35 (2004): 583-621. |
P. JohnsonRead, write, research, repeat. About
Ecology of herbaceous forest plants (mostly), graduate school (sometimes), other plant biology or science subjects (occasionally).
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