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Tram

Urban Forestry

I.  MIXED EVERGREEN AND DECIDUOUS FOREST.

The first habitat you encounter is a mixed evergreen and deciduous habitat. This habitat contains trees such as Loblolly Pine (like the tall ones to the right), Wild Cherry, Persimmon, Live Oak, Red Cedar, Red Maple, Sycamore, and Black Oak. The Loblolly's are about 30 years old. 

This mixed forest is located on higher elevation.  The drier soil conditions determine in part the composition of the forest and distinguish it from the forest in wetter areas further down the trail.

The edges of habitats are very important areas. The edge is known as an ecotone, like the one to the right, and typically contains a variety of dense growth, such as vines like ivy and grapes, as well as briars.  An ecotone is found where a field or lawn meets a forest.  Plants in the ecotone grow higher than those in the field, but typically do not grow as high as the forest.

At the edges of habitats, different habitats meet or come together and are very rich in species diversity. Small mammals such as voles, mice, shrews, rabbits and moles love this habitat. You will see fox and deer frequent the areas also.

When walking through a field, walk close to the ecotone and look for birds.  A variety of bird species seek out the ecotone for their food supply and cover, two of the three essential pieces of a habitat.  The other is water and we will see that next.

Let's now go to the Marsh.

Cyber-Hike