Forest Phenology

As the day winds to an end so does the academic school year. In this time of reflection, I have been thinking about the changes that have occurred throughout the seasons. From the beginning of fall to the middle of spring, my visits to Centennial Woods have given me a greater sense of the passage […]

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During my visit to Centennial Woods on this rainy day, there were many signs of life! The birds were singing, buds were bursting and the stream was running. When I first walked up to my site, I noticed a Pileated Woodpecker had been drilling holes into some of the Eastern White Pines in search of […]

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Over ‘spring’ break I spent some time playing in the thigh-deep snow with my dogs and, of course, comparing the environment to my phenological site in Burlington. This space is primarily composed of edge habitat since the forest runs along the remnants of a hay field. Between the mature trees and the field is a […]

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Valley Clayplain Forest The natural community associated with my phenology spot is a Valley Clayplain Forest along a stream, which divides it from a neighboring wetland. This community is located primarily in the Champlain Valley and consists of poorly drained clay soils. Since this area is in its early-successional phases, it is primarily dominated by […]

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Coated in Ice Over the past month, the stream running through my phenology site has accumulated many layers of ice which have shifted and created an ice shelf in the middle of where the stream was during the fall and early winter. The water and snow in the stream were light brown, due to the high […]

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History of Place: This week I investigated the human and geological history of my phenology site and discovered in the 1890s it was part of the Hickok Estate and most likely experienced agricultural use (Geosprocket LLC, n/d). When looking at an aerial photograph taken in 1937, it can be seen that the area along and […]

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Link to Google Map Description of Home Place (Tone of Aldo Leopold): This new place is one of my favorite locations on my family’s land since it represents the interconnection and succession of forest and swamp habitat. A stream feeds into the swamp and where the two meet snake grass and cattails emerge. Beginning here […]

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Event Map: During my visit to my phenology place this week, I created an even map documenting the most memorable experiences beginning from when I entered Centennial Woods until I finally left my place. During this visit, the birds and squirrels were very active with their calls making the forest anything but silent. Yet, this […]

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Map of Phenology Place: Change is Constant: Since the last visit, the ferns have turned brown and shriveled up. Four clumps remain green despite the recent frost and current snow flurries. The American Beech and Yellow Birch have both have shed every last leaf. Each leaf on every maple has turned yellow, although many of […]

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Introduction: My phenology place is located in Centennial Woods along the stream. To arrive at my phenology place, walk through the first few clearings over the bridge, continue straight through the next intersection of four paths and follow the trail around the bend until you discover an opening to your left. There will be a […]

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