Rink, Calahan, Sterzinger, & Schmidt 1

Forest Field Trip Report

Macy Rink, David Calahan, Em Sterzinger, & Josie Schmidt

Is Merwin Trail a healthy ecosystem?

Introduction:
Our group is going to Merwin Nature Preserve to study the biodiversity of the plants
and wildlife and determine whether or not it is an example of a healthy forest. We are also
going to examine the effects that humans leave in the forest. Merwin Nature Preserve is in
Upper Valley Watershed and is a part of the Parklands Foundation. Founded in 1967, the
Parklands Foundation has protected and restored more than 3,200 acres of prairie,
savanna, floodplain forest and river habitat in the Mackinaw River valley of McLean,
Tazewell, and Woodford counties. It prides itself on “the diversity of native plants and
wildlife, and for public recreation, environmental education, and scientific research.”
According to http://www.idahoforests.org/health1.htm, “A healthy forest maintains its
unique species and processes, while maintaining its basic structure, composition and
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function.” Other determining factors include a variety of trees, a complete food chain,
multiple variations of the same species, forest fires, and few disturbances. Therefore, we
will keep these criteria in mind as we determine the health of the forest.

Below is a climatogram of the area nearest to Merwin Nature Preserve.

Compass Plant Tall Goldenrod

Methods:
We began our study by measuring out a ten by ten meter quadrant to examine. Next,
we went on to measure the diameter of the trees at breast height in the quadrant to
discover the diversity of the tree size. We measured the height of the trees in our quadrant
by walking away from the tree until our arm created a forty-five degree angle and then
measuring the distance between us and the tree to determine the height. Following this, we
took soil samples to compare the phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium levels of the forest
soil to what is considered healthy element levels. We also measured light levels, using the
google science journal, in the four corners and in the middle of our quadrant. Meanwhile
we scoured the quadrant searching for signs of animal life and human disturbances.
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Data:

Tree Diameter: In our ten by ten meter quadrant, our group noticed that most of the
trees had a diameter of 30 cm or less. However, the class as a whole had a wide range of
diameters throughout the forest. Our group counted 12 trees total. 25% of those measured
had a diameter between 0.1cm and 5 cm, 25% were between 5.1cm and 10cm, 25% were
between 10.1cm and 20cm, and the last 25% were measured between 20.1cm and 30cm.
Because of the fact that all of the trees within our quadrant had a relatively small diameter,
we concluded that our quadrant might have experienced some form of disturbance some
years before.

Light Levels: In our ten by ten meter quadrant, our group noticed that the left side of
the quadrant experienced more light exposure than the right. We concluded that this
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occurred because of the height of trees on the right side. However we cannot state any
concrete results because the sun moves throughout the day and we only took
measurements at one point in the day. The average light exposure throughout the entire
quadrant was 6.48 EV.

LL Measured in EV Area of Quadrant Relative to the Trail

7.8 Top left

7.6 Bottom Left

5.5 Top Right

6.1 Bottom Right

5.4 Middle

6.48 All areas averaged

Nutrients in Soil: The soil test our team conducted showed high levels of potassium,
medium levels of phosphorus, and no signs of nitrogen. Our team concluded that the low
level of nitrogen was due to the numerous plants in the area. Nitrogen is a key component
of photosynthesis and has therefore been depleted by the producers in the area. Potassium
is also considered a key nutrient for plant growth. We concluded that the high levels of
potassium indicate a good future for the plant life in the area. Phosphorus helps plants
transform energy. Due to the medium level of phosphorus, our team concluded that the
plants in the area will be well provided for.

Chemical Element Level/Estimated Amount in Soil

Phosphorus Medium Level (20 lb A/6” Soil)

Nitrogen None (0 lb A/6”soil)

Potassium High Level (160 lb A/6” soil)

Conclusion:
Upon examining both our own and the class data, we determined that it is a healthy
forest. There are a variety of trees and fungi present. There was a dominance of Ash trees
within our quadrant and the Shannon index indicates a low biodiversity at 1.25831.
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However, these Ash trees take up the least space, as they were all between zero and five
centimeters in diameter. The largest trees were the red oaks. The oak trees and elm trees
are healthy, and the ash trees have plenty of room to grow. The class data shows more
diversity of trees than our quadrant does. We discovered animal burrows, ant colonies, and
deer droppings, which is evidence of animals in the area. The only object of human origin
spotted was a soda can. Outside of our quadrant, we observed fallen trees which are signs
of healthy disturbance. Our soil test showed medium levels of phosphorus, high potassium,
and low levels of nitrogen. As shown by the clear evidence of animals, the class biodiversity
of trees, and the health of the trees, this is a healthy forest.
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Works Cited

Idaho Forest Products Comission. Environmental Benefits of Forests. IdahoForests.org, 2010

John Spargo, Tracy Allen, Solomon Kariuki. Interpreting Your Soil Test Results. Soil and
Nutrient Testing Laboratory, https://ag.umass.edu/soil-plant-nutrient-testing-
laboratory/fact-sheets/interpreting-your-soil-test-results, 2013.

http://www.parklandsfoundation.org/preserves/merwin-nature-preserve-trail-guide/