Considering the null hypothesis: ecological observations of Goodyera oblongifolia in northern Michigan.

Abstract

In this paper, I present my findings from observing G. oblongifolia in the Great Lakes portion of its range. My observations are limited to five sites located exclusively in Northern Michigan. In field observations, I focused on discerning habitats and possible habitat limitations (identifying overstory species, taking pH soil tests and listing associates); observing micro-habitats to evaluate possible successional positions and considering reproductive strategies. Across my observations, the most common type of habitat for G. oblongifolia is characterized by mostly acidic, old and gently sloping beach ridges near the shores of the Great Lakes, layers of sphagnum, relatively low density ground cover, diffuse sunlight, and primarily coniferous overstories. This habitat appears to be a very common one, but not by any means the only one in the Great Lakes region. G. oblongifolia does seem to tolerate a wide range of habitat sites and certainly more site observations are necessary to more precisely delineate the boundaries of these habitats. G. oblongifolia tends to occupy habits of continuous, but only moderate disturbance, and not to be closely associated with more stable habitats. My observations show it to be found with species of wet or acid environments, but not entirely absent from neutral to more alkaline sites, as I also observed it growing in moist cedar domianted areas. What limited information I was able to gather on reproductive strategies appears to present many interesting questions both in terms of vegetative and sexual reproduction and is a potential area for future research.