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Jamestown Audubon Pit and Mound Earthcache EarthCache

Hidden : 5/13/2014
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:

This Earthcache will invite you to notice the rolling land shape often seen in the forest and explain why the ground surface is more rolling in the woods than in open fields. As you follow the trail from the trailhead to the coordinates, you will see several pits and mounds along the way.

The posted coordinates are for the tree plate and I have added coordinates for the trailhead to the cache page.


How Pits ad Mounds Form:

In a mature woods it is a common sight to see trees blown over by the wind. As trees get older, their tops get bigger and they catch more wind. When a strong wind catches the trees top, it can cause them to be blown down. They are often ripped out by their roots and the ball of roots and dirt (tree plate) are tipped on their edge. This is is how a pit is formed; the pit is the hole left when the root is torn away with the dirt. Over time, the dirt falls away and the roots decay leaving a small mound. This is how a mound is formed. When a tree is uprooted it brings minerals up from below the surface and slows the formation of natural layers in the soil which has an important impact on the soil.

Pit and mounds create variations in the land surface and provide sites for biodiversity. The pits often catch rainfall or snowmelt and temporarily store water serving as vernal pools where amphibians can breed and animals can find drinking water. In the fall, the pits gather leaves and other debris; giving them high organic matter levels. This provides great growing conditions for wetland plants. Trees however, grow better on the mounds. The mounds are well drained and they provide greater rooting depth for the trees.

Jennifer, from the Audubon, walked this area with me and explained a lot about pits and mounds. One thing I found very interesting was her explanation of why the depth of the pit here may be shallower than another pit that is not in the wetland. You will notice this with the pit that I have chosen for you to examine.

At the coordinates you will see one large and several smaller tree plates. I would like you to examine the largest one with a nice pit at it’s base. This tree is in wetlands so as I mentioned above, while the pit is wide, it isn’t very deep and it may be full of water. You will be able to determine your answers from the trail but if you would like a picture with it, you can walk over to it. As I mentioned, it is in the wetlands and it is wet and I did see some poison ivy once I left the trail, but I was able to walk up to it to get my coordinates and take some pictures. There are several tree plates in this area, please use the largest one to answer questions one and two.

1. Estimate the diameter of the tree plate.

2. Explain why the depth of the pit here may be shallower than another pit that is not in the wetland.

3. How many pit and mounds do you see from the trail at the coordinates?

To complete this Earthcache please email me the answers to the 3 questions before you log your visit. You do not have to wait for a response from me to log your find but if I do not receive your answers, the log will be deleted. Logs with answers posted in them will also be deleted.

Thank you for visiting my earthcache, I trust you enjoyed the walk and I hope you learned something from your visit.

I request that you email your answers to me on the same day that you log your “found it” log. (This does not have to be the day you visit, just the day you log the find on the computer.) As per Earthcache rules, I must delete your log if I don't receive your answers within five days of your visit.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)