Week #3

The beginning of Week 3 (June 13- June 18) we learned about Soil Acidity, Spodosols, and Soil Organic Matter. Also, we conducted an organic matter and pH lab. The pH lab was very interesting and it made me think how important it is to test the soils, water, and other liquids to find how acidic or basic something is.
On Tuesday June 15, my wildlife ecology and management class took us out to Henderson Heritage Preserve and Hitchcock woods. We saw a female wood duck, common yellow throat, blue- gray gnatcatcher, and common nighthawk. The most important thing we learned about at this location was the type of management. Beavers created their own management by controlling the lands by stacking up mud, allowing vegetation to grow, and stabilizing the water levels. It’s important to know that the top part of Henderson Heritage Preserve is actively controlled by humans through forest fires. At the top of the hill, there were little animal action due to the increasing hot temperatures, limited shade/water, and little vegetation. Near the bottom of the hills and close to the water the beavers made 5 impressive dams to control water and give them a place to survive. Our group learned the difference between a swamp which is a wooded wetland and a marsh which is water soft vegetation. Hitchcock woods are 1200 acres of lands and Thomas Hitchcock and William C Whitney purchased the land to protect, provide recreational use and enjoyment of the people in Aiken. The foundation to this day has over 2000 acres offering people a unique southern forest in the urban area of Aiken. I really enjoyed this day and can’t wait to continue learning in this class.