The Bioswale Project READ: FREE RESEARCH IDEAS!

Bioswale project: We hope that the bioswale project will illustrate how native plants can be used as traditional garden plantings at the bridge between the ScienceBuilding and the Mardigian Library.  Using similar principles described in the Native Seeds Project, we hope to provide signage that encourages students to interact more intimately with the ecosystems found on accessible areas of the campus.  We aim to establish and increase inter-organizational coalition strength, leadership, and demonstrate interdisciplinary place-based project learning.

Here are some experiments I came up with that others might be interested in trying (fair warning to UM-Dearborn, I'll offer this to you guys first, but don't be surprised if I put up research projects on Craigslist and open it up to the rest of Michigan academia):



For the microbiologists (Ahem. Microbio club):
Microbial community analysis--sample the soil and water before and after we remove the phragmites--there's scientific literature (like novel weapons theory) which discusses how some plants alter the soil or even have special symbiotic relationships with certain kinds of fungi (endophytes?), plants, and bacteria.

For geologists (that's you OES):
The site is some kind of vernal pond/wet ecosystem type place. Water collects, but also flows from a patch of woods, to the site of the proposed bioswale, under a couple bridges and pavestones of cement, and out to another (likely once the same pond) vernal pond. I've personally seen a current flowing on the other side.

A collaborative opportunity for chemists and geologists:
What about the soil/mineral content? Any changes from before and after we remove the phragmites?

Get any of these projects rolling and I guarantee you that the campus will have an indefinitely sustainable project for future students and student orgs. Nice legacy huh?