I made “wildlife” the focal component of my social-ecological system.  This is because Centennial Woods is wildlife.  The woods are composed of trees, soils, birds, mammals, and water to make up a natural, largely-undeveloped portion of the city of Burlington, Vermont.  Since my phenology spot is located inside of Centennial Woods, and I mentioned that Centennial Woods is wildlife, it makes sense for the most involved aspect of the system to be centralized.  The other components of my social-ecological system include the people of Burlington, trails, students conducting research in the woods, walkers, myself in my spot, anthropogenic noise pollution, and storm water from drains in University Heights in Centennial Brook.  For each of these, I will explain why there is an arrow pointing from one component to another and why the arrow has either a positive or negative connotation to it.

People of Burlington

• negative arrow toward wildlife because Burlington is an urban area whose infrastructure infringes upon the area’s natural areas

Students Doing Research In Woods

• postive and negative arrow going to wildlife because they often step off the path and likely trample vegetation, yet the work they do is often for the benefit of the wildlife in Centennial Woods
• negative arrow toward me in my spot because sometimes when I visit my phenology spot, students are conducting research in the same place or close by which disrupts me physically if I have to move and it makes it tougher to listen for birds

Trails

• positive arrow for people of Burlington, walkers, students doing research, and myself because they provide access to the woods
• negative arrow toward wildlife because the paths fragment the forest habitat and compact the soils

Walkers

• negative arrow toward wildlife because they can be disruptive through talking and may stray off the trail or pollute
• negative arrow toward me because they disrupt wildlife, which is what I am trying to observe

Wildlife

• positive arrow to the people of Burlington for the ecosystem services the natural area provides to the city
• positive arrow to walkers because often times, people walk in the woods in hopes of finding animals and to be surrounded by trees
• positive arrow to me in my spot because wildlife is what gives me material to use in my phenology blog

Noise Pollution

• negative effect on wildlife because the noise drowns out bird calls and the unnatural sounds may stress out some of the animals
• negative arrows to walkers, me in my spot, and students doing research because the noise overpowers the natural sounds of the woods
• positive and negative arrows for the people of Burlington because they benefit from the airplanes, yet also have to deal with the loud noises

Storm Water Draining into Centennial Brook

• negative effect on wildlife because the water probably contains contaminants from vehicles and students who pollute the water that goes into the storm drains
• positive arrow to people of Burlington because the drains are a way of preventing flooding

For my new phenology spot, I chose an area of similar geographical features as my one in Burlington.  My new spot lies just off the path of a hiking trail about a mile from my house in North Andover, Massachusetts in what’s known as the Osgood Hill trail network on the grounds of the old Stevens Estate.  Similarly to my spot in Centennial Woods, this new spot features a small brook traveling through the forest before emptying into a larger flat and shallow wetland area.  The stream in Massachusetts is not as wide as the one in Centennial Woods, but the tree species on either side of the stream are largely the same in both places.  The one difference I noted was there is a patch of Red Pines along part of the stream.  I kept an eye out for more Red Pines as I continued the rest of my hike, but did not see any others besides the patch by the stream.  All of the six-or-so trees are about the same age and stand closely together, so I am curious as to how they got there and whether it was natural, or if someone planted them there purposely.  I also noticed the human interferences in both areas.  In Centennial Woods, human disturbances include noise pollution from the airport and walkers, litter I find on occasion, and the chunk of boardwalk that washed up in Centennial Brook in my spot.  At the Stevens Estate, there is noise from the nearby road, airport, and other hikers.  Also, I found some oil in the stream, which likely came from runoff from the road.

.

> fiddlehead.

A Piece of a boardwalk washed up in the brook

Forest floor littered with Red Oak and Norway Maple leaves

Now able to see through much of the forest

More sunlight throughout the forest from canopy loss

My chest heaves

As I weave through the leaves

That the winter’s frost

Forgot to freeze and rot.

Can they see me

Through these trees?

I stop and drop

On my knees atop

The leaves.

I will my breath to cease.

The cop could hear me

Breathe release and seize

My need for victory.

This is not hide-and-seek.

This is man hunt.

Down on the ground

I hide from the sound

Of boys being found.

I confide in the dark bark

Around and bide my time.

I will not be found.

I will not be found.

The light in the night glows

From the life that shows

Bright through the windows.

Husband and wife and

Husband and wife whose

Excitement ignites echoes

That grow

And grow

And go.

I look to the stars that are

As they are and feel

Like a crook as I steal

A look from afar.

The cries of the guys dwindle

And die as they meander

Inside while I hide

And kindle my pride.

For I know what they don’t

And can feel what they won’t

Since what’s real is a joke

Because real is this oak

Where I feel the surreal.

So go.

I’ll sit here alone

With my dear oak and grow

On my own in this queer

World so near unknown.

And I’ll glow.

And I’ll glow.

But for now I go

With poise back to the boys

Who don’t know.

Since I last visited my phenology spot in Centennial Woods about two weeks ago, I have noticed a considerable change in the vegetation there.  For example, the forest floor is now littered with fallen leaves and the canopy cover has reduced in size.  This allows for more light to enter the lower levels of the forest, changing the forest dynamic.  I also noticed that the jewelweed stand had completely perished, leaving behind a muddy, plant-less patch of soil in its place.  Additionally, the reedy plants in the wetland turned from a healthy green color to brown and dry.