AEH field trip to Big Thicket National Preserve - Local Biotopes

kwc1974 · 08-10-2009, 05:38 AM

AEH (Aquatic Enthusiasts of Houston) made a trip to the Big Thicket National Preserve last Friday (8/7/09) in hopes to locate Eriocaulon compressum (Flattened Pipewort) among the other interesting aspects of this biotope. Among those in attendance were Dave (Davemonkey), Darren (mudboots) and his son and me (kwc1974). Unfortunately we did not find E. compressum, but literally minuets into the trip we did find E. decangulare (Tenangle Pipewort) in and amongst the picture plants that this particular part of the Big Thicket is well known for.

Please note, as this is in a National Preserve, we applied for permets for everything collected.....better to get a permit than a fine.

Hope you enjoy.

Eriocaulon Decangular

Carnivorus plants and other flora around the E. Decangular

Later down the trail we found a couple of friends...and more plants

kwc1974 · 08-10-2009, 06:24 AM

Also

I wanted to note that the E. Decangulare that was collected as been cleaned and planted in both an emersed set up and submerged to test it's viability for aquarium use.

mudboots · 08-10-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

I wanted to note that the E. Decangulare that was collected as been cleaned and planted in both an emersed set up and submerged to test it's viability for aquarium use.

The submergent tanks are also using different "tech" levels, ranging from my "No-Tech" El Naturals to Dave and Kev's Med-to-Ridiculously High-Tech...I'm pretty anxious to see how it reacts to the different systems, though I have a feeling that results will be a little slower in the El Natural since I have less CO2 and less light.

btw - I'm also testing some of the Xyris sp. (yellow-eyed grass).

kwc1974 · 08-10-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks for pointing that out mudboots

davemonkey · 08-10-2009, 03:35 PM

Those pictures turned out GREAT!!! The detail of the Erio flower is awesome (and so is are teh spider pics).

You know, I never noticed that structure in picture #10 (the one just under the picture of the Pitcher-plant). Is that a flower of the Pitcher-plant?

-Dave

kwc1974 · 08-11-2009, 05:28 AM

Thanks Dave.

Yes that was the "flower" of the Pitcher plant.

Also, I found that Big Thicket has another trail of interst, the "Sundew Trail"

davemonkey · 08-11-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwc1974

Also, I found that Big Thicket has another trail of interst, the "Sundew Trail"

Field Trip!

By the way, some of the NASH folk are probably wondering, "What the heck is AEH!? " Long-story-short, I had to come up with a name for the permit applications in a hurry and didn't want to use the club name without consulting the officers. Plus, I needed a name without the word "Aquarium" in it so I can request to conduct these studies via my work with the USDA in the future. (It helps having the East Texas Wetlands Specialist for USDA-NRCS on our side. )

kwc1974 · 08-11-2009, 04:06 PM

Yes, another field trip is in order.

Yes, AEH is not an official "club"