The Yew-nique presence of yew (Taxus canadensis) on Pells Island.

Abstract

Canada yew (Taxus Canadensis) can be found in abundance on Pells Island, but nowhere else on UMBS property around Douglas Lake in Pellston, Michigan. One hypothesis is that the presence of yew on Pells Island is due to the fact that deer, the yew’s main consumer, do not cross over to the island. We compared the ecological conditions on Pells Island to two other ecologically similar areas, testing amongst sites for similarity in micro site conditions such as light intensity, moisture content, soil carbon:nitrogen ratio, soil phosphorous content, and pH of soil. Based on the results of our research, presumably Canada yew would be able to grow at both control sites, which leads us to believe that the absence of yew within our control sites can be attributed solely to the pressures of deer browsing.