"I
am a botanist who studies how plants respond to stressful environmental conditions,” explained Scott McAdam, assistant professor of botany and plant pathology. “The inspiration for my experiments comes from a close observation of nature, particularly while hiking.” As McAdam explained, however, the benefits of hiking are not limited to professionals. “Everyone can appreciate nature.”
National Take a Hike Day is November 17. While the celebration lands on the cusp of winter weather, McAdam noted each season has a distinct appeal.
McAdam and his daughter at Portland Arch Nature Preserve (Photos from Scott McAdam)
“Taking time to appreciate seasonal changes provides a reconnection to the natural world that has largely been eliminated by our modern, industrialized society: spring flora poking through the snow; buds bursting; the first leaves expanding in the canopy; that sticky tropical feeling mid-summer; and the change of leaves in the fall.”
Lafayette residents do not need to travel far to hike several of McAdam’s favorite areas. Black Rock Nature Preserve features rock formations on outcrops over the Wabash River.
“Because it is south facing and the river turns at that point, it has a unique microclimate that makes it home to a number of locally rare plant species.”
Farther down the Wabash River, hikers can explore the dry hills of the Weiler-Leopold Nature Preserve. The forests are some of the most drought-tolerant in the state.
“Seeing the roosting turkey vultures and bald eagles up close in the trees there is unforgettable.”
The Portland Arch Nature Preserve also claims a spot on McAdam’s list of favorite places to hike thanks in part to its rock formations and caves. The preserve’s flora includes the locally rare Eastern White Pine, fruit-bearing Pawpaw trees and Beechdrop wildflowers that grow beneath mature beech trees.
“It is a great place to hike any time of year. A little steep for young children in parts, but also a great place for them to paddle in the creek after admiring the limestone arch.
“I love how quiet and tranquil these places are. How the forests are relatively undisturbed by human activity. You can feel a million miles from civilization only a few yards into the forest.”
Student’s research promotes healthier, more profitable cattle
In a small town in rural Colombia, Diana Escamilla Sanchez’s grandfather raised coffee, oranges, plantains, bananas and corn. Her childhood on the farm made Escamilla aware of the difficulties small farmers faced in Colombia when marketing their goods.
“I felt there were a lot of things that could be improved, that I could find something that could help people like my family,” she recalled.
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With looming threats of coffee leaf rust to farmers’ yields, Purdue University mycologist Catherine Aime is working to protect this staple of daily lives and the economies of areas throughout the world.
Aime and colleagues warned of the potential threat to the coffee industry in June. She now is part of a team supported by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and led by the Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council to investigate the fungus that causes the disease and to develop tactics to counter it.
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Improving soybeans reduces the cost to farmers and the environment
Instead of relying solely on nitrogen in the soil, soybeans and many other legumes can pull nitrogen from the air for their growth – a natural process that is environmentally friendly and also increases soil nitrogen levels for the next crop in rotation.
Plant science research at Purdue University has found a potential way to double soybean plants’ use of the process, called biological nitrogen fixation.
Student’s research promotes healthier, more profitable cattle
In a small town in rural Colombia, Diana Escamilla Sanchez’s grandfather raised coffee, oranges, plantains, bananas and corn. Her childhood on the farm made Escamilla aware of the difficulties small farmers faced in Colombia when marketing their goods.
“I felt there were a lot of things that could be improved, that I could find something that could help people like my family,” she recalled.
Read Full Story >>>
Purdue expert warned of coffee rust threat, part of FFAR project to protect Hawaii’s coffee trees
With looming threats of coffee leaf rust to farmers’ yields, Purdue University mycologist Catherine Aime is working to protect this staple of daily lives and the economies of areas throughout the world.
Aime and colleagues warned of the potential threat to the coffee industry in June. She now is part of a team supported by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and led by the Synergistic Hawaii Agriculture Council to investigate the fungus that causes the disease and to develop tactics to counter it.
Read Full Story >>>
Improving soybeans reduces the cost to farmers and the environment
Instead of relying solely on nitrogen in the soil, soybeans and many other legumes can pull nitrogen from the air for their growth – a natural process that is environmentally friendly and also increases soil nitrogen levels for the next crop in rotation.
Plant science research at Purdue University has found a potential way to double soybean plants’ use of the process, called biological nitrogen fixation.