Biology Project Abstract
A BOTANICAL SURVEY OF THE GOSSMAN FARM IN ZWINGLE, IOWA
Presenters:
Rebecca Arundale, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; arundale@imsa.edu
Meghan Bannon, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; mb33doc@imsa.edu
Heather FitzHenry, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; mew3@imsa.edu
Anna Gembis, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; agem14@imsa.edu
Kathleen Kelly, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; heoscar@imsa.edu
Andrew Langan, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; langan@imsa.edu
Amanda Murphy, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; smurph@imsa.edu
Sydney Null, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; squit@imsa.edu
Kevin Schlee, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; schlee@imsa.edu
Tori Walters, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; tjw@imsa.edu
Jonathan Warnock, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; onw@imsa.edu
Mentors:
David Gossman, Gossman Consulting, Inc., 45W962 Plank Road, Hampshire, IL 60140
Elizabeth Neese, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, 2180 La Mirada Drive, Richmond, CA 94803
Abstract:
A botanical survey is the process of collecting evidence as to the species composition of the flora of a specific area. This survey focuses on the plants at the Gossman farm in Maquoketa, Iowa, and uses mounted plant specimens and digital pictures. This survey currently focuses on the plants at the Gossman farm in Maquoketa, Iowa. The area is covered in cultivated fields, prairie, limestone bluffs, and wooded areas. Plant specimens are collected, pressed, mounted, identified, and then placed in an herbarium. This documents the plant-life in the area. As the identification process continues the diversity of plant life is evident. Soil analysis has begun throughout the farm to chemically identify different floral communities. This includes taking the pH level and the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content of the soils. As survey progresses, more species are cataloged and the overall ecological picture at this site becomes clearer.