Landscape Natural History

Fall 2002  

Landscape Assessment Assignment

 

In this group assignment, you will have the opportunity to weave together the various topics we have been covering into an interpretation of a specific landscape.  The class will be divided into five field teams of two students each.   Each team will be responsible for researching and analyzing a specific forested landscape in Chittenden County, and incorporating its findings into a web site and an on-site oral presentation.   Although I have assigned each team a specific parcel, it is up to the members of the team to select a specific 4-hectare area to focus on in their investigation. (One hectare is equivalent to 100 meters on a side.) The shape of you 4-hectare area is up to you.

 

This assignment will require that each team member spend at least 8 hours on-site, and several hours doing background research, preparing maps, and creating the web site.  The web site will count for 80% of the grade, the presentation 20%.   Team members will all receive the same grade . Each team’s web site must be published by November 7 (Thursday section) or November 11, 2002 (Monday section).  

 

I have arranged for you to have a number of resources in Bailey-Howe Library at your disposal as you create your web site:

 

Ø       Center for Teaching and Learning – the CTL staff will be available to help you throughout the web design process.  Steve Cavrak will be serving as the chief web design mentor, and Harley Blake will assisting you in developing digital maps using the GIS program ArcView.

Ø       Map Room – Maps, aerial photos, and ArcView data have been assembled for your use.

Ø       Media Services – Digital cameras, scanners, etc. are available.

Ø       Special Collections – Historic documents (maps, reports, photographs) will help you determine the land-use history of your site.

 

 

The web site you design should contain the following elements:

 

·         Overview (1 pt) - describe the location, shape, ownership of your parcel, and the types of ecosystems (e.g., forest, field, stream, etc.) that comprise the 4-hectare landscape you have analyzed. Also include a description of the landscape context (i.e., town, watershed, biophysical region, surrounding land-use).   

 

·         Maps and Photographs (3 pt)  - One of beauties of using a web site to present your landscape is that you can easily integrate graphics and text.  I strongly encourage you to incorporate GIS maps that depict various layers of your landscape, as well as photographs or sketches into the various pages of your site.   Historic photos and maps can be terrific additions.   You’ll learn how to insert digital images (photos, scanned images, Arcview maps) right into your web pages using a file transfer protocol.   I would like you to include at least three digital maps generated in ArcView , with one of these being a base map that shows an aerial view, parcel boundary, and topographic lines.

 

·         Timeline (2 pts) - tell the history of the landscape from its geological origins up through present day.  Although the bulk of this section should be in narrative form, it is fine to include a supporting timeline diagram.   This section should be an integration of library research and "reading the landscape" in the field.  Be sure to address the age and origin of the bedrock, the impact of the glacier, pre-settlement conditions, and 19th and 20th century land-use history.

 

·         Ecosystem Map (1 pt) - present a map delineating the various ecosystems present on your 4-hectare landscape.  You may create your own classification system or use the natural community approach.   Be sure to include a scale bar, north arrow, legend, trails, and any significant landmarks.  You can generate a digital map using software such as Arcview, or scan in a hand-drawn map. It’s up to you.

 

·         Pattern and Process Discussion (3 pts) - discuss how climate, substrate, topography, and disturbance history have influenced the structure and composition of the forested ecosystems on your 4-hectare landscape. Be sure to include a list of the natural community types (as described in Wetland, Woodland, Wildland) that you think are present on your landscape.

 

·         Cross-sectional Diagrams (2 pts) - create diagrams depicting the vertical structure of two ecosystems within your 4-hectare landscape, and import them into your web site.

 

·         Wildlife Habitat Analysis (1 pt) - describe the wildlife habitat provided by your landscape.   Include a list of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians) that you actually detect (either by sight, sound, or sign) as well as those that might potentially occur there according to the authors of New England Wildlife (on reserve in Bailey/Howe).  Try surfing the web to find some images of animals to include.

 

·         Dichotomous Key (1 pt) - create a dichotomous key to the ten most common tree species on your landscape.

 

·         Reference List (1 pt) - list all of the outside documents and maps utilized in conducting this assessment.  Include at least one hot link to a web site relevant to your research.

 

 

Please Note:

I’ll be asking you to evaluate each other’s web sites. 5% (1 pt) of you grade will come from your classmates’ evaluations.

 

 

 

The on-site group presentation (4 pts) should:

·         interpret the natural history of your landscape for your classmates

·         equally involve both members of the team

·         include a tour of the highlights of the site

·         be one hour in length (including time for discussion, questions, and touring the site)

·         provide for each class member: a base map of the parcel, a tree key, and a snack (!) item.

 

Team presentations are scheduled as follows:

 

Site                                         Team                            Date                            Time

Shelburne Bay Park                 Alan & Mike R.               10-31-02         (12:40 - 1:40)

LaPlatte Nature Park                Ryan & Dennis             10-31-02        (1:50 – 2:50)   

Charlotte Wildlife Park             Kelsey and Patrick      10-31-02         (3:00 – 4:00)                                                   

Mud Pond Natural Area             Becca & Mike B.          11-7-02           (12:50 – 1:50)

Joiner Brook                           Shaun & Morgan            11-7-02            (2:15– 3:15)


Woodside                               Sofi & Sara                    11-4-02                 (12:40 - 1:40)

Indian Brook Reservoir         Caroline & Whitney        11-4-02                  (1:50 – 2:50)    

Colchester Pond                    Emily and Ben H.            11-4-02                 (3:00 – 4:00)                                                   

Hinesburg Town Forest         Bonnie and Phillip           11-11-02                 (12:50 – 1:50)

Preston Property                   Ashley and Ben A.          11-11-02                (2:15– 3:15)


Important Notes: