§1

)LD-FIEU

by

B.N. TURNER, S.L. IVERSON and ¥/.J. WALLEY

V

-Whifeshell Nuclear Research Establishment

vsfa^ Manitoba . . ' ',_ '

March 1972

:AECL-3955

SOME ASPECTS OF THE PLANT ECOLOGY

OF AN OLD-FIELD

by

B. N. Turner, S. L. Iverson and W. J. Walley*

*Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School

Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment

Pinawa, Manitoba

March, 1972

AECL-3955

SOME ASPECTS OF THE PLANT ECOLOGY

OF AN OLD-FIELD

by

B. N. Turner, S. L. Iverson and W. J. Walley*

ABSTRACT

An old-field at WNRE, the site of a small-mammal

ecology program, is described with reference to topography

and several botanical parameters.

Basal cover, estimated by the point-frame method,

was 28.2% on the old-field, with Poa pratsnsis and Trifolium

spp. forming more than half the cover. Vegetation was more

similar to that of an old-field than to prairie grassland. A

seasonal pond area, composed of a central depression surrounded

by mounds, was more sparsely vegetated (11.2% cover) on the

pond bottom, with the disturbed mound-top vegetation inter-

mediate in cover (19.3%). Typha, Scirpus validus, Eleocharis,

and Equisetum were common in the wet depressed area, whereas

Cirsium, Sonchus, and Bromus were on the mounds.

A list of 110 species identified on the old-field is

given, with separate lists for the mound and pond bottom

floras. Phenology of the flora is summarized, showing vegeta-

tive growth, flowering and seeding periods for 92 species

followed over one growing season. Sixty-five calorimetric

values of 28 species, collected at various times during the

summer, are also given.

*Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School

Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment

i?inawa, Manitoba

March, 1972AECL-3955

Certains aspects de l'écologie des plantes

d'un vieux champ non cultivé

par

B.N. Turner, S.L. Iverson et W.J. Walley**Ecole secondaire régionale Dauphin

Résumé

Un vieux champ situé aux abords de l'Etablissement

de Whiteshell, qui est le site d'une étude écologique sur les

petits mammifères, est décrit du point de vue de la topographie

et de plusieurs paramètres botaniques.

La couverture basale, estimée par la méthode du

point-cadre, est de 28.2% sur le vieux champ où Poa pratens-ùs

et Tvifolium spp. forment plus de la moitié de la couverture.

La végétation ressemble davantage à celle d'un vieux champ

non cultivé qu'à une terre des prairies. Une aire d'étang

saisonnier composée d'une dépression centrale entourée de

monticules est couverte d'une végétation plus clairsemée

(couverture de 11.2%) au fond de l'étang et d'une végétation

perturbée au sommet des monticules (couverture de 19.3%).

Typha, Seirpus validus, Eleoohavis et Equisetum abondent

dans la dépression humide de l'étang tandis que Cirslum,

Sonehus et Bvomus se trouvent sur les monticules.

Une liste de 110 espèces identifiées sur le vieux,

champ est présentée avec des listes séparées pour la flore des

monticules et celle de l'étang. La phénologie de la flore fait

l'objet d'un résumé montrant la croissance végétative, les

périodes de floraison et de semaille pour 92 espèces observées

durant une seule ; saison de^croissance. Soixante-cinq valeurs

calorimétriques de 28 espèces, recueillies à différents moments

de l'été, sont également données.

L'Energie Atomique du,Canada, Limitée

Etablissement de Recherches Nucléaires de Whiteshell

Pinawa, Manitoba :1

AECL-'3955

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 . INTRODUCTION 1

2 . GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA 1

3 . PLAN AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE GRID 3

4 . BASAL COVER ESTIMATES 3

5 . SPECIES LIST t 5

6 . FLORAL PHENOLOGY 5

7 . CALORIC CONTENT OF SELECTED PLANTS 6

8 . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 6

9 . REFERENCES CITED 7

Tables

I. Species composition of basal stem cover onthe old-field „ 9

II. Species composition of basal stem cover inthe seasonal pond area 11

III. Plant species occurring in the seasonal

pond area 12

IV. Plant species found on the old-field 13

V. Calorimetric values and per cent watercontent of old-field plants * 18

Figures

1. Vegetation belts of southeastern Manitoba 20

2. General view of the old-field 21

3 . Contour map of the old-field ,... 22

4. Contour map of the seasonal pond area 23

5. •- View northeast through the seasonal pond .. „ 24

6. The seasonal pond bottom in mid - September, 1971 25

7. Phenological events of the old-field flora ofsection 28 • 26-38

- 1 -

INTRODUCTION

Since January 1968, an ecological study of the meadow

vole (Miovotus pennsylvaniaus) has been in progress in Section

28 of the controlled area of the Whiteshell Nuclear Research

Establishment (WNRE). Limited topographical and botanical data

have been presented in manuscripts related to this program

(Iverson and Turner 1969a; Iverson and Turner 1969b; Turner 1971;

Iverson and Turner in press; Iverson and Turner in press) but

the area has not been described in detail. Nor has there been,

to our knowledge, a previous study of old-field plant ecology

in this ecotonal area.

The Miorotus population in this field relies on the

vegetation for food and shelter, and may be profoundly affected

by factors such as weather and drainage pattern of the field.

Some of these parameters are being estimated and this report

presents initial information on selected facets of the Section

28 old-field.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA

WNRE (Lat. 50°ll'N, Long. 96°03'W) is situated on the

western edge of the Canadian Prscambrian Shield, where deposits

10 to 20 m thick, resulting from Pleistocene glaciers and

inundations from Glacial Lake Agassiz, overlie the granite bed-

rock (Cherry, Beswick and Clister in press). The general area

is presently an ecotone, with western, northern and southeastern

vegetational elements present. Vegetation belts (Fig. 1),

summarized from Gill (1960), are:

1. Grassland

2. Aspen grove - a transition zone between grassland and

northern forests, this area is predominantly aspen

(Populus tremuloides), with maple (Acer negundo),

green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvaniaa), white elm (Ulmus

americana) , and with cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

- 2 -

along stream banks. Drier sites may have bur oak

(Querous maorooarpa) and moist sites, balsam poplar

[Pppulus balsamifeva).

3. Hardwood - originally a. continuous ?6rie north and east

of. the Aspen Grpv:e:v:belst, but^nowfmps^iyicleared,.••; it' •

is mainly aspen with; sprae birch; (Beiw^a^{p'a.py,rifjera) . ...

Bur dak and balsam poplar are in dry and moist sites

respectively. .

4. Lowlands - predominant tree species are the same as

in Aspen Grove and Hardwood, but the area is generally

poorly drained. The Lowlands extend to the Precambrian

shield west of the WNRE area.

5. Southeastern Forest - a blend of eastern elements

:..-••-. (white;-pine Piriusistvobus,, red:;;pine:L Einus vesinosg,,

white ced^r:Thu3apeQidentalis,la.T<3&-^QO%hed aspen... ;

Populus grandidentatq and black ash- Fpaxirius :nigra)

..and. boreal elements,^ with;:predominantspecies; being .

spruce (Piaea glauca and P. maviana), Jack-pine (Pinus

divavicata), balsam fir (Abies balsamea) , tamarack

(Lavix laTieina) , aspen, and birch.

6. Northern Coniferous - the Precambrian rock formation

supports black spruce (P. maviana) and Jack-pine with

white spruce, aspen, birch and fir found locally.

The old-field (S28 TP14 RllE) was cleared from young

aspen forest in 1956., planted in wheat the next 4 years, and

abandoned in 1960 after being sown with red- clover (Trifolium

pratense). Natural succession has occurred since that time.

Precipitation (1961-1971) at WNRE and nearby Seven Sisters

Falls has averaged 20.5 inches, 15.4 inches rain (8.6 - 22.9) and 50.6

inches snow (28.9-85.0). Weighted average snow accumulation for the

past 4 winters has reached a-maximum of about 17 inches, in February

and March. In the year of this study, 1971, snow melted by 11 April

and snow cover was re-established 30 October. The annual mean of

the daily maximum temperatures (1961-1971) was 45.2°F (43.0 - 47.6) ,

while the mean minimum was 25.2°F (22.4 - 27.8). Frost-free

days (days without killing frost, > 29.5°F in Stevenson screen)

averaged 117 (1964-1971), between approximately 28 May and

23 September. Annual hours of bright sunshine (1968-1971)

averaged 2059 (A. Re inter, WNRE, unpublished) .

PLAN AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE GRID

By January 1968, a 10 x 10 live-trap grid, with

20 meter spacing, had been established in Section 28 (Fig. 2).

A permanent marker stake and trap shelter (Iverson and Turner

1969a) were placed at each grid station. In September 1971,

elevations of the 100 stations were measured to the nearest

0.1 foot with a Wild N2 level. A contour map of the results

(Fig. 3) shows a general incline from the northwest to southeast

parts of the grid, with the exception of a long, narrow seasonal

pond in the southwest, resulting from gravel explorations prior

to 1967. The center of the seasonal pond is depressed about

1 foot below the surrounding field (Figs. 4 and 5), with mounds

rising up to 2 feet above field level. This depression is

usually filled with water from snovj melt, until about the end of

June.

1 L ! BASAL COVER ESTIMATES

Old-field " " ' ' ''• -v:-:'- ;;

. ." , <;;:;Sfeirf:basalf qoyer::estimates by species were made in

Augusfc :1-971 • by; the;: point-frame method (Levy and Madden 1933 as

cited in;Phillips: 1959) ;~. Froitingrid stations (exclusive of the

pond;area); 25 were randomlyselected, and the 10-point-frame

was successively placed allocations 5 meters and 10 meters NE,

NW, SE and SW of the stake. Species and frequencies of stems

contacted were recorded. Eighty points-were examined at each

station.

- 4 -

Basal cover averaged 28.2 per cent (Table I), varying

between 18.8 per cent and 36.2 per cent at the 25 stations.

Grasses made up 62.1 per cent, of which 73.4 per cent was

Kentucky blue grass XPdWp?<x-£gn£Z£) .'"""Sedges; "were; donlactecT" "

rarely (2.8 per cent) . ! Fdrbs accburited for -the xeinaining

35.1 per cent of the basal cover. Clover (Trifolium vepens and

T. hybridum) formed 58.5 per cent of the latter group.

In general, species on the old^field were similar to

those recorded by Dale, Harrison and Thomson (1965) from

abandoned pastures, and to early succession dominants on a

Michigan old-field (Davis and Cantlon 1969). Species composition'

approximates the "non-saline" to "light saline dry meadow"

grouping of Walker and Coupland (1970) , or the "meadow" classi-

fication of Dix and Smeins (1967). Although some of the

Gramineae are typical of North Dakota tall-grass or sand prairie

(Smeins and Olsen 1970; Wanek and Burgess 1965), and Agropyron-

Poa-Spavtina grasslands (Bird 1961), very few prairie shrubs or

forbs were found here. A prairie component is thus present in

the flora, but old-field and meadow vegetation predominates.

Seasonal pond

The excavation of the pond resulted in the formation

of 2 distinct sub-areas: an essentially flat-bottomed central area,

and the mounds formed by the pushing aside of this material

(Fig. 4). To sample this area, we surveyed a line of stakes,

10 meters apart and approximately bisecting the pond bottom.

One point-frame sample (10 points) was taken immediately north

of each stake. Another 10-point sample was taken wherever a

line at right angles to each center line stake intersected the

mound top on the left or right side of the pond.

Species contacted and per cent basal cover (Table II)

reflect differences in substrate and moisture content between

the pond bottom and the mound tops. Cat-tail {Typha), bulrush

{Seirpus validus), spike rush (Eleoehavis) and horsetail

- 5 -

(Equisetum) grew on the moist pond bottom, whereas thistle

(Cirsium), sowthistle (Sonahus) and brome grass (Bromus) were

found on the disturbed, drier mound tops. Other species

occurring in these .2,,.areas. (Table III) also reflect these

differences, as dp the basal cover estimates (Table II) which

indicated denser cover (19.3 per cent) on the mound tops than

on the pond bottom (11.2 per cent). The sparseness of the

vegetation is evident in Fig. 6. Two of the distinctive pond

bottom species found here [Alisma tviviale and Beckmannia

syzigachne) were commonly found by Dix and Smeins (1967) in

cultivated depressions which were sparsely vegetated mud flats

in early succession. The pond area is apparently similar to

the "moderate saline wet meadow", recorded in Saskatchewan by

Walker and Coupland (1970).

SPECIES LIST

All species identified on the grid were summarized

(Table IV) , and voucher specimens of many are on file in the WNRE

herbarium. Author citations are available in Dugle (1959) and

Dugle and El-Lakany (1971). Families are arranged according to

Scoggan (1957) and common names are taken from Gleason (1968).

FLORAL PHENOLOGY

Of major importance in meadow vole ecology is a

knowledge of plant species present, and the seasonal availability

of plant parts useful as" food. Thus, following the disappearance

of snow on 11 April 1971, weekly random walks over the grid were

taken to record, for as many species as possible: (1) presence

of shoots and leaves in,spring; (2) flowering period; (3)

presence of seeds; (4) presence of green parts in fall. In

Fig. 7, (1) and (4) were grouped into "vegetative growth".

- 6 -

Final killing spring frost in 1971 occurred on 8 May (27 per

cent) and 19 May (29 per cent). The earliest fall frost was

on 22 September (26 per cent). Observations were terminated

by a 14 inch snowfall on 30 October. Although the rarer plants

probably contribute little to either the diet or shelter of

the voles, they have been included with those that are common.

CALORIC CONTENT OF SELECTED PLANTS

The value of a plant species in the meadow vole's diet

depends not only on its availability, but also upon its

caloric content. An assessment of the caloric value of some

old-field plants was made (Table V) . The plants were dried

to constant weight at 100°C to determine moisture content, and

caloric content was measured with a Galenkamp adiabatic bomb

calorimeter. Although some tendencies are apparent in the data,

such as generally higher caloric values in seeds than vegetative

material and lower percentages of water late in the season,

general conclusions will require more data. If, however, the

voles were to utilize the plants in proportion to their

abundance, Poa -pratensis, Trifoliurn spp. and Bromus inevmis

would account for 71.9 per cent of their diet. The weighted

average of wet caloric content of;vegetative material qf these

3 species is 1425 calories per gram. Further studies will

indicate whether species are taken in proportion to their

abundance, or whether species with high caloric content are

selected.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Janet R. Dugle assisted with species identifica-

tion. Mr. A. Reimer provided climate and weather data.

Mr. W. T. Campbell performed the calorimetry.

- 7 -

REFERENCES CITED

Bird, R. D. 1961. Ecology of the aspen parkland of western

Canada. Can. Dept. Agric, Ottawa. 155p.

Cherry, J. A., B. T. Beswick and W. E. Clister. Proceedings

of: Colloque Pranco-Canadien sur 1'etude des movements

de l'eau dans les sols non satures. In press.

Dale, H. M. , P. J. Harrison and G. W. Thomson. 1965. Weeds

as indicators of physical site characteristics in

abandoned pastures. Can. J. Bot. 43:1319-1327.

Davis, R. M. and J. E. Cantlon. 1969. Effect of size area

open to colonization on species composition in early

old-field succession. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club

96:660-673.

Dix, R. L. and F. E. Smeins. 1967. The prairie, meadow, and

marsh vegetation of Nelson County, North Dakota.

Can. J. Bot. 45:21-58.

Dugle, J. R. 1969. Check list of the vascular plants of the

Whiteshell area in Manitoba. Atomic Energy of Canada

Limited report AECL-3421.

Dugle, J. R. and M. H. El-Lakany. 1971. Check list revisions

of the plants of the Whiteshell Area, Manitoba,

including a summary of their published radiation

sensitivities. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited report

AECL-3678v

Gill, C. B. 1960. The forests of Manitoba. Forest Resources

Inventory report no. 10. Department of Mines and

Natural Resources > Winnipeg. 4 3p.

Gleason, H. A. 1968. The new Britton and Brown illustrated

flora of the northeastern United States and adjacent

Canada. Hafner Publishing Co., New York. 3 vol.

Iverson, S. L. and B. N. Turner. 1969a. Under-snow shelter

for small mammal trapping. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 33:722-723.

- 8 -

Iverson, S. L. and B. N. Turner. 1969b. Some observations on

captive ermine. The Blue Jay, June, pp. 95-98.

Iverson, S. L. and B. N. Turner. Winter coexistence of

Clethrionomys gappevi and Miarotus pennsylvaniaus

in a grassland, habitat., Amer. rMxdl. Natur. - In press.

Iverson, S. L. and B. N. Turner. Natural history- of - a Manitoba

population of Franklin's ground squirrels

(Spevmophilus fvanklinii Sabine). Can. Field-Nat.

In press.

Levy, E. B. and E. A. Madden. 1933. The point method of

pasture analysis. N.Z. J. Agric. 46:267-279.

Phillips, E. A. 1959. Methods of vegetation study. Holt,

Rinehart and Winston, New York. 107 p.

Scoggan, H. J. 1957. Flora of Manitoba. National Museum of

Canada Bulletin 140. 619 p.

Smeins, F. E. and D. E. Olsen. 1970. Species composition

and production of a native northwestern Minnesota

tall grass prairie. Amer. Midi. Natur. 84:398-410.

Turner, B. N. 1971. The annual cycle of aggression in male

Miarotus pennsylvaniaus, and its relation to

population parameters. M..S. thesis, Univ. North

Dakota, Grand Forks. 98 p.

Walker, B. H. and R. T. Coupland. 1970. Herbaceous wetland

vegetation in, the aspen grove and grassland regions

of Saskatchewan. Can. J. Bot. 48:1861-1878.

Wahek, W. J. and R. L. Burgess. 1965. Floristic composition

of the sand prairies of southeastern North Dakota.

Proc. N. Dak. Acad. Sci. 19:26-40.

- 9 -

TABLE I

Species composition of basal stem cover on the old-field.

Sub-gioup

GRASSES

SEDGES

FORBS

Species c

Poa pratensis

Bromus inermis

Calamagrostis inexpansa

Poa nemoralis

Phleum pratense

Agropyron repens

Bromus pumpellianus

Poa palustr-is

Hordeum jubatum

Poa compressa

Grass totals

Carex bebbii

Caress spp.

C. stipata

C. tenera

Sedge totals

Tri folium repens

T. hybridum

Cirsium arvense

Anemone canadensis

Sonohus arvensis

Solidago gigantea

Melilotus alba

Galium septentrionale

Achillea lanulosa

Aster ailiolatus

Solidago graminifolia

Tiirescontacted

257

33

21

15

10

8

2

2

1

1

350

6

4

3

3

16

100

16

15

10

10

9

6

5

3

3

3

Cirsium arvense var. mite 2

% ofsub-group

73.4

9.4

6.0

4.3

2.9

2.3

0.6

0.6

0.3

0.3

100.1

37.5

25.0

18.8

18.8

100.1

50.5

8.1

7.6

5.0

5.0

4.5

3.0

2.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.0

% of totalstems (N=564)

45.6

5.8

3.7

2.7

1.8

1.4

0.4

0.4

0.2

0.2

62.1

1.1

0.7

0.5

0.5

2.8

17.7

2.8

2.7

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.1

0.9

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

- 10 -

TABLE I (continued)

Sub-group SpeciesTimes % of % of t o t a l

contacted sub-group stems (N=564)

FORBSRubus idaeus

Solidago oanadensis

Vicia amevioana

Aster1 laevis

Aster ptavmiooides

Equisetum arvense

Fvagavia virginiana

Geum alepipioum

Lathyrus sp.

Mentha avvense

Rubus pubesoens

Sautellavia galeriaulata

Staahys palustris

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1.0

1.0

1.0

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

Forb totals

Grand total

Stem not contacted

Total points sampled

% basal cover "

198

564

1436

2000

- £::i28v2:^-::

99.7 35

100

.1

.0

- 11 -

TABLE II

Species composition of basal stem cover in the seasonal pond area,

Species Times contacted % of total stems

Pond bottom: 8Q points

Typha latifolia

Eleoahaipis sp.

Equisetum arvense

Eovdeum Qubatum

Soivpus validus

Unknown grass

4

1

1

1

1

1

44.4

11.1

11.1

11.1

11.1

11.1

Stems contacted 99.9

Stem not contacted 71

% basal cover 11.2

Mound tops: 150 points

Agvopyron repens

Bromus inei>mi.s

Cirsium arvense

Cdlamagpostis inexpansa

Poa pvatensts:'••--. ; • > '"-. ;-

Tr-ifoZiumjr.epens , .,

Sc-irpus atrovivens

Sonahus avvensis . -' . ;

Rubus:>idaeus'': r ; ••

S a l i x spI. •• ' ..£-£;., •,;,;; i-v !

6

4

4

3

3

3

2

2

1

1

20.7

13.8

13.8

10.3

10.3

10.3

6.9

6.9

3.4

3.4

Sterna contadted 29 99.8

Stem not contacted 121

% basal cover 19.3

- 12 -

TABLE III

Plant species occurring in the seasonal pond area

a) Pond bottom

Eqwisetum arvense

Typha latifolia

Alisma triviale

Agrostis soabra

Beokmannia syzigaohne

Eordeum jubatum

Poa nemo^alis

Carex bebbii

C. tenera

Eleooharis spp.

Soirpus atrovirens

S. oypevinus

S. mi,evoeavpus

S. validus

Polygonum Iapathi,folium

Rariunoulus maepunii

Tvifolium vepens

Mentlna avvensis

Plantago major -

kvtémisia biennis

Aster ptarmioo-udes

Solidago graminvfoZia

b) Mound tops

Agrppypon repensr

Bromus •ùnermis

Calamagrostis inexpansa

Phalaris arundinaaea

Phleum pratense

Poa nemoralis

P. pratensis

Carex t&nera

Scivpus atrovùrens

Salix spp.

Urtisa dioiaâ

Geum aleppi-cum

PotentiZVa millegrana

P. novvegica

Rubus idaeus

Melilotus alba

Tri folium repens

Aohiltea lanulosa, -

Aster spp.

Artemisia absinthium

Cirsium a'rvense

Solidago gigantea •

S. graminifolia

Sonahus arvensis

- 13 -

TABLE IV

Plant species found on the old-field,

HYPNACEAE

Calliergonella cordifolium

EQUISETACEAE ( H o r s e t a i l Family)

Equisetum avvense

E. sylvaticum

TYPHACEAE ( C a t - t a i l Family)

Typha latifolia

ALISMATACEAE (Water-plantain Family)

Alisma triviale

GRAMINEAE (Grass Family)

Agvopyron repens (quack grass)

A. trachyoaulum var. novae-angliae

Agrostis scabra (hairgrass)

Alopeourus aequalis (foxtail)

Avena sativa (oats)

Beckmannia sysigaehne (slough grass)

Bromus oiliatus (brome grass)

B. inermis

B: . purnpellianus

Calamagpostis inexpansa (reed bent-grass)

Elymus oanadensis (wild rye)

E. glauaus

E. intervuptus

Hordeum jubatum (squirrel tail)

Fhalavis arundinacea (reed canary grass)

Phleum pratense (timothy)

Phragmites oommunis var. berlandieri (reed)

Poa compressa (Canada blue grass)

P. nemoralis - - . .

P. palustvis (fowl meadow grass)

P. pratensis (Kentucky blue grass) .

Sphenopholis obtusata

- 14 -

TABLE IV (continued)

CYPERACEAE (Sedge Family)

Cavex bebbii (sedge)

C. parryana

C. stipatu

C. tenera

Car ex spp.

Eleoaharis spp. (spike rush)

Sairpus atvovirens var. pallidus (bulrush)

S. ayperinus (wool grass)

S. miorooarpus var. rubrotinctus

S. validus (great bulrush)

JUNCACEAE (Rush Family)

Junous vaseyi

IRIDACEAE (Iris Family)

Iris versiaolor

SALICACEAE (Willow Family)

Populus tremuloides (aspen)

Salix bebbiana (beaked willow)

-S. discolor (pussy willow)

5. petiolaris

URTICACEAE (Nettle Family)

Urtica dioiaa var. prooeva

POLYGONACEAE (Buckwheat Family)

Polygonum lapathifolium (smartweed)

CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Pink Family)

Arenaria lateriflora (sandwort)

Stellaria longifolia (chickweed)

RANUNCULACEAE (Crowfoot Family)

Anemone aanadensis (anemone)

Caltha palustris (marsh marigold)

Ranunculus abortivus (kidneyleaf-buttercup)

R. maoounii

R. pensylvaniaus (bristly crowfoot)

- 15 -

TABLE IV (continued)

CRUCIFERAE (Mustard Family)

Brassioa kaber (mustard)

Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd's purse)

Erysimum cheiranthoid.es (treacle-mustard)

Thlaspi arvense (penny cress)

SAXIFRAGACEAE (Saxifrage Family)

Ribes hirtellum (wild gooseberry)

ROSACEAE

Fragaria virginiana (strawberry)

Geum aleppioum (avens)

Potentilla millegrana (cinquefoil)

P. norvegica

Rosa aoiaularis (rose)

R. blanda

R. x dulaissima

R. woodsii

Rubus idaeus var. strigosus (raspberry)

R. pubescens (dwarf blackberry)

Spiraea alba (meadow sweet)

LEGUMINOSAE (Pulse Family)

Lathyrus ochroleucus (vetchling)

L. palustris var. pilosus

Medioago lupulina var. lupulina (black medick)

M. lupulina var. glandulosa

Melilotus alba (white sweet clover)

M. officinalis (yellow sweet cover)

Tri folium hybridum (alsike clover)

T. repens (white clover)

Vicia americana (vetch)

OMAGRACEAE (Evening-Primrose Family)

Epilobium glandulosum var. adenocaulon (willow-herb)

UMBELLIFERAE (Parsley Family)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock)

- 16 -

TABLE IV (continued)

CORNACEAE (Dogwood Family)

Cornus stolonifeva (red osier)

PRIMULACEAE (Primrose Family)

Steironema ciliatum

LABIATAE (Mint Family)

Mentha arvensis var. villosa (mint)

Scutellaria galeriaulata var. epilobiifolia (skullcap)

S. lateviflora

Stachys palustris var. pilosa (hedge nettle)

PLANTAGINACEAE (Plantain Family)

Plantago major (plantain)

RUBIACEAE (Madder Family)

Galium labradoricum (bedstraw)

G. septentrionale var. septentrionale (northern bedstraw)

G. triflorum (sweet-scented bedstraw)

COMPOSITAE (Composite Family)

Aahillea lanulosa (yarrow)

A. mille folium

A. sibirioa

Artemisia absinthium (wormwood; sage)

A. biennis

Aster ? braahyaatis (wild aster)

A. ciliolatus

A. taevis

A. ? novae-angliae

A. ptarmiaoides

A. puniaeus

A. simplex

Cirsium avvense var. mite (Canada thistle)

C arvense var. horridum

Crépis teatorum (hawk's beard)

Evigeron philadelphious (daisy; fleabane)

Petasites sagittatus (sweet coltsfoot)

Solidago oanadensis (goldenrod)

- 17 -

TABLE IV (continued)

S. gigantea var. leiophylla

S. gpaminifolia var. major

Sonchus arvensis (field sow-thistle)

S. olevaceus (common sow-thistle)

S. uliginosus

Taraxacum offieinale (common dandelion)

TABLE V

Calorimetric values and per cent water content of old-field plants. Caloriccontent is expressed in gram calories per gram. Wet caloric content wascalculated from the figures obtained for water and dry caloric content.

* = including flowers, + = including seeds.

A. GRASSES

Species

Date

Collected

Vegetative

calories per gram

Wet Dry

%

H2O

calories

Wet

Seed

per gram

Dry

%

H20

Agropyron traohyaaulum

Avena sativaBeokmannia syzigachne

Bvomus ailiatusBromus inermis

Calamagrostis inexpansaElymus aanadensisElymus intervuptusHovdeum jubatum

Phleum pratense

Poa pratensis

Unknown grass

2 Aug.27 Oct.21 June6 July2 Aug.

27 Oct.2 Aug.

21 June2 Aug.

27 Oct.6 July

27 Oct.2 Aug.

14 June27 Oct.25 June27 Oct.21 June2 Aug.2 Aug.2 Aug.

1369*417

17812213+1600

14082816

23941715

1930+

2591

158529212058

4148*41714406414739573883+410338294266477346174604418345353938+3597 .41134320428438754116

6790

554361

6741

4859

51

37

634650

2649

1942

1567

1846

1780

2255

14712092

3839 31

43194131

4234

5429

4482

41404453

43573822456444573947

53

63

66

-

57

41

6726

00

1

TABLE V (continued)

B. SEDGES

Species

Carex bebbiiCarex ? nardinaCarex progeataCarex stipataCarex teneraEleooharis palustrisSairpus ayperinusSparganium angustifolium

Anemone aanadensis

Fragaria virginianaGalium septentrionale

Geum aleppiaumMediae.go lupulinaPlantago majorStachys palustris

Tri folium repens

•pi.

D<ate

Collected

214146

276

27142

28227142

2727272152

27

Aug.JuneJuneJulyOct.JulyOct.JulyAug.

JuneAug.Oct.JuneAug.Oct.Oct.Oct.JuneJulyAug.Oct.

Vegetative

calories per gram

Wet

1688---

2406-

2332-

1956

_12971907-556

266810022945-—

1841875

Dry

422143373837413138814052395341314075

C. FORBS

4319+393157784706*39684043 +4355433134164545*41844166

%

H20

60---

38-

41-

52

—.6767-

86347732-—

5679

calories

Wet

2804-----

2273-

2538

------

4070-—

2037

Seed

per gram

Dry

4522450546504592

-4227398846693904

_------

5286-—

4074

%

H20

38-----43-

35

_------

23--50

- 20 -

1

/MANITOBA /

/

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GRASSLAND4

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i(10 MILES X

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NORTH DAKOTA

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r~LAKE (

WINNIPEG /

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///

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WINNIPEG /1i

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SOUTHEASTERN

MINNESOTA

o<£.

H

O

Figure 1. Vegetation belts of southeastern Manitoba, from

Gill (1960). Dot indicates location of WNRE.

i

Figure 2. General view of the old-field, bounded by aspen

forest to the east. Photographed in mid-September,

1971.

- 22 -

10-101-10

10-1

LEGEND

SCALE

l - l

10m

0.2 ft. INTERVAL CONTOUR LINES

PERIMETER OF SEASONAL POND AND SURROUNDING MOUNDS

Figure 3. Contour map of the old-field. Numbers in the

corners are those of the nearest stations.

- 23 -

LEGENDSCALE

5m

0-5 f t . INTERVAL CONTOURLINES

Figure 4. Contour map of the seasonal pond area.

I

1*0

Figure 5. View northeast through the seasonal pond. The row of stakes

is the center-line used for basal cover estimates. Both pond

bottom and mound vegetation are visible.

- 25 -

Figure 6. The seasonal pond bottom in mid-Ssptember, 1971.

Characteristic vegetation, dominated by Typha latifolia,

is evident.

- 26 -

Figure 7. Pages 27 to 38.

Phenological events of the old-field

flora of section 28. V = vegetative growth, F =

flowering, S = in seed. The solid line connects weeks

in which the event was observed; the dashed line shows

the probable occurrence as suggested by events- in

related species, and by phenological stages of WNRE

herbarium specimens from similar habitats. The dashed

line is therefore hypothetical.

Species May June July August September October

EQUISETACEAE V

Equisetutn spp. F

S

TYPHACEAE V

Typha latifolia F

S

ALISMATACEAE V

Alisma triviale F

S

GRAMINEAE V

Agvopyvon vepens F

S

V

A. tv achy caul urn F

S

V

Alopeauvus aequalis F

S

V

Avena sativa F

S

V

Beckmannia syzigaahne F

S

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 '

...

1 1 1

1 ! 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

....

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

....

1 1 i

Species

V

Bromus ailiatus F

S

V

B. inermis F

S

V

Calamagrostis inexpansa F

S

V

Blymus oanadensis F

S

V

E. glauous F

S

V

E. interrupt us F

S

V

Eovdeum jubatum F

S

V

Phalaris arundinaeea F

S

May

1 ! 1

1 1 1

June

l l 1

i I 1

July

l i 1

--

1 l 1

August

1 I I

z

1 1 1

September

1 1 |

1 1 1

October

1 1 1

1 I 1

03

I

Species

V

Phleum pratense F

S

V

Phragmites oommunis F

S

V

Poa nemoral-is F

S

V

P. palustris F

S

V

P. pratensis F

S

V

Poa spp. F

S

CYPERACEAE V

Carex bebbii F

S

V

C. parry ana FS

May

1 l 1

1 1 1

June

1 | |

1 1 1

July

1 1 1

l I 1

August

1 1 1

1 1

September

I • 1

I 1 1

October

1 1 1

1 1 1

I

Species

V

C. stipata P

S

V

C. tenera F

S

V

Carex spp. F

S

V

Eleoahavis spp. F

S

V

Sairpus atvovivens F

S

V

S. oypevinus F

S

V

5. micvocavpus F

S

V

5. validus F

S

May

1 1 1

1 I I

June

1 1 1

i i I

July

1 1 1

— -

— : —

i i i

August

1 1 1

i 1 1

September

1 1 1

1 I 1

October

1 I 1

l I I

O

Species

JUNCACEAE V

Junaus vaseyi F

S

IRIDACEAE V

Iris versicolor F

S

SALICACEAE V

Populus tremuloides F

S

V

Salix spp. F

S

URTICACEAE V

Uvtiaa dioiaa F

S

POLYGONACEAE V

Polygonum lapathifolium F

S

CARYOPHYLLACEAE V

Arenaria lateriflora F

S

V

Stellaria longifolia F

S

May

1 1 1

—

1 1 1

June

1 1 1

mm »

1 1 1

July

1 1 1

—

1 1 1

August

! 1 1

-

1 1 1

September

1 1 1

1 1 1

October

1 1 1

_

1 1 1

I

Species

RANUNCULACEAE V

Anemone aanadensis F

S

V

Caltha palustris F

S

V

Ranunaulus abortivus F

S

V

E. maoounii F

S

V

R. pensylvanious F

S

V

CRUCIFERAE F

Brassioa kaber S

V

F

Capsella bursa-pastoris S

V

F

Erysimum eheiranthoides S

May

l 1 1

1 1 1

June

I I 1

- -

1 1 1

J u l y

1 1 >

mm mm B M ^

»mmm W^BMMH^B«

! 1 1

August

l | |

•

1 1 1

September

1 1 •

1 1 1

October

1 I 1

—

1 1 1

Species

V

Thlaspi arvense F

S

SAXIFRAGACEAE V

Ribes hivtellum F

S

ROSACEAE V

Fragaria virginiana F

S

V

Geum aleppiaum F

S

V

Potentilla millegvana F

S

V

P. novvegioa F

S

V

i?osa spp. FS

V

Rubus idaeus FS

May

1 1 1

1 1 1

June

1 1 1

mwmm

MM

.

1 1 1

July

1 1 1

__

1

August

1 i 1

1 1

Septemb. r

1 1 1

1 1

October

I 1 1

1

I

Species

V

Spiraea alba F

S

LEGUMINOSAE V

Lathyrus oahroleuous F

S

V

L. palustvis F

S

V

Mediaago lupulina F

S

V

Melilotus alba F

S

V

M. offioinalis F

S

V

Trifolium spp. F

S

V

Vioia ameriaana F

S

May

1 1 1

1 1 1

June

1 1 i

1 1 1

July

1 1 1

—-

—

! 1 1

August

1 1 1

! 1 1

September

1 i 1

1 1 1

October

1 1 1

1 1 1

I

t>pecies

ONAGRACEAE V

Epilobium glandulosum F

S

UMBELLIPERAE V

Ciouta maculata F

S

CORNACEAE V

Cornus stolonifeva F

S

PRIMULACEAE V

Steironema ailiatum F

S

LABIATAE V

Mentha arvensis F

S

V

Seutellaria spp. F

S

V

Staahys palus tris F

S

PLANTAGINACEAE V

Plantago maQov F

S

May

1 1 !

1 1 1

June

1 I I

1 1 1

July

1 1 1

_ .

1 1 1

August

1 1 1

1 1 1

September

1 1 1

i i i l

October

1 1 1

1 1 1

Ului

Species

RUBIACEAE V

Galium spp. F

S

COMPOSITAE V

Aahillea spp. F

S

V

Artemisia absinthium F

S

V

A. biennis F

S

V

Aster braohyaatis F

S

V

A. ciliolatus F

S

V

A. novae-angliae F

S

V

A. puniaeus F

S

May

1 1 1

1 1 1

June

1 1 1

1 I 1

July

1 1 1

! 1 I

August

1 1 1

— —

1 1 1

September

1 1 1

1 1 1

October

1 1 1

—

1 1 1

Species

V

A. simplex F

S

V

Aster spp. F

S

V

Cirsium arvense F

S

V

Cvepis teatorum F

S

V

Erigeron philadelphicus F

S

V

Petasites sagittatus F

S

V

Solidago aanadensis F

S

V

S. gigantea F

S

May

I 1 1

1 1 1

June

1 1 1

1 1 1

July

1 1 1

—

1 1 1

August

1 1 1

1 1 1

September

1 1 1

1 1 1

October

1 1 1

1 1

CO

I

Species

V

S. graminifolia F

S

V

Solidago spp F

S

V

Sonahus spp. F

S

V

Taraxacum offiainale F

S

May

1 1 1

I 1 1

June

1 i 1

1 1 1

July

1 1 I

1 1 1

August

1 1 1

1 1 I

September

1 1 1

1 1 1

October

1 1 1

1 1 1

U)00

Additional copies of this documentmay be obtained from

Scientific Document Distribution OfficeAtomic Energy of Canada Limited

Chalk River, Ontario, Canada

Price - $1.00 per copy

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