FT13 - Flora and Ecology of the Indiana Dunes

To view a proportion of the floristic diversity of the Indiana Dunes the visitor is well advised to visit an temporal and physiognomic cross section of the dunes and wetlands. In the morning we will visit Miller Dunes to traverse a gradient from the beach to oak savanna illustrating how the dynamic processes of dune formation, soil development, biotic interactions, and fire all play a role in succession. We will see foredunes, secondary dunes, pannes, ponds, jack pine stands, and oak savanna and woodlands. After lunch at park headquarters, we will proceed to Howes Prairie ecosystem to view oak savanna, mesic and wet prairie, and swamp forests to examine the impacts of fire on these systems. If time permits we will quickly visit late successional dune sites on the Calumet and Glenwood dunes before heading back to Chicago.We will be walking on sandy soils so bring appropriate foot wear. Most walking will be on established trails, but we will ascend a few steep dune slopes at Miller Dunes. Mosquitos and ticks may be abundant. Bring water as it may be hot and muggy.