Nature's Bit Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is located in Chapman State Park ~ a wonderful area for many recreation activities.
What is a healthy forest? While a healthy forest is many things, one of the most reliable indicators is what is called the forest understory, the young trees and plants that grow in the lower level of the forest, close to the ground. In a healthy forest, the understory has several layers and consists of many different species of young trees, shrubs and wildflowers. A well developed understory is not only an essential habitat element for many plants and animals, it also demonstrates the forest’s capacity to renew itself ~ a primary indicator of forest health.
When almost all the plants seem to be the same, it may be because deer do not browse on that species. Deer in Pennsylvania typically do not eat ferns. Forests with understories dominated with ferns indicate degraded habitat and could mean deer populations are not balanced with habitat conditions. The presence or absence of some common wildflowers can be key indicators of the level of deer impact on a given forest site. When these species are present, such as Trillium, Canada mayflower, Indian cucumber root and Jack-in-the-pulpit, and allowed to fully grow and develop, deer populations are likely in balance with available habitat. Raspberries and blackberries are highly preferred by deer and are an important food source for many forest dwellers. Abundant raspberry and blackberry bushes can be an indicator of a healthy forest understory.
A healthy forest yields healthy deer and much more. It provides abundant food and habitat for a whole host of game and non-game species. Grouse pluck berries from the shrub layer. Turkeys hide their broods under lush undercover. Bears feast on abundant acorns and songbirds nest in the shrubs and saplings. A healthy forest benefits people, too, playing a vital role in our economy, environment, sense-of-place and quality of life. It supplies clean water, fresh air, renewable wood products and places to recreate. Managing for a healthy forest today is vital to ensuring these values and benefits continue into the future. Many factors influence the balance of nature in a healthy forest. Below is a link where you can learn more.
Cache is placed by permission from DCNR. Special thanks to James B. McCorkle, Park Manager, for encouragement and help in establishing this cache.
The cache is about half a mile walk from the parking cords. It is fairly level. Bikes are permitted on the paved trail. Bikes are NOT permitted on the Nature Trail. It is short walk to the cache from the paved trail ~ about .1 mile. You are looking for a 50 caliber ammo can hidden in traditional style in the woods! Take a little hike and find this swag loaded cache. There is a special surprise in the cache for FTF. Happy caching!
Links for more info: About healthy forests ~
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/index.aspx About Chapman State Park ~
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/chapman.aspx
CONGRATULATIONS… FTF… FTF… The WhiteHouse814 … FTF
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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