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Stonewall E cology and Successional L andscapes

Stonewall E cology and Successional L andscapes. Examining the potential ecological correlations of wildlife presence and successional landscape in New England stonewall ecosystems. Stonewalls In New England. Estimated between100,000-250,000 miles of stonewall in New England

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Stonewall E cology and Successional L andscapes

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  1. Stonewall Ecology and Successional Landscapes Examining the potential ecological correlations of wildlife presence and successional landscape in New England stonewall ecosystems.

  2. Stonewalls In New England • Estimated between100,000-250,000 miles of stonewall in New England • Constructed during pastoral clearing by early settlement

  3. Samuel A. Tamposi Water Supply Reserve (SATWaSR) • In 2001 the Town of Barrington, NH acquired ~1,400 acres of land in the southeast corner of town • A“bargain sale” from the TamposiCorporation, the owners, • A grant facilitating the acquisition from the N.H. Department of Environmental Services “Water Supply Protection Program.”

  4. Research Proposal • Problem Statement: Research and analyze the potential ecological impacts on the surrounding ecosystems in different successional phases. • Research Question • Hypothesis • Materials • Methodology

  5. Objectives • Survey stonewalls for wildlife usage. • Classify vegetation communities into successional phases. • Measure abiotic and biotic characteristics and compare within the different successional phases. • Analyze data to build connections between the successional characteristics and wildlife presence.

  6. Research Question • What correlations exist between small mammal usage of stonewalls with vegetative communities and physical environmental characteristics (temperature, rainfall, etc.)?

  7. Hypothesis • Original Hypothesis Small mammal usage in the Tamposi will be greater in late successional ecosystems due to cover provided by stonewalls and the development of vegetation in the surrounding ecosystem. • Alternative Hypothesis Small mammal usage in the Tamposi will be greater in early successional ecosystems due the ease of travel that less vegetation provides.

  8. Successional Phases • Huston and Smith’s (1987) compilation of physiological and life-history characteristics of early and late successional plants was used to define characteristics of each phase. • The characteristics from Huston and Smith that were considered included shade tolerance, growth rate, relative mature size, and maximum life span.

  9. Species Composition • Common tree species within the Tamposi were categorized by genus; • Hemlock (Tsuga spp.) • Pine (Pinus spp.) • Maple (Acer spp.) • Beech (Fagus spp.) • Oak (Quercus spp.) • Birch (Betula spp.) • Witch-hazel (Hammamelis spp.).

  10. Successional Characteristics

  11. Site Determination

  12. Site Determination

  13. Site Location E.S. 1 = Early Succession 1 E.S. 2 = Early Succession 2 L.S. 1 = Late Succession 1 L.S. 2 = Late Succession 2

  14. Setting Up the Site • Measured and a 10 meter transect along stonewall at all four Successional Sites • Marked points at each end • Marked center point; tree against stonewall

  15. Site Layout Note: diagram not to scale

  16. Materials • Wildlife Cameras • HOBO Outdoor/Industrial, 4-Channel External temperature reader

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