Bruce Lake Field TripBruce Lake Field Trip

October 14October 14thth,,

20092009Katrina Daly and Morgan Liss

Weather InformationWeather Information

Starting time: 9:20Starting time: 9:20 Temperature: low 40’sTemperature: low 40’s Elevation: 1,730 ft.Elevation: 1,730 ft. Humidity: less than 50%Humidity: less than 50% Elevation Temperature Rule: every 1,000 Elevation Temperature Rule: every 1,000

feet you go up, the temperature goes feet you go up, the temperature goes down 3 ½ degrees.down 3 ½ degrees.

Vertical StratificationVertical Stratification

High stratification: richer, less rocky soilHigh stratification: richer, less rocky soil

Glaciated area – Vertical StratificationGlaciated area – Vertical Stratification

Low stratification:Low stratification: Glaciers pushed through during last Ice Age.Glaciers pushed through during last Ice Age. Secondary SuccessionSecondary Succession

Lichen- A symbiosis of fungus and algae

Panther SwampPanther Swamp

Micro-climate: A smaller climate within a larger Micro-climate: A smaller climate within a larger climate.climate.

Frost pocket: Occur in bowl-like areas. Cold air Frost pocket: Occur in bowl-like areas. Cold air settles and causes frost earlier and later in the settles and causes frost earlier and later in the year.year.

Panther Swamp is an example of both of these.Panther Swamp is an example of both of these. Sphagnum Moss: Very absorbent. Native Sphagnum Moss: Very absorbent. Native

Americans used to use it as diapers. It can also Americans used to use it as diapers. It can also be used as a dressing to stop bleeding.be used as a dressing to stop bleeding.

Panther swamp PicturesPanther swamp Pictures

Ecotone

Sphagnum moss

Bridge over Egypt Meadow Bridge over Egypt Meadow LakeLake

We didn’t see any animals, but we did We didn’t see any animals, but we did see a beaver dam.see a beaver dam.

The water is tea-colored because it is The water is tea-colored because it is acidic.acidic.

Beaver damTea-colored water

Bruce LakeBruce Lake

Bruce Lake is a Bruce Lake is a natural, glacial lake. natural, glacial lake. It is mostly runoff.It is mostly runoff.

The trees around the The trees around the lake are not as tall lake are not as tall (Low stratification). (Low stratification). This is because the This is because the quality of the soil is quality of the soil is not as good.not as good.

Deer ExclosureDeer Exclosure

Deer Exclosure: A place where an area of forest is fenced off so Deer Exclosure: A place where an area of forest is fenced off so deer cannot enter it and eat the plant life. The purpose is so deer cannot enter it and eat the plant life. The purpose is so people can observe the difference between the two areas and people can observe the difference between the two areas and realize how much damage they do.realize how much damage they do.

A herbicide is used because if not, the bracken fern would hinder A herbicide is used because if not, the bracken fern would hinder the growth of other plant life.the growth of other plant life.

EcotoneEcotone

Ecotone: The place where two habitats Ecotone: The place where two habitats begin to blend.begin to blend.

Leaf PigmentsLeaf Pigments

They change because of a shortening They change because of a shortening photo period because days become photo period because days become shortershorter

These colors are originally there, but These colors are originally there, but chlorophyll is blocking the ability to view chlorophyll is blocking the ability to view themthem

Leaf Pigment PicturesLeaf Pigment Pictures

GapsGaps A gap is a space that is left in the canopy A gap is a space that is left in the canopy

when a tree dies.when a tree dies. Gaps are important because they give Gaps are important because they give

space for new trees to grow in.space for new trees to grow in. Trees compete for gaps so they can get Trees compete for gaps so they can get

the most sunlight.the most sunlight.

Species ListSpecies List

Bracken Fern: Very widely distributed. Capable of Bracken Fern: Very widely distributed. Capable of Allelopathy, which is where the roots release toxins into the Allelopathy, which is where the roots release toxins into the soil, inhibiting other plant growth.soil, inhibiting other plant growth.

Mountain Laurel: State flower, evergreenMountain Laurel: State flower, evergreen Dogbane (Indian Hemp): Can be used to make ropeDogbane (Indian Hemp): Can be used to make rope Sweet Fern: Has a good scent; Native Americans used to Sweet Fern: Has a good scent; Native Americans used to

use it as an air fresheneruse it as an air freshener Lichen: Symbiosis between fungus and algae.Lichen: Symbiosis between fungus and algae. Rhododendron: Evergreen, broadleaves, deer usually don’t Rhododendron: Evergreen, broadleaves, deer usually don’t

eat theseeat these Shelf Fungus: breaks down dead treesShelf Fungus: breaks down dead trees

Species List PicturesSpecies List Pictures

Bracken Fern

Shelf fungus

Lichen

Mountain LaurelSweet Fern Dogbane(Indian Hemp)

Interesting PicturesInteresting Pictures