Changes in Tree Development and the Prominence of Invasive Plants in Early Ecosystem Development in an Urban Wetland in Oberlin, Ohio

Location

Bent Corridor, Science Center

Document Type

Poster - Open Access

Start Date

5-1-2026 12:00 PM

End Date

5-1-2026 2:00 PM

Abstract

Globally, 90% of wetlands have been lost (US EPA, 2021). Constructed wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, including retention of nutrients and protection against floods. Plant communities in constructed wetlands can change rapidly during early ecosystem development and are susceptible to invasion by species such as narrowleaf cattail and common reed. Tree species composition changes more slowly over time, but is also influenced by early development. Our study was a one-year follow-up to research conducted by students in the fall of 2024. In 2022, the City of Oberlin redeveloped a former reservoir into a shallow-water wetland. We used separate methods to characterize changes in invasive emergent plants and growth of trees there. Changes in the abundance and location of cattail and reed were assessed using drone photographs taken in September of 2024 and again in 2025. Photographs were imported, georeferenced, and categorized in ArcGIS. To quantify growth of trees, we identified species and locations of all trees greater than 1.30 meters in height, then calculated their biomass. We hypothesized that invasive emergent species increased in abundance. We documented a 2% increase in cattail and a 0% increase in reed, however differences in methods lead us to believe that this underestimates expansion. For trees, we observed a striking increase in the biomass of bald cypress. Our data will enable future studies to be conducted using our findings as a baseline from the previous year, allowing changes to be observed, which will help the City of Oberlin manage the wetland effectively.

Keywords:

Wetland, Trees, Invasive species, Conservation

Notes

Presenter: Clay Sinclair

Major

Environmental Science

Project Mentor(s)

John Petersen, Environmental Studies

2026

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May 1st, 12:00 PM May 1st, 2:00 PM

Changes in Tree Development and the Prominence of Invasive Plants in Early Ecosystem Development in an Urban Wetland in Oberlin, Ohio

Bent Corridor, Science Center

Globally, 90% of wetlands have been lost (US EPA, 2021). Constructed wetlands provide vital ecosystem services, including retention of nutrients and protection against floods. Plant communities in constructed wetlands can change rapidly during early ecosystem development and are susceptible to invasion by species such as narrowleaf cattail and common reed. Tree species composition changes more slowly over time, but is also influenced by early development. Our study was a one-year follow-up to research conducted by students in the fall of 2024. In 2022, the City of Oberlin redeveloped a former reservoir into a shallow-water wetland. We used separate methods to characterize changes in invasive emergent plants and growth of trees there. Changes in the abundance and location of cattail and reed were assessed using drone photographs taken in September of 2024 and again in 2025. Photographs were imported, georeferenced, and categorized in ArcGIS. To quantify growth of trees, we identified species and locations of all trees greater than 1.30 meters in height, then calculated their biomass. We hypothesized that invasive emergent species increased in abundance. We documented a 2% increase in cattail and a 0% increase in reed, however differences in methods lead us to believe that this underestimates expansion. For trees, we observed a striking increase in the biomass of bald cypress. Our data will enable future studies to be conducted using our findings as a baseline from the previous year, allowing changes to be observed, which will help the City of Oberlin manage the wetland effectively.