North Clarion County School District

Station 3
     Soil Erosion -  Station 3 shows evidence of soil erosion.
     As the water running down the trail picked up speed and soil particles, it caused a ditch to develop.  Then the water ran onto the flat area to the southwest and slowed down allowing the soil particles to drop out producing a mound of silt.
     Small red maple, musclewood, American beech, grasses, and weeds sprouted on the newly formed soil.
     The deposited soil located here is material that was moved primarily by water from the eroded channel near Station 1.  This drainage channel has been partially plugged by tree debris and rocks to slow down the damaging affects of uncontrolled water runoff.  As the runoff velocity is abated, soil particles will drop out, gradually filling the channel and allowing vegetation to take hold and the channel will be stabilized.

Station 4
     Drainage -  Station 4 is a red area of ground that is the result of old oil well drainage that has since been plugged or plugged itself.  Typically, and area such as this is acid in nature.
     This is the result of complex chemical reactions involving pyrites, a mineral that contains both sulfur and iron, and naturally occurs in and around coal seams.
    Other metal compounds such as manganese and aluminum are also associated with the pyrites.
     When these pyrites come in contact with the air (oxygen) and water, the resulting product is sulfuric acid, iron compounds, and sulfates.

Station 5
     Land Near a Small Stream -  Station 5 is near a small stream.  Plants growing here adapt to the rapid changes in the water table.  White pine, red maple, and hawthorn grow in the sandy soil created by the periodic deposition of silt as the water floods and retreats.
     At this site along the stream you may be able to identify tracks left by wildlife common to the area such as deer and raccoon.
     The stream bank nearest the trail has been "Rock riprapped" to stabilize on-going bank erosion.  This is an example of natural stream bank erosion created by high water velocity at a meander point.  Bank stabilization is needed or erosion will eventually wash out the trail.

 

Station 6
     Riparian Zone -  A riparian zone is an area adjoining a body of water normally having soil and vegetation characteristic of flood plains or areas transitional to upland zones.  This zone helps protect the water by removing or buffering the effects of excessive nutrients, sediments, and organic matter.
     High water table areas have hydric soils.  Hydric soils are identified by a gray to blue mottling, 6 to 8 inches below the surface.  Oxidized pyritic materials are also evident.

Station 7
     Pond -  Station 7 is a 0.1 acre pond that benefits a variety of aquatic vegetation and wildlife.
     The source of the water is a spring on the west side and rain.  The pond drains on the opposite side where the dam is located, thus assuring continuous fresh water.
     Water quality of the pond is determined by the pH levels, fertility, turbidity, temperature, and pollutants and toxins.

Station 9
     Wet Meadow -  This area shows modification from beavers.
     Other than humans, no animal modifies its own environment more than the beaver.  They cut trees, create openings, build dams, and create canals.
     As the stream backs up behind a dam, water overflows the banks and creates a beaver pond.  Through time, any trees are eventually killed.
     The typical sequence of succession in a beaver pond leads to a gradual filling in behind the dam as sediments carried by the stream are dropped as the water slows.  This allows for emergent vegetation to invade and eventually the area becomes a wet meadow.
     Because beavers like open water, they have usually left by this stage and the dam inevitably breaks due to lack of repair.  The area begins the long process of drying out and, over many years, a forest might once again dominate.

Station 10
     Wetlands - Alder Swamp -  Observe the speckled alder, willows, wild crab apple, red maple, grasses, sedges, ferns, and skunk cabbage.  The poorly drained soil with low fertility restricts the type and number of species that grow in such areas.  Bogs and alder swamps are attractive areas to a wide array of wildlife.
     The low lying basin shape of such areas may collect cold air, creating pockets of frequent frosts, which also restricts what plants survive.  At this location, however, there is constantly enough water to prevent severe frosts with the water actually "warming" this site.

Station 11
     Spring Seep -  Station 11 has a spring flow of water called a "spring seep" originating from groundwater.  Spring seeps are different from temporary pools because the water source persists year-round.  This constant water supply provides important benefits to wildlife.
     Spring seeps are particularly important during winter when they may be an animal's only source of fresh water and food.  An area around the seep remains unfrozen and snow-free.
     In early spring, vegetation grows first around seeps, providing a food source at a time of the year when most others have been depleted.

Station 12
     Forest Opening - Herbaceous Opening -  In this area in the forest, woody vegetation is absent or sparse.  These areas are generally covered with herbaceous, or non-woody plants, such as grasses.
     Herbaceous plants at this station can be divided into two major categories:  Perennials and annuals.
     Insects thrive on the plant substrata.  The insects are a protein source for turkey and ruffed grouse.  Deer and rabbits graze on the succulent forage.  A great diversity of songbirds are found near forest openings.

Station 13
     Developing Mature Forest -  Observe the developing mature forest.  Rocks, minerals, and decomposing organic matter form soil material.
     The edge effect is present here.
     The natural change from bare soil to woodland, know as succession, can be seen.  Primitive plants such as lichens, mosses, and ferns decompose and buffer the soil.  Plants die and add organic matter providing nutrients for larger shrubs and trees.
     Identifiable trees are; aspen, crabapple, gray dogwood, hawthorn, sweet birch, black cherry, and red maple.  Also, sassafras, hickory, and oak mix with the pioneer species of trees.
     Birds, rabbits, rodents, deer, and beaver are provided with food and shelter.
  Finally, a mature forest will develop.

Station 14
     Forest Snags -  Observe the standing dead trees, called snags, and dead parts of live trees that offer room and board for many kinds of wildlife.  Tree cavities in live or dead trees are used by 35 species of birds and 20 species of mammals in Pennsylvania.
     Dead wood lying on the ground is an important component of wildlife habitat.
     This area is home to the pileated and hairy woodpecker, brown creeper, yellow-bellied sapsucker, black-capped and Carolina chickadee, northern flicker, and a large variety of small mammals, insects, and invertebrates.

     More extensive information about each station can be found in the "Nature Trail Resource Book".  The three-ring binder of information was compiled in 1999 by Mr. Dave Stake.  A copy can be obtained from the school office.