(Holland): The composition of the Freetown Forest in comparison to the ecology and phenology of the Salmon Hole ecosystem is vastly different. The tree species of the Freetown are predominantly beeches and birches that appear to be of poor health. The poor health of this ecosystem could be the result of a number of influencing factors such a low soil nutrients, a strong frost, or the presence of nearby pollutants. The Salmon Hole Ecosystem is ruled by white oaks, boxelders, and pines of relatively good health. The number of standing dead trees observed in the Freetown Forest is much higher then the proportion observed near the Salmon Hole. The geology of the landscape is also differentiating factor. The Freetown forest is predominantly granite and pudding stone whereas the Salmon hole is composed of stratified quartzite and limestone. The Salmon Hole Ecosystem harbors a larger number and variety of organisms. The Freetown Forest is a rather desolate landscape with few indications of life outside of the trees it’s composed of. Although these ecosystems appear contrary in phenology they do share some overlapping elements. Both landscapes are marked with large quantities of moss and lichen surrounding the creek and riverbed. Neither landscape shows clear signs of eutrophication suggesting the nitrogen and phosphorus levels are where they should be.
The Freetown Forest
•November 27, 2017 • Leave a Comment(Wright): The Freetown Forest is as eerie as the tales that haunt this dark ominous landscape. The trees that line the decrepit trails are sharp and craggily vaguely resembling witches hands against a cold blue sky. This landscape is beautiful and unique in it’s vegetation but you can’t help escape the slight uneasiness that follows you as stroll through the bristle grass or walk across an old wooden bridge. The plants and animals that inhabit this wooded area appear to sway to a mysterious melodic tune. The wind that blows through the dried decaying beeches makes a subtle hum. The most vibrant aspect of this rather haunting scenery is the moss and lichen that decompose the rocky trails. Walking through the paths of this elusive terrain it appears that the first frosts of winter have drained the life from the trees. The forest bed is lined with leaves of an orange and brown hue suggesting the trees had shed their leaves weeks prior to my exploration. This forest holds a dark haunting past that can be observed in what is believed to be a tribal burial ground. The trees surrounding the forests clearings bend almost bowing to some unknown presence. Every landscape can evoke certain feelings within it’s inhabitants and the unforgiving terrain of the Freetown Forest can only be defined as haunting.
Stratified
•November 13, 2017 • Leave a Comment
The stratification of the sedimentary rocks
surrounding the Winooski River hold clues
about the lands post-glacial geography
Two Words Collide
•November 13, 2017 • Leave a Comment
The beauty of the natural elements in this landscape
are offset by the harsh reality of the nearby factory
Blue Skies and Blue Heron
•November 13, 2017 • Leave a Comment
This beautiful sky-scape is home to many species of birds
including egrets, heron, and bittern
FALL IS HERE!!
•October 23, 2017 • Leave a CommentToday I observed beaver teeth grooves in the trunks of numerous standing trees. I also noticed several chipmunks scampering through the creek bed alongside the river. There is a noticeable accumulation of leaves on the ground suggesting fall is here and cold weather is just around the corner.
•October 23, 2017 • Leave a Comment
As the leaves change so do the abiotic factors of the ecosystem that allow it to facilitate certain species.
Nature at it’s finest!!
•October 23, 2017 • Leave a CommentGreat Blue Heron Spotting on the Northwest side of the salmon hole peninsula
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