Small Woodlot Information
Question: How does this woodlot affect the health of the creek?
Question: How does this woodlot affect the health of the creek?
- Reduces stormwater runoff.
- Filters and regulates the flow of rainwater, in large part due to their leafy canopy. This canopy intercepts rainfall, slowing its fall to the ground and the forest floor. This ground in this woodlot acts like an enormous sponge, typically absorbing up to 18 inches of precipitation (depending on soil composition) before gradually releasing it to natural channels, such as the creek.
Grapevine - The large grapevine shown in the photo is a Muscadine Grape. Learn more about it at these links:
Virginia Tech Dendrology Fact Sheet
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
Virginia Tech Dendrology Fact Sheet
NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
Additional Resources:
- The Important Relationship between Forests and Water - American Forests
- This article from the Pennsylvania State Extension describes the value of forests and gives more information about stormwater runoff and infiltration: https://extension.psu.edu/the-role-of-trees-and-forests-in-healthy-watersheds
- Virginia Cooperative Extension provides landowners, and land managers and decision makers with educational opportunities and resources to positively impact these resources (Forests) and help them manage those lands. Extension programs build individual and community capacity to address critical environmental priorities; to make a difference in air, soil, and water quality; sustainable forests, fish, wildlife, and watersheds; as well as other renewable natural resources. Learn more: VCE - Natural Resources
- To learn more about how the Virginia Cooperative Extension assists landowners to help them keep their woodlands healthy and productive, visit this site: VCE - Woodland Management
- This article by Jake Krauss posted on the United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) website describes how Green Infrastructure can improve the water quality of a neighborhood creek. This is similar to how this small woodlot in the park helps to protect the water quality of Cypress Creek. Acting Upstream for Creek and Community | US EPA
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