FT10 - Warren Woods and Mud Lake Bog, Berrien County, Michigan

Day: Sunday 7/8
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Trip Leader: Dennis W. Woodland
Email Address: E-mail: woody@andrews.edu

Trip Limit: 20

Within the glaciated region of the southern Lake Michigan area two ecosystems are classic. In well drained soil areas, the climax forest is the American Beech-Sugar Maple forest region, with Warren Woods State Park of Berrien County, mentioned by E. Lucy Braun in her Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America as "an excellent example of the mesophytic climax." A short drive east is a classic post-Pleistocene bog with the floating mat of ericaous/sedge vegetation mat and a ring of stages of succession. The area is accessed via a floating boardwalk. Both locations are fine examples of peoples attempt to preserve unique habitats for posterity. These two sites are visited each year by many students of ecology, and give an excellent introduction to these ecosystems. The distinctive features and flora of each will be pointed out.The sites provide a good field trip, traveling from Chicago and returning the same day. Warren Woods is a two hour drive from the loop and will take the morning. A box lunch will be provided. Relevant materials will be provided to all participants.