Site 1 - First Stop

Site 1: N39 38.035 W77 26.875

Elevation: 1055 ft
Aspect: South
Slope Position: Back Slope
Landform: Nose Slope
Common Vegetation: Chestnut Oaks, Red Maple, Black Gum. At the first stop on our way to Wolf Rock we stopped at a south facing back slope. When looking around, there were chestnut oaks, red maples and black gums spotted in the area. To find these trees located here is not a surprise, these species are usually found in drier soils than other species (Trees and Shrubs).
The reason that the soil is drier in this area is because of its slope position. When it rains the water travels downward, accumulating in the flatter areas such as the toe slope and terrace. Also, as this slope faces south, it receives more direct sunlight than a north facing slope. More sunlight in an area means it is warmer, and the soil is drier because the water in the soil is being used to cool the vegetation. While other species of trees need a damper environment in order to grow the chestnut, red maple and black gum are adaptable to the lack of moisture. Therefore, these trees thrive in areas of moderate elevation that give them enough water to grow but not enough water so that they are competing with many other trees for nutrients (Thomas-VanGundy).

"Trees and Shrubs." National Park Service, n.d. Web. <http://www.nps.gov/cato/naturescience/treesandshrubs.htm>.

Thomas-VanGundy, Melissa, and Michael Strager. "Northern Research Station."
Site Characteristics of American Chestnut, Oak, and Hickory Witness Trees on the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/38055>.