I am a biologist when I tell people that I’m a biologist many assume that I do
I’m a biologist many assume that I do
I’m a biologist many assume that I do experiments with mice and then I’m
experiments with mice and then I’m
experiments with mice and then I’m trying to find a cure for cancer or some
trying to find a cure for cancer or some
trying to find a cure for cancer or some other human disease now when I tell
other human disease now when I tell
other human disease now when I tell people that I’m a plant biologist they
people that I’m a plant biologist they
people that I’m a plant biologist they kind of look at me funny and say
kind of look at me funny and say
kind of look at me funny and say especially around here they say why
especially around here they say why
especially around here they say why plants when you really should be working
plants when you really should be working
plants when you really should be working on curing some human disease and so
on curing some human disease and so
on curing some human disease and so today I’m gonna talk about why I think
today I’m gonna talk about why I think
today I’m gonna talk about why I think studying plants and in my case studying
studying plants and in my case studying
studying plants and in my case studying the butterfly wheat plant is indeed a
the butterfly wheat plant is indeed a
the butterfly wheat plant is indeed a valuable and worthy endeavor it’s
valuable and worthy endeavor it’s
valuable and worthy endeavor it’s something that we can all learn from in
something that we can all learn from in
something that we can all learn from in particular I want to talk about the
particular I want to talk about the
particular I want to talk about the interconnectedness of all organisms okay
interconnectedness of all organisms okay
interconnectedness of all organisms okay and even though I study one plant I’m
and even though I study one plant I’m
and even though I study one plant I’m gonna talk about the connections the
gonna talk about the connections the
gonna talk about the connections the really interesting and somewhat
really interesting and somewhat
really interesting and somewhat unexpected connections that all living
unexpected connections that all living
unexpected connections that all living organisms have with one another in the
organisms have with one another in the
organisms have with one another in the case with butterfly weed I want to talk
case with butterfly weed I want to talk
case with butterfly weed I want to talk about the connections well obviously as
about the connections well obviously as
about the connections well obviously as the name implies with butterflies but
the name implies with butterflies but
the name implies with butterflies but also perhaps with organisms like deer
also perhaps with organisms like deer
also perhaps with organisms like deer and of course even us right so how did I
and of course even us right so how did I
and of course even us right so how did I get into this right right it’s not as if
get into this right right it’s not as if
get into this right right it’s not as if I grew up on a farm or anything like
I grew up on a farm or anything like
I grew up on a farm or anything like that I actually grew up in New York City
that I actually grew up in New York City
that I actually grew up in New York City right and in Queens in fact and so we
right and in Queens in fact and so we
right and in Queens in fact and so we had some house plants in our seventh
had some house plants in our seventh
had some house plants in our seventh floor apartment and and there was of
floor apartment and and there was of
floor apartment and and there was of course salad right but that’s where my
course salad right but that’s where my
course salad right but that’s where my mind was in terms of plant so it wasn’t
mind was in terms of plant so it wasn’t
mind was in terms of plant so it wasn’t really until I got to college right but
really until I got to college right but
really until I got to college right but I went to a college in a pre rural area
I went to a college in a pre rural area
I went to a college in a pre rural area and I was like wow it’s beautiful around
and I was like wow it’s beautiful around
and I was like wow it’s beautiful around here is green and lush kind of like this
here is green and lush kind of like this
here is green and lush kind of like this campus and I thought wow what are these
campus and I thought wow what are these
campus and I thought wow what are these organisms right and so I actually took
organisms right and so I actually took
organisms right and so I actually took some classes in plant biology and that’s
some classes in plant biology and that’s
some classes in plant biology and that’s when my mind was really open to the one
when my mind was really open to the one
when my mind was really open to the one these groups of organisms that it really
these groups of organisms that it really
these groups of organisms that it really hadn’t really thought about and I
hadn’t really thought about and I
hadn’t really thought about and I learned that wow these organisms they’re
learned that wow these organisms they’re
learned that wow these organisms they’re so similar on that fundamental
so similar on that fundamental
so similar on that fundamental level two all organisms like animals
level two all organisms like animals
level two all organisms like animals gets so different and so that’s where I
gets so different and so that’s where I
gets so different and so that’s where I realize this is what I wanted to spend
realize this is what I wanted to spend
realize this is what I wanted to spend my life doing that’s what I found my
my life doing that’s what I found my
my life doing that’s what I found my passion hopefully you’ll be able to find
passion hopefully you’ll be able to find
passion hopefully you’ll be able to find your passion in whatever and in whatever
your passion in whatever and in whatever
your passion in whatever and in whatever you find and so I got my degree in
you find and so I got my degree in
you find and so I got my degree in biology and but I wasn’t done and so I
biology and but I wasn’t done and so I
biology and but I wasn’t done and so I went on and I went on to graduate school
went on and I went on to graduate school
went on and I went on to graduate school got my PhD in plant biology studying
got my PhD in plant biology studying
got my PhD in plant biology studying pollination in the canola plant
pollination in the canola plant
pollination in the canola plant interestingly enough but what does this
interestingly enough but what does this
interestingly enough but what does this have to do with butterfly weed
have to do with butterfly weed
have to do with butterfly weed well the butterfly week project didn’t
well the butterfly week project didn’t
well the butterfly week project didn’t start until I actually got up here and
start until I actually got up here and
start until I actually got up here and became a professor at Iona College I was
became a professor at Iona College I was
became a professor at Iona College I was taking my botany class on a field trip
taking my botany class on a field trip
taking my botany class on a field trip to a place called marshland Conservancy
to a place called marshland Conservancy
to a place called marshland Conservancy in Rye New York and I actually started
in Rye New York and I actually started
in Rye New York and I actually started just a serendipitous conversation with a
just a serendipitous conversation with a
just a serendipitous conversation with a curator there the then curator there
curator there the then curator there
curator there the then curator there Allison balance she mentioned that there
Allison balance she mentioned that there
Allison balance she mentioned that there was this plant called butterfly weed
was this plant called butterfly weed
was this plant called butterfly weed that was growing in their managed meadow
that was growing in their managed meadow
that was growing in their managed meadow there and that wow this is a really
there and that wow this is a really
there and that wow this is a really interesting plant because she hadn’t
interesting plant because she hadn’t
interesting plant because she hadn’t really seen this plant elsewhere and so
really seen this plant elsewhere and so
really seen this plant elsewhere and so I thought okay I’ll kind of take a look
I thought okay I’ll kind of take a look
I thought okay I’ll kind of take a look into it and I realized wow this is a
into it and I realized wow this is a
into it and I realized wow this is a really interesting plant and something
really interesting plant and something
really interesting plant and something that I could really get my teeth into
that I could really get my teeth into
that I could really get my teeth into and really study and so what is this
and really study and so what is this
and really study and so what is this plant
plant
plant well you can see there’s two pictures of
well you can see there’s two pictures of
well you can see there’s two pictures of the plant okay right there and you can
the plant okay right there and you can
the plant okay right there and you can see number one the beautiful orange
see number one the beautiful orange
see number one the beautiful orange flowers associated with a plant right
flowers associated with a plant right
flowers associated with a plant right and so in fact you can actually buy this
and so in fact you can actually buy this
and so in fact you can actually buy this plant right in garden stores and you can
plant right in garden stores and you can
plant right in garden stores and you can plant them and so you can use them in
plant them and so you can use them in
plant them and so you can use them in your own gardens right now this plant
your own gardens right now this plant
your own gardens right now this plant belongs to the milkweed family and Kane
belongs to the milkweed family and Kane
belongs to the milkweed family and Kane will talk about milkweed sin a little
will talk about milkweed sin a little
will talk about milkweed sin a little bit and they grow up to about height
bit and they grow up to about height
bit and they grow up to about height about two or three feet they’re
about two or three feet they’re
about two or three feet they’re perennials
perennials
perennials right and so they’re really beautiful no
right and so they’re really beautiful no
right and so they’re really beautiful no it’s the connection to butterflies
it’s the connection to butterflies
it’s the connection to butterflies obviously when these are called
obviously when these are called
obviously when these are called butterfly weed obviously it doesn’t look
butterfly weed obviously it doesn’t look
butterfly weed obviously it doesn’t look like much of a weed at all they’re
like much of a weed at all they’re
like much of a weed at all they’re actually quite lovely
actually quite lovely
actually quite lovely right but the connection to the
right but the connection to the
right but the connection to the butterflies though butterflies obviously
butterflies though butterflies obviously
butterflies though butterflies obviously they pollinate the plant so the plant
they pollinate the plant so the plant
they pollinate the plant so the plant gets something out of it but the
gets something out of it but the
gets something out of it but the butterflies including that especially
butterflies including that especially
butterflies including that especially that of the monarch butterfly they lay
that of the monarch butterfly they lay
that of the monarch butterfly they lay their eggs on the underside of the lease
their eggs on the underside of the lease
their eggs on the underside of the lease and when the eggs hatch the larvae
and when the eggs hatch the larvae
and when the eggs hatch the larvae actually
actually
actually use the leaves as a food source they eat
use the leaves as a food source they eat
use the leaves as a food source they eat the leaves okay and so they can utilize
the leaves okay and so they can utilize
the leaves okay and so they can utilize the leaves for food but there’s more to
the leaves for food but there’s more to
the leaves for food but there’s more to it than that okay in fact the leaves
it than that okay in fact the leaves
it than that okay in fact the leaves right the planet forms these chemicals
right the planet forms these chemicals
right the planet forms these chemicals and the chemicals are actually usually
and the chemicals are actually usually
and the chemicals are actually usually toxic to most animals but instead for
toxic to most animals but instead for
toxic to most animals but instead for the butterflies those toxins get
the butterflies those toxins get
the butterflies those toxins get incorporated into their own bodies and
incorporated into their own bodies and
incorporated into their own bodies and they use those toxins as a way to defend
they use those toxins as a way to defend
they use those toxins as a way to defend themselves against other predators and
themselves against other predators and
themselves against other predators and so this really interesting connection
so this really interesting connection
so this really interesting connection between that of the butterfly weed and
between that of the butterfly weed and
between that of the butterfly weed and that of the butterflies now butterflies
that of the butterflies now butterflies
that of the butterflies now butterflies aren’t the only plant animals that
aren’t the only plant animals that
aren’t the only plant animals that pollinate there’s actually bees that
pollinate there’s actually bees that
pollinate there’s actually bees that pollinate there’s flies beetles also
pollinate there’s flies beetles also
pollinate there’s flies beetles also pollinate this particular plant so
pollinate this particular plant so
pollinate this particular plant so there’s a lot of thing a lot of
there’s a lot of thing a lot of
there’s a lot of thing a lot of organisms that this butterfly weed this
organisms that this butterfly weed this
organisms that this butterfly weed this plant is associated with okay so what
plant is associated with okay so what
plant is associated with okay so what else right and why did I get into this
else right and why did I get into this
else right and why did I get into this product well the reason why I first
product well the reason why I first
product well the reason why I first started getting into this project was
started getting into this project was
started getting into this project was because when I loved actually turns out
because when I loved actually turns out
because when I loved actually turns out that this plant is actually disappearing
that this plant is actually disappearing
that this plant is actually disappearing in the Northeast United States
in the Northeast United States
in the Northeast United States this plant normally grows right in the
this plant normally grows right in the
this plant normally grows right in the kamut in most of the contiguous United
kamut in most of the contiguous United
kamut in most of the contiguous United States from east of the Rocky Mountains
States from east of the Rocky Mountains
States from east of the Rocky Mountains but they’re disappearing the Northeast
but they’re disappearing the Northeast
but they’re disappearing the Northeast in the 1950s right there was a scientist
in the 1950s right there was a scientist
in the 1950s right there was a scientist named Wyatt and he actually separated
named Wyatt and he actually separated
named Wyatt and he actually separated out the species into three different
out the species into three different
out the species into three different subspecies there was a subspecies on the
subspecies there was a subspecies on the
subspecies there was a subspecies on the east coast there was a subspecies in the
east coast there was a subspecies in the
east coast there was a subspecies in the southeast and there was a sub C’s
southeast and there was a sub C’s
southeast and there was a sub C’s subspecies the dominant form in the
subspecies the dominant form in the
subspecies the dominant form in the interior of the United States and so I
interior of the United States and so I
interior of the United States and so I was kind of curious wow if this plan is
was kind of curious wow if this plan is
was kind of curious wow if this plan is disappearing in the Northeast well how
disappearing in the Northeast well how
disappearing in the Northeast well how do we then can we introduce this plant
do we then can we introduce this plant
do we then can we introduce this plant back to where it normally was in the
back to where it normally was in the
back to where it normally was in the Northeast and in fact it’s actually
Northeast and in fact it’s actually
Northeast and in fact it’s actually protected plant in five states including
protected plant in five states including
protected plant in five states including that of New York States so it’s actually
that of New York States so it’s actually
that of New York States so it’s actually disappearing in New York State so if
disappearing in New York State so if
disappearing in New York State so if we’re trying to reintroduce this plant
we’re trying to reintroduce this plant
we’re trying to reintroduce this plant what can we do should we preserve try to
what can we do should we preserve try to
what can we do should we preserve try to preserve what’s already here to
preserve what’s already here to
preserve what’s already here to reintroduce the plant back into the
reintroduce the plant back into the
reintroduce the plant back into the Northeast or can we just go ahead and
Northeast or can we just go ahead and
Northeast or can we just go ahead and plant any butterfly weed from anywhere
plant any butterfly weed from anywhere
plant any butterfly weed from anywhere whether it be from the southeast or the
whether it be from the southeast or the
whether it be from the southeast or the Midwest and then just go ahead and
Midwest and then just go ahead and
Midwest and then just go ahead and reduce
reduce
reduce and so what was I looking at well are
and so what was I looking at well are
and so what was I looking at well are these plants genetically distinct from
these plants genetically distinct from
these plants genetically distinct from another are there really three
another are there really three
another are there really three subspecies associated with this species
subspecies associated with this species
subspecies associated with this species so why it actually determine those
so why it actually determine those
so why it actually determine those subspecies based on just leaf shape and
subspecies based on just leaf shape and
subspecies based on just leaf shape and I thought well maybe there needs to be
I thought well maybe there needs to be
I thought well maybe there needs to be something more so I actually take a look
something more so I actually take a look
something more so I actually take a look at the genetics of this plant okay so I
at the genetics of this plant okay so I
at the genetics of this plant okay so I took some samples right from a number of
took some samples right from a number of
took some samples right from a number of populations but these are the six that I
populations but these are the six that I
populations but these are the six that I started off with from throughout the
started off with from throughout the
started off with from throughout the United States and I took a look at their
United States and I took a look at their
United States and I took a look at their DNA okay and so when I did I actually
DNA okay and so when I did I actually
DNA okay and so when I did I actually found that yes plants that are growing
found that yes plants that are growing
found that yes plants that are growing say in Tennessee right those plants are
say in Tennessee right those plants are
say in Tennessee right those plants are more genetically related to each other
more genetically related to each other
more genetically related to each other than in say compared to a plant in New
than in say compared to a plant in New
than in say compared to a plant in New York okay and so that makes sense
York okay and so that makes sense
York okay and so that makes sense however and this is preliminary data
however and this is preliminary data
however and this is preliminary data however every once in a while will come
however every once in a while will come
however every once in a while will come upon a plant say in Tennessee that was
upon a plant say in Tennessee that was
upon a plant say in Tennessee that was more genetically similar to a plant in
more genetically similar to a plant in
more genetically similar to a plant in New York then to other plants in
New York then to other plants in
New York then to other plants in Tennessee in other words two plants that
Tennessee in other words two plants that
Tennessee in other words two plants that are hundreds of miles apart that are
are hundreds of miles apart that are
are hundreds of miles apart that are more related to each other more
more related to each other more
more related to each other more genetically similar to a plant that was
genetically similar to a plant that was
genetically similar to a plant that was say 20 feet from that particular plant
say 20 feet from that particular plant
say 20 feet from that particular plant so what’s going on how is that possible
so what’s going on how is that possible
so what’s going on how is that possible that you can have such genetic
that you can have such genetic
that you can have such genetic similarity to plants that are so far
similarity to plants that are so far
similarity to plants that are so far apart right as compared to plants
apart right as compared to plants
apart right as compared to plants they’re nearby well well think about it
they’re nearby well well think about it
they’re nearby well well think about it right so if you know anything about some
right so if you know anything about some
right so if you know anything about some of these pollinators of the butterfly
of these pollinators of the butterfly
of these pollinators of the butterfly weed like the monarch butterfly the
weed like the monarch butterfly the
weed like the monarch butterfly the monarch butterfly has huge migration
monarch butterfly has huge migration
monarch butterfly has huge migration migratory ranges in fact the month with
migratory ranges in fact the month with
migratory ranges in fact the month with the migration of the monarch Monarchs go
the migration of the monarch Monarchs go
the migration of the monarch Monarchs go from all the way to Canada all the way
from all the way to Canada all the way
from all the way to Canada all the way down to Mexico and back again okay and
down to Mexico and back again okay and
down to Mexico and back again okay and so my research is saying hey wow these
so my research is saying hey wow these
so my research is saying hey wow these monarchs may be carrying pollen for
monarchs may be carrying pollen for
monarchs may be carrying pollen for hundreds of miles so that they’ll be
hundreds of miles so that they’ll be
hundreds of miles so that they’ll be picking a pollen stay in Tennessee and
picking a pollen stay in Tennessee and
picking a pollen stay in Tennessee and then carrying it all the way to New York
then carrying it all the way to New York
then carrying it all the way to New York and allowing for reproduction and
and allowing for reproduction and
and allowing for reproduction and pollination in New York so that we can
pollination in New York so that we can
pollination in New York so that we can get this really intermixing of genetic
get this really intermixing of genetic
get this really intermixing of genetic material throughout the entire
material throughout the entire
material throughout the entire country and so this connection is really
country and so this connection is really
country and so this connection is really really important and so the butterflies
really important and so the butterflies
really important and so the butterflies utilize the butterfly weed as a food
utilize the butterfly weed as a food
utilize the butterfly weed as a food source but the butterfly weed is also
source but the butterfly weed is also
source but the butterfly weed is also meaning the butterflies to not only help
meaning the butterflies to not only help
meaning the butterflies to not only help pollinate within only a certain area but
pollinate within only a certain area but
pollinate within only a certain area but over hundreds of miles these connections
over hundreds of miles these connections
over hundreds of miles these connections are really important right and so
are really important right and so
are really important right and so butterflies themselves are considered to
butterflies themselves are considered to
butterflies themselves are considered to be really important organisms they’re
be really important organisms they’re
be really important organisms they’re considered to be indicator species in
considered to be indicator species in
considered to be indicator species in other words what happens to the one is
other words what happens to the one is
other words what happens to the one is an indication of what’s going to happen
an indication of what’s going to happen
an indication of what’s going to happen to others in the same ecosystem so
to others in the same ecosystem so
to others in the same ecosystem so they’re very important and what else do
they’re very important and what else do
they’re very important and what else do we know about these butterflies
we know about these butterflies
we know about these butterflies including that of the monarch butterfly
including that of the monarch butterfly
including that of the monarch butterfly is that they too are actually
is that they too are actually
is that they too are actually disappearing they’re actually getting
disappearing they’re actually getting
disappearing they’re actually getting lower and lower numbers and people are
lower and lower numbers and people are
lower and lower numbers and people are starting to really worry about that and
starting to really worry about that and
starting to really worry about that and so in fact there are some studies
so in fact there are some studies
so in fact there are some studies predictions that a number of butterfly
predictions that a number of butterfly
predictions that a number of butterfly species are going to go extinct in the
species are going to go extinct in the
species are going to go extinct in the next couple of decades so why are they
next couple of decades so why are they
next couple of decades so why are they disappearing also so there’s a number of
disappearing also so there’s a number of
disappearing also so there’s a number of hypotheses one of these hypotheses is
hypotheses one of these hypotheses is
hypotheses one of these hypotheses is that it’s climate change climate change
that it’s climate change climate change
that it’s climate change climate change is actually causing the demise of so
is actually causing the demise of so
is actually causing the demise of so many these butterflies that climate
many these butterflies that climate
many these butterflies that climate change the butterflies can’t take these
change the butterflies can’t take these
change the butterflies can’t take these extremes in weather conditions and so
extremes in weather conditions and so
extremes in weather conditions and so they’re the poor they’re dying off
they’re the poor they’re dying off
they’re the poor they’re dying off another hypotheses that is somewhat
another hypotheses that is somewhat
another hypotheses that is somewhat related to climate change is well their
related to climate change is well their
related to climate change is well their food supply the milkweeds of which
food supply the milkweeds of which
food supply the milkweeds of which butterfly weed is one of the milkweeds
butterfly weed is one of the milkweeds
butterfly weed is one of the milkweeds is disappearing isn’t that what we’re
is disappearing isn’t that what we’re
is disappearing isn’t that what we’re talking about here the butterfly would
talking about here the butterfly would
talking about here the butterfly would is disappearing if the food supply
is disappearing if the food supply
is disappearing if the food supply disappears then what’s going to happen
disappears then what’s going to happen
disappears then what’s going to happen to the butterflies they’re gonna go to
to the butterflies they’re gonna go to
to the butterflies they’re gonna go to so there’s another connection there
so there’s another connection there
so there’s another connection there right so talk about that very important
right so talk about that very important
right so talk about that very important relationship that butterfly weed and
relationship that butterfly weed and
relationship that butterfly weed and other milkweeds have with that of the
other milkweeds have with that of the
other milkweeds have with that of the butterflies and so what’s going on with
butterflies and so what’s going on with
butterflies and so what’s going on with the butterfly weed right that’s what I’m
the butterfly weed right that’s what I’m
the butterfly weed right that’s what I’m interested in so there are a number of
interested in so there are a number of
interested in so there are a number of hypotheses in terms of the butterfly
hypotheses in terms of the butterfly
hypotheses in terms of the butterfly weed number one it they too are being
weed number one it they too are being
weed number one it they too are being affected by climate change okay
affected by climate change okay
affected by climate change okay and I haven’t know their hypothesis that
and I haven’t know their hypothesis that
and I haven’t know their hypothesis that is much a little more local okay so like
is much a little more local okay so like
is much a little more local okay so like I said I’ve been studying the butterfly
I said I’ve been studying the butterfly
I said I’ve been studying the butterfly weed in this particular matter at marsh
weed in this particular matter at marsh
weed in this particular matter at marsh lands Conservancy
lands Conservancy
lands Conservancy okay so on the left is just a picture of
okay so on the left is just a picture of
okay so on the left is just a picture of Westchester County you’re all probably
Westchester County you’re all probably
Westchester County you’re all probably all familiar with it okay it’s north of
all familiar with it okay it’s north of
all familiar with it okay it’s north of New York City you can see the Hudson
New York City you can see the Hudson
New York City you can see the Hudson River on the west and then you have Long
River on the west and then you have Long
River on the west and then you have Long Island Sound in the stars where rhyme
Island Sound in the stars where rhyme
Island Sound in the stars where rhyme for I New York is okay on the right it’s
for I New York is okay on the right it’s
for I New York is okay on the right it’s actually a Google Earth Map of marshland
actually a Google Earth Map of marshland
actually a Google Earth Map of marshland Conservancy marcin’s Conservancy being
Conservancy marcin’s Conservancy being
Conservancy marcin’s Conservancy being right here you can see it’s surrounded
right here you can see it’s surrounded
right here you can see it’s surrounded by a bunch of residential areas okay
by a bunch of residential areas okay
by a bunch of residential areas okay there’s rye Golf Course right there okay
there’s rye Golf Course right there okay
there’s rye Golf Course right there okay and so most of marshland Conservancy is
and so most of marshland Conservancy is
and so most of marshland Conservancy is quite wooded in other words it’s mostly
quite wooded in other words it’s mostly
quite wooded in other words it’s mostly forest we can see this rectangular area
forest we can see this rectangular area
forest we can see this rectangular area there that’s actually a mowed portion of
there that’s actually a mowed portion of
there that’s actually a mowed portion of the Conservancy where they actually keep
the Conservancy where they actually keep
the Conservancy where they actually keep and manage a meadow and that’s where the
and manage a meadow and that’s where the
and manage a meadow and that’s where the butterfly lead is okay so I’ve been
butterfly lead is okay so I’ve been
butterfly lead is okay so I’ve been keeping track of the butterfly weed in
keeping track of the butterfly weed in
keeping track of the butterfly weed in this particular meadow and this is what
this particular meadow and this is what
this particular meadow and this is what I found
I found
I found and so I’ve been doing this over a
and so I’ve been doing this over a
and so I’ve been doing this over a number of years right and so every
number of years right and so every
number of years right and so every single dot and so this is just the top
single dot and so this is just the top
single dot and so this is just the top third of the meadow every single little
third of the meadow every single little
third of the meadow every single little dot represents a particular butterfly
dot represents a particular butterfly
dot represents a particular butterfly wheat that I identified so you can see
wheat that I identified so you can see
wheat that I identified so you can see in 2003 there’s a bunch of butterfly
in 2003 there’s a bunch of butterfly
in 2003 there’s a bunch of butterfly weed 2004 bunch of butterfly wheat 2005
weed 2004 bunch of butterfly wheat 2005
weed 2004 bunch of butterfly wheat 2005 a bunch of butterfly wheat but then
a bunch of butterfly wheat but then
a bunch of butterfly wheat but then there’s this huge drop in butterfly lead
there’s this huge drop in butterfly lead
there’s this huge drop in butterfly lead between 2005 and 2008 in fact over a
between 2005 and 2008 in fact over a
between 2005 and 2008 in fact over a thousand in 2005 to just about a hundred
thousand in 2005 to just about a hundred
thousand in 2005 to just about a hundred in 2008 90% gone it’s even getting worse
in 2008 90% gone it’s even getting worse
in 2008 90% gone it’s even getting worse in 2014 so what’s going on what’s going
in 2014 so what’s going on what’s going
in 2014 so what’s going on what’s going on in terms of why the butterfly weed in
on in terms of why the butterfly weed in
on in terms of why the butterfly weed in this particular meadow anyway is
this particular meadow anyway is
this particular meadow anyway is disappearing well when I actually take a
disappearing well when I actually take a
disappearing well when I actually take a look this is what I see so on the left
look this is what I see so on the left
look this is what I see so on the left you can see beautiful butterfly weed
you can see beautiful butterfly weed
you can see beautiful butterfly weed plant in full flower at its best on the
plant in full flower at its best on the
plant in full flower at its best on the right however this is what I would see a
right however this is what I would see a
right however this is what I would see a lot in 2080 from 2014 you can see the
lot in 2080 from 2014 you can see the
lot in 2080 from 2014 you can see the butterfly weed is there but the tops
butterfly weed is there but the tops
butterfly weed is there but the tops have been completely cut off
have been completely cut off
have been completely cut off now the other plants around that
now the other plants around that
now the other plants around that butterfly weeders are fine it’s not as
butterfly weeders are fine it’s not as
butterfly weeders are fine it’s not as they have been completely cut off as
they have been completely cut off as
they have been completely cut off as well as just the butterfly weed in which
well as just the butterfly weed in which
well as just the butterfly weed in which the tops have been cut off and so my
the tops have been cut off and so my
the tops have been cut off and so my hypothesis is that something’s been
hypothesis is that something’s been
hypothesis is that something’s been eating these guys right something tall
eating these guys right something tall
eating these guys right something tall enough is just gonna go ahead and reach
enough is just gonna go ahead and reach
enough is just gonna go ahead and reach in and just go
in and just go
in and just go eat the tops of these plants so what is
eat the tops of these plants so what is
eat the tops of these plants so what is eating these plants right what organism
eating these plants right what organism
eating these plants right what organism is eating this plants well there’s only
is eating this plants well there’s only
is eating this plants well there’s only one herbivore that’s tall enough and
one herbivore that’s tall enough and
one herbivore that’s tall enough and that’s an abundance right in at
that’s an abundance right in at
that’s an abundance right in at marshlands that are eating these plants
marshlands that are eating these plants
marshlands that are eating these plants and my hypothesis is that it’s deer all
and my hypothesis is that it’s deer all
and my hypothesis is that it’s deer all right now
right now
right now deer it’s been known have been
deer it’s been known have been
deer it’s been known have been increasing in population over a number
increasing in population over a number
increasing in population over a number of years in Westchester County and so
of years in Westchester County and so
of years in Westchester County and so here’s another connection connection
here’s another connection connection
here’s another connection connection between deer and butterfly we D are
between deer and butterfly we D are
between deer and butterfly we D are eating the butterfly weed no butterfly
eating the butterfly weed no butterfly
eating the butterfly weed no butterfly weed what’s going to happen to the
weed what’s going to happen to the
weed what’s going to happen to the butterflies no butterflies and so now
butterflies no butterflies and so now
butterflies no butterflies and so now we’re connecting deer to butterflies
we’re connecting deer to butterflies
we’re connecting deer to butterflies connections that you never would have
connections that you never would have
connections that you never would have really thought about right unless you
really thought about right unless you
really thought about right unless you actually really looked into it and
actually really looked into it and
actually really looked into it and studied it right but I’m not done yet
studied it right but I’m not done yet
studied it right but I’m not done yet because what’s causing the
because what’s causing the
because what’s causing the overpopulation of the deer who’s
overpopulation of the deer who’s
overpopulation of the deer who’s responsible for allowing for the natural
responsible for allowing for the natural
responsible for allowing for the natural predators of the deer to no longer exist
predators of the deer to no longer exist
predators of the deer to no longer exist in this area in Westchester County well
in this area in Westchester County well
in this area in Westchester County well who we yeah we are aren’t we aren’t we
who we yeah we are aren’t we aren’t we
who we yeah we are aren’t we aren’t we responsible for this overpopulation of
responsible for this overpopulation of
responsible for this overpopulation of deer and now because we have an
deer and now because we have an
deer and now because we have an overpopulation they’re starting to eat
overpopulation they’re starting to eat
overpopulation they’re starting to eat the butterfly weed no butterfly weed no
the butterfly weed no butterfly weed no
the butterfly weed no butterfly weed no butterflies and so now we have a
butterflies and so now we have a
butterflies and so now we have a connection we have a connection again
connection we have a connection again
connection we have a connection again from us to butterflies right so there’s
from us to butterflies right so there’s
from us to butterflies right so there’s something that perhaps we can learn from
something that perhaps we can learn from
something that perhaps we can learn from starting just the one plant the
starting just the one plant the
starting just the one plant the connections that we have one final plot
connections that we have one final plot
connections that we have one final plot now obviously the study that I studies
now obviously the study that I studies
now obviously the study that I studies that I just talked about right won’t
that I just talked about right won’t
that I just talked about right won’t cure some human disease but it actually
cure some human disease but it actually
cure some human disease but it actually turns out right those chemicals I talked
turns out right those chemicals I talked
turns out right those chemicals I talked about those toxins
about those toxins
about those toxins well those chemicals right may actually
well those chemicals right may actually
well those chemicals right may actually have medicinal value because in colonial
have medicinal value because in colonial
have medicinal value because in colonial times right
times right
times right the butterfly we plant has actually been
the butterfly we plant has actually been
the butterfly we plant has actually been used as a traditional medicine to treat
used as a traditional medicine to treat
used as a traditional medicine to treat a lung and heart problems and in fact
a lung and heart problems and in fact
a lung and heart problems and in fact there’s some scientists that are looking
there’s some scientists that are looking
there’s some scientists that are looking in related plants to see if they too
in related plants to see if they too
in related plants to see if they too have medicinal properties and so perhaps
have medicinal properties and so perhaps
have medicinal properties and so perhaps studying butterfly weed can actually
studying butterfly weed can actually
studying butterfly weed can actually contribute to treating some sorta
contribute to treating some sorta
contribute to treating some sorta human disease you never know right
human disease you never know right
human disease you never know right there’s always something to be learned
there’s always something to be learned
there’s always something to be learned thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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