Located within Centennial Woods, the area that I chose to work on for this phenology project was due to several reasons. First, location. This area is located close to campus (0.8 miles from central campus), right off of Carrigan (which turns into Catamount) Drive. The exclusion of a natural area whilst also being located so closely to a huge institution intrigued me to wonder the different phenological effects human development surrounding the area has on this natural community. In fact, both times I have visited this area, I have heard constant airplanes flying right over the area.
The second reason as to why I chose this spot within Centennial woods amongst all the other various places that could have been chosen was because of the vast amount of vegetation that laid across the ground. The area seemed seemly as untouched from humans as it could be within the scope of a research forest. This area bared off the path and was instead filled completely with vegetation on the ground surrounding all the trees (no human-made path in between). Additionally, just down the hill from this area lies a highly eroded stream and a buffer space of more vegetation. With this project, I am intrigued to see how these two areas interact as the seasons change.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/K1Mh1amCHwMwuMrr5
Vegetation
Throughout this entire area, the ground is covered in Woody Ferns. At my second observation (October 14th), the ground was covered still in ferns but less so and instead filled with dead falling conifer spikes as well. Majority of the trees within this area remain in the overstory. Conifers (Eastern Hemlocks) and Maples (Sugar & Red) are the main tree species of the overstory. In the understory remain immature American Beeches, along with other unknown (for now) immature species.
October 14, 2024, Woody Species Observation
The Sugar Maples identified today had all changed colors to be completely yellow.
Red Maples
The red maples observed were changing and becoming a red gradient.
Jack-in-the-pulpits and Cobra Lilies
This was an interesting find that I found right before I left my site. It struck my attention as a saw a small bright red grouping of buds sticking straight out of the ground. Under further investigation, I believe these are Jack-in-the-pulpits, also known as Arisaema Triphyllum. The cluster of the bright crimson bulbs are actually remnants of the berries of the plant.
Jack-in-the-pulpits is a species of flowering plant that grow in Eastern North America and the usually grow in the spring but can be tolerant of deeper shade in the summer (which this area has).
All of the American Beeches observed today had also changed its leaves to yellow.