NEIGHBORHOOD VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE

NEIGHBORHOOD VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE Plants and the Path

All of the parcels the path would transect were at least partially cleared for agriculture and as recently as 2005 much of the area was still primarily covered with shrubs and early successional trees. The plants in these areas have regrown, forming a patchwork of different plant communities, most comprising a mix of native and non-native species. One major exception to this recent disturbance is the hemlock grove north of the Holly Circle wetland, which has remained uncut, according to aerial maps, at least since 1942. Because of this patchwork of communities, there are many natural edges in or near the potential path corridor; routing the path along such edges may reduce habitat fragmentation and provide a diverse and interesting route for users.

Two areas along the proposed path route have notably high levels of invasive plants: the connection between Park Street and the spur to the school, where young Oriental bittersweet forms much of the ground cover, and behind the Park Street solar field, where thickets of multi-flora rose and non-native honeysuckles are nearly impenetrable. The bittersweet, shaded by the mature pine forests in this area, could become a much larger problem if clearing a path route requires tree removal, which would let in more sunlight and lead to increased bittersweet growth. Oriental bittersweet can threaten native species diversity by altering soil chemistry, plant succession, and stand structure (Fryer, 2011). The rose and honeysuckle thickets likely offer valuable cover and forage for local wildlife and given that they do not block the proposed path route, may not need management. However, the risk remains that they will continue to spread and out-compete native plants.

The educational opportunities along the potential route are many, given the wide range of natural communities it could pass through. In particular, the succession of abandoned farm fields into forest is an important part of Massachusetts’ history and an increasingly rare ecosystem, which can be seen in various stages along the proposed path. Students and other residents would also be given the chance to appreciate and learn more about the wetlands and streams, which are often undervalued ecosystems. Wildlife and the Path

During two site visits in spring 2020, signs of wildlife observed included extensive deer tracks and scat along the proposed path route. Other tracks were also seen, including opossum and raccoon. Further observations in other seasons may reveal other patterns of wildlife use. The diversity of plant species and types of plant communities likely provides good habitat for birds, small mammals, predators, and deer.

Wildlife in the wetlands and vernal pools is especially important to protect, given these species’ vulnerability to human disturbance. FrogWatch, a citizen scientist project, has mapped the calls of native frogs in the wetland located behind the school, showing that a healthy population of spring peepers lives here, as well as other frog species such as wood frogs and American bullfrogs. While the presence of other amphibians is unknown, it is probable that salamanders also breed and live in and near the vernal pools and wetlands.

Given the intensive historical agricultural use and the more recent disturbance from the construction of the solar field where the proposed path would pass, and the absence of any reports of rare species here, a path in this area would have less impact than one in a more intact environment. However, the fact that the path area is adjacent to so much developed space could indicate that this area serves as a refuge for wildlife and the path route should avoid causing further fragmentation. As mentioned previously, trail construction can provide an opportunity to restore degraded ecosystems and can function as wildlife corridors through developed spaces. PLAINS TO SCHOOL: A Shared-Use Path for Easthampton NEIGHBORHOOD Prepared for the City of Easthampton | Spring 2020 VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE Galen Hammitt | Walker Powell | The Conway School