kerby365's Journal

I thought it would be interesting to track the different areas on campus that the data showed up in 2013. Many of the plans were gone or dying out, because of the season. The ivy in the area was present. VLSB host a lot of seasonal flowers, while the grove is the host for many ivies.

The two ecological systems I explored on the UC Berkeley campus was Oak woodlands and Redwood Forrest. The Oak woodlands was near Barrows hall and Morrison Hall. The Redwood forrest was near the west entrance to CAL near Oxford when going through the patch of Redwood trees. The two locations are similar, but also radically different in the Oak woodlands, it was possible for plants like flowers to grow. In Redwood forrest there was an overwhelming amount of weeds and bushes that did not allow for flowers to grow. There is no opportunity for flowers to grow within the redwood area.

I was walking on Bancroft when I saw this plant. Yellow on a gray day, it stuck out to me. I immediately snapped the photo, because it's origins were something I was curious about. Named the "Bermuda Buttercup" is also known as buttercup oxalis. This shamrock like plant is a "a low growing perennial broadleaf plant" (Davis 2014) most commonly found in CA. It is a common weed in artichoke fields in Central CA. The Bermuda Buttercup is also a South African native, cultivated as a ornamental. Interesting to know how it ended up in Berkeley. The common ecology of a plant like this is found mostly in irrigated territories, vineyards, crop fields and urban areas. It is also used commonly as a plant for landscape architectures.

The Bermuda Buttercup is related to Oxalis corniculata (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Oxalis_corniculata_-blossom_top(aka).jpg). This is a significant family, because it is very poisonous to those who intake the two plants too much. "The genus name Oxalis is derived from the Greek word meaning “sour,” referring to the sour-tasting oxalic acid present throughout the plants." (DiTomaso 2007). Oxalate poisoning is common for livestock to receive if there is a high consumption. Death is a common result and many farmers like to kill of the Bermuda Buttercup from their farming ground. Especially in Central CA.

This flower blooms in between November and April. The average height for this plant is 14 inches and rarely goes beyond that. Stems are also located below the ground. With this shamrock like plant, there can only by three sides and on a rare occasion four.

The Bermuda Buttercup grows from bulbs that come about in the fall months. Most of this growing occurs underground. Also, sometimes the three leaflets are spotted with purple dots. White bublets sometimes develop on the stem, and cultivates adjacently to an aboveground plant. The Bermuda Buttercup develops in the late winter and early spring. The plant dies in the summer months.

Sources:
DiTomaso, J. M., and E. A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and Other Western States. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res. Publ. 3488.

Holt, J. S. 1987. Factors affecting germination in greenhouse-produced seeds of Oxalis corniculata, a perennial weed. Amer. J. Bot. 74(3):429–436.

Kingsbury, J. M. 1964. Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada. Newark: Prentice Hall.

Sigg, J. 2003. Oxalis pes-caprae. Cal EPPC News. 11(1):7–8.

Stapleton, J. J., C. A. Wilen, and R. H. Molinar. 2008. Soil Solarization for Gardens and Landscapes. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res. Publ. 74145.

Tu, Mandy. Oxalis pes-caprae L. The Nature Conservancy Global Invasive Species Team. Accessed June 18, 2010.

Whitson, T. D., R. Parker, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee, D. W. Cudney, L. C. Burrill, and S. A. Dewey. 2006. Weeds of the West. 9th ed. Darby: Diane Pub Co.

I made a quick walk around Berkeley. The interesting thing about Berkeley, is that a lot of the landscape stays the same through out. I am noticing a lack of variety about what is offered. I thought spring would offer more, however the landscape has turned to be bland in reality.

I came across a bird that i have never seen before. I was take aback by this bird because I have not seen its kind around Berkeley before. Unsure of what to name the species, I continued to try and capture the moment with this bird. The traits of this bird were a dark brown with a reddish undertone. Very welcoming to my presence. The bird was also respondent to my voice and whistle. I was curious to the hearing capabilities of this bird. An ID would be greatly appreciated.
Next was a flower with Ivy. It had a blue undertone to it that initially sparked my curiosity. The flower erected out and was thriving against the IVY. It smelled fresh and like spring rain. The "leaves" were soft felt, I was curious about this plant also. It was a lively plant, that carried a lot of character, smell and a sense of place with distinction.

Describe to me how your observations exemplify flowering and leaf phenology:
"Phenology is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate, as well as habitat factors (such as elevation)."

I think thus far, the ecological influence has no reached the leaves yet. Some appear Bare, but the majority are green and thriving on the landscape. My experience, so far have not allowed to observe radical changes. My observations exemplify all of the elements of the space where I do not see ecological changes just yet.

Phenology Poem:
Changes are a rarity when trying to reason with man
space and time
natural shifts
are not ceasing to exist in this realm any more.
Altered, artificial, is it legal to control our biopolitics?
They do it under our noses, who knows if any of the changes are a true testament to the moment.

CAL has an interesting dynamic that I can not describe. I feel there is something to be said about the landscape of this college campus that is so submerged around forests, parks, and massive land. During my visit towards the more central part of campus i noticed how costume it is. The same squirrels are visible, and the same flowers are present. I feel CAL has its own ecosystem that contributes to the marginalization of many natural resources.

Its very interesting to travel up the hill and see the mass differences of wildlife and how they intersect with the campus. For example: http://www.berkeleyside.com/2012/11/16/concerns-raised-with-reports-of-mountain-lion-sightings/
The wildlife compared to right down the hill is massively different.

How can we create freedom in these ecological changes?

As far as my knowledge goes about bio-geography, this appeared to be a plant. I was intrigued to take a picture of this flower, because it was so vibrant in a dense environment. I've never seen anything pulse at my senses in dullness. It was perfectly placed in mundanity. To geographically understand its relevance to the area, I have a feeling it is foreign as it was the only one in the vicinity. The texture of the plants was moist, however at the same time rough.