By Jessie Lozanski, PERC Intern
This article is a highlight of some of Ottawa’s species that you might see during Fall. Use this as inspiration to explore the natural spaces in our city!
Fungi:
Although all seasons are technically fungi season, a large majority of mushrooms start emerging in fall as a result of the cool damp weather. Mushrooms are a type of fungi that are actually the reproductive parts of a much larger organism called hyphae that lies below the ground (or bark). When conditions are right, the hyphae will develop the mature structures of mushrooms that then produce spores for reproduction. Fungi interestingly are neither plant nor animal and are actually much more closely related to animals than plants, sharing almost 50% of their DNA with humans!
Pholiota, South March Highlands, Photo by Jessie Lozanski
Fungi are an integral part to our forests, most notably decomposing the dead trees and plant matter you find on the forest floor. The role of fungi goes beyond decomposition though with recent research discovering networks of hyphae called mycelium that act as nutrient and signalling pathways between plants. Mushrooms are also food for hundreds of organisms and have an intertwined history with humans dating back to the paleolithic Iceman “Otzi” who was found carrying birch polypore mushrooms.
Artomyces pyxidatus, South March Highlands, Photo by Jessie Lozanski
Some of our fall mushroom species in Ottawa include Chanterelles, Puffballs, Chicken of the Woods and Shaggy Mane. Go explore your local woods and fields and have fun getting to know Ottawa’s mushrooms. (Foraging should be done with extreme caution and only with experienced foragers, but looking and taking pictures can be done by anyone. Remember – there are old mushroom pickers and there are bold mushroom pickers, but there are no old, bold mushroom pickers.)
Flammulina, South March Highlands, Photo by Jessie Lozanski
Beechdrops:
Beechdrops are a parasitic organism that you might find surrounding an American Beech tree during fall in your local forest. Although often grouped with mushrooms, this and similar species like Ghost Pipe flowers are actually plants that lack chlorophyll and rely on host trees for food, while supporting the tree with other nutrients. Unlike most plants, Beechdrops do not photosynthesize and instead rely on using root-like structures to penetrate the roots of American Beeches and live off their nutrient supply. Thankfully Beechdrops are a short-lived plant so it does no damage to the tree! While walking along in the woods you might recognize Beechdrops by its pale cream and maroon colours erupting like twigs amongst the leaf litter.
Epifagus virginiana, South March Highlands, Photo by Jessie Lozanski
Turkeys:
Although a common sight in Ottawa, turkeys have not always been so prevalent. During the 1800s one of our largest native bird species was nearly hunted to extinction by European colonizers. Some foresaw the fate of the turkey following the doomed trajectory of the Dodo. Before the arrival of colonizers, turkey populations were said to be in the millions across North America but by the 1930s their populations had dropped to around 30,000. Thanks to concerted conservation efforts and landscape changes like abandoned farms giving way to grassy fields, turkeys rebounded and became one of North America’s greatest conservation successes. In fall as the crops are harvested turkeys will start scouring the fields for the remaining missed or spilled harvest so keep an eye out in your local farmer’s fields.
Meleagris gallopavo, Stony Swamp, Photo by Jessie Lozanski
Maple Trees:
Maple trees like Sugar Maple and Red Maple in Ottawa are some of the first trees to change colour in fall. In preparation for winter, trees stop producing chlorophyll for photosynthesis so other coloured molecules show through like carotenoids and xanthophylls. The red in maples is primarily caused by anthocyanin, a pigment molecule that acts as a sunscreen for the leaves and gathers up all remaining nutrients before winter comes. The best fall conditions for saturated red leaves are when there are crisp, cold nights and sunny days which causes anthocyanin production to ramp up.
Algonquin Park, Photo by Jessie Lozanski
Are you getting out and enjoying the Fall weather and spotting some wildlife? We’d be delighted if you told us about your favourite wild spots in the City or shared your local mushroom, tree, and wildlife finds with us in the comments or on our Facebook page!
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