Phenology 2018-2019 Centennial Woods: Sumac Patch

To enjoy my spring break I am in Asheville, North Carolina to support my mother in her half marathon. Traveling south I am surprised how Ashville in March is similar to late-spring in Vermont. As my phenology spot is currently transitioning into spring, I can observe some current springtime in North Carolina at Jullian Pond. Jullian Pond is a recreational area that was bought by Jullian Price in the early twentieth century as a gift to his employees and residents of Asheville to enjoy “the area’s natural beauty” according to the National Park Service. Currently, it still runs as a recreational area as a playground, rowing area, fishing, camping, hiking, and more. Other than recreational uses it is a cooling pond for the Asheville Plant across the pond. Despite the natural beauty and appreciation of nature through outdoor recreation, there is a two-unit 376-megawatt coal-fired plant burning coal and natural gases ran by Duke Energy. Running since 1964, eighteen years past Jullian Price’s death, this coal plant has a dominant presence in the community. I do not know the full extent the plant exerts on Jullian Pond or the surrounding area,  The noxious-looking clouds do look dooming, yet the amount of biodiversity at Jullian Pond is stunning. This is similar to my phenology spot in that amongst the towering eastern white pines there is a looming powerline and retention pond. It may not be the image in mind when exploring the wilderness, yet is vital to nearby communities in Burlington and Ashville. However, a powerline/retention pond is much different from a coal plant and needs to be addressed carefully in order to reduce carbon emissions, maintain environmental health, and the status of nearby communities. If all of these criteria are met I can accept this plant running for a balance between human and environment health is paramount.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=1teTvFvKXzV9hRODV9aumXVN1MxPTruou&ll=35.48111720344632%2C-82.53855155152087&z=17

https://www.buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/Parks/Facilities/Parks/LakeJulian.aspx

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/julian-price-trails.htmhttps://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/about-us/power-plants/asheville-plant

In terms of vegetation, Jullian Pond resembles my phenology spot in a permanent spring/summer state. The number of leaf-retaining trees and neotropical migrants reminds me the first time I saw my phenology spot in Septemeber. The woody vegetation I saw included: American Holly, American Sycamore, Eastern White Pine, Pitch Pine, Red Spruce, White Oak, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, and Chery Blossoms (planted ornamental). Some of these tree species can be found at my phenology spot such as Eastern White Pine and White Oak, yet American Holly and Cherry Blossoms are not found. In addition, my phenology spot has a more natural forest composition as for it is apart of a natural preserve area, while at Jullian Pond the forest composition was scattered since it was a recreational area. Jullian Pond’s forest structure is fragmented by cross-linking roads to allow access to different facilities such as campsites, fishing outlets, and different playgrounds. It may not be a natural forest structure as my phenology spot, yet nonetheless, still, be enjoyed by all those in Ashville.

Another feature that can be observed here is mammal activity. It may not be as visible as in Burlington with the use of snow, yet mammals such as eastern grey squirrels can be observed. For example, I saw a pair of squirrels chasing each other through a myriad of eastern white pines ending at drinking from the lake. Once again its spring here and can be seen through the blanket on pollen brought to the shore. With the number of flowering plants nearby the pollen has accumulated on the lake’s surface. After drinking the same pair of squirrels had lemon-yellow on their lips and went off back into the pines. This reflects how later on at my phenoplogy spot I will be no longer able to see as much mammal activity, yet be able to see interesting mammal interactions with the landscape.

 

My favorite aspect looking between Jullian Pond and my phenology spot is the difference in bird species. All of the birds that I saw at Jullian Pond can be see at phenology spot and Vermont, yet the presence of these birds was overwhelming. In total, I observed Carolina Chickadees (closely related to Vermont’s Black-Capped Chickadees), Northern Mockingbirds, Golden Kinglets, Northern Cardinals, Mallards, Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Canada Geese, American Crows, Wood Ducks, Domestic Ducks and Geese, American Robins, Eastern Phebes, Brown Creepers,  Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, and most importantly American Coots. American Coots are a rarity in Vermont, yet a common staple to Ashville. Swimming amongst the domestic ducks, geese, and mallards these surprisingly small aquatic avians were close to the shore and even wondered near me. When on land their green segmented-like feet grappled against the rocky grains of the shore leaving me in complete shock. They fed with the nearby mallards and geese looking like a sparrow next to an eagle. They did not engage with each other that much, yet this same unique species interaction can be found at my phenology spot. For example, in September I was able to see interactions at the retention pond between wood ducks and Canada geese, crows and turkey vultures, and even grey catbirds and red-winged blackbirds. Furthermore, I look forward to seeing the return of neotropical migrants such as phebes back to Burlington, yet are fun to see here in North Carolina. In conclusion, looking at Jullian Pond I look forward to seeing these returning birds, trees, and weather back at my phenology spot in Burlington.

A. My phenology spot lies within a clearing separating a White Pine Red-Oak Black-Oak Forest (PRB Forest). My phenology spot focuses on how a powerline has fragmented this PRB Forest and if this area was not managed my phenology spot would follow under succession to become apart of the PRB Forest. The main indicators of the nearby forest being a PRB Forest is the focal tree species being eastern white pine and red oak with supplement tree species such as American beech and eastern hemlock. In addition, these forests have river-based areas (Centennial Brook), low elevations (< 1400 ft.), and well-drained soils (Hartland very fine sandy loam soil) making it preferable to pines and oaks. This reflects how this land was once owned by the Ainsworth family and was operated as a sheep farm (look at Human History and Seasons Changing Blog). With the abandonment of the Ainsworth Farm pioneer and desired species such as eastern white pine and red oak grew and could be eventually replaced by American beech. Within this forest composition, grey squirrels and chipmunks occupy the area and can be best-seen through my interaction with a pair of pileated woodpeckers.

When visiting my phenology site I heard a loud drumming noise nearby and was lured deep into the interior of the adjacent PRB Forest. Navigating fifty yards inward I saw a feather clung critter on a mature eastern white pine. It was a pileated woodpecker fixed into a perpendicular position drilling a hole looking for any available prey or maybe a new roosting area for young. As I stood there the woodpecker was called for by another nearby pileated woodpecker. Dismounted from the tree the woodpecker expanded its wings and fluttered towards the outgoing call. Pileated woodpeckers are a focal species of PRB Forest and are a sign of a strong natural community. Despite my phenology spot being a disturbed area, the nearby areas maintain its integrity based from its tree composition, physical characteristics, local history, and animal residents. Therefore, my phenology spot could become apart of this surrounding White Pine Red-Oak Black-Oak Forest.

B. Based in early March my phenology spot is seeing less and less snow. Despite snowfall earlier on March 4, the snow is melting off from pines, phragmites, and certain sunlit areas. All of the melted snow runs into Centennial Brook and can be seen with faster stream discharge into the Winooski watershed, despite it still being covered by ice. Other than Centennial Brook as the soil thaws out snow water will percolate into the soil allowing the return of native plant and animal species. Moisten soils help provide existing woody plants and help promote the arrival of herbaceous plants such as fern species and jewelweed. In addition, melted snow water will form vernal ponds which act as future habitats for dormant wood frogs and salamander species as they awaken in the Spring to breed. Centennial forest has well-drained very fine loamy soil allowing the retention of water for these species in the spring and warm summer months. Water is also stored in a nearby man-made water retention pond collecting incoming melted snow water and salts and pollutants from nearby streets. This relationship between the hydrology of snowfall and the substrate of well-drained soil allows the rebirth of my phenology site filled new with fauna and flora.