The Flora of Stony Brook University’s West CampusOlga
Crnosija ABSTRACTSince my very first visit to the State University of New York at Stony Brook, I have been intrigued by the natural history and flora of the campus. During self-guided and escorted walks, I became keenly aware of the many geologic features and living environments that surround us on campus. This paper strives to describe my explorations of the flora and landscapes of West Campus, as well what sustains them. Each location highlights a different landscape or a specific aspect of a similar landscape. At each site, many of the flora are identified and described briefly. Additionally, at some locations, other environmental issues such as water use and preservation and soil characteristics are discussed.
This paper serves as an example of the types of explorations and investigations
that a teacher can conduct with his/her students on school and campus grounds
or at local parks and beaches. On INTRODUCTIONThe State University of New York at Stony Brook is situated on the Harbor Hill Moraine, formed by the last glacial advance approximately 22,000 years ago (Sirkin, 1996). Since the last glacier’s retreat about 20,000 years ago, rainfall and human hands have continued to shape this area into the landscape we observe today. The Stony Brook area was settled by farmers in the early 17th century. Prior to breaking ground for the University in 1959, the land was used as farmland, undeveloped forest, and contained a racetrack near the present day Stony Brook train station. The West campus includes areas such as the Academic Mall, a formal landscape that contains a variety of ornamental plants and grasses. Most of these plants are not native to this area and the integrity of these plantings is maintained by moderate watering, fertilization, weeding, and pruning. Wooded areas on West Campus have not been tended in recent years and have become home to plant species that can compete successfully. These woodlands represent second growth forest—a secondary succession where a previous forest has been cut down. Meadows occurring farther from the core campus have developed grasses and weeds which receive little care other than periodic mowing. The types of existing plant species are dependent upon the local geology, naturally-occurring or introduced soils, water availability, and the amount of human intervention. West Campus includes a range of landscapes from carefully tended areas to areas that have reverted to nature under the influence of the forces that control ecological succession. Figure 1 – Note: Throughout this paper, common plant names as well as the genus and species (in parenthesis) are used. Common names vary, but the Latin genus and species are consistent and recognized by botanists and gardeners worldwide.
LOCATION 1 -
I was fascinated by the beautiful formal gardens planted in triangular plots directly in front of Administration. These gardens are dramatic, inviting, and relatively low-maintenance showcases for interesting varieties of plants. The diverse vegetation—the different plant growth (habits), textures, colors, and leaf forms—draws the passerby. In my research using Woods, 1992, Encyclopedia of Perennials, I found that the plantings in these formal gardens were perennial. Perennials come back, spread year-after-year, and require only annual trimming. The landscapers placed the plants close together and covered the soil with a mulch layer. This method allows little space and light for weeds to grow, thereby minimizing weeding and creating a low-maintenance garden. The dense plantings also work together to trap valuable moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
The formal gardens include a variety of decorative grasses that are native to
Figure 3 – Russian Sage Figure 4 – Purple Coneflower The woody plants in this landscape include: purplish-blue flowering Russian Sage (Perovskia species), native to Iran and northwest India; red-leafed Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum); Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa), another Japanese native that bears beautiful white flowers in the spring and red fruit in the fall; Barberry (Berberis thunbergii), a red and green-leafed bush; and Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo), a low-growing pine that is particularly well-suited to a xeriscape, or dry garden (Woods, 1992). During the course of the day, plants give off moisture through pores in their leaves and stems by a process called transpiration. Transpiration is greatest on hot, dry, windy days. Plants that are adapted to dry conditions have rounded, folded, fleshy, or needle-like leaves with a thick waxy coating or small hairs. I found it interesting to consider which moisture conservation technique was being employed by each particular plant. For instance, Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo) conserves water with needle-like leaves that provide little surface area for transpiration; while Autumn Joy (Sedum species) employs a waxy coating on its rounded, fleshy leaves; and the Coral Bell (Heuchera micrantha) holds onto droplets of moisture with the fine hairs on the undersides of its leaves and stems. Having identified the flora, I found that, in general, these perennial plants and shrubs were tolerant of dry conditions and full sun. In an attempt to conserve water resources, there is a trend toward planting xeriscape gardens and lawns. Xeriscape plants require little or no watering once they are established, a process that can take one to two years. Nonxeriscape plants need about one inch of water per week (Papernik, 2003). It is reassuring that, in its choice of plantings for newly landscaped areas, the University is making an effort to conserve valuable water resources.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has designated
The Suffolk County Water Authority, which provides service to approximately
80% of LOCATION 2 – TURF LAWNTurf is a mat of grass laid down over prepared soil that establishes an “instant” lawn. I recall the preparation and planting of these lawns in the Academic Mall, when a team of workers arrived, spread topsoil over the construction-rutted soil, then fitted the carpet-like mats of grass to the area. These lawns have been carefully maintained--watered, fertilized, and fenced-off--since their planting. I observed the turf grass to be of one variety--one stalk the same as the next. Recently, I noticed increasingly more weeds growing among the turf grass. A weed is any undesirable plant. Unless treated with herbicides that discourage the growth of weeds, lawns become home to plant species other than the cultivated grass. Maintaining a lawn of this type requires regular application of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Fig. 5 Turf Grass There
is concern about the use of these chemicals in gardens and lawns due to Due to
For the purpose of the SCDHS’s 1999 report, 2,306
water samples were collected from areas with known or suspected pesticide
contamination in With increased pollution, more water treatment is needed and deeper wells must be drilled—all at greater expense to the consumer. Alternatives to high maintenance lawns must therefore be considered for the future preservation of our groundwater resources—both in terms of contamination and overuse. LOCATION 3 –
Tucked between Psychology A and B, stands the beautiful, shady courtyard
garden designed, donated, and planted by Professor Ashley Schiff
in 1967. University planners intended to preserve a maximum of the
natural woodland areas on campus (Vorhees, et al.,
1948). However, much to the dismay of many, these natural landscapes
were destroyed during construction. Dr. Schiff,
a conservationist and professor of political science, strove to beautify the
Stony Brook Campus, where major construction was still in progress ( Figure 6 – With the help of students, the original, low-maintenance garden was planted with European White Birch (Betula pendula), pink and white Azaleas (Rhododendron species), and English Ivy (Hedera helix). The garden now also includes perennials at its entrance and River Birch (Betula nigra) as well as several varieties of Hosta (Liliaceae species) throughout the garden. The River Birch was introduced to replace some of the original White European Birch, which suffered serious damage during ice storms (O’Leary, 2003). Figure 7 --Stone Blocks The
plants in the LOCATION 4 – GROUNDCOVER PLANTINGSAs an alternative to grass, groundcovers were planted beneath the trees and within some of the walkway dividers of the Academic Mall. The visually-appealing dark green leaves of Periwinkle (Vinca minor), the red and green leaves of the low-growing Barberry bush (Berberis thungergii), and the striped light and dark green leaves of Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) represent low-maintenance, perennial groundcovers. These plantings require only annual trimming and no mowing, require little water once established, remain green for most of the year, provide natural mulch, and choke out weeds. This treatment represents an effective, efficient, and attractive alternative to the traditional lawn. Groundcovers reduce the need for fertilization, watering, and maintenance (Arthurs, 1979). Figure 8 – Periwinkle, Barberry, and Lilyturf Groundcovers During the landscaping of the Administrative Mall, I observed the installation of a micro- (or drip) irrigation system. Typically inexpensive to install, the tubing is laid down on the surface of the soil and covered by mulch. This type of low-pressure irrigation delivers water a little at a time, directly to the roots. Therefore, 80% of the water reaches the roots versus 20% from a sprinkler (Hodgson, 1998). Since water is applied at soil level, much less of it is lost to evaporation. Sprinklers deliver a high volume of water in a short period of time, in a process described as a “drench-and-let dry cycle.” Often, the spray is misdirected or drains away unused because the soil and plants cannot absorb it so quickly. Micro-irrigation keeps the roots evenly moist consistently, but does not waterlog the soil. This system applies small amounts of water, more frequently, over longer periods of time. The water spreads laterally and the tubing (emitters) is closely spaced to allow coverage zones to meet (Hodgson, 1998). The net result is that micro-irrigation emitters dispense one-half to two gallons per hour versus the 8 gallons per minute of sprinklers (Hanson, 2003). The added benefit of micro-irrigation is that the surface of the soil remains dry, discouraging the germination of weed seeds. Additionally, since the leaves are not moist, plant diseases are less likely to develop. Conventional watering and sprinkler irrigation spread soil-borne disease when drops of water bounce up from the soil (Hodgson, 1998). LOCATION 5 –
Here,
behind the Earth and Space Sciences building and flanked by two parking lots,
stands a small, fairly typical Figure 10 -- Moist woodlands such as this show us the full range of strata—a canopy of tall trees, an understory of shorter trees, a shrub layer of low bushes, an herb layer of short plants, and a litter layer of decomposing leaves on the ground. Decaying leaves create leaf soil or humus that acts as insulation, holds water, and allows air to circulate. They also provide a home to thousands of earthworms, insects, and microorganisms per square foot.
This woodland is characterized by a canopy of White and Red Oak (Quercus alba and rubra,
respectively), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), and
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).
The understory is populated by Mountain Light is the important factor that supports plant life from the top canopy to the bottom herb layer of this woodland. Several years ago, for some unknown reason, the shrub and herb layers were removed from this area, but have recovered somewhat. The more aggressive pioneer species like Mapleleaf Viburnum, Sassafras, and Poison Ivy have taken advantage of the lack of competition within the lower strata and have moved in with a vengeance. Removal of shrub and herb layers disturbs the ecosystem and habitat of the creatures that live within them. LOCATION 6
–
This more secluded woodland community, located adjacent to the Physical
Plants, has been disturbed less than Location 5. The flora
here are similar to the previous location, but are more diverse.
White and Red Oak, Red Maple, and American Beech (Fagus
grandifolia) make up the canopy. In
addition to the Mountain Laurel, Sassafras, and American Chestnut understory growing at the previous site, this woodland
consists of Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) and Flowering Dogwood (Cornis
Figure 12 – Leaf Litter Plants carry on photosynthesis by drawing energy from the sun, and water and nutrients from the soil. The roots of plants absorb minerals from the soil, which go into the leaves. These nutrients return to the soil at the end of a growing season, when the leaves fall and break down as they decay. I was very interested to examine the soil horizons of this area by using an auger to remove a soil core measuring one meter in length. An auger is a corkscrew-tipped tool that removes a short plug of soil with each twist of the handle. Choosing an undisturbed area away from the path that was free of Poison Ivy, I gently brushed aside the thin topmost layer of dry leaves and acorn bits, the more decomposed older leaves, the humus (rotted leaves and twigs), and finally exposed the mineral soil. To prepare for collecting a soil horizon, I laid a large black garbage bag on the ground. After several twists of the auger I carefully removed the excavated core and placed it at the end of the plastic that represented the top of the profile. I measured the depth of the hole and by compressing the soil sample with my hands, adjusted its length to match the depth of the hole. At this location I was not able to auger down more than 16 cm without encountering a layer of till, where the cobbles prevented proceeding any farther. After four attempts, I settled on examining and characterizing the soil I had removed from the last hole. (In areas where till might be a problem, using a shovel or garden trowel to dig down approximately 10 cm is more practical than using an auger.) The soil’s upper horizon, which measured 5 cm, was fairly dark and full of roots. This soil was structureless because it was difficult to pick out a single ped (an individual unit of soil structure), and the structure fell apart when handled. The horizon below the upper one measured 10 cm and was lighter in color and contained fewer roots and more pebbles. The soil structure of the latter was granular and its consistence was friable because the peds broke when a small amount of pressure was applied. With both soil horizons, I took a sample around the size of a golf ball and moistened it with water. I worked the water into the soil with my fingers and began to squeeze it between my thumb and forefinger in a snapping motion to try to form a ribbon of soil. Both soils were soft, smooth, easy to squeeze and felt very smooth (with no sandy grittiness), so I characterized them as silt loam according to a soil textural triangle diagram. Since there was no bubbling when I tested the soils with several drops of vinegar, I determined that they contained no carbonates (GLOBE, 1997).
According to the Soil Survey of Suffolk County, New York, West Campus
contains mostly Riverhead and Haven soils--Haven loam is found behind the
Earth and Space Sciences building, and Riverhead Sandy loam is found at the
site of the forest near the train station. It should be noted that the
soils on campus have been disturbed during the construction
process. LOCATION 7 – MEADOWFigure 13 – Broad-Leafed Plantain A
variety of grasses and weeds coexist in this field adjacent to the Physical
Plants. Crabgrass, White Clover (Trifolium
repens), narrow-leafed Plantain (Plantago lanceolata),
and broad-leafed Plantain (Plantago major)
are some of the plants that grow here. Native Americans dubbed
broad-leafed Plantain “White Man’s Foot” because this weed appeared in Broad-leafed plants such as those found in this meadow require little water and fertilizer, are relatively slow growing, but have a low tolerance for traffic (Arthurs, 1979). The diversity that exists in a meadow such as this provides a variety of food for wildlife and is not impacted as dramatically by the pests that can ruin a homogeneous lawn. LOCATION 8 –
Figure 14 – Norway Maple I was intrigued by the dense stand of predominantly Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) and several Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) across from the train station. This woodland was not typical of others I had observed around campus. There was no stratification within this woodland--only an overwhelming canopy of interlocking Norway Maple leaves and the occasional Black Locust. Norway
Maple is considered a fast-growing “weed” of the tree world. Although a
native of CONCLUSION
This research paper shows the type of science we can experience by simply
looking around us, here in our immediate neighborhood. With an observant eye and some simple tools, science can be conducted right outside our doors. Attaining the knowledge and understanding of our environment can help us make informed decisions about: how we landscape, how much water we use, how we fertilize, or how we protect our gardens from pests… The campus at the State University of New York at Stony Brook offers a wonderful opportunity to observe a variety of landscapes in a readily accessible area. Experience it! REFERENCESArthurs, K. L., ed., 1979, Sunset lawns and ground covers: Menlo Park, Lane Publishing Co., 44 p. Dunn, O. K., 2000, The
sustainability of Hanson, G. N., Personal
Interview. Hodgson, L., 1998, Sprinklers and
drip systems: Koppelman,
L. E., 1996, Groundwater and land use planning--Experience from No author, 1997, GLOBE program
teacher’s guide: O’Leary, K. D., Personal
Interview. Papernik,
S., Randall, J. M., Marinelli, J., ed., 1996, Invasive plants--Weeds of the
global garden: Sirkin, L., 1996, Shannon, D. S., Personal
Interview. Spencer, E. R., 1968, All about weeds: New York, Dover Publications, Inc., p. 237-239. Springer-Rushia,
L., Stewart, P. G., 1996, A field guide to Stevenson, M., “Re:
Breakdown of water usage.” E-mail to the author. Suffolk County Department of Health Services, 1999, Water quality monitoring program to detect pesticide contamination in groundwaters of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, NY., p i-26. United States Soil Conservation
Service, 1975, Soil survey of Vorhees,
Walker, Smith, Smith, Haine, 1948, State of Woods, C., 1992, Encyclopedia of
perennials: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Professor Gilbert N. Hanson for his invaluable advice, guidance, and patience in developing this project as well as for the use of his photograph of Mountain Laurel (Figure 11). I would also like to thank my sister, Erika T. Meriwether for her botanical expertise, my nephew, Alex W. Meriwether for his computer advice, my children, Natalie and Ivan for accompanying me on walks around campus, and my husband, Mark for minding the home front while I was out working on this project. |