# data[].attributes.headline
Project and Background (1): Joining Inaturalist

# data[].attributes.subject
Project and Background (1): Joining Inaturalist

# data[].attributes.body
After creating my account, I joined the "Wellesley Boulder Brook Reservation" project group. In the early stages of the project, most afternoons, on runs, I would stop by Boulder Brook and catalogue organisms. As of this project's creation, I have contributed 20 posts to the 944 observations total in the group made by 35 observers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Project and Background (2): Creating a Project

# data[].attributes.subject
Project and Background (2): Creating a Project

# data[].attributes.body
A few weeks into the project, I created my own project so that I could better keep back of my finds. Following the creation of my project, I also joined joined the "Sustainability Day Bioblitz Wellesley College" group, wherein the wildlife on the Wellesley College campus is collected (purely for curiosity purposes and seeing what animals were most common in Wellesley). Initially, I started with pictures of interesting plants I happened to see. Eventually, a pattern formed, and kept track of organisms within two locations: my backyard and Boulder Brook Reservation

# data[].attributes.headline
Project and Background (3): Final Project

# data[].attributes.subject
Project and Background (3): Final Project

# data[].attributes.body
In my backyard there are numerous species of plant that are not native to the Wellesley environment, yet receive the same sun and watering conditions as plants native to Wellesley. My project serves to determine how these two types of plants (foreign and native) with the addition of some other organisms compare in the same environment. Over the course of my time in Wellesley this summer, I kept track of plants and animals of Wellesley up until the beginning of school. With the help of members of the INaturalist community, in particular comments on my posts, I was able to identify most of what I took pictures of.

# data[].attributes.body
Over the course of the project, I tried to collect data from the largest variety of plants I could in both locations (Boulder Brook and 16 Brookfield RD). This was in order to determine what kind was best suited for the Wellesley climate. The plant group best suited for the Wellesley climate are low growing weeds, judging by abundance in observation and reaction to climate,

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (1): Unknown 

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (1): Unknown 

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Under a foot
Condition: Alive
Fruit: None
Flower: None
Number of Leaves: 8
Fact: One of many seen in Boulder Brook
Questions: What factors allow this species to be so numerous?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (2): American Pokeweed 

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (2): American Pokeweed 

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP FROM ONLINE COMMUNITY
Height: Approx 4 ft
Condition: Alive
Fruit: Yes
Flower: None
Fact: Fruit facing the sun is riper
Questions: Why do plants that produce fruit grow taller?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (3): Unknown 

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (3): Unknown 

# data[].attributes.body
Name: Unknown

Height: Approx 4 ft

Condition: Alive, plants towards back of cluster dead/dying

Fruit: None
Flowers: Yes

Fact: Flowers on plant already bloomed, most dead/dying

Question: Why do some plants grow in clusters as opposed to growing by itself?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (4): North American Pine

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (4): North American Pine

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: Unkown (>5'8)

Condition: Alive, leaves mostly gone

Fruit: None (sap produced)
Flower: None

Fact: Pine needles gone, some seen on ground

Question: Do pine trees go through seasonal changes?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (5):Joe-Pye Weeds

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (5):Joe-Pye Weeds

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: Approx 2 ft

Condition: Alive, in cluster

Fruit: None

Flower: Yes, flower mostly dead

Fact: Growing in cluster, cluster in general healthy

Question: What caused the holes in the lower leaves?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (6): Apple (Malus Domestica)

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (6): Apple (Malus Domestica)

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: On tree, fruit approx 2 ft from ground

Condition: Alive, lower plants eaten

Fruit: Yes, small apples

Flower: None

Fact: Apples over the tree, growing in pods like the one in the picture

Question: Is this fruit edible?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (7): Spinulose Wood Fern (Dropteris carthusiana) 

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (7): Spinulose Wood Fern (Dropteris carthusiana) 

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: Approx 1 ft

Condition:Alive

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: One of countless seen on the ground

Question: What factors have allowed this plant variety to be so successful?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (8): Multiflora Rose

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (8): Multiflora Rose

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: Approx 1 ft

Condition: Alive

Fruit: None

Flower: Yes (bloomed)

Fact: Large pod of similar plants

Question: Have the flowers bloomed yet or are they still buds?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (9): Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (9): Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: Unknown (>5'8)

Condition: Alive

Fruit: None (sap produced)

Flower: None

Fact: This pine also had no needles

Question: Do pine trees develop needles in the winter?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (10): Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (10): Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: Approx 3 ft

Condition: Alive (bush full of these pods)

Fruit: Yes (not ripe?)

Flower: None

Fact: Bush covered in these pods, saw a few similar organisms

Question: When do the berries develop, if not already fully?

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (11): Long Grass

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (11): Long Grass

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY

Height: >1 ft

Condition: Alive

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Numerous patches of grass similar throughout the reservation

Question: Growing from alcove between the rocks.

# data[].attributes.headline
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (12): Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

# data[].attributes.subject
BOULDER BROOK Data Collection (12): Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY
Height: Approx 1 ft

Condition: Alive

Fruit: Yes, pod of berries

Flower: None

Fact: Only one pod of berries seen

Question: Why could I only find one of this plant variety?

# data[].attributes.headline
WELLESLEY Data Collection (1): House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

# data[].attributes.subject
WELLESLEY Data Collection (1): House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY
Height: Approx 4 in

Condition: Healthy
Type of Animal: Scavengar

Fact: Only picture taken outside both locations (taken in Linden Square). Bird is common in all of Wellesley however.

Question: Why are these birds always found in groups?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (1): Cactus Family (Family cactaceae)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (1): Cactus Family (Family cactaceae)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Taller one 5.5 in

Condition: Alive, last remaining of much larger group

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Of all cactus types in my backyard, this one has been most successful

Question: Why is this cactus still alive?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (2):Pincushion Cactus

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (2):Pincushion Cactus

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY
Height: 3 in

Condition: Alive

Fruit: None

Flower: None (common to produce but has not)

Fact: One of two remaining cactuses in my backyard (dead ones in foreground)

Question: Why do cactuses prefer to grow in pods?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFILED Data Collection (3): Melons and Cucumbers (Genus Cucumis)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFILED Data Collection (3): Melons and Cucumbers (Genus Cucumis)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Approx 2 ft

Condition: Alive, some leaves dead or dying

Fruit: None (should have developed)

Flower: None

Fact: This plant has received no cultivation besides natural

Question: Why has no fruit developed?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD (4): Tomato Plant (Solanum lycoperscium)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD (4): Tomato Plant (Solanum lycoperscium)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Approx 3 ft

Condition: Alive, some stalks dying towards back

Fruit: None (should have developed)

Flower: None

Fact: One of three tomato plants in backyard, others that receive regular watering have developed fruit.

Question: Will this plant develop fruit late or not at all?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD (5): Corn Mint (Mentha arvensis)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD (5): Corn Mint (Mentha arvensis)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Approx 1 ft

Condition: Alvie, all healthy

Fruit: Mint edible

Flower: None

Fact: Growing in group larger than what was planted

Question: Why are smaller plants more successful when grown in groups?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (6): Unknown Wild Flower (From seed packet)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (6): Unknown Wild Flower (From seed packet)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: <1 ft

Condition: Alive

Fruit: None

Flower: Yes

Fact: Only flower developed within group of plants

Question: Why did only one flower bloom? Sunlight conditions (in shady part of the yard)?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFILED RD Data Collection (7): Unknown Bush

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFILED RD Data Collection (7): Unknown Bush

# data[].attributes.body
Height: 2 ft

Condition: Alive (plants in back dying)

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Biggest leaves on any plant in my backyard.

Question: Do the leaves keep this plant alive? (in shade majority of the time, perhaps leave size helps absorb maximum amount of sun)

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (8): Blue Holly (llex x meserveae)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (8): Blue Holly (llex x meserveae)

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY
Height: Approx 5 ft (on bush around 7 ft tall)

Condition: Alive, very healthy

Fruit: Yes, some early stages of ripeness

Flower: None

Fact: Bush covered in berries

Question: Why are the plants that develop fruit much healthier than other plants in my yard? Or is it because they are healthy that they are able to develop fruit?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (9): Unknown Bush Type

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD Data Collection (9): Unknown Bush Type

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Approx 4ft

Condition: Healthy, some leaves yellowed

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Not in direct sunlight, south side of house in shade

Question: Is this plant beginning to yellow in respond to seasonal changes or natural state?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (10): Unidentified Wild Flower (From Seed Packet)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (10): Unidentified Wild Flower (From Seed Packet)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: <1 ft

Condition: Alive, flower dying

Fruit: None

Flower: Yes, dying

Fact: Two other flowers found. Very few in general in my backyard.

Question: What conditions are ideal for flower development?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (12): Knotweeds

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (12): Knotweeds

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Approx 4 ft

Condition: Alive, plants in general healthy

Fruit: None

Flower: Some, mostly dead

Fact: Plant not in direct line of sprinklers but growing fairly strong

Question: How long has this plant been developing unchecked?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data and Observation (13): Trifolium

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data and Observation (13): Trifolium

# data[].attributes.body
IDENTIFIED WITH HELP OF ONLINE COMMUNITY
Height: <1ft

Condition: Alive, healthy

Number of Leaves: 3

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Many patches of clovers growing like this around my yard

Question: Why are these plants able to develop so easily around my yard? This one is growing in a patch in between stone.

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data and Observation (14): Unknown (strongly resembles plant from data collection 1)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data and Observation (14): Unknown (strongly resembles plant from data collection 1)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: <1 ft

Condition: Alive, healthy (holes in leaves)

Number of Leaves: Approx 14

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Plant has striking resemblance to previously observed weed (see day 1)

Question: Do these plants within this patch compete for resources? All seem relatively healthy.

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Approx 5 ft

Condition: Alive, healthy

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Bush has been growing here for a few years. Unknown variety, fairly common in landscaping.

Question: How do these leaves develop? Various pods seen around the tree.

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (16): Unknown Berry Early Development (On tree)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (16): Unknown Berry Early Development (On tree)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Unkown (>5'8)

Condition: Alive, leaves browning

Fruit: Yes, early stages of unknown berry type. Most fallen off, dying before budding

Flower: None

Fact: Pods on tree. Found all over tree, most above head.

Question: Do the pods develop higher in order to be eaten by a specific kind of animal (birds)?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (17): Unknown bush

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (17): Unknown bush

# data[].attributes.body
Height: 3 ft

Condition: Alive, leaves underdeveloped around edges

Fruit: None

Flower: None

Fact: Leaves curling inwards towards edges, possibly not receiving enough sun (south side of house). Leaves towards back light brown.

Question: Why are certain patches browner than others? Does it depend on amount of sunlight received by a branch?

# data[].attributes.headline
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (18): Unknown tree (budding with red berries)

# data[].attributes.subject
16 BROOKFIELD RD Data Collection (18): Unknown tree (budding with red berries)

# data[].attributes.body
Height: Unknown (>5'8, picture around 5 ft)

Condition: Alive, healthy budding

Fruit: Yes, green pods that turn red (judging from berries found on ground)

Flower: None

Fact: Pods found around the tree, each budding individually. Unknown fruit.

Question: Why are the edges of leaves near pods darker and more shriveled?

# data[].attributes.headline
DATA ANALYSIS (1): Data for Graphs Recorded on Backyard Weather Station

# data[].attributes.subject
DATA ANALYSIS (1): Data for Graphs Recorded on Backyard Weather Station

# data[].attributes.body
This past August (when all the observations were made) I recorded the temperature and precipitation levels for every day on an Ambient Weather WS-1002-WIFI Observer in my backyard. I then graphed this data on two separate sheets to get a better idea of the conditions all organisms in the town are subject to, and as such, which are most acclimated to it.

# data[].attributes.headline
DATA ANALYSIS (2): WELLESLEY TEMPERATURES IN AUGUST 2022 (F°)

# data[].attributes.subject
DATA ANALYSIS (2): WELLESLEY TEMPERATURES IN AUGUST 2022 (F°)

# data[].attributes.body
Graph of the temperatures recorded in my backyard throughout August. The highest average recording read 86° (F) on August 10th, while the lowest average 67 was 70° (F) on August 10th.

# data[].attributes.headline
DATA ANALYSIS (3):WELLESLEY PRECIPITATION LEVELS IN AUGUST (In)

# data[].attributes.subject
DATA ANALYSIS (3):WELLESLEY PRECIPITATION LEVELS IN AUGUST (In)

# data[].attributes.body
Graph of the precipitation levels recorded in my backyard throughout August. The highest recording read 0.44 (In) on August 23, while the longest streak of none measured was August 10-17.

# data[].attributes.body
In total, the plant best suited for the overall low precipitation, high temperature climate of Wellesley Massachusetts, are clustered, low growing, non-fruit bearing weeds. The plant that was consistently most observed as well as most healthy in appearance were those that were less than a foot tall, growing in groups of similar plants, and not fruit developing.