Introduction

In conjunction with the University of Vermont, we conducted an ecosystem survey of various plots within Niquette Bay State Park. We are only 1 of 14 groups that studied a hectare within the park. Our analysis included land history information, soil and geology data and sampling, vegetative composition and structure, as well as habitat suitability. The goal: to compile this multidimensional study in a manner so as to be able to assess the ecosystem conditions of the site. This will provide information that can help in monitoring the impacts of present use, as well as help to understand what is really going on in the park. For anyone curious, we will be able to map and describe much of the environment within the park. This will include, at the base, soil and vegetative descriptions, which can be extrapolated so as to provide wildlife and natural community information. All of this data will be most useful when compiled, and researched, using all of the study plots together.

Our plot, Plot 10, just like the rest of the park, has not always been a place for the public to peruse and explore. Instead, certain clues led us to see a much different story. Barbed wire and old stone cobble fences littered the site. There was even an old sink hole from where a well once was. What we can assume, partially from this and partially from historical data, is that the area of the park was agricultural at one point. Rather than being state land for public use, the woods here were instead private, and were more than likely not wooded, but instead pasture land.

Plot 10 is mainly a rich northern hardwood stand. There were two cover types, or tree composition classifications, present; being Sugar Maple-Basswood and Eastern White Pine. However, the Eastern White Pine stand showed little regeneration, so we have reason to believe that the entire site will be a rich northern hardwood stand once it reaches a late successional stage. As of now, the most common trees are eastern white pine, sugar maple, and basswood. One of the most unique aspects of our site was a vernal pool. Small pockets in the earth held inches of water, and the rest of the ground in the area was heavily saturated mosses, that gave way easily to expose standing water. This area holds some of the greatest diversity, not only within our site, but likely the park as well. Many amphibians and wet site plant competitors could be found here. Many of these also likely rely on the year round presence of this saturated site.

These woods, although part of a well used trail system, offer some of the best habitat in the Burlington area. As much of the surrounding land is fragmented for development, agriculture, and other private uses, Niquette Bay offers a comparatively vast tract of land to serve the ecosystem. Any species from the red-backed salamander, to white-tailed deer, to wild turkey are offered refuge. With the completion of this study, we hope to describe what an important asset Niquette Bay State Park is for the surrounding area.

The following map shows the corner markers to Plot 10, and allows for a visual exploration of the surrounding area:


View NBSP in a larger map