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The Appalachians are a refuge for wildlife
Scientists are researching how to make the forest more resilient
Illustrations by Zoe Keller | Text by Kelsey Barnett-Fischels | Issue 1
Bill Finch pauses on a densely wooded hillside in The Nature Conservancy’s Sharp-Bingham Mountain Preserve in northeastern Alabama
He points out a number of tree species as though he’s sharing the names of old friends
Clad in a flannel shirt, jeans and a straw hat, white hair tumbling to his shoulders, Finch nods to cedars, maples, butternuts, beeches, roughly a dozen species of oaks and the area’s once-historically expansive short-leaf pine. Nearby tower about five species of elms, all with genetics immune to the devastating Dutch elm disease
elongated-lobed leaves that hasn’t been described as a new species in the lab—yet
Finch leads the Paint Rock Forest Research Center
Alabama A&M University and a few other nearby universities to conduct a census of more than 100,000 trees on a 148-acre tract of land at the preserve
researchers will map and track the development of this temperate forest in a study that is part of the Forest Global Earth Observatory
an international network of long-term forest research sites
They will re-census the trees every five years to gain a better understanding of how forests function and evolve in the face of changing conditions
They’re investigating these questions as conservationists in the Appalachians rush to fortify these forests for the future. Often thought of as a steadfast refuge that extends well over 2,000 miles from Alabama to Newfoundland, the Appalachian Mountains—and the valleys and landscapes surrounding them—are not immune to the effects of climate change
and conservationists are concerned about their future
overnight temperatures are averaging warmer and winter freezes are trending fewer
with a dangerous combination of longer droughts and higher-intensity rainfall
more-energized climate is producing massive natural disasters more often—dramatically illustrated by the catastrophic amounts of water that Hurricane Helene dumped on Tennessee and North Carolina last September
And far-traveling people and goods are spreading invasive plants and pathogens
That’s not to mention the unchecked 19th- and early-20th-century logging and mining industries
large deer populations nibbling up future trees
and urban sprawl and rural development fragmenting forests
less than 21% of the range is protected from construction and development
conservationists across the length and breadth of the Appalachians are working
to support and encourage biodiversity—because even as biodiversity is at risk in the face of many environmental threats
it offers a way to boost the resilience of forest ecosystems and their ability to respond to new challenges
where TNC is working to connect wild spaces like Sharp-Bingham to corridors linking up into the Appalachians
Finch and Tassin can both see a future in this forest
“There’s this really high biodiversity of species on the southern end of this,” Tassin says
so protecting that seed bank and base would be really critical.”
“Diversity represents our options for the future,” Finch adds
In the high-elevation forests of the Central and Southern Appalachians, the red spruce is king—the foundation of a regionally rare ecosystem and the key to a mutually beneficial forest relationship
Symbiotic fungi in the soil near tree roots help young red spruce grow
which soar between the spruce’s upper branches
dig for the fungi’s fruiting bodies (or truffles)
eat them and deposit their spores throughout the forests
Roughly 1,000 miles away in New Hampshire, near the state’s border with Maine, the forest in Green Hills Preserve faces a problem similar to those of its neighbors in the Northern Appalachians. Over the years, Jeff Lougee, director of land management for TNC in New Hampshire
has watched this transitional hardwood forest losing what little species variety it had
The Earth’s past climatic swings have left northeastern forests more vulnerable than those farther south
glaciers had smothered out life in a large portion of the United States
northward of present-day Cincinnati and Philadelphia
The Central Appalachians were spared the worst of the ice ages but resembled a tundra—frigid and dry
scientists are testing ways to diversify beech-dominated forests
They fell some trees to let more light hit the forest floor and establish shade-intolerant species
They also plant some trees that may be better adapted to a future climate
Amid the fallen trees in these experimental plots
a host of flora and fauna take root and refuge in the newly decaying matter
hardwood and spruce forests that repopulated the North had a high tolerance to cold
But because there was a small number of hardy pioneers that could survive a newly available environment
Without this variation coded across their genes
species have fewer chances to adapt to changes—something they need now as the climate goes a bit haywire and diseases spread more rapidly
Lougee’s team has partnered with the University of Vermont
and Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science to set up a forest management experiment in 1,300 of the 5,500-plus acres of Green Hills
They strategically cut down trees to open up the forest canopy
which encourages a greater diversity of shade-intolerant species
The team leaves behind some large felled trees to support diversity as wood decays and pushes over dead trees to create “tip-up mounds,” which create microclimates for a range of organisms
The team is also planting a variety of tree species
some of which they’ve culled from regions farther south
known as “forest-assisted migration,” has at times been a controversial method
generating debates among conservationists about how much to intervene on nature’s behalf and what unknown consequences may ensue
The diversity of people and wildlife throughout the Appalachians is unlike any other on the planet
Researchers hope that future resilient forests will be able to more rapidly recover from climate-driven threats on their own. Many of today’s plants and animals must head northward or to higher elevations (or both) to survive as their habitats change
and the Appalachians offer a natural highway to do so
have even been reported moving an average of 6 miles north and 7 miles west per decade since the 1980s
During periods of intense climate change in Earth’s past
plants and animals had a greater ability to trek across landscapes than they do today
making it challenging for life such as trees
which grow in specialized conditions and have limited control of seed dispersal
Lougee’s team is expanding the northern range of some select saplings in their experimental plot
“The idea here is not to [cut down and] replant the future forest,” Lougee says
“but really just get a few species established that can be a source of seeds in the future.”
But Lougee’s team has its eyes trained ahead as it tests how conservationists and forest managers can support diverse forests in the Northern Appalachians that can better adapt to the future climate
And as the plight of the tree species that repopulated the Northern Appalachians shows
diversity isn’t just about a greater variety of many species—it’s also important to encourage genetic diversity within individual species so some might have a chance to endure the changes to come
More than 100 species rely on the mighty hemlock forests—including many birds and bats in migration corridors like Pennsylvania—but a fast-moving microscopic invasive pest called the hemlock woolly adelgid threatens their survival
invasive pests with few predators can spread rapidly
land managers must rely on pesticides to battle pests like the adelgid
Farther south, in the central Appalachians of West Virginia, among steep hillsides of lush forest, conservationists have been focused on restoring a keystone species that’s struggled to rebound after loggers in the late 1800s and early 1900s felled swaths of these elevated giants: red spruce
Because this species is the backbone of entire ecosystems in the Central Appalachians, “having more red spruce forests across its historic range adds to the biodiversity of the whole [Central Appalachian] region,” says Katy Shallows, the forest restoration manager for TNC’s Appalachians Program
they have a chance of building resilient ecosystems
makes a forest resilient could be challenging
noticed his peers at TNC and government agencies talking about resiliency—but all with different meanings
Lorber wanted to collaborate on a shared definition of resiliency in Central Appalachian forests for TNC’s teams to work toward together
he built a scoring framework to rate forest resiliency in landscapes identified as potential havens for biodiversity
ecological function and adaptive capacity in each location
Lorber’s team graded major forest communities in the Central Appalachians and identified the greatest issues facing these forests
His team is now using this work to guide on-the-ground conservation
The Southern Appalachians are the most biodiverse region in the world for amphibians
Numerous frog and salamander species—some extremely rare—rely on these tracts of land where vernal pools
Conservationists are working to ensure the diversity of trees in the oak-hickory forests of this region by using controlled burns and other methods to reduce faster-growing poplars and other trees that crowd and shade out the mighty oaks
“We all inherently know the variability of ecosystems within just the Central Appalachians,” Lorber says
“But here’s a chance to use the same filter of climate resilience to look at different ecosystems’ strengths and weaknesses
That could begin to guide the type of work we prioritize.”
this framework highlights their lower biodiversity and climate-adaptive capacity as risks for climate resilience
even a single species like red spruce can have a range of genetic diversity
Shallows’ team is now drawing on that potential diversity within red spruce to increase the resilience of the region’s forests
In partnership with researchers at the University of Vermont and Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative
Shallows’ team has been planting a genetically diverse stock of red spruce seedlings nearly every year since 2019
primarily on public lands like the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia and the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Virginia
The foresters intentionally select seed stock from sites with greater genetic diversity to enhance its climate-adaptive capacity—and give it a greater chance of survival—at restoration sites
And University of Maryland researchers have built a computer model to identify ideal seed sources from different ranges and regions in another aspect of assisted migration called “assisted gene flow.” This model looks at the future climate period
the estimated greenhouse gas emission level and location details like latitude and elevation to pinpoint seed stock that can likely survive in altered future conditions
Shallows’ team plants a combination of these seedlings
knowing some individuals may thrive and some may fail
with hopes that the ecosystem as a whole survives and adapts over time
point to the region becoming drier and hotter overall
but it’s not known how seasonal rainfall patterns will change
“Plants will need to adapt to increased variability in their environment,” she says
what we’re trying to do is buffer the system as best we can for all the unknown factors.”
It’s hard to predict something as complex as a forest’s future
Lougee waits to see which seedlings take advantage of the opportunities his team is creating
to build a shield of diversity in the northeast overstory
Shallows’ team looks out at millions of red spruce seedlings with varying genetics
trying to envision the towering giants that could survive hundreds of years from now
Finch tries to imagine the possibility of decades ahead when the heat- and pathogen-resistant individuals of the Southeast’s forests have once again wandered northward
filling in the holes left by the ghosts of today’s trees
On the census plot at Sharp-Bingham Mountain Preserve in Alabama
no woody stub larger in diameter than a pencil goes unnoticed by Finch
He’s seen how beech trees distribute themselves in distinct seams and how water flowing in the cave systems below pops up unexpectedly throughout the forest
piecing together the deep connections of an ecosystem
he feels uneasy about the fate of our forests as development
invasives and other threats continue to encroach on our natural areas
indicating the stash of biodiversity around us
“we lose the future of our eastern forests.”
Yet at one point in the forest census plot
Finch had pointed out signs of past human disturbance from some hundred years ago
The expansive crown structure of a multihundred-year-old white oak suggested that a portion of the forest around it had once been cleared
likely for a small holding of corn and grazing
The now-robust forest around Finch is not pristine
with the right seed stock and a functioning forest system and protections in place
It’s a glimpse of what resilient ecosystems are capable of
Kelsey Barnett-Fischels is a writer based in Huntsville
whose work focuses on biodiversity and the environment
Zoe Keller is an artist based in upstate New York who uses graphite
digital media and other forms to illustrate at-risk species and vanishing ecosystems
Aerial view of a rock forest in Moshi Park
Known as the "Bermuda Triangle of Chinese Geology," Moshi Park has gained popularity with its unparalleled geologic formations of mylonitic rocks
Spanning 4.8 square kilometers at an altitude of about 3,500 meters
the park brings visitors into the world of an "exotic planet." Photo: China News Service
Sherbrooke firefighters were called to the Centre de valorisation de l’aliment (CVA) in Rock Forest on Wednesday morning after reports of an explosion within the building
According to Sherbrooke Fire Chief Stéphane Simoneau
and the first teams on the scene found several walls to be unstable and blast debris within a 300-metre radius of the building
“It is clear that there was a significant explosion,” he said
Although the fire itself was considered largely under control by midday
Simoneau said that he expected the work to completely extinguish it would take the better part of the day
The section of Bourque Boulevard between du Parc Avenue and Saint-Roch Road was closed for the duration of the operation
a self-described “food hub” was created in 2019 to bring together regional food producers in a space that offered commercial kitchen and food storage facilities
The fire chief said that the building was considered a class three risk in past inspections
He speculated that either propane or natural gas might be part of the cause of the explosion and ensuing fire
although he emphasized that everything is hypothetical until an investigation is completed
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2025 at 4:04 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Forest Preserve District staff will be on hand to help load with a tractor at both sites
Non-District machinery to load is not permitted
Residents should bring their own shovels and containers
(Kane County Forest Preserve )KANE COUNTY
IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is offering free wood chips to the public on Sunday
Wood chips will be available for pick-up at Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin and Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock from 8 a.m
Forest Preserve District staff will be on hand to help load with a tractor at both sites and non-district machinery to load is not permitted
Residents should bring their own shovels and containers and the public is welcome to take as many wood chips as they can haul away
The chips are from hardwood trees removed throughout Kane County because of storm damage or clearing efforts
Burnidge Forest Preserve is located at 14N035 Coombs Road in Elgin
and Big Rock Forest Preserve is located at 46W072 Jericho Road in Big Rock
Signs within both preserves will direct people to the pile location
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Table Rock State Park has been on fire for nearly a week
yet another tremendous blow to South Carolina's state parks
which have suffered terrible damage from Mother Nature in the past year
major progress was made in the battles against two separate forest fires burning in the Upstate wilderness
The statewide burn ban has lifted in 41 counties
major progress was made in the battles against two forest fires burning in the Upstate wilderness — one of which has set state records
About a half-inch of rain fell in northern Pickens County on March 30
giving fire crews time to focus their plan of attack for the coming days
which could bring another half-inch of rain to the smoldering mountainside — but also the threat of severe winds that could stall crews' work
coupled with the strong firefighting efforts over the last several days
allowed us to make great progress on the fires,” said Mike Brod
operations section chief trainee of the Southern Area Blue Team
I want to point out that the fires have not grown over the last 24 hours.”
The Table Rock Fire has reached 13,765 acres
and was 30 percent contained as of March 31
The nearby Persimmon Ridge Fire is 2,078 and 64 percent contained
The two fires are being referred to as the Table Rock Complex fire as emergency crews respond to both in a coordinated effort
Forestry Commission lifted the burn ban at 6 a.m
The amount of personnel and equipment "has potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions,” the commission said in its announcement
who are entering their 11th day battling the Table Rock Fire
will largely focus on its northern and eastern sides
limiting the fire's opportunity for growth by bringing previously established fire breaks closer to the active fire
“We want to keep the fire from moving down into Matthew’s Creek
so that’s our goal is to catch the fire at that (eastern) end and use the rain to our advantage," Brod said
The Persimmon Ridge Fire is looking “really good,” Brod said
Heavy machinery will be used to break down some of the large debris fields from Helene that have been smoldering and holding heat
They’re racing against the threat of severe weather in the afternoon
though the chance for additional rainfall is a welcome addition to the workday
The Table Rock Fire was started March 21 and the Persimmon Ridge Fire the next day
becoming the third-largest in state history and the largest in Upstate history
Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said four teens have been identified in the ignition of the Table Rock Fire and their charges will come at a later date
The Upstate is under a severe thunderstorm watch on March 31 as a cold front moves through the area in the mid-to-late afternoon
though there’s a chance for hail and strong storm cells that could produce a tornado
Wind gusts will range from the upper teens to low 20s as the storm passes
and dry weather returns to the Upstate on Tuesday
Follow Caitlin on Twitter/X @CatHerrington
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Escape to nature and experience the beauty of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s campgrounds
Check-in time for all campsites is at 3 p.m
With the aim of providing greater convenience and flexibility, campers can secure their preferred campsite at either Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin or Big Rock Campground in Big Rock via our online system at www.kaneforest.com/camping
Online reservations are required and are open now
located within Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin
There are 89 improved sites complete with 50/30/20-amp electrical service
There are 10 primitive sites for tents-only camping; primitive sites do not have electricity
ADA-accessible camp sites are available upon request
The surrounding Burnidge Forest Preserve contains more than 700 acres of rolling hills and woodlands along with nine miles of trails
including a 2.25-mile multi-purpose trail suitable for hiking
Paul Wolff Campground is located at 38W235 Big Timber Road in Elgin
located within Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock
There are 96 improved campsites with 50/30/20-amp electrical service
There are also ADA-accessible camp sites available upon request
Daily fees for the improved camp sites (with pad
water) at both campgrounds are $26 for Kane County residents and $41 for nonresidents
Primitive/non-electric camp sites are $18 per day for Kane County residents and $24 for nonresidents
Equestrian camp sites are $21 per day for Kane County residents and $31 for nonresidents
The campgrounds operate on a cashless system
and Discover for your convenience for online reservations
They accept cash/check for firewood and dump station fees
Online reservations should be booked prior to your arrival
If you need to modify or cancel your reservation
it will be credited to your patron account and remain valid until Dec
To book an equestrian site, call the campground hotline at (630) 444-1200. International travelers can call (630) 444-1200 to reserve your campsite. For more information, visit www.kaneforest.com
call our campground hotline at (630) 444-1200
and find the district on social by searching @forestpreserve
Two large wildfires in Western North Carolina have continued to grow over the past several days
with both now exceeding 800 acres and at containment levels of 10% or less
Forest Service provided updates on the wildfires
which are burning in Pisgah National Forest land in McDowell County and Nantahala National Forest land near Robbinsville
The news releases noted that both wildfires have grown since last reports
with firefighters and rangers working daily to contain and control the blazes
Here's what we know on the Bee Rock Creek and Haoe Lead fires in Pisgah and Nantahala national forests as of Friday
Two large wildfires are currently burning in WNC:
North Carolina wildfire mapSee our interactive wildfire map for WNC and the region
It is updated hourly and provides information on the fires
The April 18 news release from the Forest Service warned that the Bee Rock Creek Fire, which is burning in steep terrain and storm debris in McDowell County, has grown to 856 acres with 10% containment. This marks significant growth since April 17
when reports showed the fire at 504 acres with 10% containment
helicopters dropped water to slow fire growth in support of firefighters working on the ground
There are currently 180 personnel working to suppress the fire and stop the spread
McDowell County and Woodlawn Fire Department
Firefighters on April 18 were focused on preparing and protecting homes in Wild Acres and Roses Road as well as the Armstrong State Fish Hatchery
Crews have cut brush and blown leaves away from structures
and will be mopping up along Armstrong Creek Road
extinguishing hotspots to secure containment lines
Crews are also prepping the Blue Ridge Parkway as a potential containment line by removing debris left behind by Tropical Storm Helene
McDowell County Emergency Management has issued an evacuation order for residences on Wild Acres Road off of N.C. 226 A. A live evacuation map is available
burning within the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest
was measured at 1,010 acres with 0% containment according to an April 18 news release from the U.S
This marks growth from an April 16 update from the Citizen Times that reported the fire was at around 800 acres with 0% containment
fire personnel strengthened containment lines further on the southern portion of the fire near the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Loop
Opportunities were explored to engage the fire near State Road 1127
Firefighters on April 18 continued to focus efforts on southern and eastern portions of the fire
with potential strategic firing operations occurring along a portion of Maple Springs Overlook Road to reduce unburned fuel near the road
There are no evacuation orders in place at this time
More: 4.2 million cubic yards of Helene debris has been removed. What to know about debris deadlines
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times
How to find every secret boss in Chapter 1 of Black Myth: Wukong
In true soulslike fashion
the intricate landscapes and levels of Black Myth: Wukong hide plenty of secrets
and some of the bosses in Chapter 1 are very difficult to find without some additional guidance
if you're looking to tick off every Yaoguai Chief and Yaoguai King in your Journal
read on for a full breakdown of all 11 bosses in Chapter 1 of Black Myth: Wukong
There is a total of 11 bosses in Chapter 1 of Black Myth: Wukong, although only 9 of them are listed in the player's Journal. Of these, 5 are Yaoguai Kings, and 4 are Yaoguai Chiefs. Moreover, 2 bosses - the Elder Jinchi and the Red Loong - are secret bosses which can only be unlocked and fought by following the steps laid out below in this guide
To help you easily find out which Black Myth: Wukong bosses are missing from your Journal
here are all the Yaoguai King and Yaoguai Chief bosses you can find in Chapter 1:
Below we'll go over all 11 of these Chapter 1 bosses
The first boss enemy you'll fight in Chapter 1 of Black Myth: Wukong is the Bullguard, a Yaoguai Chief blocking your way a short distance into the Forest Of Wolves. To reach him, start at the "Front Hills" Keeper's Shrine and follow the path across the bridge
continue along the path as it curves right around the rock
and you'll approach a gate with the Bullguard standing guard in front
The Bullguard is a slow and lumbering foe which is designed to get you used to dodging
Its attacks with its polearm are all clearly telegraphed
so take this as an opportunity to practice your perfect dodges
Halfway into the Bullguard fight you'll trigger a cutscene which unlocks the Immobilise Spell
after which you can continue the fight with the help of the spell to make an easy fight even easier
The Wandering Wight, curiously, isn't listed in your Journal as a Yaoguai. Possibly this is because it is an offshoot of a later boss, the Elder Jinchi. In any case, you'll find the Wandering Wight a short way beyond the "Outside The Forest" Shrine, just past the Bullguard
Cross the bridge on the most direct path forward from the Shrine
and you'll come to a clearing where the Wandering Wight does what he does best
Be warned: this boss is startlingly tough for players just starting out
and it may take you a few attempts to beat him
You can feel free to run past the Wight when you first encounter him and return later when you're more powerful
although it seems the Wandering Wight will disappear if you defeat the Elder Jinchi boss
so make sure you return to defeat the Wight before entering that secret area containing the Elder Jinchi
Guangzhi is a Yaoguai Chief found on the opposite side of the "Outside The Forest" region from the Wandering Wight
start at the region's Shrine and take the left-hand path in front of you
Pass by the chest (open it if you haven't already)
and cross the bridge guarded by the Wolf Archer
follow the path curving left and you'll enter a clearing where you can fight Guangzhi
Lingxuzi is your first Yaoguai King boss fight. This giant wolf creature can be found inside Guanyin Temple, at the end of the Forest of Wolves beyond the Wandering Wight
The path there is very linear and straightforward
so you should have no trouble finding this boss encounter
your friend the Keeper will warn you that you have no chance against this boss
But don't worry - he vastly underestimates your skills
Linxuzi only really has two attacks to watch out for - a quick two-part swipe combo
especially with Immobilize and Red Tides (if you have it)
Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang is a giant amphibian that hangs out in a very pretty part of the river running through the Bamboo Grove
then follow the path until you start heading down a wooden sloped platform
Then turn around and head into the larger area of the river
Guangmou is another Yaoguai Chief who can be found in the "Snake Trail" area of the Bamboo Grove. Thankfully though, and unlike Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang
so you're pretty much guaranteed to cross him
Just follow the main path out to the large area littered with Skeletal Snakes
and you'll find Guangmou's arena directly adjoining this area
and poison sprays to attempt to whittle down your health
I'd recommend a mix of careful dodging and Staff-spinning to block ranged attacks where appropriate (though keep an eye on your Stamina!)
Close the distance between you where possible
be sure to absorb his Spirit using the Blessed Gourd for a handy little ranged attack in future battles
Continue along the main path and at the bottom of the "Marsh Of White Mist" region you'll come to a watery arena containing the Whiteclad Noble boss
This is another enemy that appears in the Journal as neither a Chief nor a King
Aside from the fact that he has an annoyingly long reach and launches himself about like nobody's business; he also has two health bars
and a second phase where he transforms into a merman-like creature
The Pillar Stance is very useful against the Whiteclad Noble, I found. Use it whenever it's safe to do so, and evade his attacks while charging your own. Just be careful you don't run out of stamina. After you've beaten him, you'll hear a bit of dialogue about the three Bells hidden in the land, and you'll find one of them adjoining this arena (more on this in our section about Elder Jinchi)
You will fight him inside the Black Wind Cave
which is a fair old trek beyond the "Marsh Of White Mist" area of the Bamboo Grove
The Black Wind King is waiting for you just beyond the double doors next to the "Cave Interior" Shrine
I won't lie, the Black Wind King is the toughest enemy so far. He can break easily out of your Immobilize Spell; his attack combos are annoyingly lengthy; and he has a special ability where he turns into an invulnerable gust of wind and repeatedly charges you, requiring some very specifically timed dodges to counter. I'd encourage you to go back and defeat Guangzhi and the Wandering Wight if you haven't done so already
because their respective abilities (Red Tides Spell and the Wandering Wight Spirit) are very helpful when it comes to bursting down the Black Wind King before he has a chance to wreak too much havoc with your health bar
The final story boss of Chapter 1 is Black Bear Guai - the superior second form of the Black Wind King you fought earlier
The Black Bear Guai is found outside the other end of Black Wind Cave
It's a linear (albeit very stairs-heavy) path up the mountain
so you'll have no trouble finding this particular Yaoguai King
This fight is tough, and I'd highly recommend you first unlock Chapter 1's secret area (explained below) and defeat Elder Jinchi before tackling the Black Bear Guai, because the prize for defeating Elder Jinchi is an item that it incredibly useful against the flame-heavy Black Bear
The most dangerous aspect of this fight is
when the Black Bear turns into a gust of (this time flaming) wind
These attacks deal massive damage and require very carefully timed dodges
Look for the burst of air just before the charge as a telltale sign of when you should dodge
you'll defeat the Black Bear and complete your journey through Chapter 1
The Elder Jinchi Yaoguai King resides in a secret area of Chapter 1; to unlock this area
you need to find and ring all three Bells scattered about the three regions of Chapter 1
Here are the locations of the three Bells:
You can ring the three Bells in any order you like
you'll automatically be transported to a new secret area: the Ancient Guanyin Temple
This place is a memory of the Guanyin Temple
and in its centre you can face the secret Elder Jinchi boss
The Elder Jinchi looks and acts a lot like the Wandering Wight that you encountered earlier in the Forest Of Wolves
The main difference here is that the arena is also filled with small shambling corpse enemies
Most of the time you can ignore them while you fight Elder Jinchi
the boss will rise into the air and call the corpses to him
You must kill the corpses before they reach Elder Jinchi
because each corpse that reaches the centre will heal Elder Jinchi
Defeating the Elder Jinchi will transport you back to the location of the Bell near the Whiteclad Noble arena, and you'll be rewarded with the Fireproof Mantle Vessel - a fantastically useful item against all fire-wielding enemies. Most notably, this item will help you in the fight against Black Bear Guai
The most secret Chapter 1 boss of all is The Red Loong
This Yaoguai King cannot be accessed until you've obtained a certain item from Chapter 2
after which you need to return to Chapter 1 to face this boss
you must obtain the Loong Scale (a secret item from Chapter 2) and then interact with the waterfall in the "Outside The Forest" area of the Forest Of Wolves
Below I'll explain how to obtain the Loong Scale
To get the Loong Scale in order to unlock the Red Loong boss fight
you need to progress through the first region of Chapter 2
past the first Yaoguai Chief fight against the Rat King and the Second Rat Prince
head down the left-hand path and face the First Rat Prince inside the cave
On the left-hand side of the First Rat Prince arena
you can interact with the crack to squeeze through it and into a small secret room
Inside this room there is a chest containing the Loong Scale
an item which you can use to unlock various secret areas throughout the game
including the one in Chapter 1 housing the Red Loong boss
The Red Loong itself is found inside a secret area adjoining the Forest Of Wolves
and then take another left once you reach the chest
and then immediately turn left and go up the well-hidden slope into a new part of the river with a giant waterfall
and if you have the Loong Scale in your inventory
you will receive a prompt to interact with the waterfall once you're near enough
allowing you to pass through the crack in the stone beyond
You'll then load into a new boss arena where you'll face The Red Loong
Despite being a Chapter 1 boss, the lightning-infused Red Loong is very much Chapter 2-esque in its power scaling, and you'll need all of the skills you gain in Chapter 2 to defeat it
The key to victory in this fight is to target the vessels on the Red Loong's back when it stumbles
Enough damage to these vessels will cause them to explode
dealing massive damage to the creature and considerably shortening the fight
That concludes our guide on how to find every single boss in Chapter 1 of Black Myth: Wukong! If you're looking to continue your rampage, check out our list of all the Chapter 2 bosses
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ExpandKane County Forest Preserve District (Shaw Local News Network)
Recreational camping opens for the season at the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s campgrounds on May 1
Campers can secure their preferred campsite at either Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin or Big Rock Campground in Big Rock online at www.kaneforest.com/camping. Online reservations are required and are open now.
Paul Wolff Campground, located within Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin, contains 104 total camp sites. There are 89 improved sites complete with 50/30/20-amp electrical service, water access, parking pads and fire rings. There are 10 primitive sites for tents-only camping; primitive sites do not have electricity. There are also five equestrian camp sites. ADA-accessible camp sites are available upon request.
The surrounding Burnidge Forest Preserve contains more than 700 acres of rolling hills and woodlands along with 9 miles of trails, including a 2.25-mile multi-purpose trail suitable for hiking, biking or equestrian use. There is also a picnic shelter, fishing ponds and a climbing rock. Paul Wolff Campground is located at 38W235 Big Timber Road in Elgin.
Big Rock Campground, located within Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock, contains 109 total camp sites. There are 96 improved campsites with 50/30/20-amp electrical service, water access, parking pads and fire rings. There are nine primitive, tent-only sites without electric access. There are four equestrian sites. There are also ADA-accessible camp sites available upon request.
Daily fees for the improved camp sites at both campgrounds are $26 for Kane County residents and $41 for non-residents. Primitive camp sites are $18 per day for Kane County residents and $24 for non-residents. Equestrian camp sites are $21 per day for Kane County residents and $31 for non-residents. Dump stations are included with camping, or $15 for single use. Firewood is available for $10 per bundle.
The campgrounds operate on a cashless system, accepting Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards online. Cash or check is accepted for firewood and dump station fees. Online reservations should be booked prior to your arrival.
To book an equestrian site, call the campground hotline at 630-444-1200.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Table Rock Tea Company, a tea farm at the base of Table Rock Mountain
posted this photo of the forest fire on March 22
A wildfire on Table Rock mountain has burned over 1,000 acres
prompting voluntary evacuations for nearby residents in the blaze set by what authorities say were “negligent' hikers on March 21
PICKENS — A wildfire burning on Table Rock mountain has engulfed over 1,000 acres
prompted evacuations for mountain residents and has hikers facing potential charges for what authorities say were "negligent" actions that caused the fire
With a forest floor littered with dead trees from Hurricane Helene and powerful wind gusts coupled with dry conditions
the fire spread quickly from the iconic mountain peak on March 21
The spread slowed some March 22 with relatively higher humidity and weaker winds
The rain that arrived early on March 24 brought minimal precipitation to the area
“just enough to wet the ground,” National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Kimball said
the rain gauges were at 0.003 inches around 9 a.m
The National Weather Service in Greer issued a warning that said "the combination of low relative humidity and drier fuels will increase fire danger March 25-29
“There’s a front coming through (Tuesday) afternoon or evening and there might be some showers heading for us from the west
but it probably won’t survive across the mountains,” he said
The Upstate’s next forecasted chance of rain is March 30
A fresh burn scar on the western side of Table Rock mountain continued to smolder on March 24 after light morning rains slowed its spread
With about 1,400 acres burned and the fire gaining speed as conditions dry out
forestry commission spokesperson Anneta Pritchard said the Table Rock blaze could grow to be around 5,000 acres before it’s contained
The Persimmon Ridge fire has burned around 350 acres as of March 24
Those numbers will continue to fluctuate as burnouts and more accurate infrared readings take place
with a Chinook helicopter dropping 2,000 gallons of water in 5-minute loops
The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared both the Table Rock and Persimmon fires eligible for a federal grant that helps with fire disasters
The designation by FEMA will allow South Carolina to receive federal funds that can cover up to 75 percent of the cost to fight the fires — which include costs for personnel
as well the forestry commission and state fire support
set up their mobile incident command at the nearby Table Rock Wesleyan Camp and Retreat Center
Firefighters and emergency response personnel are able to stay in the cabins on site
take advantage of the cafeteria and have large morning briefings in the recreation pavilion
Officials set up a shelter at the nearby Holly Springs Community Center after asking residents of about 100 homes to evacuate
A 150-acre backburn — an intentional fire set to create a barrier between the out-of-control blaze and homes — was underway March 23 on the mountain’s eastern side and expected to bring additional smoke to northern Pickens County
though it was also slowed by the morning rain
Forestry Commission public information officer
Roughly 3 miles of fire break were burned on March 23
The increase in humidity allowed crews time to focus on building the fire break box around the blaze
using lines established in the 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire — which became the largest in state history — and natural barriers like the Saluda River
then they're also going to do burnout operations to remove the fuel that's closest to the fire break
creating an even larger fire break and more protection," Pritchard said
Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship asked residents to avoid the area of S.C
to keep traffic flowing rather than parking on the side of the road to look at the fire
The highway will be closed nightly from West Gate Road to New Hope Road to prevent traffic congestion near the park
The fire was first spotted March 21 around 5:45 p.m. — 15 minutes before a statewide burning ban went into effect — as sheriff’s deputies were searching for missing hiker Stephanie Womacks inside the park
their search was cut short due to the negligent act of some hikers that led to the forest fire,” Sheriff Blankenship said in a video posted to Facebook
“Our deputies actually barely escaped the fire.”
The suspects have been identified and appropriate charges will be discussed with the S.C
Planes and helicopters that had been collecting water from Lake Jocassee and dumping it on the Table Rock fire are also responding to a nearby fire on Persimmon Ridge in Greenville County
The Forestry Commission is treating them as one incident due to their proximity
Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park are all closed because of the fires
The statewide burn ban that went into effect at 6 p.m
Those who would like to donate to the emergency responders can bring plastic utensils
disinfectant wipes and foam plates to the Holly Springs Fire Department at 2239 Moorefield Memorial Highway in Pickens
The fire engulfing the Ella Rock forest reserve continued yesterday with more than 600 acres of a total extent of 4,447 acres
The fire had spread towards the Rawana falls on Friday night
Winds and steep inclines are hampering efforts by the army
Forest Conservation and the fire services of the Bandarawela [...]
Forest Conservation and the fire services of the Bandarawela Municipal council
reptiles and small animals have been destroyed in the fire
Police warned that boulders could fall onto the main road
Air Force helicopters were not called in to assist
deputy minister of tourism told the Sunday Times
that using helicopters has not been effective in controlling such fires in addition to the high cost involved
He said NPP members in each of the divisions will be reined in to prevent such fires in future
Pix by Prasad Rukmal and Palitha Ariyawansa
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka
no matter what locale you're looking for
Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
Volume 7 - 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2019.00159
Mineral nutrient cycling between trees and the forest floor is key to forest ecosystem nutrition
well-drained landscapes the forest floor experiences permanent nutrient loss in particulate form by plant litter erosion and as solute after plant litter decomposition
a replenishing mechanism must be in operation that we suggest to be sourced in the subsoil and the weathering zone beneath it
provided that atmospheric input is insufficient
we quantified deep (up to 20 m depth) weathering and mineral nutrient cycling in two montane
temperate forest ecosystems in Southern Germany: Black Forest (CON) and Bavarian Forest (MIT)
shallow “organic nutrient cycle”
deep “geogenic nutrient pathway”
We found that the finite nutrient pool size of the forest floor persists for a few years only
foliar nutrient concentrations in Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica do not indicate deficiency
We infer that ultimately the biologically available fraction in the deep regolith (CON: 3–7 m
MIT: 3–17 m) balances nutrient loss from the forest floor and is also decisive for the level of the forest trees' mineral nutrient stoichiometry
although the nutrient supply fluxes from chemical weathering at CON are twice those of MIT
nutrient uptake fluxes into trees do not differ
The organic nutrient cycle apparently regulates the efficiency of nutrient re-utilization from organic matter to cater for differences in its replenishment by the deep geogenic nutrient pathway
and thereby ensures long-term forest ecosystem nutrition
weathering-derived nutrients are considered to sustain long-term ecosystem nutrition
even though they present only a small fraction of the net nutrient source to forest ecosystems
the deep weathering zone gains increasing interest in advancing our understanding on how chemical and physical processes both operating at depth are coupled to biotic processes operating in the upper Critical Zone
Yet this field has not advanced further because we lacked the means to establish the budgets involved
Suggesting such novel strategies for quantifying nutrient cycling into
and within forest ecosystems is the aim of this study
Key to this attempt is introducing metrics designed in weathering geochemistry into the fields of ecology and pedology
As the suite of geochemical metrics presented in this paper integrate over timescales that differ substantially from those over which ecological properties are measured
we do not draw refined conclusions from these comparisons
and thus evaluate them mainly by comparing orders of magnitude
We provide quantitative means to assess the importance of the slow “geogenic nutrient pathway” through which fresh material is uplifted into soil, and that is coupled to the fast “organic nutrient cycle” on long-term forest ecosystem nutrition similar to the conceptual model of Buendía et al. (2010)
While on short timescales the organic nutrient cycle appears to be highly efficient
nutrient losses from the organic nutrient cycle must be balanced by nutrient uptake via the geogenic nutrient pathway
we have undertaken a case study to parameterise all components of the system in two mountainous catchments
These sites were chosen because even though they strongly differ in their nutrient supply fluxes through rock weathering
they are characterized by similar forest primary productivity
We quantified nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems across several reservoirs of the Critical Zone: these extend from the unweathered bedrock that was accessed at up to 30 m depth by drilling
As a prerequisite for the way by which we apply these geo- and biogeochemical measurements for hypothesis evaluation
we developed a conceptual framework including a series of simple mass balance equations that combine nutrient fluxes
For the geogenic cycles we assume steady state of fluxes and hence compartment sizes that do not vary with time
This requirement is integral to the method used to determine fluxes
But even if this assumption is not strictly valid
deviation from steady state will be minor given the slow response times that are ca
for the organic cycles we do not assume steady state
and thus allow the inbound flux to differ from the outbound flux for a given compartment
Hence the resulting turnover time estimates may depend on the respective flux
some form of quasi-steady state is required to prevent ecosystem limitation that might develop if a compartment were to run into depletion
The geogenic nutrient pathway is characterized by the conversion of bedrock into regolith—defined here to comprise weathered rock
This pathway encompasses regolith production
nutrient release from primary and secondary minerals by chemical weathering
lateral and vertical transport of dissolved species through the regolith and groundwater aquifers which ultimately drain into a stream or lake
and for the remainder nutrient utilization by forest trees
At the weathering front unweathered bedrock is converted into regolith by regolith production (RP). At steady state RP is coupled to the total mass loss from the weathering profile (e.g., Heimsath et al., 1997; Lebedeva et al., 2010)
so as to maintain a constant thickness of regolith
Total mass loss comprises both particulate matter (physical erosion
E) and dissolved material (chemical weathering
and the combined mass loss flux is the denudation flux D (Equation 1)
by cosmogenic nuclides such as in situ 10Be (section Calculation of Fluxes and Inventories in Forest Ecosystems)
The chemical weathering flux can be disentangled from total denudation by multiplying the CDF by D (Riebe et al., 2003) (Equation 3)
E can be calculated from the difference between D and W (Equations 1
Absolute mass fluxes can be expressed as elemental fluxes
which form the basis to assess the cycling of mineral nutrients between forest ecosystem compartments
RP is expressed as RPX by multiplying RP with the concentration of the element of interest (X) in unweathered parent bedrock (Equation 4)
The elemental chemical weathering flux (WregolithX) provides the time-integrated dissolution flux of element X from primary minerals minus the incorporation flux of X into secondary minerals and (oxy-)hydroxides formed in the regolith
WregolithX is inferred from the total denudation flux
the mass transfer coefficient (τXiX) and the concentration of element X in unweathered parent bedrock by multiplying Equation 4 with the negative of Equation 5 (Equation 6)
The fraction of WregolithX which is not involved in secondary mineral or (oxy-)hydroxide formation is either drained into the stream or utilized by vegetation
from which it can also be drained into the stream after solubilisation from litter
The inventory of element X provides a metric on the total stock of element X in the regolith
or the biologically available fraction of regolith (bioav)
is calculated by the integral of the depth interval's concentration of element X in compartment j ([X]j)
the soil density (ρ) and the thickness (dz) of the respective depth interval (Equation 7)
Following the terminology suggested for terrestrial ecosystem ecology by Sierra et al. (2017) and Spohn and Sierra (2018) the turnover time is a quantification of the capacity of an ecosystem to store and cycle an element
the turnover time of element X in compartment j represents the mean time an element X remains in a given compartment before being transferred from this source compartment into another compartment
In this sense it may be considered analogous to the concept of a residence time in hydrology or geochemistry
Turnover time can thus be defined as the ratio of the inventory of a compartment (pool) to the input flux into the pool or output flux from the pool
We do not require the balance of inbound and outbound fluxes and thus do not assume the steady state of inventories
over the timescale of a few turnover times the fluxes must attain some balance to avoid total depletion
The total turnover time in the compartments we consider is governed by several in- and outbound fluxes
We do not consider total turnover (or residence) times for these compartments
we calculate turnover times with respect to one specific flux (denoted by the second subscript)
Tbioav,WX represents the mean time element X spends in the biologically available inventory with respect to supply from dissolution of primary minerals and secondary precipitates (WregolithX) (Equation 8)
Tbioav,WX provides the minimum turnover time estimate
as some fraction of WregolithX could be directly drained via groundwater into streams instead of arriving in the biologically available fraction by e.g.
the organic nutrient cycle incorporates nutrient uptake from forest trees
nutrient return to the forest floor followed by either nutrient re-utilization or nutrient export from the forest ecosystem by the stream
The total nutrient uptake flux of the entire forest ecosystem (UtotalX) can be quantified from estimates of gross primary production (GPP). As GPP includes the release of carbon by plant mitochondrial respiration, which accounts for 50% of the GPP flux (Chapin et al., 2012)
GPP must be converted into net primary productivity (NPP)
where [X]tree is the bulk tree nutrient concentration in dry biomass and [C]tree is the carbon concentration of bulk tree of 50 wt.-%
Equation (9) converts the carbon-based NPP flux into a total annual dry biomass production flux of the element of interest
After nutrient utilization, nutrients are returned to the forest floor by litterfall (LX)–comprising non-woody foliage (leaves and needles), woody foliage (twigs), dead roots and whole trees after windthrow. Subsequently these nutrients can be utilized directly from plant litter by animals such as earthworms (Resner et al., 2014)
within the context of this study this consumption represents a soil-internal cycle that does not impact fluxes between compartments
such flux is generated when nutrients are re-utilized by tree roots after plant litter solubilisation (SorgX)
or are lost from the forest ecosystem in particulate form by plant litter erosion (EorgX) or in solute form after plant litter decomposition
In the absence of difficult field-based measurements of the elemental plant litter erosion flux (EorgX)
a rough estimate of this flux can be calculated from the product of the cosmogenic in situ 10Be-derived erosion flux (E) in units t km−2 yr−1
the concentration of element X in the litter layer and a density ratio of bedrock to plant litter that converts the annual 10Be-derived mass per area erosion flux of bedrock into an annual mass per area erosion flux of plant litter
This estimate likely provides a minimum flux
as the low-density litter is removed more readily than the higher-density quartz minerals measured for cosmogenic nuclide-based erosion rates
WorgX can be estimated from the product of the nutrient concentration in deep lateral subsurface water and discharge
provided that deep lateral subsurface flow contributes to groundwater recharge which ultimately drains into the stream
The turnover time of element X in the forest floor with respect to loss by plant litter erosion and solute export is Tff,lossX (Equation 10)
We note that Tff,lossX merely presents a rough estimate
as neither EorgX nor WorgX can be estimated with certainty
both parameters depend on the time X is cycled through forest trees which prevents it from loss (see section Calculation of Fluxes and Inventories in Forest Ecosystems)
The turnover time of element X in the forest floor with respect to the outbound nutrient uptake flux by forest trees is Tff,UffX (Equation 11) (where UffX represents the major fraction of the total nutrient uptake flux
see section Coupling the Geogenic Nutrient Pathway with the Organic Nutrient Cycle)
The turnover time of element X in the forest floor with respect to the inbound litterfall flux (LX)
where LX is annual nutrient return from forest trees to the forest floor
We note that LX represents only a minimum estimate of annual nutrient return
as measurements of LX account mostly for fine litterfall only
In our conceptual forest ecosystem, the fluxes of EorgX (plant litter erosion flux) and WorgX (dissolved plant litter export flux) must be balanced by a replacement flux to preserve the ecosystem from nutrient limitation that would otherwise develop on the long-term. Following the terminology in Cleveland et al. (2013) we term this nutrient uptake replacement flux that stems from fresh nutrients “new” (UnewX)
as it comprises nutrients that are utilized by forest trees for the first time and are not re-utilized from the forest floor
Such new nutrients could be sourced from external atmospheric wet and dry deposition or
if these external fluxes are negligible relative to WregolithX
We have no a priori means to assess how much of WregolithX is used for nutrient uptake by forest trees
as some of the weathering flux is likely drained via groundwater into the stream
By assuming that UnewX at best balances nutrient losses from the organic nutrient cycle
we instead equate UnewX with the sum of nutrient loss from plant litter erosion and dissolved plant litter export by Equation 13
the total uptake flux of X reflects both the fraction of element X utilized from the forest floor (UffX) and the ‘new’ nutrient (UnewX)
The fraction of nutrient X that is returned to the forest floor by litterfall (LX) and is neither eroded as plant litter nor lost into the stream after being leached from plant litter can be re-utilized by forest trees
We term this re-utilization process “nutrient recycling” and assess the efficiency of the nutrient recycling loop with the “nutrient recycling factor” (RecX)
RecX is a metric that quantifies the efficiency of uptake of a nutrient relative to its release by weathering
We parameterise this nutrient recycling factor by the ratio of the total nutrient uptake flux of element X (UtotalX) relative to UnewX (Equation 15)
Because over millennia the replacement flux for EorgX and WorgX must originate from the geogenic pathway we parameterise RecX by dividing UtotalX by WregolithX (Equation 16, Uhlig et al., 2017)
This parameterisation of RecX circumvents the impossibility of measuring UnewX directly and the challenges involved in estimating EorgX and WorgX (see section Calculation of Fluxes and Inventories in Forest Ecosystems)
Note that RecX therefore represents a minimum estimate of the number of nutrient uptake and re-utilization cycles of element X through forest trees
This is because not all of the weathering release flux may be available to forest trees
In a conceptual forest ecosystem in which the organic nutrient cycle is coupled to the geogenic nutrient pathway
the inventory of the biologically available fraction of the regolith represents a source for the forest trees' UnewX
The turnover time of element X in the biologically available fraction of the regolith with respect to new nutrient utilization by forest trees is Tbioav,UnewX (Equation 17)
the combination of vertical and lateral subsurface flow leads to the rapid transport of water and solutes through the subsurface
Evidence for such preferential flow was provided during the drilling campaign were water containing rock flour from drilling rapidly emerged from a spring about 100 m downslope
Characteristics of the study sites in the Black Forest (CON
Dry core-drilling was performed at CON from 0 m depth to the regolith-bedrock interface at 7 m depth
which is not the regolith-bedrock interface
but where the abundance of fragmented rocks increased significantly
Diamond core drilling using creek water as drilling fluid from the neighboring watersheds was used to sample bedrock at both sites from drill-cores
At MIT diamond core drilling was also performed within regolith above the regolith-bedrock interface
This practice could have led to alteration of regolith properties such as soil pH and the chemical composition of the easily exchangeable fraction
and so where possible samples from hydraulically-drilled regolith sections were taken from the interior of coherent core pieces
samples were taken from wet cuttings integrating over ~2 m depth
Schematic depth distribution of drill cores and soil profiles (left hand side); stacked photographs of drill core sections with labeled sampling points and sampled depth intervals (right hand side) at CON (a) and MIT (b)
Arrows and cycles illustrate sampling points and depth intervals
Sampled depth intervals were selected to correspond to drill sections and changes in regolith appearance
Polyethylene bags at CON between 6 and 7 m depth contain coherent regolith
Cw: soil horizons according to IUSS/ISRIC/FAO 2006
Boundary of soil to saprolite is defined to be represented by the boundary between Bw horizon to Cw horizon
Color scheme of schematic drill cores is used in subsequent profile figures to assign data to soil
leaves and needles were sampled from representative mature trees of the prevailing species European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies)
Living wood was sampled by using an increment borer
Leaves and needles were sampled from young branches nearest the forest floor in September 2014
Element concentration and radiogenic Sr isotope analyses were performed at the Helmholtz Laboratory for the Geochemistry of the Earth Surface (HELGES) at GFZ Potsdam (von Blanckenburg et al., 2016)
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was performed with the Isotope Geochemistry section at GFZ Potsdam
Phosphorus Hedley sequential fractionation was done at the University of Bonn
The international reference material SRM 1515 (apple leaves
NIST) was processed with each sample batch
oxidized and analyzed at the University of Cologne Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS)
Procedural blanks were run with each sample batch and subtracted from the samples
this should not compromise our interpretation of these data
Including these shallow sections has no effect on WregolithX* beyond uncertainty for most elements except for Mg
but the relative proportions of fine to coarse roots are largely unknown
given the relatively high uncertainty in the bulk tree nutrient concentration averaged from leaf foliage and wood
we nevertheless suggest that the nutrient content in roots is adequately estimated
Gross primary productivity (GPP) was not measured at our study sites
mean annual (1982–2008) GPP data from a global empirical upscaling model
For both study sites this equates to about 1,260 g m−2 yr−1 ± 60 (SE
GPP and element concentrations of bulk tree at CON and MIT
EorgX was estimated from the cosmogenic in situ 10Be-derived erosion flux (E), the concentration of element X in the litter layer and a density ratio of bedrock to plant litter, and reported in Table 3. Data on the density of the litter layer was taken from Supplement 2 in Lang et al. (2017)
Because the metric EorgX includes the cosmogenic nuclide derived denudation rate (D) that integrates over millennia
the litter erosion flux represents an underestimation of EorgX
The reason is that the litter layer is of lower density than the soil beneath it that contains quartz on which D was measured
meaning that the litter layer requires less erosional forces to be eroded than do quartz minerals
WorgX was estimated from the product of the nutrient concentration in deep lateral subsurface water and runoff. We assumed that most of the nutrient concentration in deep subsurface water originates from plant material. At CON, lateral subsurface water was sampled [method see Sohrt et al. (2018)] over the course of 1 year. At CON, annual runoff of about 600 mm (Sohrt, 2019) was used
Because deep lateral subsurface water was sampled only at CON
WorgX from CON was also used for MIT as both sites are very similar with respect to pedogenesis and environmental conditions
IjX was calculated from Equation (7) for each of the compartments: the biologically available fraction (IbioavX), forest floor (IffX) and bulk regolith including nutrients contained in fragmented rocks (IbulkX). IjX are reported in Table 5
and recycling factors (RecX) at CON and MIT
The biologically available fraction comprises the water-soluble and exchangeable fraction that is weakly adsorbed to soil minerals and organic matter
In the case of P the biologically available fraction refers to the inorganic products of the Hedley sequential P fractionation method
IbioavX was estimated for two depth intervals mainly for reasons of sampling depth resolution and the presence or absence of periglacial slope deposits: from 0 m to 3 m (called “ <3 m,” high sampling depth resolution (20 cm depth sections)
presence of periglacial slope deposits) and from 3 m depth until the interface of saprolite and weathered bedrock (called “>3 m,” low sampling depth resolution (0.5–1 m depth sections)
The >3 m depth intervals range from 3 to 7 m at CON and 3 to 17 m at MIT
we believe that both depth intervals are principally accessible to tree roots
because the chemical composition of the Oh horizon indicates that the dissolved sample contained not only organic material
but also silicate minerals accidently dissolved during microwave digestion
To evaluate the significance of the various geogenic and organic nutrient reservoirs and cycles for long-term forest ecosystem nutrition we use the sequence of metrics developed in our conceptual framework (section Conceptual Framework)
we follow this sequence to guide through the values obtained for them and second
we discuss their contribution to the entire system
To shed light on the nutrient availability we quantified the degree of chemical alteration along the regolith profile
the weathering rates are 71 t km−2 yr−1 at CON and only 8 t km−2 yr−1 at MIT (Equation 3)
In terms of nutrient availability to the forest ecosystem
we conclude that CON apparently lost a higher fraction of nutrients relative to bedrock than MIT; yet they are also supplied at much higher rates by chemical weathering at CON than at MIT
Figure 3. Depth distribution of the chemical depletion fraction (CDF, a) and the radiogenic strontium isotope ratio (87Sr/86Sr, b). Solid lines illustrate soil horizon boundaries and the interface of weathered rock to unweathered rock. Dashed lines indicate soil horizon subdivision (see Figure 2). Colored bars at the right site of panel a refer to color coding of drill core sections from Figure 2
For ease of display we changed the y-axis spacing with depth
At MIT some CDF-values are negative; these are not displayed for simplicity
87Sr/86Sr of bulk regolith is only at CON substantially more radiogenic than bulk parent bedrock
implying a high degree of chemical alteration relative to parent bedrock and thus more nutrient loss at this site
both being indicators of bulk mass loss from the regolith
do not per se inform on nutrient availability
where the erosion rate is sufficiently high to keep the nutrient stock of minerals that transit vertically through the weathering profile at moderate levels
The higher nutrient depletion of the regolith at CON is attributed to (i) the complete dissolution of cordierite and hornblende
and (ii) the presence of a slowly altering anorthite-poor plagioclase at MIT
Importantly, CDF, 87Sr/86Sr, and τZrX-values all inform about the depth of the weathering front. At CON, all these indicators point at the weathering front to be located beneath 7 m depth, within the diffuse saprolite/gneiss boundary (Figure 2)
τZrX of the most soluble elements Ca and Na indicate a weathering front at > 7 m depth
the intriguing possibility arises that nutrients are indeed released at these depths and are transported into the rooting zone for uptake into forest trees
To begin an evaluation of this possibility we convert these elemental loss and gain fractions into elemental fluxes
and we note that these present upper flux limits of nutrient transfer from rock into forest trees as some nutrient may be lost into the stream
The weathering supply for the most plant-essential mineral nutrient phosphorus WregolithP is similar between both study sites and amounts to 84 mg m−2 yr−1 at CON and to 65 mg m−2 yr−1 at MIT. For the other nutritive elements, the fluxes of WregolithX (Equation 6) are considerably higher at CON, where the regolith experiences more chemical alteration (Table 3, Figure 5)
WregolithX of the second most essential mineral nutrient potassium (K) amounts to 1,000 mg m−2 yr−1 at CON
but only to 240 mg m−2 yr−1 at MIT
These geogenic supply fluxes exceed atmospheric supply fluxes (DepwetX) by an order of magnitude at CON and by several times at MIT
as at MIT atmospheric supply is dominated by anthropogenic sources today (see section Study Sites above)
Forest trees are thus considered to be nourished from a nutrient stock fed by chemical weathering
some of which is sourced at substantial depth
To quantify whether this stock is a reservoir of sufficient size and also accessible to tree roots we proceed to quantify the inventories of these regolith nutrient stocks
Chemical weathering fluxes (WregolithX) and ecosystem nutrient uptake fluxes (UtotalX) for macronutrients (a) and micronutrients + Na (b) at CON (squares) and MIT (circles)
Contour lines illustrate the nutrient recycling factor (RecX)
which is the ratio of UtotalX to WregolithX
Uncertainty bars show one standard deviation (see section Calculation of Fluxes and Inventories in Forest Ecosystems)
The first and most simple assessment is to quantify the maximum amount of nutrients by means of their inventories in bulk regolith (IregolithX). For most elements inventories are substantially higher at CON than at MIT (Table 5). The exceptions are Ca and P. IregolithCa is an order of magnitude higher at MIT than at CON because at CON most of the more soluble anorthite-rich plagioclase has been depleted (Table 2)
IregolithP is higher at MIT than at CON because of the 2 to 3-fold higher concentration of P in unweathered bedrock (MIT: ~2,000 μg/g
CON: ~950 μg/g) and fragmented rocks (MIT: ~2,900 μg/g
CON: ~470 μg/g) at MIT relative to CON
potentially providing another reservoir of biologically available nutrients
most likely have been released by chemical weathering within the saprolite and are subsequently adsorbed onto clay minerals
These nutrients contribute to the suggested geogenic nutrient pathway
and Al suggests the adsorption of these nutritive elements onto organic matter (as humus exhibits the highest CEC)
Figure 7. Depth distribution of the soil pH (a) and depth distribution of total carbon concentrations (b) at CON and MIT. Soil pH is analyzed in 0.01 M CaCl2. Solid lines illustrate soil horizon boundaries and the interface of weathered rock to unweathered rock. Dashed lines indicate soil horizon subdivision (see Figure 2). Colored bars at the right site of (a) refer to color coding of drill core sections from Figure 2
Concentrations in the organic fractions, featuring similar depth distributions to the exchangeable fraction, support this interpretation. However the concentrations of some organic-extractable nutritive elements (mainly Ca, K, Mg, and Mn) do not mirror the pattern of Ctotal that steadily increases from depth to topsoil (Figure 7)
where organic carbon of true biological origin is present only in the Bw horizon and above
Note that Ctotal at depth can be attributed to lithogenic sources such as graphite
One potential explanation is that the oxidative extraction step partially attacked residual phyllosilicates such as biotite
The chemical form of the biologically available fraction of P differ from the other elements. Concentrations of biologically available Ca-bound P increase with depth and approach maximum concentrations in the lower regolith (>3 m) where it dominates over the entirety of P species (Table S2e in Uhlig and von Blanckenburg, 2019)
Figure 8. Elemental concentrations in leaves, needles, heartwood (dead part of wood) and sapwood (living part of wood) of Picea abies (a) and Fagus sylvatica (b) at CON and MIT. We did not illustrate data of sample MIT-V-7 and MIT-V-8 as P and S were not analyzed in these samples. “normal range” denotes the critical leaf and needle concentration at normal range [data from Göttlein et al. (2011)]
Elements on x-axis are sorted from left to right by macronutrients
We consider the first explanation as less likely
because nutrients released from plant litter are usually directly re-utilized by forest trees to minimize nutrient loss and prevent nutrient deficiency
concentrations of the biologically available mineral nutrients in the >3 m deep regolith fraction exceed those in the <3 m interval by one order of magnitude even though root density is highest at shallow levels
we regard it as likely that the first-order stoichiometry of the biologically available regolith fraction is set by a deep weathering source
whereas physiological demand adds deviations from the patterns of the bioavailable fraction that are smaller than one order of magnitude
Ecological stoichiometry shown by element concentrations of bulk tree (average of Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies) vs
element concentrations of the biologically available fractions above 3 m depth (<3 m) and below 3 m depth (>3 m)
and regolith above and below 3 m depth at CON (a) and MIT (b)
Zn concentrations of the biologically available fraction were below the limit of detection
but in detail depend on water flow and microbial abundance
We conclude that all elements lost from the forest floor are balanced by fresh nutrients released by weathering
we speculate that for those elements of which WorgX + EorgX is lower than WregolithX a fraction of WregolithX is lost via groundwater into drainage without being utilized by forest trees
and that in turn those nutrients in highest demand like P and K are transferred with the highest efficiency from their weathering source into trees
We guide the discussion by two important questions
(1) How is nutrient loss from the forest floor balanced to prevent nutrient deficit
(2) How is a healthy nutrient status maintained when nutrient supply fluxes from rock differ
the second-most important mineral nutrient
Units of the metrics are given in left panels (RecX is dimensionless)
This residence time suffices for P to experience continuous nutrient loss by WorgP and EorgP
unless another nutrient inventory exists that provides a flux that permanently replaces the continuous nutrient loss from the forest floor
over decadal timescales IffP would run out
P in the forest floor would be depleted on a timescale shorter than the life cycle of a forest tree
The fact that the turnover time of the biologically available fraction of P from weathering (Tbioav,WP) is so similar to the “new” P required to balance P losses (Tbioav,UnewP) strongly suggests that UnewP can be supplied from IbioavP over millennial timescales
that for the less essential mineral nutrients Ca and Mg a substantial fraction of weathering fluxes is potentially directly drained via groundwater into the stream
the actual supply of these nutrients to forest trees presents a maximum flux and the calculated RecX provides correspondingly a minimum estimate
We conclude that forest trees persist with similar primary production through the adjustment of the nutrient re-utilization loop toward higher efficiency under conditions of lower nutrient supply from chemical weathering
in the organic nutrient cycle nutrient loss is minimized to an extent that depends on nutrient supply by WregolithX
With this efficient nutrient use the physiological needs of forest ecosystems are sustained
We found that even though the nutrient supply fluxes from rock weathering differ substantially among the two study sites
different efficiencies of nutrient recycling from the forest floor regulate nutrient uptake fluxes to similar levels
We explored the mechanisms that regulate the uptake fluxes by considering the forest ecosystem in a mass balance comprising the shallow organic nutrient cycle and the belowground geogenic nutrient pathway
We found that the nutrient inventory in the forest floor is of finite size that lasts only for decades to nourish forest trees
because continuous nutrient loss through plant litter erosion and dissolved plant litter export occurs
Because an additional inorganic nutrient supplying flux in the form of atmospheric inputs is negligible this permanent nutrient loss is balanced by fluxes from a reservoir in the deep regolith
Even though only a minor fraction of the nutrient inventory in soil and saprolite is biologically available
its inventories in the upper regolith (<3 m) and even more so in the deep regolith (>3 m) exceed the nutrient inventory in the forest floor by orders of magnitude
This reservoir of geogenic-derived nutrients lasts for centuries to millennia
replaces the nutrient loss from the forest floor in the organic nutrient cycle
The reservoir of the biologically available fraction is in turn replenished through chemical weathering
The stoichiometry of this deep biologically available regolith nutrient reservoir might also set the stoichiometry of the forest trees to within an order of magnitude
we found that adjustment of the efficiency of re-utilization cycles from plant litter ensures sustained forest ecosystem nutrition even when nutrient supply or loss vary
Although the timescales over which the metrics used to derive our observations inevitably differ by orders of magnitude this study adds to the increasing evidence for the importance of a geological cycle
that sustains forest ecosystem nutrition over centuries or longer
The datasets for this study are deposited in the Data Repository accessible under the reference Uhlig and von Blanckenburg (2019)
This work was funded in the framework of DFG Priority Program (SPP 1685) Ecosystem Nutrition: Forest strategies for limited phosphorus resources (grant no
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest
We are grateful to the DFG Priority Program (SPP 1685) Ecosystem Nutrition: Forest strategies for limited phosphorus resources for funding and Friederike Lang (Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg) for its coordination and discussion
We also thank the Bayerische Landesanstalt für Wald und Forstwirtschaft (LWF) and the Forstliche Versuchsanstalt Baden-Wuerttemberg (FVA) for providing wet deposition and litterfall data
For X-ray fluorescence analyses and X-ray diffraction analyses we are thankful to R
For phosphorus Hedley sequential fractionation we are grateful to A
Wittmann (GFZ) are acknowledged for analytical support and R
Kapannusch (GFZ) is acknowledged for sample preparation
Henehan (GFZ) is thanked for a review of an early version of this paper
Stinchcomb for their detailed and constructive reviews
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00159/full#supplementary-material
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Citation: Uhlig D and von Blanckenburg F (2019) How Slow Rock Weathering Balances Nutrient Loss During Fast Forest Floor Turnover in Montane
Received: 26 March 2019; Accepted: 05 June 2019; Published: 17 July 2019
Copyright © 2019 Uhlig and von Blanckenburg. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)
distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted
provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited
in accordance with accepted academic practice
distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms
*Correspondence: David Uhlig, ZC51aGxpZ0Bmei1qdWVsaWNoLmRl orcid.org/0000-0002-0954-689X
‡Friedhelm von Blanckenburg orcid.org/0000-0002-2964-717X
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Table Rock Complex fire staff are calling for voluntary evacuations to the northeast of the Persimmon Ridge Fire
Table Rock Fire operations chief Trey Cox said fire breaks
created by bulldozer were connected with hand-dug lines on March 24
Crews will work on containment lines on the North Carolina side on March 25
Pickens County authorities are mandating evacuations north of State Hwy
11 to the Greenville County line as wildfires spread from Table Rock State Park and Persimmon Ridge near Caesar's Head
PICKENS — The wildfire that has engulfed areas around Table Rock State Park and other hotspots nearby could grow to more than 5,000 acres by the time it's contained
and authorities are now issuing mandatory evacuation orders as persistent winds create a threat to homes and businesses
a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for all areas north of Highway 11 to the Greenville County line," Pickens County said in an evening update March 25
"Residents in the affected area should evacuate immediately for their safety."
Firefighters are battling two blazes that officials say they are combining into one coordinated response — the Table Rock fire that started at the summit and the Persimmon Ridge fire
South Carolina Forestry Commission spokesperson Anneta Pritchard said the Table Rock blaze could grow to be around 5,000 acres before it’s ultimately contained
After a small reprieve of light rain the day before
winds on March 25 pushed the flames further east toward homes and businesses
A state of emergency was in place over the weekend as more than 1,000 acres burned at Table Rock Mountain
Authorities say the blaze was caused by "negligent" actions by hikers
Wind gusts reached 40 mph in isolated incidents and should be in the 20 to 25 mph range on March 26
National Weather Service forecaster Clay Chaney said
Humidity values are expected to remain low throughout the week with winds picking up again on Friday
Heavy machinery has been used to create some fire breaks
though some of those lines had to be connected through hang-dug trails because of the steep terrain
Crews were going to the North Carolina side of the park today to reopen fire breaks created during the 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire
The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared both the Table Rock and Persimmon fires eligible for a federal grant that helps with fire disasters
The designation by FEMA will allow South Carolina to receive federal funds that can cover up to 75 percent of the cost to fight the fires — which include costs for personnel
The Kenney Fort Boulevard Segments 2 and 3 project in Round Rock has reached substantial completion and opened to the public on Friday
The new roadway extends Kenney Fort Boulevard southward from Forest Creek Drive to State Highway 45
creating a six-lane divided roadway with installation of a traffic signal at the Gattis School Drive intersection
The project also included installation of a new pipeline to expand the City’s water reuse program to serve new and existing developments in the area
and integration of continuous sidewalk and a shared use paths to connect neighborhoods along the route to the existing Brushy Creek Trail System and Old Settlers Park
The project faced delays due to material and labor shortages during the pandemic
followed by contractor performance issues.
“The journey to completing this extension wasn’t without its challenges
and our staff worked closely with the contractors
staying engaged and persistent to ensure the project was completed successfully without further delay,” said Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan
“We’re excited to deliver a new roadway that is going to provide significant relief for our residents
especially as we embark on other major projects to improve connectivity and capacity in our community.”
The completion of Segments 2 and 3 are a major step in the full realization of Kenney Fort Boulevard
which aims to offer an alternative to Interstate 35 that connects Round Rock with Pflugerville and Georgetown
Below is a timeline of all segments of this road
which have been in the City’s Transportation Master Plan since 1999.
Below is a list of the City of Round Rock’s major upcoming road projects
The City of Round Rock is currently in the construction phase on the Wyoming Springs Boulevard extension and Gattis School Road Segment 3 projects
with the remaining expected to break ground in early 2025:
For more information on the City of Round Rock’s transportation projects, visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/transportation
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Crews began fighting the Table Rock and Greenville County wildfires five days ago; there is no end in sight
Wind gusts dramatically increased fire activity Tuesday afternoon, resulting in greater visible fire intensity and much more smoke, according to a press release from the South Carolina Forestry Commission
Hurricane Helene's abundant downed timber remains dry due to the lack of significant rain
contributing significantly to extreme fire behavior Wednesday
allowing the fires to spread rapidly and making containment efforts more challenging
a resident near Highway 11 in the Table Rock Complex area
plans to evacuate due to the intense conditions
She described how the smoke and red embers from the fire are visible both on the mountain and throughout the valley and hilltop areas
making the air so smoky it's difficult to see clearly
she is taking precautionary measures as the wildfire grows
"I believe it's a good idea to evacuate if necessary," Owens said
but I don't want to risk being caught in the fire."
According to a press release from the South Carolina Forestry Commission
the South Carolina State Fire has also ordered evacuations in certain areas
The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that extreme fire behavior in both incidents prompted immediate mandatory evacuations in Greenville and Pickens counties
This escalation in fire activity has led to a significant expansion of both fire perimeters
further threatening nearby communities and resources
Evacuation orders have been issued for communities to the east and northeast of the Table Rock Fire and for regions surrounding the Persimmon Ridge Fire
Additional evacuation orders have been issued for residents living along Oil Camp Creek Road east to River Falls Road
Residents should report to the designated evacuation shelter at Marietta First Baptist Church
Officials are urging everyone in the affected areas to prioritize their safety and follow evacuation orders promptly
This precautionary measure is in response to the rapid spread and intensity of the wildfires
which have compromised safety in these areas
Here is what you should know about wildfire shelter accommodation
both Greenville and Pickens County Emergency Management services coordinated simultaneous evacuations
ensuring that residents were informed and assisted promptly
Shelter accommodations are set up to provide safe havens for those displaced by the fires
Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) notifications are being sent to residents in the affected areas
providing crucial updates and instructions to ensure their safety
Residents seeking shelter can head to Marietta First Baptist Church at 2936 Geer Hwy
The weather forecast for overnight Wednesday and Thursday remains concerning
with wind gusts expected to reach around 30 mph tonight
The minimum relative humidity is predicted to be around 20% on Wednesday
According to a press release from the South Carolina Forestry Commission
these conditions will continue to challenge containment efforts
More than 100 combating firesMore than 100 personnel from various agencies
no injuries were reported among the firefighting crews
Here is what you should know about containment efforts
The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported good progress in fortifying containment lines on the fire's eastern edge
This includes a successful burnout on the northeastern perimeter that prevented further spread eastward
the fire expanded significantly in the opposite direction
presenting new challenges for firefighting crews
The South Carolina Forestry Commission said the Table Rock Fire had moved significantly
Its northern edge previously lay just south of Table Rock Reservoir
The fire extended westward along the forested watershed and looped back east
skirting halfway around the lake's northern perimeter
Additionally, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said the Table Rock Fire
whose northern edge Tuesday was just south of Table Rock Reservoir
burned westward along the forested watershed and eventually back east
halfway around the lake’s northern perimeter
This movement complicates containment efforts
requiring crews to adjust their strategies and extend containment lines in uncovered areas
The fire is estimated to have burned through the southern slopes of Rocky Mountain and Buzzard Mountain
eventually reaching Brushy Knob at the last report
the South Carolina Forestry Commission said containment lines on the southern portion of the fire were connected by hand crews today
littered terrain where heavy equipment cannot operate
An effective burnout in the southern section removed most of the fuel between the firebreaks and the active fire
significantly reducing the potential for rapid advancement
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission
efforts have been crucial in preventing the fire from advancing further south and threatening additional areas
Despite ongoing efforts, the South Carolina Forestry Commission confirmed that the Table Rock Fire remains at 0% containment
The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that the Table Rock Fire has expanded to an estimated 2,293 acres
posing a significant challenge for firefighters
the Persimmon Ridge Fire has also grown significantly
now covering 996 acres after expanding its eastern
the blaze spread due to dry conditions and high winds
Emergency services are working to contain the fire and protect nearby communities
Reinforcements are coming in to help fight wildfires
According to a press release
the South Carolina Forestry Commission has called for 40 more engines and 10 brush trucks due to new fire growth and threats
This reinforcement will supplement the deployment of six engine companies
and four brush trucks already on the scene
These additional resources are critical to safeguarding homes and infrastructure as firefighters work to contain rapidly spreading wildfires
Wildfires grow and call for additional resources: What you need to know
a complex incident management team (CIMT) has been ordered to join firefighting efforts
This team will collaborate with firefighters and other cooperating personnel to suppress the Table Rock Fire and the Persimmon Ridge Fire
The integration of the CIMT is expected to enhance strategic planning and operational efficiency in responding to these challenging wildfires
where they will begin shadowing current Incident Management Team (IMT) personnel
this collaborative approach will allow both teams to integrate effectively and form a larger command team
incident officials have ordered eight 20-person hand crews to assist with constructing firelines well outside of the planned firebreaks
These crews will focus on creating additional barriers to slow the fire's progress and protect vulnerable areas
While good progress was made earlier in the day on strengthening firebreaks on some portions of both fires
the South Carolina Forestry Commission has ordered evacuations to continue in certain areas
This decision comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents in the path of potential fire spread
Authorities are urging affected communities to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders promptly
Here is what you should know about the Persimmon Ridge Fire
the Persimmon Ridge Fire expanded its eastern
The rapid growth is attributed to the same conditions fueling the Table Rock Fire
Here is a summary of ongoing efforts to contain the Persimmon Ridge Fire
In a statement, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said on Tuesday
two large air tankers (LATs) began making multiple fire retardant drops on the Persimmon Ridge Fire around 2:40 p.m
This aerial intervention aims to slow the fire’s spread
particularly if it jumps established fire lines or continues to encroach west and south
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission
the first several drops were made along the northern perimeter
specifically targeting Oil Camp Creek Road and the western perimeter
LATs can carry between 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of retardant
which alters how the fire burns by decreasing its intensity and slowing its spread
consisting of salts (usually fertilizers) and water
help ensure uniform chemical dispersal over the targeted area
Drops continued throughout the afternoon along other edges of the fire
as an intensive effort was made to contain it within a “box” ringed with retardant
two SCNG Chinook helicopters were deployed earlier to drop water on the fire
This action helped slow the fire's advance
protecting the surrounding communities and minimizing the fire's impact
the South Carolina Forestry Commission confirmed that the Persimmon Ridge Fire remains at 0% containment
Here is what you should know about evacuation orders
Here is a list of areas affected by the wildfires
residents in affected areas are urged to leave immediately and seek shelter in designated evacuation centers to ensure their well-being
All relevant information has been posted on the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s Facebook page for those needing directions or updates on road closures.
If you are affected by the Table Rock or Persimmon Ridge Fires
you can obtain evacuation information by calling 864-467-3428
Here is a reminder from the South Carolina Forestry Commission about the statewide burning ban
In a statement, the South Carolina Forestry Commission reminded the public that a statewide burning ban issued Friday
This State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning
and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state
Compliance with this ban is crucial to preventing additional fires and reducing the risk to communities and firefighting personnel
the ban will remain in place for several reasons
Fire danger is expected to be elevated over the next several days due to low relative humidity and higher-than-normal winds
the drying fuels from the lack of significant rain further increase the risk of wildfires
the burning ban will help ease the strain on statewide firefighting resources
with many personnel from the Forestry Commission and local fire departments already committed to the Table Rock Complex
The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that officials would reevaluate the conditions on Thursday
to determine if the ban needs to be extended or modified
visit scfc.gov or the official county social media pages
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com
Red Rock Canyon can be reached on foot from either the Borrego Parking Lot on Portola Parkway with a $3 parking fee
or from the North Gate on Santiago Canyon Parkway
Bicycles are not allowed on the Red Rock Trail. Please do not climb the rocks and stay on trail
A spectacular but little-known slot canyon in extreme northern Nevada
with sheer walls nearly 500 feet high and a perennial stream
This often-overlooked canyon dazzles and intrigues with its many layers of colors
The rocks exposed at Valley of Fire State Park also occur in a much less known but equally spectacular area a few miles to the southwest
This balancing rock is one of Utah's most unusual geological formations
These modest Midwestern formations are kin to Niagara Falls' impressive cliffs
Unusual white sandstone formations in the Los Padres National Forest
Colorful outcrops and cliffs just north of Reno provide a scenic backdrop for hiking and mountain biking
A wildfire at Table Rock State Park
has already consumed over 1,000 acres and continues to grow
The Pickens County Sheriff's Office reported that four teenage hikers started the fire
The teenagers allegedly ignited the blaze out of negligence
Authorities are investigating the incident and assessing potential charges against the individuals involved
Deputies said they initially discovered the blaze while conducting a search operation for missing hiker Stephanie Womacks
they spotted smoke rising from the vicinity
The wildfire has since complicated the search for Womacks
but officials said they remain dedicated to controlling the fire and locating the missing individual
On Friday, March 21, the South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a State Forester's Burning Ban for all counties
Forestry Commission officials said the current weather conditions
dramatically increase the risk of wildfires
These conditions led to the issuing of a Red Flag Fire Alert
signaling the severe potential for fire spread
extremely low relative humidity—below 30% in most areas—increases fire danger
SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones said gusty winds and low relative humidity create ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread quickly
late-winter fuels on the ground exacerbates the situation
making it crucial for residents to adhere to the burning ban
The chief urged everyone to exercise extreme caution and avoid activities that could inadvertently start a fire
For real-time updates and to monitor the situation, click here to view the Table Rock Webcam.
According to a press release from the Pickens County Sheriff's Office
fire crews from multiple agencies have been mobilized to combat the blaze
with more than 100 personnel actively working on the ground
Resources from the South Carolina Forestry Commission
and local fire departments have been deployed
These teams are utilizing a combination of ground and aerial strategies to contain the fire and protect nearby communities
The statewide burning ban issued Friday at 6 p.m
Here is what we know about evacuations in the Table Rock State Park area
voluntary evacuations of approximately 100 residences remain in effect just east of the park
though no further evacuations are necessary
Residents in the surrounding areas are advised to stay informed through local news and social media if the situation changes
Emergency services are closely monitoring the fire's progress to ensure public safety
but residents are advised to stay vigilant
Here is what you should know about trail systems closed at Table Rock State Park
Table Rock State Park has closed all trail systems
including the popular White Oaks Campground
and day-use visitation areas until further notice
according to a press release from the Pickens County Sheriff's Office
Heavy traffic along SC Highway 11 has significantly hampered response efforts and caused hazardous driving conditions
according to a Pickens County Sheriff's Office press release
The presence of heavy smoke along the road has further complicated travel along the route
making it a challenging area for emergency responders and regular motorists
Residents and motorists are advised to avoid the area
Here is what you should know about the recycling centerin the Table Rock area
The recycling center near Table Rock will be closed on Monday due to the ongoing wildfire
Here is what you should know about additional wildfires in South Carolina
which officials have determined to be human-caused
began on March 22 in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
According to a press release from the South Carolina Forestry Commission
this incident has increased concerns about the region's human activity and its impact on the natural environment
More: More than 800 acres burned as fires engulf northern parts of Greenville County
Authorities urge visitors to exercise extreme caution and follow all guidelines to prevent further incidents
The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported that containment efforts for the Table Rock Fire and the Persimmon Ridge Fire remained at 0%
and no structures are considered in immediate danger
The commission continues prioritizing firefighters' and residents' safety while working diligently to manage these fires
the public information officer for the Table Rock Complex
stated that the rainy weather the mountainous area experienced early this morning would not stop the fire
Pritchard explained that firefighters today focus on indirect and direct attack strategies
firefighters engage the flames head-on to suppress the fire at its source," Pritchard said
an indirect attack involves creating a perimeter or 'box' around the fire
using controlled burns and natural barriers to limit its spread."
Pritchard said they are utilizing fire breaks initially constructed during the Pinnacle Mountain fire in 2016
Here is what you should know about fire breaks
According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission
fire breaks are cleared areas of bare ground or fire-resistant material designed to act as barriers to stop or slow the spread of wildfires
Pritchard explained that these breaks are being re-established and connected to the Saluda River to help contain the Table Rock Fire
firefighters aim to prevent fires from advancing and protect the surrounding communities
"Similar tactics are being employed for the Persimmon Ridge Fire," Pritchard said
human activity ignited both the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge fires
Here is what you need to know about the Persimmon Ridge Fire
Pritchard noted that the indirect attack strategy on the Persimmon Ridge Fire involves utilizing existing roads and the nearby creek to establish a containment box
"We have used aerial resources extensively to combat these fires," Pritchard said
The South Carolina Forestry Commission has contracted two single-engine air tankers to help suppress fires
These planes have helped slow the fire's progress by directly dropping water and fire retardant onto the affected areas
"The water won't stop the fire," Pritchard said
it slows the fire's progression and allows that fire break to be constructed more effectively."
Tropical Storm Helene left a massive amount of debris
significantly increasing the fuel load in the affected areas
Pritchard said this additional fuel has made it more challenging for firefighters to access certain regions and effectively contain wildfires
an indirect approach is necessary due to the steep terrain and heavy fuel remnants left by Hurricane Helene," Pritchard said
but the challenging conditions required a shift in strategy."
This adaptation involves creating strategic fire breaks and utilizing natural barriers to effectively manage fire spread
"We sent hand crews up there to construct a hand line
but the downed debris made it extremely challenging," Pritchard explained
"The crisscrossing and overlapping large trees blocked their path
making it nearly impossible to create an effective line
"Firefighters are continuing their efforts to control the wildfires," Pritchard said
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail
FILE - People line up to go down Sliding Rock in the Pisgah National Forest
one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pisgah National Forest
The recreation area sustained "minimal damage" from Hurricane Helene and is on schedule to reopen for the 2025 season
which manages recreation areas in the Pisgah National Forest
"Despite the widespread impact of Hurricane Helene
we were fortunate that Sliding Rock was spared from major damage
Our team has worked diligently to prepare for the reopening
and we're grateful to be able to welcome visitors back to this cherished natural landmark," said Brian Johnson
FRIGID TEMPERATURES TRANSFORM PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND
Sliding Rock will welcome visitors starting on Friday
The popular natural landmark's daily operating hours will be 9 a.m.-6 p.m
the gatehouse at Sliding Rock will be staffed
restrooms will be open to guests and lifeguards will be on duty
BOTTOMLESS PIT — An estimated 3 million cubic yards of rock — up to 900 Olympic-sized pools — will be required to build back the collapsed slopes of I-40 in the Pigeon Gorge
This aerial image shows one of multiple I-40 slide sites
The prevailing strategy in the works to fix I-40 will take lots of rock
There’s nothing left of the mountainside that once held up I-40 after Pigeon River scoured away the slope
Hauling in enough rock to pile behind a retaining wall that high and that long will be a massive operation
And there just may be a source of rock nearby in the Pisgah National Forest
it’s gonna mean the project happens more cost effectively and probably in a third the amount of time,” said U.S
Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
whether it is the right kind of rock or if it can be extracted were not shared
“The forest service has access to rock that’s only a mile or three away as opposed to rock that’s 25 to 30 miles away,” Duffy said
Despite crow-flight proximity of the rock source
trucks would have trek back and forth on I-40 from the slide site to the forest service entrance
and then along gravel roads in the forest to the site
The other option Duffy referred to was likely the Allens Creek rock quarry in Waynesville — arguable a further distance for a months-long convoy operation of rock-hauling trucks
While the mystery forest service rock would be closer
securing environmental permits to quarry in the national forest is another matter
“We’ve asked the forest service to streamline and fast-track the process
Hopefully we get a positive answer so we can get I-40 open that much quicker,” Duffy said
that’s the main message Duffy hammered when visiting Haywood County last week to visit the site of the I-40 damage for himself
“Getting access to the local rock would be incredibly important
It’s way closer to this project,” Duffy said
Lobbying is already underway to bypass a drawn-out regulatory process under some kind of emergency order
“If we can quarry the materials we need closer
we could get this open even sooner,” said U.S
who was part of the I-40 dignitary entourage last week
“We are locking arms to do this as quickly and economically as we can.”
The forest service at the local level appears to be on board
according to WNC Congressman Chuck Edwards
who was also onsite in the I-40 gorge last week
“The feedback I am getting right now is they are going to be able to cooperate,” Edwards said
But that could come down to whether there’s a loophole to legally fasttrack or even waive environmental permitting requirements
“I am not sure what resistance they may get,” Edwards said of the forest service
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Orrin Coley has completed his project at Forest Rock, naming the line The Wizard King (9a) and suggesting a grade of 9a
The steep cave route is the culmination of multiple extended boulder problems
finishing up a new section of bolted climbing.
We sent Orrin some questions about his project.
somewhat voiding the relevance of my previous extension
there's plenty of routes there and if I found a way
What motivated you to try the first extension of Black Art in 2020
It was always something I wanted to try and explore
but logistically it was quite awkward to work
After lockdown I came back to the cave to start working what's now become Ultra Instinct
but realised I was way too out of shape for that level of climb
So I decided that something a bit easier and more exploratory would be fun
I think I spent two sessions working out a way to a somewhat obvious ending point further up the roof but was too exhausted to finish it so had to come back another day to finish that off
Black Art is a crazy roof climb in itself involving almost exclusively knee bars
with some small holds only made usable through extreme kneebarring (that's a thing right) into a huge throw for a side-facing jug
Around here is where I chose to finish that climb as you can get into a bit of a sketchy no-hands kneebar and it felt logical at the time
I wasn't totally satisfied with Black Art Extension as although the finish in the cave isn't out of the ordinary
it certainly left something to be desired in my opinion
So I got hold of a ladder which let me climb up the sidewall with less faff and get stuck into the next section of the roof
At this point you're maybe four metres off the deck
so working out moves was no simple task and after several sessions I worked out a sequence which - if it was its own climb closer to the ground - would be a fantastic boulder in its own right
the sequence is incredibly daunting involving a big heel hook above your head and a cut-loose on some pretty poor holds
This then leads you to an OK jug that felt like a nice place for a boulder to end
it's the sort of thing where technique and power endurance come first
But on top of that I've known this cave like the back of my hand
my grade-dar has clearly become biased due to muscle memory
I initially graded it 8A+ but I'd say it's likely harder than that based on most other stuff I've done around the world at a similar level
Did you do any specific training for The Wizard King away from the crag
I spent way too much time on the circuit board
Having not spent much time training endurance in a while I noticed that when I hit the pump
So I needed to find a way to relearn how to make it more of a gradual build up that I could push though
I did a mix of non-stop climbing on mid to low level circuits until failure
then other sessions more about max limit redpoints just so I'd get a mix of both types of fatigue
My background was mostly sport climbing as a kid and although I've lost that base through lack of exposure
I've found that at least temporarily I build it back up very fast when I need to
Can you describe what this new section is like and how much difficulty it adds
I've been increasingly unsure of difficulty in the cave
Initially I thought maybe it wasn't that hard
but it's a crazy steep section of roof/overhang with some pretty powerful moves
It's about six moves on small crimps and pinches
but having to do it after the first half of the route without rest is no joke
Working it proved quite awkward just because of the angle of the wall
but due to the bolts needed it wasn't really feasible
How did it feel to finally tick the project
I found I got a lot of joy out of working it
turning up to a crag I've been to hundreds of times and doing the same thing
I was lucky that I slowly made positive progress and didn't have to deal with the negative emotions that perceived regression gives you sometimes
Have you got any other projects on the go at Forest Rock
I've almost always got ideas of things I'd like to try or do there
But as time goes on I've found it better to wait until it happens naturally rather than decide "this is what I'll do next".
What is the history of the bolts above the cave
There was an old aid route called Top Slice
but the in-situ gear was pretty poor so was equipped by Dave Hughes
Unfortunately he never quite finished it and someone chopped the bolts
chopped again and then finally Robin Richmond (who made the second free ascent of Top Slice) bolted it with stainless steel coachbolts which have remained since.
People see the grade of a climb and think "Oh that's it
But it's a consensus that evolves over time and even then grades are so subjective you almost always have to take it with a pinch of salt anyway
My reasoning for suggesting 9a is fairly simple
I think it could be on the cusp of 8c+ or 9a based off conversations with peers who actually sport climb regularly
However with my experience at Forest Rock and a few recent instances showing how frequently I've under graded things here I've decided to go for the higher suggestion and see what sticks with time
I'll take no shame if it gets downgraded (or upgraded I suppose?) Because all I've done is suggest an idea on something I'm a lot less experienced with
Perhaps the audacity of that suggestion in the UK is enough to get people's attention to try it
since it's actually a pretty great route regardless of difficulty
Has this line got you hooked on doing any more sport climbing?
There are too many boulders I'm inspired and excited by to be honest
So unless some friendly peer pressure wins over I don't have any imminent plans
earning some money and seeing if I can afford to climb outside somewhere further away with nicer weather rather than 10 minutes down the road in a cave
Orrin Coley is in superb form at the moment having ticked New Base Line (Font 8B+) in Magic Wood
and Monk Life (Font 8B+) at Kyloe-in-the-Woods in Northumberland
Orrin Coley has made the first ascent of a Font 8B+ at Forest Rock
Orrin Coley has repeated Voyager Low Start (8B+) at Burbage North
He quickly dispatched the stand start in October of..
Orrin Coley has climbed a long standing project at Forest Rock in Leicestershire
Recently a group of young British climbers descended on Magic Wood
There doesn't appear to be a link to the route
The Wizard King (9a)
IL — Campgrounds in Kane County will be opening soon for the summer season
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s campgrounds open for the year on May 1
with campsites available to book through Oct
The forest preserve runs campsites at Paul Wolff Campground
which is located in the Burning Forest Preserve in Elgin
which is located within the Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock
You can book sites at other campground online here.
public information officer for the forest preserve district
said reservations opened on April 1 and the forest preserve district is nearing capacity for the opening weekend at Paul Wolff
"Weekends are typically busier than weekdays
Paul Wolff Campground reaches full capacity most peak weekends
Big Rock Campground will occasionally reach full capacity on holiday weekends," she said
there were 17,578 sites reserved at Kane County campsites
"We have experienced a steady growth in popularity at both locations
consistent growth percentages over the last 10 years," Swanson said
located at 38W235 Big Timber Road in Elgin
including 89 improved sites that have 50/30/20-amp electrical service
There are ten primitive sites for tents-only camping and that do not have electricity
and there are also five equestrian camp sites
located at 46W499 Granart Road in Big Rock
including 96 improved campsites with 50/30/20-amp electrical service
The surrounding Big Rock Forest Preserve is a 1,100-acre preserve containing several sandy hills that overlook the valley filled with woodlands and crystal clear streams
Fishing is permitted at the campground pond
and kayaking is also permitted on Siegler Lake
There are more than nine miles of hiking trails suitable for hiking
and two picnic shelters for campers to utilize
Daily fees fore improved camp sites at the campgrounds are $26 for Kane County residents and $41 for non-residents
Primitive/non-electric camp sites is $18 per day for Kane County residents and $24 for non-residents
To book an equestrian site, you can call the campground hotline at (630) 444-1200. International travelers, please call (630) 444-1200 to reserve your campsite. For more information, visit www.kaneforest.com
call our campground hotline at 630-444-1200
and find us on social by searching @forestpreserve
Columbia researchers are decoding the natural world in order to conserve it
deep-green wilderness fifty-five miles north of Morningside Heights
where the New York–New Jersey Highlands meet the Hudson River basin
a turtle climbs onto a rock to bask in the sun
yellow light filters through the canopy of red oaks
to the decomposing leaf litter of the forest floor
Hidden amid the wooded slopes are white-tailed deer
and sixty-five species of trees — mostly oak
“We do long-term science — that’s our business,” says Isabel Ashton ’98CC
who is the executive director of the nonprofit consortium Black Rock Forest (BRF)
a plant ecologist with twenty years of experience in land management
presiding over an organization whose constituents have produced hundreds of scientific papers and dozens of master’s and PhD theses on such topics as the impacts of potential oak-tree loss; the effects of mercury on red-winged blackbirds; and seasonal and topographic variation in water supply
Researchers benefit not just from the laboratories
and dormitories of the two-building BRF campus but also from nearly a century’s worth of detailed records of the forest’s flora and fauna
which allow them to trace changes in the forest over time
And through its grade-school and college programming and graduate-study grants
BRF has brought thousands of students into direct contact with the wonders of the woods
The importance of healthy forests can hardly be overstated: trees provide oxygen
absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store it in their tissues
In a world struggling with the buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere
intact forests are a key carbon “sink,” or repository: plants and soil absorb an estimated 30 percent of human-made carbon emissions
But even well-kept forests like BRF face serious threats
“There are so many extremes with climate change: storms
the forest was hit with an unprecedented rainstorm that caused flash flooding and destroyed an outbuilding on the property
but “the biggest challenge is to understand how these changes are affecting forests and to keep the forest healthy.” In 2020
Black Rock lost almost all its native ash trees to an invasive insect
“Life as a tree is getting more and more stressful,” says Ashton
stressed trees are more susceptible to sickness.”
notes that the forest was cleared for charcoal in the nineteenth century (with the arrival of European immigrants
nearly all old-growth forests in the eastern US were cut down
and that most trees at Black Rock are between eighty and 120 years old
The green-gold forest has a light-blue pedigree
established Black Rock Forest on his vast property
and bequeathed it to Harvard upon his death in 1949
Harvard sold the forest to William Golden ’79GSAS
Golden had counseled President Truman on science policy
helped create the National Science Foundation
and earned his master’s in biology from Columbia at age seventy
It was Golden’s idea to form a dues-paying consortium of universities
and science centers that would support the forest as a living laboratory while preserving its infinitely complex web of life
Today there are nineteen institutions in the consortium
they know they can tag trees that have been around for decades
which helps when you’re trying to understand the natural world,” Ashton says
“If you did the same study in Central Park
you couldn’t be sure that next year your tree or marker or equipment would still be there
stable place for researchers to do their work.”
“It’s funny,” says Claire Levesque as she steps over a moss-coated log at the edge of a lush green marsh
where frogs and turtles swim among sun-splashed lily pads and grasses
“I came to New York City to study wildlife.”
who grew up in Tulsa and whose parents are wildlife biologists
She has been living at the forest for five weeks
part of a group of researchers led by Matt Palmer
a biodiversity scientist from the American Museum of Natural History
is on a mission to track three kinds of turtles: the spotted turtle
the smallest of the five turtle species found here (there are also wood turtles and snapping turtles)
Spotted turtles have black shells speckled with yellow dots and grow to three and a half to five inches long
their numbers have dwindled due to habitat loss
are ectotherms — meaning their body temperature is dependent on the temperature outside — they might be more sensitive to climate change
Levesque’s work will allow forest managers and biologists to track the distribution of spotted turtles
“And that makes it easier to advocate for conservation,” she says
making the study of multiple animals prohibitively expensive for many organizations
Team Turtle’s main goal is to develop affordable tracking tools that can be built from off-the-shelf components
is “to democratize the technology” so that any nature center with the proper permits can study the movements of animals
With help from IT experts including Jeremy Hise ’17GS
lightweight attachments they call backpacks
which can be customized to hold devices that take such measurements as an animal’s location
“We know turtles move across the forest to get from pond to pond,” Palmer says
“But we don’t know much about how often or how far they move across the landscape
The backpacks will allow us to track individuals at a much greater spatial and temporal resolution and start to fill in the gaps: we’ll know a turtle’s route and how long it took
With a device that can register its location every ten minutes for a year
we can create an incredibly detailed model.”
Team Turtle is testing wireless technology that can communicate with Black Rock’s network of towers and access points throughout the forest
This would allow researchers to log in from anywhere in the world and pinpoint the location of animals practically in real time
But before Team Turtle can fasten backpacks on a rare species like the spotted or box turtle
it must first demonstrate to the state wildlife authorities that the technology works on the more common painted turtle — another milestone in their multiyear project
Levesque pursues the spotted to perform a more traditional sort of tracking
she has captured six spotted turtles from this marsh — a decent sample size
One problem with aquatic turtles is that they spend a lot of time underwater
And so Levesque is using VHF (very high frequency) radio telemetry
since the signals can be transmitted through water
Team Turtle wants to put both an old-school VHF transmitter and a high-tech backpack on the turtles to get the fullest picture of their movements
hourglass-shaped tree trunks that mark the presence of beavers
“Black Rock is a hot spot for wildlife,” she says
We get a wide array of friends.” She plunges into the tea-colored water to check on the small cylindrical net just offshore
Once I got a snapping turtle the size of a housecat.”
Levesque wants to know which habitats the spotted turtle is selecting around the forest
Her plan is to capture more spotted turtles from other ponds nearby and compare the data
“Spotted turtles are picky about their microhabitats,” she says
“so it’d be interesting to see if their preferences vary within the different populations in the forest
Levesque carries the net to the dirt road twenty yards away
where Palmer and Macey are waiting with gear
holding it by its shell and apologizing to the delicate creature as it works its legs and twists its neck
(All animal-handling protocols have been approved by the American Museum of Natural History and New York State.) The researchers measure the palm-sized specimen and determine its sex (male)
Then Levesque swabs the shell with alcohol and makes tiny V-shaped notches at three different points on the edge of the carapace
“The outer part of the shell is kind of like a fingernail,” Palmer puts in
“It doesn’t have nerves.” The locations of the notches correspond to a mapped lettering system
so that any future researcher who recaptures this turtle can identify it and compare data
Levesque glues a VHF transmitter with a tiny antenna to the shell
“One big concern about putting a tracking device on an animal is that it might change its behavior,” Palmer says
“You don’t want the device to make the animal more susceptible to injury or more likely to be killed by a predator or less attractive to a mate
So it’s an open question: what does it mean to put it on?” For Palmer
“A slight inconvenience to the animal,” he says
“means we can learn an awful lot about its movements
which in turn can allow us to better manage and conserve the populations.”
Levesque takes the outfitted turtle back to the water and releases it
and the creature quickly disappears into the placid pool of the quiet marsh in the wooded highlands
“This forest is an incredible resource,” says Kevin Griffin
a professor in E3B and former president of the consortium
“It’s hard trying to teach ecology in an urban setting
If you want people to appreciate how the natural world works
there’s nothing better than to stand in the middle of it
BRF gives us the ability to take students to the woods and say
Take it in and ask yourself: How does that work?’”
a plant physiologist who studies the role of trees in the carbon cycle
has lately been attaching dendrometers — devices that measure infinitesimal fluctuations in tree-trunk diameter — to dozens of trees in the forest
and for his first class he took students to the forest
His first graduate students did their dissertations here
and he and his students continue to study how the forest absorbs and stores carbon
Black Rock is considered a “mature” forest
meaning that it is in its period of peak carbon accumulation (according to Griffin
the forest is still storing carbon at about the same rate as it did in the 1930s)
“We think one reason why North America absorbs a lot of carbon is because young forests remove more CO2 than older ones,” Griffin says
While Griffin looks at CO2, Duncan Menge
Nitrogen accounts for 78 percent of the atmosphere and is vital to all life
which require it in other forms such as ammonia
But plants can’t transform nitrogen themselves — they need other organisms to do it for them
“There are unicellular organisms called nitrogen-fixing bacteria that can take nitrogen from the air and convert it into ammonia,” explains Menge
“Some of those bacteria live inside root structures called nodules
forming a symbiosis: they help nourish the plants
the plants give the bacteria a place to live and feed them sugar made from photosynthesis
kept the nitrogen cycle at a balanced level.”
and found that 60 to 90 percent of the nitrogen in Robinia came from its symbiotic bacteria
even when there was more than enough usable nitrogen already in the soil
“It’s strange: the trees have access to usable nitrogen
yet they still pay the bacteria a lot of energy to fix more nitrogen
which they don’t need.” This seeming inefficiency has consequences: when there’s too much fixed nitrogen
other bacteria in the soil release it in the form of nitrous oxide
“Why would these trees fix so much nitrogen
Symbiotic relationships are the rule of the plant world
which exists between most land plants and the fungi that colonize their roots
It’s a sweet deal: the plant provides the fungi with sugars through photosynthesis
help the plant absorb essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous
by the Canadian forest scientist Suzanne Simard
suggest that these networks transport not just nutrients but also electrical and chemical signals that enable a tree
“Some in the media have extrapolated to say that trees are communicating via these common mycorrhizal networks,” Carreras Pereira says
Mycorrhizal fungi come in two main types: one is dominant in tropical forests; the other prevails in boreal and Arctic ecosystems
the two types coexist — sometimes within the same tree species
Carreras Pereira wants to know how a red oak seedling’s neighbors influence what type of fungi the seedling acquires
because “the two mycorrhizae have different strategies for nutrient acquisition
That affects the forest biogeochemistry and could also impact the climate
Her work also raises questions about tree agency: can the tree switch between the two types — implying something like an active role in the decision — or is it simply colonized
Or put another way: which organism is in control
Carreras Pereira has planted two batches of seedlings: one in the forest and the other in the Arthur Ross Greenhouse at Barnard
where she can manipulate the connections between trees to see how they transfer resources
“As tree species with one mycorrhizal type migrate northward into forest areas that have primarily the other mycorrhizal type
we want to know what will happen to the plants that are already there.”
It’s critical that they have passageways.”
It’s yet another elegant example of the first tenet of ecology
attributed to the biologist Barry Commoner ’37CC
one of the architects of the modern ecological movement: Everything is connected to everything else
No one knows this better than William Schuster ’78CC
As Black Rock’s first executive director (from 1992 to 2022)
Schuster oversaw the construction of the BRF campus as well as the educational programs
and created paths for disabled people among the forest’s twenty-six miles of public hiking trails
he produced a landmark survey of the forest’s trees and found that northern species like black spruce and paper birch
had disappeared and that more than half a dozen southern-range species had moved in
says his greatest passion is for a very literal connectivity: wildlife corridors that would offer animals safe passage across a landscape tangled with highways and subdivisions
a former Columbia postdoc who tracks bobcats and fishers (a carnivore in the weasel family) using radio collars
“Bobcats can’t cross major freeways,” says LaPoint
or at least connected areas,” Schuster says
they are not going to survive.” BRF has been acquiring parcels around the perimeter of the forest necessary for passage
and Schuster and LaPoint are working with the New York State Thruway Authority on a proposal for a wildlife overpass
(There are an estimated sixty to seventy thousand collisions between deer and vehicles each year in the state
so will the range of many animals,” says Schuster
My hope is that we will see a network of corridors as well as larger-scale models for connectivity across North America.”
Three days after capturing her seventh spotted turtle
She enters the still waters in a kayak and
homes in on the turtle’s location and marks it on a map
in a plot between the lyrically named elevations of Honey Hill and Hill of Pines
Aria Carreras Pereira’s seedlings extend their roots into the fungi-rich soil
retrieve the contents of a funnel-net trap: it’s a painted turtle
with brilliant red and yellow stripes and orange belly
recruited in the name of science and conservation to wear a Team Turtle backpack
And up in her office in the BRF Science Center
Isabel Ashton conducts the daily business of long-term research — managing the consortium and meeting members’ needs
She still recalls the day in college when her professor H
a biochemist who pioneered studies of water pollution
asked her if she’d like to work on a project involving tree rings and the effects of acid rain at a place called Black Rock Forest
and it’s also the home of a great panoply of life
Decoding the mysteries of that life is an endless task
This article appears in the Fall 2023 print edition of Columbia Magazine with the title "A Lab in the Woods."
A powerful new microscope could enable more scientists around the world to conduct cutting-edge biomedical research
Novel materials could eventually power electric vehicles and more
experts touted the technology’s promise and agreed that robots still have a long way to go
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The Table Rock State Park fire started March 21
two related forest fires in the Upstate have grown exponentially
prompting officials to order mandatory evacuations in both Greenville and Pickens counties and use planes to drop water
PICKENS — Two massive forest fires in the Upstate mountains have grown exponentially in what is nearing a week of a frantic effort to stop the blaze from overtaking homes and businesses
authorities issued evacuations that are mandatory in both Greenville and Pickens counties as the fires spread March 26 — reaching the shores of the Greenville Water System's Table Rock reservoir that's used to draw drinking water
Forestry Commission issued another call for the evacuations in the afternoon as it proved to be another day of "extreme fire behavior."
Extreme behavior is categorized by moderate-to-long-range spotting
independent spot fire growth and otherwise violent fire behavior
according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group
Despite the jarring video of the embers around the reservoir's banks
Greenville Water Commissioner Deb Sofield said the water is safe to drink
Fire crews can't drop retardants in the watersheds
using only water to fight the fires in those areas
"If either of those (reservoirs) are compromised
we would pull from Keowee," Sofield told The Post and Courier
The Table Rock Mountain fire doubled to 2,293 acres while an associated wildfire nearby
The fire ignited on March 21 at the summit of Table Rock after authorities say a group of hikers acted negligently
10 brush trucks and eight more 20-person hand crews to create fire breaks where heavy machinery can't operate on the mountain
The Table Rock fire recently escaped the boundaries crews tried to create after high winds pushed flames up into a ridge where it's difficult to have a direct attack on the blaze
The Table Rock Fire saw more aerial attacks
operations chief Trey Cox said in his March 26 morning update
in an attempt to buy more time as conditions dry out and wind gusts continue
"There’s no escape routes or any way to get out of there if we send crews in here trying to open roads up
We’re just putting everybody in a really bad spot
and homes are going to be second priority."
Slowing the fire means crews have time to dig more breaks and potential backburns to increase the buffer between nearby homes and the ever-growing blaze
the second in what the Forestry Commission is calling the "Table Rock Complex," escaped a fire line on March 25 and crews were on site to hold that line overnight
It was headed toward its northern containment line
In the November 2016 fire from Pinnacle Mountain — which is also in Table Rock State Park and was the largest
longest and costliest fire ever in the Upstate — fire crews were stationed near residences to help remove "fuel" like leaves
sticks and dead trees from rooftops and around structures
Greenville County Deputy Director of Emergency Management Pierce Womack said
The 2016 fire grew to 10,623 acres in Pickens County
make it the third-largest in state history
Commission officials have said the Table Rock Fire could grow to 5,000 acres before it reaches containment lines
Greenville Water employees were evacuated when the fire "jumped the water" at the Table Rock Reservoir's edge
but no other changes have been made to daily operations
The water sourced from Table Rock and North Saluda reservoirs is safe to drink as it's still treated at the L.B
Stovall processing plant before going out to customers
the biggest impact was an influx of scorched acorns — which turned out to be a treat for the fish
The ash will eventually turn into dust and dirt
and be removed through regular water treatment processes
This story will be updated as new information becomes available
The Table Rock Complex Fire became the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina history
According to data from the South Carolina Forestry Commission
the fires had grown to more than 12,000 acres
surpassing the November 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire
while the Persimmon Ridge Fire was 24% contained
The Greenville News will bring you live updates on wildfire conditions throughout Sunday
The Table Rock Complex remains the nation's No
according to the City of Greenville's social media
--Foggy conditions halted air drops but increased moisture in the air
Thunderstorms could make conditions too dangerous for air and ground crews
--$60,000 of economic impact from the park closures is estimated
10:25 p.m. -- Highest priority wildfire in nationPickens County's social media page reports that the Table Rock Complex Fire is now considered the highest priority wildfire in the nation
An estimated 600 people are engaged in response
Statewide Burning Ban to be lifted Monday for 41 counties
and Spartanburg counties are to remain under the ban
according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission
The State Forester’s Burning Ban will be lifted for all but five South Carolina counties at 6 a.m
Pickens and Spartanburg counties will remain under the burning ban until further notice
The Forestry Commission is lifting the ban in the other 41 counties because the dangerous combination of low relative humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 21 outdoor burning prohibition are expected to subside substantially statewide over the next week
The ban is being placed in the remaining counties for several reasons
The sheer amount of Forestry Commission and fire department personnel/equipment dedicated to the Table Rock Complex in Greenville and Pickens counties
which includes two wildfires that have grown to a combined 13,000-plus acres
has the potential to strain the capacity of local response to new wildfire ignitions
Forestry Commission resources continue focusing on mop-up and strengthening firebreaks around the Myrtle Beach-area Covington Drive Fire
“Burning bans are not intended to be extended
solutions to wildfires,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones
“Prescribed burns in particular are necessary tools for forestry and agriculture
but we can’t emphasize enough the importance of using fire prudently and respecting the weather.”
underlying conditions still warrant extreme vigilance when burning outdoors
Above-average fire danger and activity are expected through April
Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law
Citizens who may plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so
Notification procedures, as well as mandatory precautions for conducting burns, may be found on the SCFC website: https://www.scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/
As the only state agency responsible for wildfire suppression in all unincorporated areas
the South Carolina Forestry Commission protects nearly 13 million acres from wildland fire
and volunteer fire departments operate more than 1,100 fire stations in South Carolina
The Forestry Commission cooperates with these departments to prevent and control structural and wildland fires
employing highly trained firefighters and specialized equipment when fires burn into forested areas that are difficult to reach
The City of Greenville wrote on social media that higher humidity
and an 80% chance of rain improve firefighting conditions on the ground but not in the air
--Air operations are suspended due to poor visibility
They'll mobilize if there’s a break in clouds
but they likely won’t fly Sunday or Monday
--707 water drops so far from National Guard helicopters
--Controlled burns have been successful in fire containment
South Carolina Forestry Commission Fire Information
Greenville County Emergency Management wrote on social media that mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of the Greenville County Fire Region
"While some areas of Greenville County have received rain (Sunday)
rainfall amounts have been variable and do not provide sufficient relief across the entire fire-affected region
Due to the ongoing threat and unpredictable nature of the fire
mandatory evacuations remain in effect for all affected areas
The safety and security of residents are our top priority
and these measures are necessary to ensure public safety
"Please continue following evacuation orders and stay informed through official channels for updates."
has been a constant presence at the command post for our first responders
"Many of them have commented that interacting with him is the highlight of their day as they deal with the separation from their own families and pets
It is an honor to have Wyatt as a part of our team and we are thankful that he can have a meaningful contribution during times like these."
7:35 p.m. -- How many wildfires are active in SC, NC? Here's what wildfire maps sayHundreds of firefights from across the U.S
are battling the worst wildfires in the country taking place in Western North Carolina and South Carolina's Upstate
As of Sunday morning, there were four active wildfires in North Carolina and three in South Carolina. Burn bans are still in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina
Click here to read the story
As the Carolinas face some of the worst wildfires in the country
some residents are forced to leave their homes
A hand full of houses have been destroyed and there has been one injury reported due to the wildfires in North Carolina. In Transylvania County, 750 homes are under mandatory evacuation, according to the Citizen Times. Officials are reassessing the evacuation orders Sunday
As of Sunday morning, there were seven active fires across the Carolinas
Three of them are in South Carolina while four are in North Carolina
Here are some tips for those returning to their homes after the Carolina wildfires
Click here to read the story
Yes, the Table Rock Complex Fire was declared the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina's history
surpassing the 2016 Pinnacle Mountain Fire
Table Rock has grown to more than 12,000 acres by Saturday
a 2,078-acre fire on 240 Persimmon Ridge Road in Greenville County was also 24% contained
Click here to read about other significant fires in South Carolina's history
-- Air operations are suspended due to poor visibility
• 707 water drops so far from national guard helicopters
• Controlled burns have been successful in fire containment
work crew leaders gathered for the morning briefing
according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office
there will be a continued focus on containment lines
These crews have worked tirelessly to create and clean up these lines
"Our neighbors in Transylvania County need our prayers as well
as the fire continues to move slowly in that direction
Crews there are working just as hard to establish containment lines and monitor the fire."
11:40 a.m. --South Carolina weather radar: Are any storms expected today?Yes. Accuweather says Greensville will be "cloudy with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm
with the Air Quality Index showing moderate levels
The Table Rock Complex Fire is officially the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina's history
igniting thousands of acres for over a week
the Table Rock Fire was 9% contained with over 11,000 acres
making its way into North Carolina's Transylvania County
The nearby Persimmon Ridge Wildfire is currently 2,078 acres with 24% containment
The Pickens County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, is leading the ongoing investigation into how the Table Rock wildfire started
Investigators detailed that the massive wildfire was the result of a “negligent act” by four teenage hikers on March 21
Those involved in the incident have been identified
Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship said authorities are investigating the incident
“I’ve had a lot of questions about the charges for those responsible for setting the fire,” Blankenship said on Friday
adding the charges will be made and announced at a later date
But right now our focus is on the protection of life and property.”
South Carolina Parks offers an active webcam of Table Rock State Park
To view the webcam, click here
Table Rock Lake Live Cam
CamStreamer
WeatherBug
You can track the wildfires with this interactive fire map
shows where the fires are and has information about their size
Firefighters in upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina continue to fight massive wildfires into Sunday morning
Want to get a live look at some of the fires
Here are some live streams that are publicly available to view
The worst wildfires in the country are burning in Western North Carolina and the South Carolina Upstate on Sunday
Hundreds of firefighters from across the country are battling the wildfires around the clock in WNC and the Upstate
Five hundred firefighting personnel have been battling the blazes in Polk County
where some residents have faced mandatory evacuations
as have residents in other counties such as Transylvania
Firefighters hope for significant rainfall to tamp down on the spreading fires
Sunday weather forecasts some rain for the areas impacted by the wildfires
but whether it will be enough to make a dent remains to be seen
Burn bans are still in effect across all of North Carolina and South Carolina
a mandatory evacuation is still in place for some residents of Greenville County
South Carolina evacuation guidelines have been updated from mandatory to voluntary for Pickens County residents
Residents of Greenville County north of the Greenville County-Pickens County line
west of Wildcat Falls on Highway 11/Highway 276
and east of the Table Rock Reservoir are still under mandatory evacuation
Although the evacuations in this area are now voluntary
Greenville County Emergency Management and Pickens County Emergency Management urge residents who choose to return to their homes to do so with caution and avoid outside activities due to air quality alerts
Those with respiratory issues should use caution before re-entry
call 803-906-9730 or email 2025.tablerockcomplex@firenet.gov
The City of Greenville posted the following on Saturday night:
1 priority in the nation for wildfire resources based on a matrix that includes acres burned
There was a 30% chance for rain Saturday night and an 80% chance Sunday
A mandatory evacuation is still in place for some residents of Greenville County
the South Carolina Forestry Commission posted on Facebook
west of Wildcat Falls on Highway 11/Highway 276 and east of the Table Rock Reservoir are still under mandatory evacuation
Evacuations in Pickens County became voluntary at 5 p.m
the county announced in a post on its Facebook page
Mandatory evacuations have been lifted as the fire moves away from the area
Residents returning home are urged to stay alert in case conditions change
South Carolina Highway 11 also fully reopened at 5 p.m
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office will continue patrolling the affected area to ensure public safety
Polk County officials lift some evacuation ordersPolk County officials lifted some evacuation orders as crews battled the Black Cove Complex Fire
and residents who live in the areas where the orders have been lifted are asked to enter from the Interstate 26 side
“This will help keep the area clear for emergency crews working to protect your community,” according to a Facebook post from officials
“You may be asked to show an ID with your home address at a checkpoint.”
Evacuation orders were lifted in the following areas:
All other evacuation orders remain in place
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(KY3) - Nearly 300 acres caught fire over the weekend near Table Rock Lake
Mark Twain National Forest crews and crews from the Central Crossing Fire Protection District worked to put out the Cane Hollow fire
Officials say the fire started on Saturday morning and was completely contained by Sunday afternoon
“Firefighters want to remind people in southwest Missouri that the area has been experiencing drought conditions and it is important to be very careful with any open flames in the woods,” the Forest Service said
and other materials in the middle of the contained fire perimeter are continuing to put up smoke
so the fire may be visible through the rest of the day
Crews are still unsure of the cause of the fire and are investigating
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com
Please include the article info in the subject line of the email
Thousands were on hand as the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County and the Village of Wellington held the 40th annual Wellington Holiday Parade
presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center
Sporting the musical theme of “Rockin’ in the Holidays,” marching bands
decorated vehicles and more followed the time-honored route up Forest Hill Blvd
This year’s honorary grand marshal was Dennis Witkowski
who was instrumental in creating the parade four decades ago
Best in Show was awarded to Priority Towing
Other winners were: Wellington Golf Cart Club for Decorated Vehicle
Wellington Regional Medical Center for Adult Float
Palm Beach Central High School for Marching Band
Dance Theater for Performing Group and Skillets for Marching Group
A rock shelter defined: a shallow cave or cavelike area
as one formed by an overhanging cliff or standing rocks
I recently made a trip up to Morgan-Monroe State Forest to hike one of my favorite trails: the Rock Shelter Trail
The forest has 24,515 acres of steep forested
The Rock Shelter Trail follows part of the Low Gap and the Tecumseh trails
The trail is approximately 3 miles in length and is a loop trail
It's considered moderate in ease of difficulty
It was a beautiful day when I hiked this forest trail
The sky was a deep shade of blue on the sunny day
The temperature had finally cooled a bit from those endless
It was officially September and I was sure ready for the cooler weather
I found the trailhead in a small parking lot off the main forest road
I took off down the trail to find and explore one of my favorite forest trails
About a third of the trail was on rough gravel
with tall pines and hardwoods along the path
There were deep ravines carved into the sides of the hills on each side of me
It was the Indiana forest that I had come to love and know so well
The air carried the scent of fresh pine trees and a faint smell of old
I passed a small pond on my right and I knew exactly where I was
The trail in front of me wound down into a deep ravine and I followed switchbacks to the bottom of the hill to a place where a small creek meandered through a hollow
There wasn’t much water to be found due to recent lack of rain
but it was still a creek and I followed it for a while
Most of the forest still held on to its summer green landscape
I hoped it would rain soon to give the forest and wildlife a break
"Sweedy Hollow Nature Preserve," which was part of the state forest
My surroundings were tall hardwoods and a landscape in the midst of the changing seasons: still clinging to the end of summer while welcoming the first signs of autumn
I finally came across the rock shelter on my left along a steep bluff
It’s cave like appearance had a primitive feel about it
But it was still the same rock shelter that I had grown to love
The temperature under the shelter was cooler
So I sat under the huge wall and tried to imagine the early inhabitants of this piece of land sitting where I was
so I reluctantly left the shelter and finished the trail but not before a big climb out
The climb wasn’t too steep but it seemed long
I saw a fork in the trail and a very clear wooden sign giving good directions as to which way I needed to go
These special places deserve our respect and protection so that future generations will get to enjoy them
To get to this place: The forest is southwest of Indianapolis
35 miles south of Interstate 465 via Interstate 69/Ind
37 and is 16 miles northwest of Bloomington
A quote for your week: “In a world of constant change and streaming technology
I find solace in the forest where a tree remains a tree." — Angie Weiland-Crosby - American writer
Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go
Wildfires forced a mandatory evacuation Sunday in a North Carolina county still recovering from Hurricane Helene
and South Carolina’s governor declared an emergency in response to a growing wildfire in that state
The California Branch wildfire burns in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest on Saturday
(New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
(New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP)
A firefighter looks on as the California Branch wildfire burns Saturday
Firefighters prepare to fight the wildfires in Polk County
Smoke from the wildfires fill the sky in Polk County
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced a mandatory evacuation starting at 8:20 p.m
Saturday for parts of Polk County in western North Carolina about 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte
“Visibility in area will be reduced and roads/evacuation routes can become blocked; if you do not leave now
or killed,” the agency said in a social media post
A shelter had been established in Columbus
There were three active fires in Polk County
with one spanning 1.9 square miles (5 square kilometers) and another spread over 2.8 square miles (7.3 square kilometers) with no containment by Sunday afternoon
County spokesperson Kellie Cannon said one home was lost to the larger of the two fires
A third fire that had burned about 199 acres (81 hectares) with 50% containment had destroyed three homes
And earlier evacuation order associated with that fire had been lifted
Additional mandatory evacuations were ordered for areas of Polk County on Sunday evening
according to a North Carolina Emergency Management social media post
The North Carolina Forest Service’s online wildfire public viewer indicated active fires Sunday in Burke County and in Stokes County on the northern border with Virginia
Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Saturday as emergency crews in Pickens County fought the Table Rock Fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains
“The State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need,” McMaster said in a statement that reinforced a statewide outdoor burning ban issued Friday by the South Carolina Forestry Commission
Local fire officials called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of some residents near Table Rock Mountain
the forestry commission said in a social media post
That human-caused fire grew to more than 300 acres (121 hectares) with no containment
Spot fires ignited fresh flames outside of the original fire area and the steep terrain was making it hard for heavier equipment used to contain fires to reach the area
Downed timber from Hurricane Helene was exacerbating the situation
Voluntary evacuations of approximately 100 residences remained in effect Sunday afternoon
North Carolina’s western region already had been hit hard by Hurricane Helene in September
The hurricane damaged or impacted 5,000 miles (8,046 kilometers) of state-maintained roads and damaged 7,000 private roads
the New Jersey Forest Fire Service has been battling a wildfire that broke out in the Wharton State Forest on Saturday
The fire had consumed about 2.7 square miles (7 square kilometers) as of early Sunday morning and was about 50% contained
Emergency officials said they evacuated two campgrounds in the park
but the flames were moving away from them and no structures had been evacuated
The cause of that fire was under investigation
The annual live concert Rock in the Forest is returning to Chateau Buskett for another lively edition on August 31
“This year’s event promises to deliver a great live rock experience performed by a team of 14 talented musicians in a unique setting,” says event founder David Perotti
“We’ve worked on a great setlist for this year’s edition to suit all ages and tastes.”
Performers within the festival range between 18 to 60 years of age
“Good music knows no barriers or age gaps,” affirms Perotti
“There’s a great mix of classic and contemporary songs including some classic ‘anthems’ which are sure to get the audience dancing and joining in.”
Perotti says the forest-like setting at Buskett makes for an idyllic environment and contributes towards the unique atmosphere that Rock in The Forest provides
This year’s line-up features the Rock in the Forest ‘resident’ band
which includes newcomer Max Paget (guitars)
and Kristina Perotti and Franco Aloisio on drums and percussion
Simaria Galea and David Ellul Mercer will be on vocals
“This year we are thrilled to be joined by local celebrity musicians Wayne Camilleri (guitars) and well-known vocalist Mikaela,” continues Perotti
“I’ll also be making a very small appearance on stage but that’s all I’ll say at this point.”
This year’s beneficiary will be YMCA
with last year’s proceeds going to support Cystic Fibrosis Fundraising Malta
The anticipated annual concert is taking place at Chateau Buskett
Asked why it is important for Rock in the Forest to have this philanthropic slant
Perotti says this started out as a means of attracting a larger audience but transformed into an opportunity for everyone involved to feel a greater sense of purpose
“The idea to include the philanthropic element was introduced some 10 years ago to generate broader interest in the event and attract a wider audience
I believe this has worked but also gives the team great satisfaction knowing that the show supports a worthy cause,” Perotti explains
“Rock in the Forest has therefore evolved into a popular
We are very careful to keep costs as low as possible (all musicians perform free of charge) to make a meaningful donation after the show.”
Chateau Buskett was built on the site of an old hunting lodge dating back to the era of the grand masters
those who wish to sit and dine can pre-book tables and chairs
that are spread out on terraces that fan out from the stage
The woodland itself is lit up for the occasion
Amid the glowing trees and lengthening shadows
one will feel as though transported to a refreshingly cool festival deep in the nature of a northern European forest
Rock in the Forest is taking place on August 31 at Chateau Buskett in Rabat
The event is co-hosted by YMCA and supported by Festivals Malta
The on-site bar and restaurant will be open all evening
early bookings for those who would like a table is advisable
Diners can book a table by sending a private message on the RockinTheForest Facebook Page or by e-mail to krisper01@outlook.com
please register for free or log in to your account
You play an important role in our mission to protect birds & the habitats they need to survive
It's an at-risk species whose population numbers are falling
this small bird glows in gorgeous markings of blue and white
“Ceruleans are spectacular,” says Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch
a Barnard College forest ecology researcher working with the 3,830-acre Black Rock Forest Consortium's treasure trove of birds
sort of navy blue and a little bit of turquoise and powder blue."
on the trails you can see them and they are striking,” Maenza-Gmelch says
It flies to South America every fall from here
about 3,000-plus miles - then back to Black Rock in spring
That's an exhausting 6,000-mile round trip by a small bird that weighs about as much as a nickel piled on a quarter
This lovely bird is just one reason why Black Rock Forest
was recently named an expanded Audubon Society Important Bird Area (IBA)
a designation “that will help us safeguard threatened bird species,” says Black Rock Forest Consortium Executive Director William Schuster
“Cerulean numbers are down and they face threats on both ends of their migrations
but they keep coming back here year after year
It's a great thing,” Schuster says
Federal officials say cerulean warbler numbers declined at the steepest rate of any North American warbler monitored recently
“But these birds are holding their own around here,” Schuster says
“So it's fortunate that we're able to maintain this great forest for them.”
this gorgeous bird and other birds help by gobbling Gypsy moth caterpillars
Many bird species inhabiting the Black Rock research gem also “have threats at both ends of migration
so fortunately we're able to maintain this large
“And they keep coming back year after year
People get really excited about bird preservation
birds have deep emotional connections with us
make us wonder and put the world in perspective
As Audubon-New York Executive Director Erin Crotty says
today's “IBA's are the most important places on earth.”
So go down any wooded Black Rock trail and you never know which great creature you'll find
"That happens to me all the time.”
“I saw a male and female scarlet tanager together!”
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