Rayna Herman Phenology Project

October

Dissolved Oxygen

Something I noticed while observing the area was that there was a high level of dissolved oxygen in the water which was indicated in the fact that the water was bubbling as it flowed. When the water would stop running as it collided with a rock, the bubbles collected and formed a puddle-like shape in the water. While visiting the brook, I did not see a lot of aquatic life which could potentially indicate that the increased level of oxygen is affecting species within the system.

***Dissolved oxygen bubbles collecting against the bank

Along the bank, there was a large population of plant species that made up the riparian buffer. Some of these species that I was able to identify were grass, many different types of ferns, primarily wood ferns, large-leaved avens, and American Bittersweet, pictured below. Additionally, due to the high level of moisture by the the brook, there were a number of moss-covered rocks.

American Bittersweet

Broom Fork-moss

Large-leaved Avens

*****PictureThis app used for specific plant name identification

Shade Tolerance

Because my natural area is a brook, there are a lot of hardwoods within close proximity. Directly along the bank, there was a very high Norway maple population, most of them were pretty young which was indicated by thin, smooth trunks. The Norway maples were responsible for most of the shade coverage over the brook. The photo below was taken parallel to the brook’s surface and shows the high Maple population above the water as well as the relatively high exposure to sunlight in comparison to other small streams in Centennial. Just beyond the brook’s riparian buffer, there is also an abundant Eastern White Pine and Paper Birch population.

Norway Maple

Norway Maple was the most densely populated tree in this area

Buckthorn

Eastern White Pine

Yellow Birch

Northern Red Oak

Wood Ferns

Coordinates: 44°28’39.0″N 73°11’12.4″W

Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KoAqiUgv7QCtZ44KA

How I Chose This Spot

This brook is a place that is very special to me, I discovered it during our first NR 1010 assignment to investigate Centennial Woods. Small bodies of water like these have always been special to me because they have a relaxing quality, and typically are surrounded by beautiful species of flowers and aquatic plants. Another reason why the brook stood out to me was because there seemed to be a high level of specie diversity, specifically regarding plant species. This spot, as mentioned before, is located in Centennial Woods and can be accessed by staying on the Blue path and going straight until reaching a clearing of trees, you then can venture down a bit of a steep hill and the brook is just beyond this point.

Picture taken of the brook, its diverse aquatic species are evident

View of the brook as you approach from just off of the path