Examining the potential ecological correlations of wildlife presence and successional landscape in New England stonewall ecosystems.

Stonewall Ecology and Successional Landscapes

Stonewalls In New England Estimated between100,000-250,000

miles of stonewall in New England Constructed during pastoral clearing by

early settlement

Samuel A. Tamposi Water Supply Reserve (SATWaSR)

• In 2001 the Town of Barrington, NH acquired ~1,400 acres of land in the southeast corner of town

• A “bargain sale” from the Tamposi Corporation, the owners,

• A grant facilitating the acquisition from the N.H. Department of Environmental Services “Water Supply Protection Program.”

Research Proposal Problem Statement:Research and analyze the potential ecological impacts on the surrounding ecosystems in different successional phases. Research Question Hypothesis Materials Methodology

Objectives Survey stonewalls for wildlife usage. Classify vegetation communities into

successional phases. Measure abiotic and biotic characteristics

and compare within the different successional phases.

Analyze data to build connections between the successional characteristics and wildlife presence.

Research Question

What correlations exist between small mammal usage of stonewalls with vegetative communities and physical environmental characteristics (temperature, rainfall, etc.)?

Hypothesis Original Hypothesis

Small mammal usage in the Tamposi will be greater in late successional ecosystems due to cover provided by stonewalls and the development of vegetation in the surrounding ecosystem.

Alternative HypothesisSmall mammal usage in the Tamposi will be greater in early successional ecosystems due the ease of travel that less vegetation provides.

Successional Phases Huston and Smith’s (1987) compilation of

physiological and life-history characteristics of early and late successional plants was used to define characteristics of each phase.

The characteristics from Huston and Smith that were considered included shade tolerance, growth rate, relative mature size, and maximum life span.

Species Composition Common tree species within the Tamposi

were categorized by genus; Hemlock (Tsuga spp.) Pine (Pinus spp.) Maple (Acer spp.) Beech (Fagus spp.) Oak (Quercus spp.)Birch (Betula spp.)Witch-hazel (Hammamelis spp.).

Successional Characteristics

Site Determination

Site Determination

Site Location

E.S. 1 = Early Succession 1

E.S. 2 = Early Succession 2

L.S. 1 = Late Succession 1

L.S. 2 = Late Succession 2

Setting Up the Site Measured and a 10 meter transect along

stonewall at all four Successional Sites Marked points at each end Marked center point; tree against stonewall

Site Layout

Note: diagram not to scale

Materials Wildlife Cameras

HOBO Outdoor/Industrial, 4-Channel External temperature reader