From June 27 to July 1, 2022, nine middle and high school students attended our fourth annual Young Scientists Research Experience. Over the course of a week, the students chose their own research questions, developed a study, did their own fieldwork, and then compiled their data and presented their findings. We’re incredibly proud of the work these students did, and we’re excited to share their results with you!
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Maggie asked: “Does the size and location of a log affect the number of insects and turtles basking on it?”
Maggie and Co-Director Eleanor Harris observe a log.
She found that both damselflies and dragonflies prefer to perch on skinny logs than wide logs, even though wide logs would provide more surface area. She also found that in general damselflies are pickier about the locations where they are willing to perch than are dragonflies.
Liam asked: “What species of fish live in ponds compared to creeks? And are there more fish in ponds or in creeks?”
Liam and Director Bert Harris use a seine net to capture fish in the pond.
Liam surveyed fish in our ponds and streams and found four types of fish: dace, darter, largemouth bass, and bluegill. The vast majority of the fish he found were dace. Liam caught more fish per sweep of the seine net in the creeks than in the ponds.
Sarah asked: “How do the parenting behaviors between Eastern Phoebes and Eastern Bluebirds differ?”
Sarah observes an Eastern Bluebird nest box.
Sarah found that Eastern Phoebes were more attentive parents than Eastern Bluebirds and in both species the males were actually more attentive than the females. Parents of both species were less active in the afternoon than in the morning.
Aurelia asked: “Where do fireflies go during the day?”
Aurelia and Co-Director Eleanor Harris identify fireflies.
Aurelia found five genera of fireflies in her daytime firefly surveys. Most of the fireflies she found were in the genus Photinus. Of the fireflies she found on trees, most of them were on redbuds, followed closely by walnuts and pawpaws.
Declan asked: “How far away from water do crayfish burrow? And does the distance from water affect how deep the burrow needs to be?”
Declan takes measurements of a crayfish hole.
Declan found crayfish holes at a wide variety of distances from standing water. A couple holes were over 20 meters from water! Surprisingly, there was no relationship between how deep a hole was and how far away from water it was.
Logan asked: “How does the length of birdsong vary between species? How does the time of day affect the length of the song?”
Logan uses his phone to record birdsong.
Logan found that, of Carolina Wrens, Common Yellowthroats, and Eastern Towhees, Carolina Wrens had the longest songs and that all three species had longer songs in the morning than in the afternoon.
Lane asked: “Does lichen diversity change as you get closer to water?”
Lane and Education Associate Bridget Bradshaw look for lichen on trees.
Lane found that there were slightly more species of lichens on trees closer to water than farther from water. Of the nine species of trees he found lichens on, Tulip Poplars had the most species of lichen.
Loreli asked: “Do frogs prefer still water or running water?”
Loreli catches frogs in the beaver pond.
Loreli found that there were more frogs in the ponds than in the creeks.
Elyssa asked: “Does the growth form of a mushroom make a difference in the number of bugs found on them?”
Elyssa and Education Associate Bridget Bradshaw look for mushrooms.
Elyssa found that there were more insects on gilled mushrooms than on any other growth form (after controlling for the weight of the mushroom).
