BEN HAS A HUGE HEAD & EGO. THANKS EZGI.
so today was my first day at my new job.
& let me tell you, I felt so stupid, I'm compelled to start writing in this again.
so in an attempt to tip the scales, I've decided that I will document my very real transition into adulthood..
The development of maritime forests, lie those in Cape Cod are slow and contingent upon the lichens. Lichens are the pioneer species, the organisms consist of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. The fungus provides the structure while the alga is photosynthetic, thereby providing nutrients for the association. The simplest lichens, known as Crustose lichens, spread over and into the surfaces of their habitats and are incapable of being removed from the surface without crumbling. Foliose lichens have leafy lobes, which spread out in horizontal layer over the surface and can be easily removed with a knife. Lastly, the Fruticose lichens have a shrubby form with many different branches and are the easiest to remove. Part of the reason for lichens' success in unforgiving environments is that they are "poikilohydric" meaning that they can withstand irregular and extreme desiccation. During a period of desiccation, lichens enter metabolic suspension in which most biochemical activity halts. They are ecologically important because they decompose organic materials, contribute to the weathering process of rocks and other hard substrates thus creating an environment where mosses and small plants are able to develop.
I witnessed evidence of cranberry bogs, the indication was the shallow, waterway clearly manmade due to its 90 degree angles. Another indication of previous cranberry bogs on Cape Cod is the presence of burrowing pits. These pits were dug in order to take sand from the area and transport them to onto frozen cranberry bogs to aid in their growth. Steep cliffs as well as a pathway large enough for a wheel barrel are evidence of burrowing pits. Cranberry bogs were came into popularity on Cape Cod because of its maritime history and the observation that cranberries helped fit scurvy. Worthy of note, pitch pine and oak trees displayed a clear succession in this area. Succession being an gradual change in the species in a given area over time. Succession occurs since all organisms have an optimal range in which they flourish, as environments change the species of that area gradually change, that is become more or less abundant, based upon their own needs (ie, soil, nutrients, salinity, temp, etc). Pitch pine is a fairly commonly on the sandy soils of Cape Cod, grow very straight (they were actually used as masts for ships due to their ability to withstand decay and characteristically tall, straight form). They cannot survive submersion in water. This explains why I observed pitch pine set back from water in the remnants of the cranberry bogs. It appears pitch pine will gradually be replaced by hardwoods such as oak. Oak trees maintain there leaves longer than most perennial trees (as I observed them in Feb) and can withstand submersion in water.
also observed old apple orchard,
@ bank street bog, cranberries, bayberries - important since they are a food source for migratory birds, willow tree among many other.
& let me tell you, I felt so stupid, I'm compelled to start writing in this again.
so in an attempt to tip the scales, I've decided that I will document my very real transition into adulthood..
The development of maritime forests, lie those in Cape Cod are slow and contingent upon the lichens. Lichens are the pioneer species, the organisms consist of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga. The fungus provides the structure while the alga is photosynthetic, thereby providing nutrients for the association. The simplest lichens, known as Crustose lichens, spread over and into the surfaces of their habitats and are incapable of being removed from the surface without crumbling. Foliose lichens have leafy lobes, which spread out in horizontal layer over the surface and can be easily removed with a knife. Lastly, the Fruticose lichens have a shrubby form with many different branches and are the easiest to remove. Part of the reason for lichens' success in unforgiving environments is that they are "poikilohydric" meaning that they can withstand irregular and extreme desiccation. During a period of desiccation, lichens enter metabolic suspension in which most biochemical activity halts. They are ecologically important because they decompose organic materials, contribute to the weathering process of rocks and other hard substrates thus creating an environment where mosses and small plants are able to develop.
I witnessed evidence of cranberry bogs, the indication was the shallow, waterway clearly manmade due to its 90 degree angles. Another indication of previous cranberry bogs on Cape Cod is the presence of burrowing pits. These pits were dug in order to take sand from the area and transport them to onto frozen cranberry bogs to aid in their growth. Steep cliffs as well as a pathway large enough for a wheel barrel are evidence of burrowing pits. Cranberry bogs were came into popularity on Cape Cod because of its maritime history and the observation that cranberries helped fit scurvy. Worthy of note, pitch pine and oak trees displayed a clear succession in this area. Succession being an gradual change in the species in a given area over time. Succession occurs since all organisms have an optimal range in which they flourish, as environments change the species of that area gradually change, that is become more or less abundant, based upon their own needs (ie, soil, nutrients, salinity, temp, etc). Pitch pine is a fairly commonly on the sandy soils of Cape Cod, grow very straight (they were actually used as masts for ships due to their ability to withstand decay and characteristically tall, straight form). They cannot survive submersion in water. This explains why I observed pitch pine set back from water in the remnants of the cranberry bogs. It appears pitch pine will gradually be replaced by hardwoods such as oak. Oak trees maintain there leaves longer than most perennial trees (as I observed them in Feb) and can withstand submersion in water.
also observed old apple orchard,
@ bank street bog, cranberries, bayberries - important since they are a food source for migratory birds, willow tree among many other.