Original Reaserch:

Economics/ Cost analysis - value of easily accessible natural areas outdoors and the importance of protecting natural areas to the state of Michigan and to me personally. 

Presentation:

Importance of Accessible Natural Areas

Field Study #3

Date: 10/11/26

Time: 10:39am - 10:51am 

Weather: Sunny with a high wind of 8 mph

Temperature: Currently 62° F --Low 53°F -- High 73°F 

Length of the day: 7:52am - 7:07pm -- Total hours of the day: 11 hours 15 minutes  

Organisms seen: Another possible ground burrow of a small mammal (either a squirrel, skunk, or raccoon), large branch barely hanging on to a tree, faint outline of a spider web in the forest, lots of leaves fallen along the path from the changing of the season, and tons of mosquitoes everywhere!

Ground Burrow:

Large Branch: 

Spider Web:

Leaves along path:

Organisms heard: Large amounts of tree crickets and katydids, lots of leaves falling from trees, occasionally some birds chirping, and two cars driving down the road

Changes since last visit 09/26/26: There was quite a lot of more leaves on the ground and different leave colors on the trees since we have begun to enter fall. Along with the change of seasons there was a decrease in organisms seen and heard from last visit. Additionally there was a slight decrease in the water levels leading to some sand bars in the river. 

Observations: Since I went at a different time of day to collect data I wonder if that could also be a cause of less organisms since it was still morning. Could that also be a cause of way more mosquitoes? 

General 30X30 plot panorama:

Picture facing the river:

Picture facing the forest: