9. The Comparison Between Mistletoe in Two Environments

Abstract

The Comparison Between Mistletoe in Two Environments

The purpose of our research will be to examine the environmental effects on the growth of mistletoe between a preserved habitat and a less preserved location. Mistletoe is an evergreen hemi-patristic plant that attaches itself to trees to absorb the nutrients it cannot synthesize, inhibiting the growth of its host. The two locations that will be observed is the University of North Georgia campus, including its Tumbling Creek Woods, and the Elachee Nature Center. Our objective on studying the two environments is to find which kind of environment would sustain the growth and reproduction of mistletoe. Each location will be qualitatively assessed on the amount of mistletoe. Thirty oak trees will be sampled to determine the average amount of mistletoe clusters on trees. In addition, the distance in meters between infected or non-infected trees and the trail will be measured as well. Due to the seclusion from human pollutants, we predict that Elachee Nature Center will have more mistletoe growth, indicating that we hypothesize that a more preserved environment will exhibit greater amounts of mistletoe growth; unlike the University of North Georgia.