Area wildlife and plants have seen varying degrees of impact from the changing weather patterns that have occurred this spring and summer.

According to Marion County Naturalist Marla Mertz, insects, birds, and mammals are thriving in spite of the changing weather conditions, with many able to produce more nests and offspring. Predators have also fared well, with more wildlife coming to the area to provide them with more food. Mertz reports that while wildlife has flourished, plants and tree foliage have struggled to grow this year. Mertz says that the varying weather patterns have contributed to the different impacts seen in wildlife and plants.

“Basically our spring started out so nice that everything got a really good head start, and it flourished. And then it got cold, and then it got warm again, and then we got a lot of rain, and then we had high heat, so everything is affected by that one way or another, whether it’s the plants, the animals or the people. But as I say, there’s always consequences with things that have happened in years past, whether it be flooding or drought.”

Hear more from Marla Mertz on an upcoming In Touch with South Central Iowa.