Newsletter

Volume 5, Number 1
January - February 1988

At the Arboretum

The Institute of Ecosystem Studies is
offering special workshops for winter
and spring 1988. These workshops are
designed for professionals and informed
citizens actively involved in making the
wisest use of the land.

lES sponsors free Sunday Ecology
Programs on the first and third Sunday
of each month. These public programs
blend natural history with ecology to
present a more complete picture of our
environment.

For more information on Winter and
Spring offerings at the Mary Flagler
Cary Arboretum, see the Calendar on the
back page of this Newsletter.

The lES Newsletter is published by
the Institute of Ecosystem Studies
at the Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum.
Located in Millb^rook, New York,
the Institute is a division of The
New York Botanical Garden. All
newsletter correspondence should
be addressed to the Editor.

Gene E. Likens, Director
Joseph S. Warner, Administrator
Alan R. Berkowitz,

Head of Education

Editor: Jill Cadwallader
Design and Printing: Central Press

INSTITUTE OF
ECOSYSTEM STUDIES
The New York Botanical Garden
Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum
Box AB

Millbrook, NY 12545
(914) 677-5343

Dr. Likens Attends Vatican Meeting

During the fall of 1987, the Pontifical
Academy of Sciences in the Vatican City
State held three Study Weeks dealing with
the impact of science and technology on
the world’s environment. The second in
the series, “A Modern Approach to the
Protection of the Environment”, brought
together twenty eminent environmental
scientists from around the world. Among
the invited participants was Dr. Gene E.
Likens, Director the Institute of
Ecosystem Studies, whose research at the
Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in
New Hampshire discovered acid rain in
North America.

Dr. Likens and his wife Phyllis Likens,
executive secretary of the Hubbard Brook
Ecosystem Study, spent November 2nd-
7th at the Vatican City State, site of the
Study Week. During the meetings,
scientists from Europe, the Middle East,
Africa, South America and the United
States presented papers dealing with
ethics for the use of natural resources, and
new approaches and strategies for the
protection of the environment. The
subject of Dr. Likens’ paper was environ-
mental problems and protection strategies
for temperate forests.

At the conclusion of the meetings, the
group had an audience with Pope John
Paul 11. Prof. Carlos Chagras, president of
the Pontifical Academy of Sciences,
summarized the results of the Study
Week. The Pope then spoke of the need
for science and technology to work for
humanity, and to be governed by ethical

and moral principles. He cited specific
environmental problems, including acid
rain, destruction of the forests in the wet
tropics and the reduction of the ozone
layer, and emphasized the need for
education: “adverse effects on the
environment can be corrected ... only by
teaching people a new and respectful
attitude towards the environment, an
attitude that ensures the rational use of the
natural resources which have to be
preserved and passed on for the use of
future generations.”

After thanking the participants for
contributing their scientific knowledge
and enthusiasm to the Study Week, John
Paul II met with each of them. Phyllis
Likens, a member of the group, said upon
her return to the Institute that the Pope
was “gracious and soft-spoken. He
seemed sincerely interested in learning a
little about each of us, and spoke to me
about my family and to Gene about his
work ... a warm, likable man.”

The first and third Study Weeks dealt with
other modern challenges to science and
society. “Aspects of the Use of Genetic
Engineering” focused on the use of
modern biotechnology to produce new
vaccines and drugs for treatment of
congenital diseases, while “Movement of
Masses in the Universe” concerned
questions of astrophysics, such as whether
the universe will continue to expand.

Vatican photographers were on hand as Study Week participants met Pope John Paul II. Above: lES
Director Dr. GeneE. Likens.

Need: To know the exact position of research experiments being done in Mirror Lake, New Hampshire.

Problems: The inconvenience and cost of traditional surveying, and inaccessibility of Mirror Lake to conventional aircraft.

Challenge: To develop a means for low-cost aerial photography.

Solution: Balloon Photography

by Andrew Heafitz

[Editor’s note: Andrew Heafitz is a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For the past few summers, while a high
school student, he worked at the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES) in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. His interest in
photography and rocketry led to some creative approaches to solving problems faced by ecologists with whom he worked. Following are
excerpts from his summer 1987 report.}

In October 1985 I made my first
successful test flight of a Motor-driven
Aerial Photography System (MAPS). It
consisted of a high-speed camera that I
had invented, constructed almost totally
out of balsa wood, that was launched 91
meters (300 feet) into the air using a
model rocket. The camera could take 60
pictures in 6 seconds after it was turned
on at parachute deployment. The rocket
proved to be very fragile and unreliable
(the payload section was made out of a
cylindrical oatmeal box that would not
stay shut during landing) leading to light
leaks and ruined photographs).

I built a second rocket that was twice as
big and much more reliable, and that
could climb to 213 meters (700 feet)
before deploying the parachute. The
success rate for photographs increased,
and while pictures tended to be slightly
blurred some fine details were visible on
close inspection. Photographs could be
overlapped to form a mosaic covering a
large area of ground.

Dr. Jonathan Cole, an aquatic ecologist at
the Institute of Ecosystem Studies doing
research at Hubbard Brook, asked if I
could launch my rocket over Mirror Lake
to photograph the locations of some
equipment used in ecological studies of
the lake. It was important to know the
exact positions of certain experiments,
but land-based surveying tended to be
inaccurate due to shoreline irregularities,
and was also time consuming and
expensive. I said that I would work on
the problem, to which Dr. Cole replied,
“Don’t work on it, think about it.”

I had thought previously about a rocket
that was capable of landing in water but
was quite complex and therefore
unreliable - components light enough to
fly in a rocket are often not very strong.
Also, the balsa wood 35 mm camera did
not take high quality pictures. The
thought of sending up heavier, more
expensive camera equipment in an
unreliable rocket caused me to rethink
the problem.

By the next weekend, I had bought two
1.2 meter (4 foot) diameter weather
balloons and a radio control unit. These
balloons, filled with helium and on a

tether line, would lift a Nikon camera
with a 28 mm lens. By remote control I
could turn on a motor that would trigger
the camera. The balloon would then be
hauled down, the motor reset, the film
advanced, and the balloon sent back up
again. Test photographs were clear and
crisp: a piece of string could be seen
from 55 meters (180 feet) in the air.

Jon Cole, left, and Andrew Heafitz with balloon
photography apparatus.

A week later I had made some
modifications and added a motor drive,
and was ready to try out the contraption
on Mirror Lake. This time I used one 1.8
meter (6 foot) weather balloon and one
1.2 meter balloon which could act as a
parachute in case the larger balloon
failed. The resulting photographs were
too overexposed to be of any use, but it
was apparent that the system had
potential.

At the request of HBES scientist Dr. F.
Herbert Bormann of Yale University, my
next challenge was to take pictures of the
Sand Box Experiment, a long-term study
at Hubbard Brook that is examining
processes of vegetation and soil
development following the ice ages. On
this flight, I used only one 1.8 meter
balloon. The pictures came out very well,
showing the sand boxes and the
surrounding area.

The second trip to Mirror Lake was a big
success. Pictures were taken from
altitudes up to 365 meters (1200 feet), a
height limited only by the length of the
tether line. Results included several

excellent shots showing the entire lake
and resolving the markers that were
deployed on the lake beforehand. The
photographs also showed shallow sandy
areas in the lake, and possible sediment
or vegetation plumes.

Balloon photo of Mirror Lake: tether line is at
center right.

Balloon photography has a real
advantage over traditional aerial
photography in that it can get low
altitude photos in hilly terrain where an
aircraft cannot go. This, coupled with the
fact that balloon-based aerial photos are
considerably less expensive than those
taken from aircraft, makes the technique
especially well-suited to situations such
as that at Hubbard Brook.

)|c »|e )|c

Mirror Lake, in the Hubbard Brook
Experimental Forest, is the site of a
number of long-term studies by lES and
HBES scientists. Dr. Cole’s interest in
aerial photography arises from a project
on which he works with lES colleagues
Dr. Nina Caraco and Director Dr. Gene
E. Likens: the phosphorus budget of the
lake. Phosphorus is a nutrient that often
limits the productivity of freshwater
lakes, and at Mirror Lake it appears that
major sources of this nutrient are
particles falling from the atmosphere and
the adjacent forest - leaf fragments,
insects, etc. To measure the amount of
this input, the scientists moor “traps” --
floating pans filled with water to mimic
the lake’s surface - around the lake.
Correct evaluation of the data requires
that the precise locations of these traps
be recorded, and aerial photographs
were the best way in which accurate
maps could be made.

Library Improvement

Tools for today’s scientists often boggle
the mind with their capacity, complexity
and circuitry. Perhaps the most important
tool, however, has retained its status over
the years, changing only in its capabilities
and scope. This tool is the scientific library
... the “brain” of its host organization.
Easy access to reference materials and to
current scientific journals is critical to the
staff of a modern research and education
institute, and libraries need to be upgraded
regularly to ensure that they continue to
meet the needs of their users.

J|( 9|C 9|( )(C

The scientific library of the Institute of
Ecosystem Studies is located on the lower
level of the Plant Science Building. On the
shelves are more than 8,000 bound
volumes, 250 journal subscriptions and
numerous reference materials. The
reading area looks out on a fern-covered
stairway ... in spring, lady’s slippers
flower in the cool shadows. The
atmosphere here is conducive to
concentration and thought, and Institute
scientists and other staff as well as
members of the public search for scientific
references, catch up on current
publications or write papers of their own.

Thanks to a grant from the Mary Flagler

Cary Charitable Trust, the lES library will
be upgraded to provide even better service
to users. Recently lES Administrator
Joseph Warner and Librarian Annette
Frank announced this upgrade, and Ms.
Frank reports that the new funds will
extend library holdings, expand computer
facilities and implement a state-of-the-art
microfiche system.

To get a start on the improvement of the
library collections, Ms. Frank interviewed
each of the lES scientists to learn his or
her reference needs. Special emphasis will
be put on the acquisition of back issues of
current scientific journal subscriptions,
and subscriptions to additional journals
will be entered. Back issues of periodicals
will be bound, the best way to maintain
these valuable materials for reference.
New books will be ordered as well - while
the library already has a good collection of
books dealing with specific topics in
ecology and horticulture its peripheral
holdings in other areas of science need to
be expanded. The new funding will also
provide for a temporary staff person who
will assist with integrating the new
journals and books into existing
collections.

Easy accessibility to all lES library
materials will be enhanced by the
purchase of a more powerful computer.

Thanks for Your Help!

The September-October 1987 mailing of
the lES Newsletter included something
extra; a Newsletter Reader’s Survey.

What sorts of features do our readers like
most in the Newsletter, and what other
topics might be included? Which
Arboretum activities and programs are of
special interest? What are perceived as the
major benefits of Arboretum membership?

Over 1,000 questionnaires were sent, and,
as of December 31st, 196 had been
returned - close to 20%. This was an
excellent response ... not only in the actual
number of replies but also in the quality of
the information received. Ideas were often
new and interesting, and suggestions had
been thoughtfully considered.

Newsletter articles on current research,
education programs and local ecology and
natural history seemed to be the most
popular, and a majority of readers enjoyed
learning about current Arboretum
activities in the Calendar of Events. When
asked about the technical level of the
article, 85% of the readers felt they were
“just right”. Among the suggestions for
additional topics to be covered, a listing of
what is blooming in the Perennial Garden
earned the most votes; information on

local air quality, from the lES Weather
Station, was also requested. (These
features will be included in subsequent
issues of the Newsletter.)

The Perennial Garden topped the list of
readers’ interests at the Arboretum,
closely followed by nature trails, adult
education classes, the Greenhouse and the
Gift Shop. The Arboretum is especially
popular as a place to come for education
and learning, as an attraction where
members and friends bring out-of-the-area
visitors, and as a site for nature study.

Arboretum members accounted for 70%
of the responses. Reasons for membership
were diverse, but personal interest in the
environment was cited most often.
Members appreciate receiving
information on programs and activities,
like to read the Newsletter, and take
advantage of their membership discounts
on classes and in the Gift Shop.

We thank all those who took the time to fill
out and return the questionnaire, and
invite our readers to offer comments and
suggestions at any time. Write or call Jill
Cadwallader, Program Specialist/Public
Information at the Institute.

I-Far Lin, assistant librarian, created a
special data base to catalogue the recently-
acquired limnology collection. The
approximately 20,000 limnology entries
have completely filled the memory of the
existing computer, however, so a larger
system is required before Mr. Lin’s tailor-
made data base can be applied to the
cataloguing of other reprint collections,
the lES map collection and additional
library holdings.

Finally, since more and more scientific
journals are now available on microfiche, a
machine enabling scientists to read and
print articles of interest will save space
and time. Microfiche - index card-sized
photographic negatives showing
miniaturized pages from journals past and
present - are made available to journal
subscribers or may be requested through
inter-library loan services. The microfiche
reader/printer enlarges these images to
standard sizes, and, if required, can
provide a print-out for scientists’
permanent files.

Ms. Frank is already starting to
implement these goals. As they are met,
the lES library will become an even better
ecological reference facility, providing
scientists, educators and others with fast
and easy accessibility to the most
complete collections possible.

Each year The New York Botanical Garden
honors staff members at an Award and Recog-
nition Ceremony held at the Garden. At the
December 17th, 1987 ceremony, two from the
Institute of Ecosystem Studies received the Cer-
tificate of Achievement. Shown with Dr. fames
M. Hester (center), NYBG president, are: fean G.
Hubbell, research assistant working with Dr.
Gary Lovett to learn more about the effects of air
pollution on forests; and Stephen A. Bialousz,
supervising mechanic in charge of the Institute’s
Automotive Shop.

In addition, the following lES employees received
recognition for their years of service: 10-14 years:
Stephen Bialousz, James Boice, David Bulkeley,
Marvin Chadwell, Janice Claiborne, Marcia
Davis, Bonnie Fiero, Phyllis Haight, Allan
Kling, Jay McAninch, William Neivkirk, Roger
Powell, Owen Vose, Raymond Winchcombe ... 15-
19 years: Ralph Elliott, John Olson, Bradley
Roeller ...31 -34 years: Richard Livellara.

Library Invites
Public Use

The Institute of Ecosystem Studies has
two library collections. Public use is
welcome, as follows:

Resource Center (Gifford House)

This collection deals primarily with botany
and horticulture. Books from the separate
Circulating Collection may be borrowed by
members of the Mary Flagler Cary
Arboretum. The center is open to all for
reference work.

Weekday Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Evening Hours -- by appointment
(call 914-677-5358)

Weekend Hours -- check in with the Gift
Shop manager

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Scientific Library (Plant Science
Building)

This is a reference library featuring
ecological journals and books. As
materials are not available for loan, library
users may use the Institute’s photocopier
for a nominal fee. The library is open while
the librarian, Annette Frank, is on duty,
and prospective users are asked to call
ahead to make arrangements
(914-677-5343, ext. 311).

Weekday Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., as
above; closed weekends.

Visitor access permits are not required for
the use of either library. Both the
Resource Center and the Scientific
Library are closed on public holidays.

Winter/Spring Calendar

ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Institute of Ecosystem Studies is pleased to
announce its spring program in landscape design,
gardening, botany and ecology:

Spring Semester Classes
Landscape Design Theory
Construction I. Grading and Drainage
Landscape Design 11. Plan Development
Drawing for Plan Presentation
Insect Pests and Diseases of Plants
Plants for Landscaping: Woody Perennials
Spring Mushrooms
Frontiers in Ecology

Special Workshops

Mar. 5th: Plant Propagation and Management for
Ecological Landscaping
May 7th: Ecological Design and Landscape
Restoration

May 14th: Planting and Transplanting Trees and
Shrubs

May 25th: Airphoto Interpretation and Land Use:
An Introduction to Basic Techniques

For registration information, or to be put on the
mailing list for the Adult Education Program
catalogue, visit the Gifford House or call the
Education Program Office at the number below.

ECOLOGICAL EXCURSIONS

Join us for one or more of the following trips:

Mar. 10th: The New York Flower Show
May 18th: Archaeology and Implements
May 20th: Spirit of Northern Waters
June 9th: Garden in the Woods
June 11th: The Ecology of Tivoli Bay: An
Exploration by Canoe

Call the number below for information.

SUNDAY ECOLOGY PROGRAMS

Free public programs are offered on the first and
third Sunday of each month. All programs are from
one to two hours long, and begin at 2:00 pm at the
Gifford House unless otherwise noted.

Tentative schedule (please call (914) 677-5358 to
confirm the day’s topic):

Mar. 6th: Ecosystem Recovery on Mount St. Helens
(David Wood) - Talk

Mar. 20th: Visit to a Tropical Island (Mark Mattson)
-Talk

Apr. 17th: (Title to be announced)

May 1st: The Fish of a Small Woodland Stream
(David Strayer) - Walk

May 15th: How Plants Defend Themselves (Clive
Jones) - Walk

For ecology walks, dress for the weather conditions;
wear warm, waterproof boots. In case of inclement
weather, call (914) 677-5358 after 1 pm to learn the
status of the day’s program.

Ecology talks are slide presentations or
demonstrations held indoors at the Gifford House.

GREENHOUSE

The lES Greenhouse performs double-duty: it is a
year-round tropical-plant paradise as well as a site
for controlled environmental research. The public is
invited to explore both aspects during Arboretum
hours. There is no admission fee, but visitors should
first stop at the Gifford House for a free permit.

SCIENTIFIC SEMINARS

The Institute’s weekly program of scientific
seminars features presentations by visiting scientists
or Institute staff. All seminars take place in the Plant
Science Building on Fridays at 3:30 p.m. Admission
is free. For a schedule, contact Julie Morgan at
(914) 677-5343.

ARBORETUM HOURS

Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday,
1 - 4 p.m. The Gift and Plant Shops are open
Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.;

Sunday 1 - 4 p.m. Closed on public holidays. (Also
closed during the deer hunting season and when the
internal roads are snow covered.) All visitors must
obtain a free permit at the Gifford House for access
to the Arboretum.

MEMBERSHIP

Take out a membership in the Mary Flagler Cary
Arboretum. Benefits include a special member’s rate
for lES courses and excursions, a 10% discount on
purchases from the Gift Shop, six issues of the lES
Newsletter each year, free subscription to Garden
(the beautifully illustrated magazine for the enter-
prising and inquisitive gardener), and parking
privileges and free admission to the Enid A. Haupt
Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden in
the Bronx. Individual membership is $25; family
membership is $35. For information on member-
ships, contact Janice Claiborne at (914) 677-5343.

For more information, call (914) 677-5358 weekdays from 8:30-4:30.

INSTITUTE OF
ECOSYSTEM STUDIES
The New York Botanical Garden
Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum
Box AB, Millbrook, New York 12545

Newsletter

Volume 5, Number 1
January - February 1988

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