There has been some evidence that has shown that seedling recruitment is affected by the mycorrhizal network at the site of germination, altering survival rates and growth rates. Mycorrhizal associations are a symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi, which is critical to a plants growth. In return for carbohydrates from the plant, the fungal hyphae attaches to the plants' roots, extending their reach thus increasing nutrient uptake. We focused on the most common types of myccorhizzal associations, ectomycorrhizae (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). Variation in nutrient mining of ECM and AM fungi creates variation in soil chemistry and therefore the potential to affect seedling recruitment and survival. We tested this by sampling 22 different plots and we identified more than 20,000 seedlings and nearly 1000 trees. In the summer of 2019, myself, undergraduate Rachel Wichterman and PBIO MSc student Taylor Sparbanie, worked in Waterloo Nature Preserve about 15 minute
I spent a weekend at Cuyahoga Valley National park doing volunteer work with an amazing group of people! The program is called "Alternative Spring Break" and it is hosted annually by the Conservancy for CVNP. The work included trail maintenance, construction, and planting trees. When we weren't working we went on hikes through the park and learned what being a park ranger is all about. This was an incredible experience where I met many great people who truly care about protecting the environment and supporting the National Park Service.