All Chapter meetings till further notice will be conducted virtually on ZOOM , please contact Don for more information –Greatauk4@gmail.com
Studies in Community Ecology at Lily Pond, Harriman State Park
April 6th at 7:30PM
My colleagues and I have been studying Lily Pond, a small natural pond in Harriman State Park, NY, for over sixteen years. Near weekly, year-round surveys are conducted of the flora, fungi, insects (particularly Odonates and pollinators such as bees, wasps, and butterflies), fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. I’ll share some of our findings in this three part presentation. Part I – An overview of Lily Pond and the floral and faunal changes that occur over the course of a year. Part II – A more detailed look at the Odonate community emphasizing some of the most common and most unusual of the 77 species recorded to date. Part III – An exploration of the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) life cycle and associated fauna. To date, we have documented approximately 140 different invertebrate species exploiting this unique plant species. Among these, we have identified at least eight different ecological guilds – Pollinators, Nectivores (Diurnal), Nectivores (Nocturnal), Parasites, Farmers, Chemical Harvesters, Herbivores, and Predators.
Alan Wells holds a B.Sc. in Zoology (1970) and an M.A. in Biology (1974) from California State University, Long Beach and a Ph.D. in Zoology (1978) from University of Alberta, Edmonton specializing in the ecology, systematics, and biogeography of fishes. Dr. Wells worked for over 35 years as a biostatistician for several environmental consulting firms and has participated in numerous NY State and Citizen Science surveys of breeding birds, waterfowl, odonates, and insect pollinators. He is also a research scientist for the NY/NJ Palisades Interstate Park Commission conducting studies of the flora and fauna of Lily Pond, freshwater fishes, and photographing and identifying insect pollinators found at the Trailside Museums Native Plant Garden. Dr. Wells is a frequent speaker and field trip leader for local birding and natural history clubs, as well as at various scientific meetings and other public forums. He is currently teaching courses on Pollination Ecology and Odonates at the NY Botanical Garden and is an avid photographer of flora and fauna around the world.
Chapter meetings are held monthly on the third Wednesday (Sept. through June) at Teaneck Creek Conservancy.
Chapter meeting at 7:30pm. Programs begin at 8pm.
Teaneck Creek: 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck.
Directions: www.teaneckcreek.org
All programs and events are free and open to the public. We are supported by memberships and donations.
If you have suggestions or would like to help with future programs, please contact Marilyn Sadowski msadowskibcas@gmail.com
