Current Research Projects
Brook Trout
Along with The Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Ohio EPA, Geauga Park District’s Department of Natural Resource Management is currently involved in a brook trout research effort that’s goal is to develop a regional (Ohio) Habitat Suitability Index (HSI).
HSI’s are basically an assortment of criteria related to a species and its habitat requirements that allow fisheries biologists to better predict the probability of success or failure of that species in a given habitat.
To date, we have collected both physical and chemical data on 16 brook trout streams and are now analyzing these data. Stay tuned for more research information….
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Small Research Grants
2010
Moth Species Inventory, Observatory Park, Montville, Ohio
Results for Northern Breeding Bird Survey in the Eastern Hemlock Dominated Forest Stands in Geauga County 2009-2010
The Crickets and Katydids of Burton Wetlands: a 2010 baseline survey and study of the effects of meadow burning
(Click here for accompanying sound files)
Flying Insect Survey Observatory Park 2010
2009
Distribution and Abundance of Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) on Geauga Park District Lands and Nearby Wetlands
The Crickets and Katydids of Oakton Park Preserve and the Gas Well and Pond Parcels of Observatory Park: a 2009 baseline survey
Distribution, occurence and diversity of salamander species in hemlock ravine habitats on Geauga Park District Lands
Effects of Natural Incubation Regimes on Sex Ratios and Fitness of Hatchling Midland Painted Turlers (Chrysemys picta marginata)
Declining Amphibians in Northeastern Ohio:
A look at Pathogenic Bacteria, Chytrid, and Potentially Toxic Metals
Woody Plant Diseases Observed Within the Geauga Park District, With a Listing of the More Common Tree and Shrub Species, Based on Observations Made During the Spring, Summer and Fall of 2009
2008
(coming soon...)
2007
Preferred Habitats of Marbled Salamander (coming soon...)
Effects of Metals and High Water Hardness at Higher pHs on Rana sylvatica and Ambystomg jeffersonianum
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Research Summaries
BioBlitz
What is a A BioBlitz is an attempted inventory of all living organisms in a given area during a given amount of time (usually 24 hours).The number of different organisms discovered helps to document the amount of biodiversity within an area.
BioBlitzes also raise public awareness about the large variety of life that can exist in a small area, as well as excite volunteers in collecting the data.
Geauga Park District invites local academia and scientists to participate in the collection of biological data. Geauga Park District uses the data collected during a Bioblitz to help shape our management plans for that park, so that the integrity of sensitive areas and species are not compromised in the future.
Suffice to say, a BioBlitz is a valuable tool! Geauga Park District conducted its first BioBlitz in 2003 and has held one every year since then.
