Land of Brookston EarthCache
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Land of Brookston Earthcache
This Earthcache is accessible via the trails (1.5km loop) of Maidstone Conservation Area. Start at the trailhead (posted coordinates) and enjoy your hike. During the summer months, mosquito repellent is strongly encouraged!
Maidstone Conservation Area.
Maidstone Conservation Area is a 20 hectare site of Carolinian Forest. The Carolinian Forest Zone is recognized as one of the most biologically diverse regions in Canada. The area includes a winding 1.5 kilometre trail through an oak-hickory woodland. Some of the huge trees in this area are over 300 years old! Including a unique signal tree. These 'natural compasses” aided the Anishinaabe people by assuring them of their location and pointing them in the direction of important destinations, such as a village or water source. Part of the trail passes along the upper meandering reaches of the Puce River. The Puce River is a slow-moving river which drains the surrounding land. Ultimately the water within it flows northward into Lake St. Clair.
Overall, this region is described as a low relief extensive clay plain that slopes gently to the north, toward Lake St. Clair.
Brookston Soil.
Soil is described by textures and classified by the fractions of sand, silt, and clay they contain. As these proportions vary, they result in different types of loam soils including sandy loam, silty loam, and clay loam. Sand grains are the largest particles and create large pores. Sandy soils drain quickly and do not hold water and nutrients well. While sand can be seen by the naked eye, silt particles are microscopic and feel velvety and smooth. Silt creates smaller pores in the soil and results in better water retention. Clay particles are the tiniest of all. When moist, they cling together and feel sticky. Clay soils have a tremendous capacity to hold water and nutrients.
The Brookston series of soils is additionally characterized by it's poor natural drainage. Therefore, Brookston soil is very wet in it's natural state. The prominent soil type within this area is specifically known as "Brookston __(see question #1 below)__ ", a dark-surfaced soil that was developed long ago under a swamp forest. The soil has a dark grey coloured clay loam surface soil and a heavy clay subsoil. The soil was formed in low elevation and wet situations, where drainage was very slow. These low places received plant food in the form of organic matter which accumulated in the soil and from mineral matter brought in from higher elevations. So the soil, as it now occurs, contains a higher percentage of the elements essential for plant growth than light-coloured soils at higher elevations.
The soil found here in Maidstone Conservation Area is ideal for many species of trees such as Silver Maple, Swamp White Oak, and Shagbark Hickory that are adapeted to grow well in poorly drained soils.
Start at the coordinates. As you walk along the 1.5km loop you can gather evidence to answer the questions.
In order to log this Earthcache, you must email team wiji (see profile for email) the answers to the following questions:
1. Perform the following test to identify the make-up of the soil. (This is where you will need to get a little dirty.) To test the soil you will need to pick up a sample of soil and roll it in your hand. You will be looking to identify it, is it sandy loam, silty loam or clay loam. Sand will sift through your hand, silty loam will feel silky and will easily crumble. Clay loam will feel moist and will readily clump together.
2. As Brookston soils are associated with poor water drainage, what man-made structures were built throughout the trail loop? Do you think the presence of the nearby Puce river helps minimize the need for these structures? Why?
3. OPTIONAL - Take a photo of your GPSr or yourself/team anywhere along the trails. You may include this photo in your log.
++ Congratulations to barrz on the FTF!! ++
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Treasures
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