This is the hand drawn map of site 13 after only one day of being there. It is difficult to map a place that you barely know.
Monday, October 24, 2011
"First glance" map of site 13
This is the hand drawn map of site 13 after only one day of being there. It is difficult to map a place that you barely know.
Interpretive Analysis and Methods Used
Interpretive:
Our plot in Niquette Bay state park was number 13 which is located directly off the Burns trail. Site 13 is roughly 1 hectare in size and consists of a moderately dense hilly forested area on the western side of the plot tapering down to a stream bed on the east side. Coming in off of the Burns trail you enter the western corner of our plot.
This area is at the top of the east facing hillside where all you can see is snags and downed wood across the forest floor and stream moving down the hill. This area comprises about 60% of our site and is dominated by white pine, birch and maple. This part of the site shows evidence of a blow down as there is an extensive amount of both snags and dead woody debris across the landscape that make it a little challenging to navigate.
Two smaller streams, one from the north corner and one from the northwest, converge at the bottom of the hilly area to form a marshy area dominated by ferns and other riparian species. This riparian zone extends the whole length of the plot from near the north corner where the two streams meet, to the south east where the stream flows out.
The eastern corner of our plot is on the other side of the riparian zone halfway up a west facing hillside that runs along the length of the stream. Although this hillside predominantly had the same species that we found everywhere else in our plot there were some large white ash that we only found there.
Finally our southern corner is marked by a very large white pine that sits on the side of the hill and measures 53inches in diameter and is roughly 85 feet tall. The large amount of downed wood and both low and high snags in our site in combination with the fertile riparian area where the streams converge lead us to believe that this is very good habitat for small forest animals like fishers as well as a variety of different bird species such as the barred owl and the scarlet tanager.
Methods:
In order to collect the necessary information to perform our assessment of our plot there were several methods that we had to use. First we had to analyze the substrate of our site by testing the ph of our soil and evaluate the soil layer horizons based on our auger holes. Next we did an inventory of the vegetation on our site noting the different species found. We then did a natural community analysis which consisted of creating plots and determining which species of trees were located there. Additionally we measured the DBH of the trees in our plot as well as height of those trees. The final appraisal that we did was to record the number of high and low snags on our site as well as recording the amount and diameter of down wood across out site noting the level of decay.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Favorite Characteristics
Andy:
John: The best part about our plot was the different components of the plot. From the wide differences in tree types to the stream and ridges that made up our hectare. As well, the windblown area of our plot lead for an interesting change in forest structure. Although, I would have to say that my favorite part about our plot was the ridge that ran along the north east part of the plot leading down into the stream.
Matt: After being on the site for four weeks straight, I knew our square hectare like the back of my hand. Of course the fact that our site was extremely hilly, and that it had multiple streams running through it, was an appealing characteristic. But, my favorite part were the pine and birch trees that grew into each other. It is something that I have never seen before, and it really stood out to me when I saw it.
John: The best part about our plot was the different components of the plot. From the wide differences in tree types to the stream and ridges that made up our hectare. As well, the windblown area of our plot lead for an interesting change in forest structure. Although, I would have to say that my favorite part about our plot was the ridge that ran along the north east part of the plot leading down into the stream.
BIGGEST TREE
We used DBH tape, and the stick method to come to the conclusion that this tree was the largest on our site
Species: White Pine
Height: 85 feet
DBH: 53 inches
Species: White Pine
Height: 85 feet
DBH: 53 inches
NEWILD Potential Species List
The species listed below were generated by a program called NEWILD. The list is of species that have the potential to reside in our site.
Yellow: Amphibians and Reptiles
Blue: Birds
Green: Mammals
Yellow: Amphibians and Reptiles
Blue: Birds
Green: Mammals
Monday, October 10, 2011
Density and Composition
During our third visit to our site, we measured 5 plots, each with an area of about 78.5 m^2. Each plot had different characteristics, and will be described in more detail below.
1.
Total estimated biomass on our plot:
To estimate biomass, we estimated the density of the trees to be 50 lb/ft^3. We arrived at this value by using an internet site (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/weigt-wood-d_821.html). We multiplied this value by the estimated volume of wood on our site.
Biomass: 26160 tons. We understand that this only includes merchantable lumber. The actually number is most likely MUCH higher because of the saplings and ground cover, along with the leaves/needles from the trees, that were not included.
1.
| Species | DBH (inches) | Height (feet) |
| White Pine | 20.5 | 60 |
| White Pine | 14 | 50 |
| Paper Birch | 13.5 | 40 |
| Paper Birch | 13.5 | 25 |
South facing slope, maple saplings, fern ground cover, dead standing and dead downed wood.
2.
| Species | DBH (inches) | Height (feet) |
| White ash | 16.5 | 30 |
| Norway Maple | 8.5 | 16 |
| American Beech | 13.5 | 20 |
| Norway Maple | 10 | 20 |
Northwest facing slope, hickory, maple, and beech saplings, fern and small bamboo ground cover
3.
| Species | DBH (inches) | Height (feet) |
| White Pine | 27.5 | 65 |
| White Pine | 18 | 50 |
| Paper Birch | 17 | 20 |
| White Pine | 11.5 | 30 |
| White Pine | 18 | 50 |
| White Pine | 10 | 25 |
Butternut and maple saplings, dead leaf ground cover.
4.
| Species | DBH (inches) | Height (feet) |
| Black Cherry | 15 | 20 |
| White Pine | 20 | 35 |
| Paper Birch | 13.5 | 30 |
Ironwood, musclewood, maple, and beech saplings, fern ground cover.
5.
| Species | DBH (inches) | Height (feet) |
| Black Cherry | 14 | 20 |
| Butternut | 7 | 16 |
| Red Maple | 10.5 | 16 |
| Basswood | 9.5 | 20 |
Maple, hemlock, and butternut saplings, fern ground cover.
The 5 plots effectively represent the diversity of our site. Listed below are the different species found, and the total volume in board feet between the plots.
White Pine: 464,654.01 (8 trees)
Paper Birch: 24,855.34 (4 trees)
American Beech: 238.44 (1 tree)
Norway Maple: 94.53 (2 trees)
Red Maple: 115.4 (1 tree)
White Ash: 534.29 (1 tree)
Black Cherry: 2,200.62 (2 trees)
Butternut: 51.29 (1 tree)
Basswood: 118.08 (1 tree)
Density of our most common species (stems/ha):
1. White Pine: 251.08
2. Paper Birch: 42.78
Density of our most common species (stems/ha):
1. White Pine: 251.08
2. Paper Birch: 42.78
Total estimated biomass on our plot:
To estimate biomass, we estimated the density of the trees to be 50 lb/ft^3. We arrived at this value by using an internet site (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/weigt-wood-d_821.html). We multiplied this value by the estimated volume of wood on our site.
Biomass: 26160 tons. We understand that this only includes merchantable lumber. The actually number is most likely MUCH higher because of the saplings and ground cover, along with the leaves/needles from the trees, that were not included.
Wildlife
Barred Owl
- Our site is an ideal place for barred owls to make their home. These owls prefer large diameter trees bigger then 20 inches in diameter and sources of water such as creeks. The forest composition fits well into there ecological niche with ample foraging area to find food as well as with a dominantly coniferous forest for protecting their nests during the winter. The diet of Barred owls consists of small mammals, amphibians, rodents and fish.
Fisher
- The Fisher is a small mammal that inhabits mountainous regions of North America. Their ideal habitat is one with heavy tree cover and a decent amount of dead wood to make dens in. They prefer coniferous forests such as the one found in our plot. They are coniferous animals that consume small animals such as chipmunks, and snow hares. However, they are also known to eat fruits, berries and plants when prey is scarce.
Pileated Woodpecker
- Our site is an outstanding place to find the Pileated Woodpecker. These woodpeckers prefer to nest in large snags within mixed forests. Our plot has an enormous number of these spread out throughout the plot.
Red-backed Salamander
- Red-back Salamanders are terrestrial salamanders that inhabit mixed coniferous and deciduous forests. Commonly these salamanders can be found under logs stones, and other debris littered along the forest floor. Furthermore, they prefer to live in areas with a lot of moisture. Our site is ideal for these salamanders because there is plenty of downed debris for them to make their homes under as well as a stream that provides them with a place to forage for insects without having to move a lot of dry soil. They could most likely be found on our site down by the stream or by the downed trees next to the intermittent stream.
Emerald Ash Borer
- This plot is not ideal for Emerald Ash Borers because we only have one ash tree on our plot.
Brown Snake
- This site is relatively inhabitable for brown snakes due to the fact that they prefer to live in wetland forested areas. The middle of our plot is just that with plenty of downed trees for them to live under. As well our site offers a good diet for these snakes with a decent amount of worms and insects for them to eat.
Scarlet Tanager
- This site is well suited for scarlet tanagers. These birds like old growth forests with mostly deciduous trees for nesting. Furthermore, they are interior nesting birds that do not do well along the edges of forests. There main sources of food berries, insects, and spiders. All of these things have been found in our site leading us to believe that they would thrive around the area surrounding our plot.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
- Our plot is not a very suitable habitat for the chestnut- sided Warbler. This is because they prefer woodland edges, small trees, and open pastures.
Porcupine
- The porcupine lives in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests which is what are site is made of. They are herbivores that feed on leaves and twigs and are known to eat bark during the winter months.
Wild Turkey
- Our plot is not the best suited habitat for wild turkeys because it is located in the center of Niquette Bay State Park. However, they could possibly be found along the edges of the park where there is open pastures for them to forage in.
White-tailed deer
- Our plot is not the best well suited for white- tailed deer. This is because they prefer softwood forests that give them shelter during the winter months.
European Earthworm
- Our site is fairly inhabitable by earthworms. These worms prefer wet areas like the one found down by the stream.
Pileated Woodpecker
- Our site is an outstanding place to find the Pileated Woodpecker. These woodpeckers prefer to nest in large snags within mixed forests. Our plot has an enormous number of these spread out throughout the plot.
Red-backed Salamander
- Red-back Salamanders are terrestrial salamanders that inhabit mixed coniferous and deciduous forests. Commonly these salamanders can be found under logs stones, and other debris littered along the forest floor. Furthermore, they prefer to live in areas with a lot of moisture. Our site is ideal for these salamanders because there is plenty of downed debris for them to make their homes under as well as a stream that provides them with a place to forage for insects without having to move a lot of dry soil. They could most likely be found on our site down by the stream or by the downed trees next to the intermittent stream.
Emerald Ash Borer
- This plot is not ideal for Emerald Ash Borers because we only have one ash tree on our plot.
Brown Snake
- This site is relatively inhabitable for brown snakes due to the fact that they prefer to live in wetland forested areas. The middle of our plot is just that with plenty of downed trees for them to live under. As well our site offers a good diet for these snakes with a decent amount of worms and insects for them to eat.
Scarlet Tanager
- This site is well suited for scarlet tanagers. These birds like old growth forests with mostly deciduous trees for nesting. Furthermore, they are interior nesting birds that do not do well along the edges of forests. There main sources of food berries, insects, and spiders. All of these things have been found in our site leading us to believe that they would thrive around the area surrounding our plot.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
- Our plot is not a very suitable habitat for the chestnut- sided Warbler. This is because they prefer woodland edges, small trees, and open pastures.
Porcupine
- The porcupine lives in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests which is what are site is made of. They are herbivores that feed on leaves and twigs and are known to eat bark during the winter months.
Wild Turkey
- Our plot is not the best suited habitat for wild turkeys because it is located in the center of Niquette Bay State Park. However, they could possibly be found along the edges of the park where there is open pastures for them to forage in.
White-tailed deer
- Our plot is not the best well suited for white- tailed deer. This is because they prefer softwood forests that give them shelter during the winter months.
European Earthworm
- Our site is fairly inhabitable by earthworms. These worms prefer wet areas like the one found down by the stream.
Signs of Humans; 400 years ago; 2111; Management Recommendations
Signs of humans: It is extremely evident that our plot was used by humans in the past. This was made clear to us because of the several feet of barbed wire we found running along the North to Southwest border of our plot. As well we determined that our plot was along the edge of a farm due to the change in composition of forests along each side of the Burns Trail changing from a early successional forest to a late successional forest. Furthermore, the topography on each side of the trail changes from being relatively flat opposite our plot that transitions into a steady slope once you enter our plot ending in a stream that leads into lake Champlain.
400 years ago: In the past this plot would have looked extremely different then it does today. The main difference is that it most likely would have been a pasture land or a field used to cultivate crops. The remnants of barbed wire are still left on the plot where there was a boundary line most likely separating farms.
2111: It is doubtful that this plot will change drastically over the next year. With the recent amount of wind blown trees that have fallen down, there will be a slight shift in canopy cover allowing for saplings to use the extra light to increase there growth. However, for the most part the older trees in the over story will continue to dominate the landscape.
Management Recommendations: The most important recommendation is to make sure that the stream that runs out to lake champlain remains clean. Also, it is extremely important to maintain the composition of the current forest. This is unique because this is one of the older growth parts of Niquette bay in relative comparison to the rest of the park.
400 years ago: In the past this plot would have looked extremely different then it does today. The main difference is that it most likely would have been a pasture land or a field used to cultivate crops. The remnants of barbed wire are still left on the plot where there was a boundary line most likely separating farms.
2111: It is doubtful that this plot will change drastically over the next year. With the recent amount of wind blown trees that have fallen down, there will be a slight shift in canopy cover allowing for saplings to use the extra light to increase there growth. However, for the most part the older trees in the over story will continue to dominate the landscape.
Management Recommendations: The most important recommendation is to make sure that the stream that runs out to lake champlain remains clean. Also, it is extremely important to maintain the composition of the current forest. This is unique because this is one of the older growth parts of Niquette bay in relative comparison to the rest of the park.
Types of Woody Plants
- White Pine
- Paper Birch
- White Ash
- Beech
- Hickory
- Red Maple
- Butternut
- Black Cherry
- Musclewood
- Iron Wood
- Basswood
- Eastern Hemlock
- Norway Maple
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Lucky number 13
Bedrock and Surficial Geology
There are no spots on our site with exposed bedrock.
Soil Profile- (pictures to come)
A soil pit was dug on September 21st, and the lab group discovered that our soil was extremely sandy. We dug down through the O, A, B, and C layer.
O Layer- This layer was only 2 cm deep. It consisted of mostly leaves, pines, and dark, nutrient rich soil.
A Layer- The A layer was 8 cm deep, and had a pH of 7.0. This is where the soil started to get sandy, and was much lighter than the O layer
B Layer- This layer was the lightest color of any other layer, and was 8 cm deep. It also had the most sandy texture. The pH was 6.5. Picking it up and feeling it really did make it seem like it came straight from the beach.
C Layer- The last layer went further than we could dig. It had a pH of 6.0, and was as dark as the A layer.
Our photographer was absent, so the best picture we have so far is located below:
There are no spots on our site with exposed bedrock.
Soil Profile- (pictures to come)
A soil pit was dug on September 21st, and the lab group discovered that our soil was extremely sandy. We dug down through the O, A, B, and C layer.
O Layer- This layer was only 2 cm deep. It consisted of mostly leaves, pines, and dark, nutrient rich soil.
A Layer- The A layer was 8 cm deep, and had a pH of 7.0. This is where the soil started to get sandy, and was much lighter than the O layer
B Layer- This layer was the lightest color of any other layer, and was 8 cm deep. It also had the most sandy texture. The pH was 6.5. Picking it up and feeling it really did make it seem like it came straight from the beach.
C Layer- The last layer went further than we could dig. It had a pH of 6.0, and was as dark as the A layer.
Our photographer was absent, so the best picture we have so far is located below:
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