Forest Vegetation Monitoring
In the mid-1930's, the U.S. Forest Service established a system of 1/4 acre permanent plots where they identified and measured all forest vegetation more than 0.5" in diameter, as well as the shrubs and the herbaceous layer. Since then, the number of plots has increased to over 400 plots and the original plots have been re-measured periodically. The land-use history of most areas in the HMF is well known, having been a principal interest of Landscape Historian and Biologist Henry Art.
Meteorology/Biogeochemistry/Hydrology
Temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed and direction and solar radiation are monitored at several weather stations in the HMF [view weather data]. Water discharge is measured continuously at weirs (small dams) on the South Branch and main stem of Birch Brook. Precipitation chemistry is monitored in samples collected near the weather station field and the chemistry of Birch Brook is monitored periodically. Contact Professor David Dethier for information about the meteorological, hydrological, and biogeochemical monitoring in the forest or the Environmental Analysis Lab.Ampibian Use of Two Vernal Pools
2007 marked the second year that amphibian populations at two adjacent vernal pools near the southern edge of Hopkins Forest were monitored using pitfall trap/drift fence arrays. The traps were checked daily (twice daily during the peak spring migration) from late March through mid-November 2007. Thousands of amphibians were tallied during that period. Predominant among them were wood frogs (Rana sylvatica), and spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum); other species caught during this period were spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), American toads (Bufo americanus), green frogs (Rana clamitans), pickerel frogs (Rana palustris), Eastern newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) and Jeffersons (Ambystoma jeffersonianum), red-backed (Plethodon cinerius), northern dusky (Desmognathus fuscus) and two-lined salamanders (Eurycea bislineata). The study will continue in 2008 with cooperation from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Berkshire Community College.
Garlic Mustard Population Dynamics
Joan Edwards' study of the population dynamics of the invasive plant, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), continued into 2007. Student assistants continued collecting data on established plots in three different areas in Hopkins Forest. By analyzing these data over a number of years, Dr. Edwards is gaining insight into garlic mustard's success in forests of different ages, its rate of invasion, and its effects on native flora.Hay-scented Fern Allelopathy
Henry Art and Chemist David Richardson have been investigating the possible allelopathic mechanisms of hay-scented fern, Dennstaedtia punctilobula. A small plot in the field in front of the Rosenburg Center has been used for experimental applications of extracts from D. punctilobula and blackberry, Rubus sp. Treatment areas include bare soil and field grasses.Ant/Leaf Hopper Mutualism
Manuel Morales in the Biology Department, Hopkins Forest has continued his study of ant (Formica sp.) and leaf hopper (Publilia sp.) mutualism in goldenrod (Solidago altissima) fields. Experiments was conducted during the summer of 2007. This experiment tested the effect of fertilization of S. altissima on the their Publilia colonies.Auxin Transport in Quaking Aspen
Dr. Eric Kramer of Simon's Rock College of Bard has recently begun studying the transport of Auxin-- a plant hormone that has been implicated in virtually every aspect of tree growth and development. It is synthesized in growing leaves and buds, transported downward through the stem and roots, and has additional effects in the tips of growing roots. Dr. Kramer's research combines field experiments with computer models to examine auxin transport and perception. His focus at Hopkins Forest is the measurment of hormone levels in the cambium of quaking aspen.Sugar Maple Genetics
In the early 1960s the Forest Service established a plantation of sugar maples in Hopkins Forest. These trees were selected for their high sap sweetness potential, but went largely unobserved until Tom Baribault, of the University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center, discovered them in 2000. Since that time, Dr. Baribault, has been working with these trees as part of a larger study to identify the genes that code for sweetness among the sugar maple's thirteen chromosomes. Once identified, these quantitative trait loci, will enable researchers to identify superior trees at an early stage and thus improve future sugar maple breeding programs.Northern Saw-Whet Owl Migration Banding
2007 marked
the seventh season of banding Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO) during their fall migration at Hopkins Forest. The station operated on 37 evenings from
September 29th to November 11th--using an audio-lure and mist nets to capture and band these small, migratory owls. The station captured 161,
mostly female, NSWOs during this period. Of these captures, two had been
previously banded at other stations. In addition, several owls that we had banded in previous years were recaptued at various stations from Ontario to Virginia. Continued recoveries of HMF banded owls at
other stations will yield additional information on their migration routes and timing, growth, survivorship and molt progressions. Come
visit our banding season in the fall.
Student Research
Undergraduates at Williams have undertaken numerous research projects, including honors thesis research, on a variety of topics over the past thirty years. Other opportunities for undergraduates include research assisantships, independent studies, Winter Study projects and summer employment. Although funded positions are generally reserved for Williams College students, consideration would be given to individuals from other areas where feasible. Check the Summer Opportunities page if you might be interested in working at Hopkins Forest this summer.Persons interested in undertaking research or environmental monitoring in Hopkins Forest should submit a Research Proposal Form.