Understanding Blackacre

Blackacre Biodiversity
“Nature is fascinating. Behaviors and adaptations of plants and animals can be as mind-expanding as they are interesting. In each generation, discovering the marvels of nature can be the spark that ignites a lifelong quest for knowledge.”—Author unknown

The ecosystem concept is one that applies to a living system and examines the interactions between its living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components. Ecosystems are built of communities—patterns of plant (flora) and animal (fauna) interactions within a specified area. Within a community, each organism has an important role or job. This is called its niche. It could be a producer, consumer, or decomposer. Regardless of an organism’s role, it has evolved to be an important component of its community on which others depend.

Like you and me, an organism has some basic requirements for survival: food, water, shelter, and space. When arranged appropriately for a species, it is called habitat. Therefore, an organism or population finds what it needs to survive in its habitat. When a population of organisms interacts within a common area, it becomes a community. Overlapping communities of various patterns, sizes, and complexities are called biomes and are characterized by dominant vegetation types. Biomes are spread in a thin region, in which most forms of life exist, surrounding the Earth—Our Biosphere.

“Nature and all its creatures are one complex, interrelated machine. Killing species is like randomly popping out rivets on the spaceship Earth; one or two may not be noticed, but at some point the whole thing will come apart. To survive, we need the whole ecosystem.”—Author unknown

At Blackacre State Nature Preserve a variety of ecological communities currently exist for your exploration.

Forest Lands
Scattered throughout the Nature Preserve are many sections of forest containing lichen, mosses, fungi, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs. These patches of forest are home to critters from the rich woodland floor to the sun-filled canopy layer above.

Fields
A diversity of field types are found at Blackacre. Pastures contain cool-season grasses grazed by cows and horses. The front agricultural field grows hay. Other fields lie unused (fallow) and through succession will return to forest one day if left undisturbed.

Streams
The main stream flows through both woodland and field as it meanders through the Preserve. In its pools and riffle areas one might find tracks from a hunting raccoon or a thirsty deer or a caddisfly larva in its stone shelter under a rock. Ongoing macroinvertebrate studies indicate good to excellent water quality. This stream is part of the Chenoweth Run Watershed.

Fence Rows
This special ecotone community enables both forest and field inhabitants to coexist, thereby doubling the number of species using the field community. Fence rows also serve as a superhighway for forest animals traveling from one area to another.

Geology
Geology is the foundation for life. Layers of limestone form the foundation of soil at Blackacre. Soil is a mixture of rock fragments that contain minerals, organic matter, air, water, and billions of microscopic organisms. Soil provides nutrients and minerals for trees and plants, the producers upon which most organisms depend for survival.

Ponds
Five man-made ponds contribute to the great water cycle and provide habitat for both the domestic and wild residents of Blackacre.

• Jackson’s Pond—A pond is a naturalized wonder with a dock from which to explore.
• Springhouse Pond—The pond is a spring-fed pond whose cool-water temperatures distinguish it from others.
• Cattail Pond—This vernal pond holds water during wet periods and is a favorite breeding ground for frogs, salamanders, and toads.
• Pasture Ponds—These two ponds provide water for resident livestock.

Microcommunities
Found throughout each of Blackacre’s communities are smaller units called microcommunities. They are often overlooked due to their small size but are equally important to the overall health and diversity of the ecosystem. Rotting logs, sinkholes, ravines, and caves are but a few of these small wonders.