Blackwater

Holly and I traveled today to Suffolk to pick up ticks collected by another group who were eager to share their findings. After which we flagged for ticks at a Blackwater Ecologic Preserve. Blackwater is part of a pine restoration project, and after a number of years to maintain diversity of the area, a certain amount of the woods there is burned. This promotes early succession and strengthens grassland communities and provides an opportunity for certain plants to grow that need the fire to break through the seed coats. Very few ticks were found in this area overall which helps provoke more research questions as to why not. My mind is beginning to ponder what research questions interest me most. I guess time will tell. A variety of tasks and discoveries to come over the next few weeks. I can't wait!

-Lexi