March Update

My site in its current condition does not really fit any of the natural communities defined in Wetland, Woodland, Wildland very well. Despite being a valley that tends to collect precipitation, I don’t think that it has the potential to ever accumulate enough to be considered a marsh or swamp. It also certainly isn’t a beach or lake shore. That leaves the different kinds of forests as options. Currently, the most abundant trees at my site are Eastern Hemlock, White Pine, and Yellow Birch. That doesn’t really match any of the forest communities given, but I can make assumptions about the soil type at my site based on the trees living there. All three of these species prefer acidic soil. Knowing that the soil at my site is likely acidic, I can predict which natural forest community it has the potential to be. Anything with limestone or high amounts of calcium is eliminated, as that would indicate basic soil. An Oak/Hickory/Hophornbeam community is possible, as there are a few Red Oaks on my site. However, I have not seen any Hickory or Hophornbeam anywhere in the area. My site could also be considered a Valley Clayplain forest, as these sites were formerly very common in Burlington and often used as farmland, just like Centennial Woods was. Overall, I think the best way to describe my site is a Northern Hardwood Forest that happens to have a lot of conifers in this one spot.

In terms of phenological changes, my site has not changed much since the last time that I was there. There is still a thick layer of snow and ice covering the forest floor, and the trees are still bare. Buds are beginning to form, but there are no leaves yet. The conifers are still green, as they always are. Under the snow, the ice covering the bottom of the valley that makes up my site is at least 2 inches thick. Below that, the ground, which is usually somewhat muddy, is also frozen solid.

Skip to toolbar