Results of Survey of Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
RESULTS
The results will be presented in the following order: stream bank vegetation, Shades Creek water analysis, wild flowers, lowland and highland tree/understory identification, soil tests and other features noted.
A. Stream Bank
Southern Shore Stream Bank (South of Stream Convergence)
The stream bank is clearly divided into two sections. The first consists of the stream bank from the southern end to a clearing. The second section continues from the clearing to the northern end of the sanctuary. It is important to note that the southern stream bank is twice as long as the northern. The stream bank itself is steep and at low water levels a periodic shore of small gravel and heavy shell content appears (Fig. 4).
Even though the length of the southern stream bank is twice as large, it contains half the number of trees. These trees are generally larger, have greater distance between them and lower diversity (Table 1). There is an under story of privet hedge.
Table 1. Species and Size of Trees on Southern Stream Bank
| Species |
Number of Trees |
Typical Diameter/ Cm |
| Box Elders | 59 | 4 - 30 |
| Mimosa | 3 | 3, 7, 10 |
| Silver Maple | 2 | 14, 17 |
| Total | 64 | |
Northern Stream Shore Bank (North of Stream Convergence)
As opposed to the longer southern end, the northern end (at half the length) has twice as many trees. The trees are smaller and usually clustered in groups of five to ten. There is also a greater diversity of trees (Table 2). There is an understory of privet hedge and mimosa trees. With the fast growing nature of mimosas, they could quickly take over this section of bank in a few years.
Table 2. Species and Size of Trees on Northern Stream Bank
|
Species | Number of Trees | Typical Diameter/ Cm |
|---|
| Box Elders | 103 | 4, 9, 19, 20, 25 |
| Mimosa | 18 | 8, 8,11,14, 22 |
| Sycamore | 8 | 11, 20, 18, 19, 19 |
| Beech | 3 | 1, 2, 7 |
| Hickory | 1 | 6 |
| Total | 133 | |
Shades Creek Stream (next page)
Table of Contents (home)
