Buxton Woods EarthCache EarthCache
Hidden : 7/4/2015
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

A hike and exploration of the geology and ecology of Buxton Woods Reserve.

Buxton Woods Reserve is a Rachel Carson Reserve and a component of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve. Preservation of Buxton Woods Reserve allows this coastal ecosystem to be available as a natural outdoor laboratory where scientists, students and the general public can learn about coastal processes, functions, and influences that shape and sustain the coastal area. The information in this EarthCache is from the Reserve website (visit link) from an article in Coastal Review Online (visit link) literature and signs at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and from commonly available maps.

Buxton Woods is the easternmost maritime forest in the United States. In the 1980s the forest was threatened by housing and a possible golf course. The Friends of Hatteras Island were joined by other groups including the Southern Environmental Law Center, The Nature Conservancy, and the North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club to oppose the development. After years contention, the state of North Carolina provided funding to help secure much of the remaining forest as a coastal reserve.

You are surrounded by water and about 30 miles from the mainland. To the west is the Pamlico Sound and to the east the Atlantic Ocean - offshore is Diamond Shoals, the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." Since water cools/warms more slowly than land it moderates the temperature extremes on Hatteras Island. Generally, only a few days each summer top 90 degrees and winter temperatures drop below freezing on average about 13 times a year. Palmettoes reflect this moderate climate.

The origin of the Outer Banks is open to some debate. One theory combines overwash/migration with split extension. In short, as icepacks melted the rising sea flooded low lands behind the beach that created a lagoon. Over many years tides, storm surges, and rising seas washed over the beach and dunes carrying sand into the lagoon (evenutally to be called a sound). In this process the islands gradually moved westward.

This trail was probably once located along the beach. As new beach dunes formed from wind and wave action, these dunes became protected from the salt and wind. Plants with less tolerance to those elements began to flourish on the old dunes and trees grew taller when not stunted by wind and salt. Land growth or "accretion" has influenced Buxton Woods--the width of the island here gives protection for a maritime forest to resist the harsh conditions that the Atlantic Ocean can deliver.

The soil of these dunes is mostly quartz sand and is considered extremely infertile. This presents another hardship for plants. Another threat to the dune is humans cutting the trees and clearing the humus. A founder of the U.S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, noted in 1897 that once cleared the wind and moving sand "prevented a general growth of any kind from securing a foothold."

Groundwater in the area is a resevoir of freshwater above heavier saltwater. For every foot of groundwater above sea level, there is up to forty feet of freshwater below it holding down the denser saltwater. Freshwater is recharged only by rain. a short distance from the trail (may be visible depending on foliage), low areas dip below the water table creating freshwater ponds and marshes called sedges. Over time sand will fill in the sedges--a young sedge is like a pond with little vegetation but as sediment fills along the shore plants like cattails take root helping to trap even more sediment and mor varieties of plants. Sedges can also get shallower if the water table is not adequately recharged.

Waypoint 1: Online at the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve (visit link)

Waypoint 2: Start your exploration at N 35° 15.778'  W 75° 33.827 where you will find a map of Buxton Woods Preserve showing roads and trails. Parking for several vehicles is available at this location.
 
Waypoint 3: Proceed to N 35° 15.257'  W 75° 33.605' where you will find the trailhead and a couple of parking spaces. NOTE: A 4X4 VEHICLE IS REQUIRED IF YOU DRIVE. If you hike it is just over 1/2 mile and sandy but flat.
 
Waypoint 4: Enjoy hiking this pleasant well-marked trail to N 35° 15.282'  W 75 33.541. At a slow pace most folks can hike this trail in 30 minutes or less.
 
HAZARDS include: mosquitos, ticks, other biting insects, spider webs, and snakes in warm months; roots, branches, and other obstacles to climb over; and possibly getting stuck in sand. Be prepared with drinking water and first aid. Extra care should be taken while hiking during hunting season – early September through February.

PLEASE STAY ON ESTABLISHED TRAILS - no bushwhacking is required for this EarthCache. Practice Cache In Trash Out (CITO) - bring a small trash bag and remove any human litter you see along the trail.
 
To log this EarthCache you must answer the following questions from information available above and at the Waypoints. Email answers to the EarthCache owner. Do NOT post your answers with your log. Photographs are fine, but any with spoilers will be deleted.
 
1. How many acres are in the Buxton Woods Preserve managed by the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve? (Waypoint 1)

2. What are the permanent freshwater marshes and ponds called? Why doesn't the salty seawater displace the freshwater? What is the source of the freshwater?

3. What plant that you can see along the trail gives evidence of the moderate climate provided by the sound and ocean?

4. At Waypoint 4 you will be standing at a very large tree for a coastal forest. What is it? What other trees are prominent within a radius of 25 feet or so? Given the harsh environment of Hatteras Island, cite two reasons why these trees survive here and not many other places on Hatteras Island.

5. Other than coastal dunes, most of Hatteras Island, especially along NC 12, from 3 feet to about 10 feet above mean sea level. Approximately what is the elevation at Waypoint 4? How do you think this area formed and gained such elevation?

6. The soil of these dunes is mostly composed of what? How does this affect vegetation?
 
Buxton Woods is a special place. Take a trash bag and help keep it clean.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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