Department or Program

Environmental Studies

Abstract

The objective of this project is to provide a comprehensive review of species diversity, forest succession, and carbon storage in response to the logging of two wooded areas at Valley View Farm in Auburn, Maine. Conducted in collaboration with landowner Kathy Shaw, and situated within the Auburn Agriculture and Resource Protection Zone, this community-based project aims to inform sustainable land management practices relevant to Shaw and other landowners in the area. To conduct our research, we walked transects throughout the newer, more recently logged forest and the older, more undisturbed forest using the point-centered quarter method. We also conducted a literature review to contextualize our research. Our findings show that forest recovery from logging is heavily impacted by the methods used during timber harvests. While it may be considered an example of an early successional forest, the newer growth region was dominated by eastern hemlock and eastern white pines, neither of which are typical pioneer species. The newer growth region had a higher species richness but slightly lower species evenness. Additionally, the older growth region stored more carbon per unit area. Our deliverable focused on providing an overview of management strategies to our community partner, as well as expected future changes to her land, in an accessible way. These changes include a reduction in tree species diversity due to losses in early successional trees, infections of emergent tree pathogens, but also an increase in available habitat for animal species. We conclude both the report and the deliverable with management recommendations that can be used to increase the availability of high-quality wildlife habitat and ensure the health of the forests going forward.

Level of Access

Restricted: Campus/Bates Community Only Access

First Advisor

Holly Ewing

Second Advisor

Christine Martinez

Date of Graduation

5-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Number of Pages

61

Community Engagement

1

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