Brooker Creek Park

12 November, 2015

Weather: little to no clouds, not very humid, 86° F, no breeze

Why are we here? We are here to observe High Pine Grasslands and Pine Flatwoods. Also, throughout the visit we took time to observe the difference in species and difference in habitat as the elevation fluctuated in the park. 

Observations on the Trail: On one side there was a swamp, and the other side was a hammock. This was due to the slight elevation change. Some different species we noticed on the trail were: moss on the trees which were epiphytes, resurrection ferns, wild coffee, beauty berry, duckweed in swamp, shelf fungus, great egret. Hammock canopy is mostly made up of oak trees. On the trail we were able to notice a canopy, understory, shrub layer, and forest floor. In the water we noticed the brown hue due to the tannins in the water. 

And we also noticed the water line on the Cyprus tree trunks.

Hammock Observations: Going up in elevation, we noticed saw palmettos, a closed canopy. In the shade they use less oxygen to grow up and hand on to other species. Some things we saw were: red lichen on oak trees, an armadillo in the shrubs, Spanish moss. The canopy layers were: canopy, understory, little shrub layer, and little to no forest floor due to no light.

Flatland Observations: Little to no canopy, sandy ground for soil, black on the base of pines due to prescribed burning. The height of the trees were all about the same suggesting that they were most likely broomed at the same time. The last fire was most likely 5-10 years ago. Many many many saw palmetto in the shrub layer.

Blackwater Trail: As we continued down in elevation, we could see the trail of water as it flowed downhill. There began to be moisture in the soil. There was a canopy again, and scat from animals. 

Then the water and muddy area turned into a river like swampy area. The river water was cold, and a dark brownish colour. We saw dragonflies and frogs.

Overall, this trip was interesting and fun to see a new part of the Brooker Creek Trail that I did not know existed.