Part 1: Exploring The Humpty Dumpty Talus Slope
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In this activity, you will focus on a region that has areas of loose rock called talus interspersed with stands of shrubs and trees. The site ecology at Humpty Dumpty talus slope is very important because the rocky terrain results in very little soil build up, and the trees have limited access to water. As a result these trees grow very slowly, in some cases just 0.02 inches per year. For comparison, your nails can grow 0.12 inches in a single month! The size of each annual ring depends very much on the amount of rain that fell during the growing season, because this affects soil moisture. Scientists describe these trees as stressed or climate sensitive, meaning that their ring widths reflect the conditions of the growing season every year that the tree is alive. At Humpty Dumpty, a dry summer will result in a narrow ring, and a wet summer will result in a wider ring.
Instructions
1. Watch the video of dendrochronologist Dr. Ed Cook describing what makes the Humpty Dumpty a valuable site for studying past climate and what drew him to the area many years ago. What can we learn by studying the growth rate of trees in this region of New York State?
2. Once you have finished watching the video, answer the questions below.
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1.1 What initially drew Dr. Cook to this area to do tree-ring research?
1.2 Why are the trees on the talus slope ideal for use in tree-ring research?
1.3 What did Dr. Cook hope to learn from the trees growing at Humpty Dumpty talus slope?
1.4 What is threatening the health of the trees at the Mohonk site?
3. Exploring the Humpty Dumpty Talus Slope
Right click on the link below to open a new window to see a 360° view of the Humpty Dumpty Talus slope site.
4. Describing the site conditions you encounter and recording other information, such as the site coordinates, is an important first step for any research expedition. These descriptions and data set the stage for your research and are also information that would be used in a scientific publication about the site.
Stop and Think
1.5 How would you describe the Humpty Dumpty Talus Slope site? Be sure to emphasize the types of vegetation you see (how many different types of trees, shrubs, etc), the density of that vegetation, the soil or lack of soil, the presence or absence of water, and any other characteristics you may observe.
5. Now let's compare this site to a nearby but very different site. How might different environmental conditions alter the growth pattern of trees and the climate record they reveal? Right click on the link below to open a new window and take a close look at Enchanting Pond:
Stop and Think
1.6 How would you describe the Enchanting Pond site? What are the differences between the two sites? Be sure to emphasize the types of vegetation you see (how many different types of trees, scrubs, etc), the density of that vegetation, the soil or lack of soil, the presence or absence of water, and any other characteristics you may observe.
1.7 How do you think these two different environments affect the growth of trees and the seasonal rings produced over both dry and wet seasons?
7. Serendipity in Science
Watch the video below and listen to Dr. Ed Cook describe how serendipity often plays a role in science. He also gives tips on how to be a successful scientist.
Stop and Think
1.8 What role did serendipity play in Dr. Ed Cook's work near the Mohonk Mountain House in NY?