TEANECK, NJ – Local biologists conducted pertinent assessments on the biodiversity of plants and aquatic life at Teaneck Creek Conservancy on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Tony Cullen, PhD, a Plant Community Ecologist, and Allyson Salisbury, PhD, remote researcher for University of Florida and Temple University volunteered their time and expertise to lead the plant biodiversity assessment. Together with the help of local volunteers, they set up permanent one-meter by one-meter plots and collected data on the different types of plants, such as big bluestem, black coneflower, and soft rush, and their abundance within the plots. These plots will be assessed annually to track how biodiversity at the park changes over time.
“Changes in the type and amount of plant species are totally normal. This just gives us a series of snapshots overtime of how this site is going to evolve,” said Salisbury.
On the same day, Biologists, Rita Isabel Matos and Molly Hillenbrand, ran a stream assessment observing turtles, amphibians, and other aquatic species. They noted a healthy population of bullfrogs,green frogs and dragonfly larvae along other finds. Matos described their findings as evidence that a basic aquatic ecosystem is present, but features low diversity. This could be a result of the restoration project or factors higher upstream such as the urbanization around the stream before it reaches the park.
“Macroinvertebrates are a great indicator of stream health,” said Matos, who looks at Saturday’s assessment as the “blueprint” for tracking how biodiversity in the stream will change over time.
Caroline DeVan, PhD, Co-Director of Urban Ecology Lab at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), along with one of her students, Hannah Shahinian, supported the plant survey efforts because it was too rainy to survey the insects.
“Oftentimes, more plant diversity correlates with more insect diversity,” said DeVan, who led a group during the plant assessment. DeVan, who hopes to continue sampling insects at the Creek, highlighted the importance of insects as a part of biodiversity for the roles they play as pollinators, pest control agents, and a food source for other species at the park.
Biodiversity census data are essential for tracking progress over time in the reclamation and restoration of urban wetlands such as Teaneck Creek Conservancy.
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Teaneck Creek Conservancy is a member-supported non-profit organization dedicated to the reclamation and protection of the cultural, historical, and environmental legacy of the Teaneck Creek watershed. Since 2001 we have been working hard to transform a once-neglected dumpsite into a place of natural beauty. Visit our park complete with almost two miles of groomed trails, an Outdoor Classroom for learning, and beautiful artwork such as our Five Pipes Mural and a Peace Labyrinth for quiet reflection. Teaneck Creek Conservancy acts as stewards for this unique space, providing educational opportunities and passive recreational amenities to the surrounding community. www.teaneckcreek.org
Media Contact: Isabel Medina
connect@teaneckcreek.org
Correction Update: This work was made possible by a generous grant from Veolia.
Environmental research teams led by Tony Cullen, PhD (holding up clipboard) and Allyson Salisbury, PhD, (pink hat), and Caroline DeVan, PhD, (maroon hat) conduct plant studies at Teaneck Creek.
Photo Credit: © Danielle Richards - Jersey Girl Stock Images
Biologists Molly Hillenbrand, left, and Rita Isabel Matos examine aquatic sample from Teaneck Creek. Photo Credit: © Danielle Richards - Jersey Girl Stock Images
Environmental research teams setting up plots for plant assessment at Teaneck Creek.
Photo Credit: © Danielle Richards - Jersey Girl Stock Images