Reading and Web Resources
Prior to attending this year's Spring Foray at the University of Michigan Biological Station you might want to obtain a copy of the book The Changing Environment of Northern Michigan edited by Knute J. Nadelhoffer, Alan J. Hogg Jr., & Brian A. Hazlett, 2009. This highly informative collection of essays leads the reader on a virtual field trip through the "tip of the mitt" in and around the Douglas Lake area. The well written chapters offer a summary of research conducted in the area and covers the history, geology, ecosystems and habitats in enlightening detail. Paperback copies are available at any online book store or available at the BioStation bookstore.
The Michigan Botanist has articles in earlier issues on plants of the Douglas Lake area. If you have archived some of these early issues it might be worth rereading a few to familiarize yourself with the some of the research and perhaps whet your appetite for botanizing at this years Spring Foray.
Howard Crum, "Mosses of the Douglas Lake Region of Michigan", The Michigan Botanist, Vol. 3, No.1, p.3, 1964 and Vol. 3, No.2, p.48, 1964.
Howard Crum, "Additions to the Douglas Lake Bryoflora", The Michigan Botanist, Vol. 4, No.1, p.26, 1965
Ronald L. Stuckey, "Differences in Habitats and Associates of the Varieties of Rorippa Islandica In the Douglas Lake Region of Michigan", The Michigan Botanist, Vol. 5, No.3, p.99, 1966.
Dennis D. Bromley, " Some Observations on Spreading of Aquatic Flowering Plants in Deep Water of Douglas Lake, Michigan", The Michigan Botanist, Vol. 6, No. 3 p. 75, 1967.
Stephen G. Weller, "A Preliminary Report on the Varieties of Mianthemum Canadense in Northern Michigan". The Michigan Botanist, Vol. 9, No.1, p.48, 1970.
Jerry A. Snider, "Chromosome Studies of Some Mosses of the Douglas Lake Region", The Michigan Botanist, Vol. 9, No. 2. p.67, 1970.
Jennifer Taylor, "The Habitat and Orientation of Capsules of Buxbaumia Aphylla in the Douglas Lake Region of Michigan", The Michigan Botanist, Vol. 11, No. 2, p.70, 1972.
Barnes, B.V. and Wagner, W.H. (2004) Michigan Trees: A Guide to the Trees of the Great Lakes Region. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.
Brown, L. (1979) Grasses. An Identification Guide. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. Case, Fred, Orchids of the Great Lakes Region and members of the Peterson and Audubon field guide series would be useful. Dorr, J. A, Jr and
Eschman, D. F. (1970) Geology of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. Schaetzl, Darden, & Brandt – Michigan Geography & Geology Edward G. Voss, Michigan Flora, vol. 1 – 3
Edward G. Voss and Anton A. Reznicek (2012) Field Manual of Michigan Flora Ann Arbor, MI: Univ. of Michigan Press.
Weatherbee, E.E. (2006) Guide to Great Lakes Coastal Plants. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.
The Michigan Natural Features Inventory is also a treasure chest of information: databases (Special plants, etc) and publications and reports. MNFI has online writeups of communities we are likely to see in the “Tip of the Mitt” area.
While it is true that the local habitat determines the plants, they are the major influence supporting the rest of the biological community.
Community Name: Dry northern forest, Dry-mesic northern forest, Great lakes marsh, Mesic northern forest, Open dunes, Pine barrens, Poor Conifer Swamp, Rich conifer swamp, Wooded dune and swale complex, Bog, Great Lakes Marsh, Interdunal Wetland, Northern Shrub Thicket, Sinkhole, Boreal Forest, Open Dunes, Sand and Gravel Beach
Also be sure to visit the MBC website for information