Day 5: Water Quality on Greenbrier River

Upon our arrival at Gaudineer Knob, we discovered similarities and differences between the virgin forests (previous was Cathedral State Park).

Similarities: The limited diversity in the forests. There wasn't as many organisms as compared to a second growth forest. The dominance of ferns and mosses was prevalent through both virgin forests. This tells us that there is water stores within the soil.

Differences: Gaudineer Knob contains more species of hardwood trees and understory growth. It appears to me that within 109 years the forest will be mainly composed of broadleaf trees than evergreens (red spruce). The soil pH was not as acidic as Cathedral State Park. The pH for Gaudineer Knob was 5.

Questions:
What are some reasons for the red spruce to become less dominant and for broadleaf trees to become the dominant species.
Describe the type of environment in which ferns and misses need to survive?

Greenbrier River near Durbin, WV

The next test was water quality test on the Greenbrier river near Durbin, WV. The data collected shows that the water is good for living organisms. There were brown water snakes, crayfish, and an assortment of fish living in the waters of the Greenbrier. The data we have been receiving has shown that the river fair for organisms to live in the ecosystem. The water is very shallow and with small rapids in some areas and stagnant in others. Click here to view the data that was gathered from previous sites across the Greenbrier river.

The last and final stop on the trip was train ride along the Greenbrier river in a Climax engine in Durbin, WV. The scenery was beautifully as we followed the twist and turns of the river. Below is a picasa web album that contains pictures form the Cass & Durbin Scenic Railway.