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Coastal Maine Terrestrial Ecology

Department of Biology

Marine Ecology | Sunrise | Terrestrial Ecology

The students had the opportunity to hike seven peaks in the park (three of them just for fun!) and explore diverse terrestrial communities including hardwood, boreal, alpine and lowland birch forests as well as a bouncy peat bog complete with carnivorous plants.

The whole crew at the top of Cadillac Mountain. Our first hike and the tallest peak on Mount Desert Island. Front row: Brittany Palasik '12, Alyssa Forget '12, Derek Tetzner '13, Tyler Spooner '12, Duncan Leech '11. Back row: Mary Kelley '11, Gretchen Harz '12, Brendyn Meisinger '13, Daniel Chilton '13, Ian Hall '12, and Robert Storck '13 the course TA.
The whole crew at the top of Cadillac Mountain. Our first hike and the tallest peak on Mount Desert Island. Front row: Brittany Palasik '12, Alyssa Forget '12, Derek Tetzner '13, Tyler Spooner '12, Duncan Leech '11. Back row: Mary Kelley '11, Gretchen Harz '12, Brendyn Meisinger '13, Daniel Chilton '13, Ian Hall '12, and Robert Storck '13 the course TA.
Making our way through a narrow ravine on the climb to the top of Pemetic mountain.
Making our way through a narrow ravine on the climb to the top of Pemetic mountain.
An excited group at the summit of Pemetic mountain.
An excited group at the summit of Pemetic mountain.
Mary, Duncan and Ian collecting data in the alpine habitat atop Pemetic Mountain.
Mary, Duncan and Ian collecting data in the alpine habitat atop Pemetic Mountain.
Derek Tetzner '13 & Gretchen Harz '12 take in the view from the top of Pemetic Mountain.
Derek Tetzner '13 & Gretchen Harz '12 take in the view from the top of Pemetic Mountain.
The students wrap up from collecting data on the sphagnum (a type of moss) bog.
The students wrap up from collecting data on the sphagnum (a type of moss) bog.
A carnivorous pitcher plant. Carnivorous plants evolved in bogs because bogs are poor in nitrogen, so these plants trap insects and digest them for their nitrogen.
A carnivorous pitcher plant. Carnivorous plants evolved in bogs because bogs are poor in nitrogen, so these plants trap insects and digest them for their nitrogen.
Mary Kelley '11 on the bog.
Mary Kelley '11 on the bog.
More than one of use sank into the bog during out visit, but Brendyn was the only one we caught on film.
More than one of use sank into the bog during out visit, but Brendyn was the only one we caught on film.
A sundew, another carnivorous plant.
A sundew, another carnivorous plant.
A friend.
A friend.
The class at a scenic bridge on the trail around Jordan Pond. Prof. Martin Connaughton, Brendyn Meisinger '13, Derek Tetzner '13, Tyler Spooner '12, Duncan Leech '11, Ian Hall '12, Mary Kelley '11, Gretchen Harz '12, Brittany Palasik '12, Alyssa Forget '12, Daniel Chilton '13.
The class at a scenic bridge on the trail around Jordan Pond. Prof. Martin Connaughton, Brendyn Meisinger '13, Derek Tetzner '13, Tyler Spooner '12, Duncan Leech '11, Ian Hall '12, Mary Kelley '11, Gretchen Harz '12, Brittany Palasik '12, Alyssa Forget '12, Daniel Chilton '13.
Duncan Leech '11 & Ian Hall '12 journaling on Jordan Pond
Duncan Leech '11 & Ian Hall '12 journaling on Jordan Pond
Tyler Spooner '12 journaling on Jordan Pond
Tyler Spooner '12 journaling on Jordan Pond
A section of Kurt Dietrich's Stair, a trail up the side of Dorr Mountain. Like many of the trails in Acadia National Park, this one was improved by the Civil Conservation Corp during the 1930. Many of the trails in the park include sturdy granite stairs like these, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. The effort that must have gone into making them is beyond impressive.
A section of Kurt Dietrich's Stair, a trail up the side of Dorr Mountain. Like many of the trails in Acadia National Park, this one was improved by the Civil Conservation Corp during the 1930. Many of the trails in the park include sturdy granite stairs like these, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. The effort that must have gone into making them is beyond impressive.
Jordan cliffs over looking the pond
Jordan cliffs over looking the pond
Cairns and/or blue paint blotches mark the trails in Acadia. Through this cairn you can see Bar Harbor.
Cairns and/or blue paint blotches mark the trails in Acadia. Through this cairn you can see Bar Harbor.
Duncan Leech '11 kickin' it in a tree.
Duncan Leech '11 kickin' it in a tree.
Students collecting data on a slope in a hardwood forest on the flank of Dorr Mountain.
Students collecting data on a slope in a hardwood forest on the flank of Dorr Mountain.
The showy lady slipper, Cypripedium reginea, beautiful and rare for Mount Desert Island
The showy lady slipper, Cypripedium reginea, beautiful and rare for Mount Desert Island
At the base of Dorr Mountain lies the great meadow, consisting of grasslands and paper birch on marshy soil. This new walkway to the center of the meadow was still under construction.
At the base of Dorr Mountain lies the great meadow, consisting of grasslands and paper birch on marshy soil. This new walkway to the center of the meadow was still under construction.
This 'unrelentingly steep' (the words of the trail guidebook) trail is called the Perpendicular trail - an apt name. The switchback stairs you see the students on extended from the lake below to nearly the summit.
This 'unrelentingly steep' (the words of the trail guidebook) trail is called the Perpendicular trail - an apt name. The switchback stairs you see the students on extended from the lake below to nearly the summit.