Today I visited my phenology spot for the last time this year. One difference today was the snow on the ground. This change made me think about how the changing seasons will affect the vegetation surrounding my stream, and how the changes in the water entering my stream will change my area and further affect the greater watershed. Some things I observed this week might have a big affect on how my stream will look and function. First, I noticed how the water basins that my stream flows from were frozen.
This would probably lower the velocity of my stream since the water is stuck in the solid state. While this may be good for lowering the amount of runoff, it makes me wonder if during spring, all the materials tied up in ice and snow will melt all at once and overload the stream. This thought also made me realize how my stream will affect the greater Burlington watershed and the water quality of Lake Champlain. Another change I saw around my area was the lack of vegetation. I came across where lots of Staghorn Sumac, an invasive species, was removed from around the water basin.
Most of the leaves on the sugar maples in the forest had fallen but the ground was not completely covered in leaves wince the wind likely blew them away. One place where I did see leaves accumulating was in the stream. The leaves seemed to catch the duckweed algae, any oil that accumulates on the water surface. I wondered if catching these contaminants and allowing them to sit and go back into the soil is better than allowing the materials to flow downstream where they may end up in the lake or other bodies of water.
While most of the understory, leaves, and grasses next to the water sources were gone, the Eastern White Pine saplings continued to thrive. I have really enjoyed visiting my spot and seeing how my stream is affected by our school and our climate. Even though our blogs will no longer be required I will continue to visit my spot and check on my stream.
Thanks for reading this week. Come back soon!