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����A World of Discovery�The Thicket of Diversity Project of Southeast Texas �Heartwood Master Naturalists, November 7, 2012�

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Big Thicket National Preserve

  • Established 1974
  • 2005 NPCA listed as in top Ten Endangered Parks
  • Now 110,00 acres
  • 15 Units
  • 6 Water Corridors
  • Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Polk, Tyler Counties

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Big Thicket Association

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How Did We Begin?

In March 2006, the Big Thicket Association created the Thicket of Diversity (ToD) for the purpose of conducting an All Taxa

Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) in the Big Thicket National Preserve.

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The project expanded to other ecologically significant lands in public and private ownership in the Big Thicket region.

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Big Thicket-Sandylands Preserve – Biodiversity Central

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How Are We Organized?

  • Executive Council of ToD, Staff -Exec. Dir. BTA and Director of Thicket of Diversity, Interns, and Volunteers.

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  • Includes Media Representative.

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  • Science, Education/Outreach, Finance and Database Management

Sub- Committees.

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  • Report to Board of the Big Thicket Association.

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Big Thicket National Preserve �Field Research Station (FRS)

  • Men and Women Dorms
  • Full Kitchen/Dining Facilities
  • Full Bath/Shower/Laundry Facilities
  • Meeting/Conference Room
  • Lab
  • Herbarium
  • Library
  • Internet
  • $ better than Motel 6!

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18 Taxonomic Working Groups and Descriptions

  • Amphibians (Frogs, Toad Salamanders)
  • Aquatic Ecto Parasites ( Parasitic Flatworms)
  • Aquatic True Bugs (Water Scorpions, Water Striders)
  • Bryophytes (Moss)
  • Freshwater Fishes (Fish)
  • Freshwater Mussels (Clams and Mollusks)
  • Grynids (Water Beetles)
  • Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies)
  • Lichens
  • Macro Fungi (Mushrooms)
  • Noctuoids (Moths)
  • Orchids
  • Pseudo Scorpions
  • Pyrenomycetes (Wood –Inhabiting Fungi )
  • Myxomycetes (Slime Molds) ( Fungi-Like Organisms)
  • Tardigrades ( Water bearers)
  • Terrestrial Arthropods (Insects, Beetles, Spiders, Ticks, Mites)
  • Vascular Plants (Ferns, Flowering Plants, Conifers)
  • *Work with Ants has begun, but not a TWIG yet

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Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Search for Thicket of Diversity
  • Become a Fan!

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Website

Big Thicket Association

  • www.btatx.org

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Thicket of Diversity

  • www.thicketofdiversity.org

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Workshops and Seminars

  • Lichen Workshop

with Dr. Robert Egan

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Workshops and Seminars

Mixing & Mingling with Myxomycetes (Slime Molds)

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Workshops and Seminars

Freshwater Mussel Surveys

Neches River and Village Creek

Historically Diverse Mussel Populations

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Workshops and Seminars

  • Mushroom Forays
  • Lab Identification

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Inventory

  • Butterfly Surveys, Fall and Spring-Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

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Inventory and Lab Work

  • Canoe Trip
  • Fish Identification Lab

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THICKET OF DIVERSITY TAXA TALLY

July 10, 2012

  • Historical Data Prior to 2006 = 7,573

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  • Species Count = 2,690 (up from 1,960)

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  • Total Specimens Collected = 107,203 (up from 15,449)

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  • Species New to the Preserve = 216 (up from 44)
  • 2 Aq. Ectoparasites, 9 Fish, 8 Beetles, 190 Fungi, 6 Pseudoscorpions, 1 Vascular Plant

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  • Species New to the State of Texas = 124 (up from 61)
  • 99 Fungi, 2 Lichens, 16 True Bugs and 7 Moths

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  • Species New to Science = 12 (up from 11)
  • 2 Aq. Ectoparasites, 1 Crayfish, 3 Fungi, 6 Wood-eating Fungi

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Lepidoptera�Moths and Butterflies

NEW TO STATE - 7

DISCOVERED BY DAVID HENDERSON

Unless specified, images courtesy of en.Wikipedia.org

Panthea furcilla

Tufted White Pine Caterpillar

or Eastern Panthea

Megalopyge opercularis

Southern flannel moth, pussy moth,

puss caterpillar, tree asp, and asp caterpillar

Orgyia definita

A Tussock Moth

Photo courtesy of © Jim Vargo at Moth Photographers Group

http://eol.org/data_objects/11856133

Macaria bisignata

Redheaded Inchworm

Photo courtesy of © Jim Vargo at Moth Photographers Group

http://eol.org/data_objects/11858708

Apoda biguttata

Shagreened Slug Moth

Erastria cruentaria

Thin-Lined Erastria

Photo courtesy of © Jim Vargo at Moth Photographers Group

http://eol.org/data_objects/11858903

Iridopsis defectaria

Brown-shaded Gray

Photo courtesy of © Jim Vargo at Moth Photographers Group

http://eol.org/data_objects/11855885

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New to Texas

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Encyclopedia of Life

  • The Thicket of Diversity Project has enrolled in the Encyclopedia of Life, an online Global access database to knowledge about life on earth.

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  • www.eol.org

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Education and Outreach

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Vascular Plant Inventory, Canyonlands Unit�Dr. Stephen Hatch and Associates

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Upcoming Events�Mushroom Foray -David Lewis (Nov. 10)

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�Upcoming Events�Orchid Science Café –Joe Liggio(Nov. 14)�LogOn Café, Beaumont, 6pm

Chapman’s Orchid

Listed as Rare in TX

Water Orchid

Yellow Ladies' Slipper

Orchid

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Upcoming Events�Whirlygig Science Café –Dr. Edward Reazola�LogOn Café, Beaumont, 6pm (Nov 30)�

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What’s New?�

  • Dr. Neil Ford and Lance Williams proposal for FW Mussel surveys on the Neches River is being evaluated.

Fawnsfoot Mussel

Southern Maple Mussel

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Challenges Ahead

  • Funding to sustain the BTA staff and the ToD project.

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  • Support for the operation of the Field Research Station.

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  • Awareness and value of native flora/fauna/systems of our state.

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Questions/Comments?

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Photo Credits

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  • Copyright 2010. Beaumont Enterprise. Reprinted with Permission
  • Michael Black
  • Deanna Boensch, NPS
  • Bill Carr
  • Mike Duran, TNC
  • Dr. Robert Egan
  • Stuart Gary
  • Michael Gray
  • Chad Hargrave, Sam Houston State Univ.
  • David Henderson, Butterfly Enthusiasts of SE Texas
  • Dan Neri
  • Jerry Rashall, TPWD
  • Jason Singhurst, TPWD

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