Aspect: None
Slope Position: Summit
Landform: Ridge/Peak
Common Vegetation: Chestnut Oak, Red Maple, Red Oak
The very top of the mountain was a dry site and the vegetation was more spaced out in this area. A typical attribute of a summit is to be dry, but not completely moistureless. Because of the flat position of the W5 summit, the land absorbs and retains some moisture. However, as it is a highland, the moisture gravitates south and tends to flow off each slope around the summit. Another factor that contributes to the dry quality of this site is that as a summit, it receives a fair amount of direct sunlight throughout the day.
The types of vegetation found here were trees such as chestnut oaks, red maples, and red oaks. These trees are typical of the site because they are able to live successfully with minimal amount of water. In the higher ridge areas chestnut oak trees dominate, because of the lack of ample moisture (nps.gov). Because the site was neither drastically moist nor dry, the trees were fair in size, averaging a diameter(dbh) of 25.93cm.
National Park Service. “Trees and Shrubs.” Catoctin Mountain Park.
No comments:
Post a Comment