Field Lab 7

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1. What is the purpose of the Black Rock Forest? How is “sustainability” part of that concept? Is biodiversity part of that concept?

The Black Rock Forest, privately owned by the Black Rock Forest Consortium, is a nature preserve 50 miles north of New York City. Today, faculty and doctoral research serves as one of the forest’s most important purposes – some of the past research include Barnard’s Dorothy Peteet’s analysis of permafrost corings to reveal the changes in the climate over the last 1,200 years, as well as Fordham’s Jadie Lewis’s study of woolly adelgid’s effect on the Hemlock trees to find a way to save the trees from the blight. Today, there are over 70 research projects in the Black Rock Forest. Also, education – including staff and teacher training and K-12 programs – is just as important to the role of the Black Rock Forest in community. The Center for Science and Education includes “wet and dry laboratories, scientific equipment in addition to the environmental monitoring network,” which includes the Open Lowland Station, Ridgetop Station, Cascade Brook Stream Station, Fire Tower Station, and Science Center Station. Promotion of the “green” and “smart” construction is yet another use for the forest. In 1995, in the design of Science Center, the Consortium aimed to achieve environmental sustainability. Today, the Science Center includes many green and smart components, for which the Consortium has won multiple awards, including some that we have witnessed ourselves, for example naturally composting toilets, self-closing faucets and solar panels. Apart from these functions, the forest is also used as a source of clean water for the residents of Cornwall and as a place for recreation, including fishing, hunting and hiking.

Sustainability plays a big role in the daily decisions of the Consortium. For example, the Consortium is always looking for ways to make the interactions between the people and the place more eco-friendly. In the case of the Science Center, the “roof monitor and operable fenestration and fans” reduce the need for air conditioning, while the geothermal heat pump system uses the energy of the earth to heat the buildings and eliminates the need for fossil fuels. The Black Rock Forest is itself self-sustaining, achieved by the 14,000 years of natural selection. The maintenance, which is ran by a staff of 10, does the bare minimum to upkeep the forest.

Biodiversity is heavily studied by the researchers at the Black Rock Forest. For example, one group of scientists is interested how the water from the Tamarack pond is affected by the biomass. The pond being one of the highest in the area, collects a lot of rain water, which causes it’s pH to be low, at around 4.5 to 5.0, making it acidic and unsafe to drink. However, the pH reaches 7.0 by the time the water reaches Arthurs Pond, making it neutral and safe to drink. The researchers believe that the roots of the trees that surround the Tamarack Pond and Arthurs Pond absorb the acidity from the water. Another example of the study of biodiversity is seen in Jadie Lewis’s research. The woolly adelgid bug will kill off the Hemlock trees, but there is another infestation by another bug. Separately, they would kill the Hemlock trees, but when the tree suffers from both of them, the tree survives – somehow they cancel each other out. The Consortium is more interested in studying biodiversity rather than preserving it. For example, an onset of Black Birch trees, displaces the Sugar Maple for the forest. However, the staff does little to prevent this because it would require a change in the whole ecosystem of the forest. What’s more, all of the trees in the Black Rock Forest are native trees. The Consortium is careful not to introduce any new species, carefully monitoring new trees in a secluded area, called the Nursery. There for example, a hybrid Chestnut tree that can survive the blight is allowed to grow, but outside, only small Chestnut trees sprawling from the roots deep underground that were unaffected by the blight remain.

2. In what ways is the Black Rock Forest similar to and different from Central Park? What does that indicate of each respective park’s purposes?

Central Park and Black Rock Forest are similar in that they both provide a certain level of seclusion from loud, rushed, congested urban life. Abundant in wildlife and plant life, both the park and the forest establish a firm sense of being in the presence of nature, most of the time nature untouched by man. However, certain aspects such as the location, amenities, and level of maintenance of each park create a large distinction between the two.

The first and most obvious difference between Central Park and Black Rock Forest is their proximity to New York City. While the former is located within New York City, the latter is located almost two hours away from the city, sitting tranquilly in a suburb lined by the Hudson River. Because Central Park is easily accessible, it is useful for daily activities such as exercising, walking one’s dog, or sitting on a bench to eat lunch while on break from work. On the other hand, Black Rock Forest requires a lengthy drive (although not necessarily as long as the drive from Manhattan), which means that it is not meant for any of the casual or short activities we have witnessed in the park. People could walk in and out of Central Park without any previous planning, but going to Black Rock Forest requires setting aside a day to drive upstate, not to mention a set purpose and intent to stay for at least three hours. After all, you wouldn’t drive for an hour or two just to “look around.” From this we could deduce that people that visit Black Rock Forest might be a little more serious about immersing themselves in nature and getting something out of it that you might not get in the “landscaped” nature in Central Park, whether they are undergrad students like us, researchers, or hikers.

The second difference between Central Park and Black Rock Forest is that Central Park provides plenty of amenities, such as bathrooms, playgrounds, benches, and food carts, while Black Rock Forest offers none of these, with the exception of bathrooms. All of the previously mentioned features in Central Park, along with the decorative statues, fountains, and small plazas placed strategically throughout it, allow for a smooth transition from the urban setting of Manhattan to the “natural” setting of the park. Meanwhile, in Black Rock Forest, the visitor is provided with none of these accommodations, which adds to the feeling of complete isolation from society and immersion in nature at its most basic. Black Rock Forest provides the experience of full-blown nature for those that seek it, while Central Park provides a more polished and inhibited version of nature for those that don’t wish to be bothered by the more rugged and wild aspects of a real forest or other natural setting.

The third difference between Central Park and Black Rock Forest is their level of maintenance by humans. While Central Park is carefully maintained by the park staff, who might mow lawns, collect fallen leaves, remove fallen branches or trees, or plant new trees and flowers, Black Rock Forest is left to grow “wild”. This again pertains to the differing levels of “naturalness” within both parks – Central Park is meant for a temporary separation from the urban environment of Manhattan but still needs to remain “civilized” to a certain extent, whereas Black Rock Forest is meant to appear untouched by man. The difference in maintenance also pertains to the kinds of people that visit each place. Central Park caters mostly to tourists and casual city folk that wish to escape from the chaos of Manhattan for just a little while, so the park needs accommodations that will make the park as attractive as possible and to the most kinds of people. Black Rock Forests caters more to the true nature-dwellers and scientists performing research, so it does not make sense to throw in amenities that may add a human element to the otherwise immaculate forest.

3. How has the area of and ecology of the Black Rock Forest changed over time? How does that compare to changes in Central Park over time?

Black Rock Forest first developed about 14,000 years ago, after the Pleistocene glaciers moved away. It was initially covered by northern conifers, such as spruce and fir. Later, as the climate warmed, hardwoods, such as oak and chestnut, appeared. Since then, the type of species present in the forest have evolved and changed as a result of short- and long-term changes in climate and human involvement.

When European settlers arrived to the Forest around 1690, their actions began to greatly influence the general area and ecology of the Forest. They would cut down trees for timber and fuel, mine for iron ore, produce charcoal, and remove tannins from hemlock trees, damaging them. Other areas of the Forest were used for homes, farms, and plantations. Many of these activities and constructions involved or resulted in fires, which greatly deformed the forest and its ecology. The only structure that survived was the Stone House (built in 1834) that we saw in the middle of the Forest where we arrived there. In 1928, the Black Rock Forest was officially designated as a research and demonstration forest. Many of its plants underwent forestry repair by being replanted or fertilized, while other undesired species were removed.

The Black Rock forest Consortium formed in 1989 and continued to significantly contribute to the preservation of Black Rock Forest. Besides maintaining safety in the Forest, the Consortium increased the levels of scientific study, publications, and training that occurred with the use of the Forest. It mixed exploring nature into the academic programs of many schools and universities, allowing students to meet field scientists and participate in field activities. It built the Center for Science and Education, which we visited. This Center includes labs and classroom, and a lodge with beds- all constructed for academic use.

Central Park, on the other hand, was created due to the need for a public park in New York. It was completed by 1873 and in it were bridges, sunken roadways, paths, and the famous Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. There were even sheep grazing at the Sheep Meadow until 1934. A large amount of topsoil was transported from New Jersey to make up for the infertile soil that had to nourish the numerous trees, shrubs, and plants in the park. More than four million trees, shrubs, and plants of about 1,500 species were transplanted into the park. Material, such as rocks and soil, was also transported out of the park. Evidently, a large majority of the park was either artificial, originally from somewhere else, or constructed by human hands.

The introduction of cars in the early 1900s increased pollution in the city and, in turn, negatively affected the flora in the park. In the early and mid 1900s, the park was no longer just used for walks and picnics, but now also for sports and other forms of recreation. However, the park’s condition began to decline due to vandalism, littering, and lack of care. As a result, trees and plants began to die and the park was no longer safe. In 1934, thankfully, Robert Moses cleaned up Central Park, replanting lawns and flowers, replaced dead trees, and repairing broken bridges. He even set up playgrounds, ball parks, and handball courts.

From then on, the park became more lively, rich, and entertaining. During the 1970s, the park began to serve as a venue for various activities, such as rallies, festivals, concerts, and shows. In the mid-1970s, vandalism and illicit activities returned to the park due to New York’s fiscal crisis. However, by the early 1980s, restoration projects were in effect, which included removing graffiti, replanting, and reconsctruction. Now, the park is divided into zones, each of which is maintained by separate groups of people to preserve the park and its design, and contains over 20,000 trees and countless birds and mammals.

4. What kind of concepts of nature do you see in how the Black Rock Forest is presented and managed? How is that idea of nature similar and/or different from “nature” in the readings?

The design of Black Rock Forest is brilliant in that it exemplifies beauty and practicality without disturbing the work of nature. For instance, it contains a large cliff with an amazing view of the forest, a natural amphitheater for gatherings, and natural wood (oak and red pine). The plants and trees that are planted are native and most compatible with the environment, so they require minimal maintenance and disturbance. The Forest also uses the energy of the earth to heat and cool buildings, such as the Science Center, with a geothermal heat pump system. The windows used are also placed in such a way that they ensure high natural light transmittance, thereby lowering the need for electric light. Natural groundwater is used in buildings and naturally composting toilets greatly reduce the use of water. On-site, workers use local, durable materials, such as wood and stone. Furthermore, “smart” and environmentally-friendly technology is used to monitor the environment in the Forest.

In the reading by Carolyn Merchant, Death of Nature, she reveals that there is a strongly uniform idea across cultures that nature is feminine. The way the Black Rock Forest is presented and managed is similar to this idea, because in this Forest, nature is treated as a goddess. Her work is not undermined or meddled with, but instead it is praised and sustained for all to enjoy and savor and learn from.

5. Who does science at the Black Rock Forest? What do they study? How do they study it?

People doing research at Black Rock Forest are interested in a variety of different ecologically and biologically-related topics, including forest ecology, wildlife biology, ecophysiology, biogeochemistry, and paleoecology, which focuses on the ecology of fossil animals and plants. Most of the researchers are undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral scientists, although there has been the occasional high school student performing research in the forest as well. Some examples of past student research project topics are tree nitrogen physiology, which was studied last fall, small mammal response to oak loss, which was studied in fall of 2008, and below-ground carbon, which was studied in spring of 2008. Some examples of current research topics in Black Rock Forest are small mammal response to oak removal, insect and arachnid diversity of Black Rock Forest, population dynamics of painted turtles in Black Rock Forest, and cycling of mercury in terrestrial environments.

During our tour of the forest, the ranger guiding us spoke of a current study on oak trees in Black Rock Forest, which started about three years ago, and will probably continue for another ten to fifteen years. The study aims to measure the impact of fallen dead trees and large branches in forests, also known as “woody debris,” and the scientists working on the project are doing so by using the size of woody debris in certain transects to measure how much nitrogen they are returning to the soil and the atmosphere after dying.

6. Do the places you see on the trip resemble any of Livingstone’s settings? How so (or not so)?

Black Rock in many ways represents the field investigation Livingstone presents, but in others departs from that concept. In the field, as Livingstone correctly notes, creation and maintenance of control groups and keeping the credibility and purity of experiments is made difficult when the experiments are being performed in the “natural” world, and doubly so when performed in the public sphere. However, considering that Black Rock is not a major public space or particularly close to a major populace, it is not as difficult a setting for scientific study as a more tourist-centric site like Central Park. Finally, the presence of the Stone House and other buildings for indoor experimentation seems by its description to be closer to a laboratory setting than the field; this could not be confirmed, however.

7. In what ways is your experience of the Black Rock Forest presented/public science?

The Black Rock Forest is in large part presented science, what with the visitor center present as a terminating point for educational tours (including our own), and the mere presence of tours themselves. Despite its seemingly bucolic nature, there is no effort to disguise the fact that experiments go on there. The forest is notably manipulated, from cutting down of some trees to lying of wooden planks to foster fauna pervasive in wet dirt with little light.