Salmon Hole vs. Freetown Forest

(Holland): The composition of the Freetown Forest in comparison to the ecology and phenology of the Salmon Hole ecosystem is vastly different. The tree species of the Freetown are predominantly beeches and birches that appear to be of poor health. The poor health of this ecosystem could be the result of a number of influencing factors such a low soil nutrients, a strong frost, or the presence of nearby pollutants. The Salmon Hole Ecosystem is ruled by white oaks, boxelders, and pines of relatively good health. The number of standing dead trees observed in the Freetown Forest is much higher then the proportion observed near the Salmon Hole. The geology of the landscape is also differentiating factor. The Freetown forest is predominantly granite and pudding stone whereas the Salmon hole is composed of stratified quartzite and limestone. The Salmon Hole Ecosystem harbors a larger number and variety of organisms. The Freetown Forest is a rather desolate landscape with few indications of life outside of the trees it’s composed of. Although these ecosystems appear contrary in phenology they do share some overlapping elements. Both landscapes are marked with large quantities of moss and lichen surrounding the creek and riverbed. Neither landscape shows clear signs of eutrophication suggesting the nitrogen and phosphorus levels are where they should be.

~ by kpdonova on November 27, 2017.

 
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