An Ecological Survey of Caperton Swamp Park

Abstract

In September and October 2015 ecology students attending Indiana University Southeast (IUS) conducted an ecological survey of Caperton Swamp Park, located in Louisville, Kentucky. The diversity of flowering plant species was found to be the greatest followed by the diversity of tree species, the diversity of invasive species, and the diversity of mammalian species. Park officials attempted eradication of the invasive plantbush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). However, this species along with 3 additional invasive plant species, were found in the park. Monitoring for invasive plant species as well as other ecological characteristics should continue in this park in order to provide management recommendations to sustain this urban forest for wildlife and human uses.