SCI 300 Field Essay
Professor Huntly Cutten
March 2, 2006
Geography: Mapping the World
Abstract
Amicalola Falls State Park is situated in the North Georgia Mountains approximately 55 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia. Here you will find a 729 foot tumbling waterfall. The Cherokee named the waterfall "Amicalola" meaning "tumbling waters". This region seemed like a suitable natural environment to study a natural system. It has not been artificially modified.
The organisms studied here are the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) and the White Pine Tree (Pinus strobus). I have learned that the Pileated Woodpecker uses older White Pines, eats insects on the bark and branches, and uses the tree for shelter while draining the sap in order to keep snakes away, as snakes don't particularly care for the sticky sap and will eat the Pileated Woodpecker's eggs (Pileated Woodpecker).
The Pileated Woodpecker is no longer on the endangered species list. As older forests were replaced by newer forests, the Pileated Woodpecker was temporarily placed on the endangered species list (Pileated Woodpecker).
The White Pine has a life span of 200-400 years, growing on average 50-100 feet high (Martin & Zim, 1956). "There are a total of 277 insects and 110 disease organisms known to attack white pine. Only 16 insects and 7 diseases cause sufficient injury or mortality to be of concern" (Eastern White Pine).
The Pileated Woodpecker sleeps in the holes it creates in the White Pine, so it also uses this tree for shelter. Because the Pileated Woodpecker uses older, dead, or decaying pines for food and shelter, this shows how nature recycles itself: if only a few older decaying trees were left in forests being cut down, the Pileated Woodpecker could thrive! Perhaps it is also possible that the Pileated Woodpecker increases the life term of the older White Pine because it eats many of the insects infested in and around the bark such as carpenter ants and beetle larvae.
Introduction
The purpose of my study is to analyze the natural environment at Amicalola Falls, particularly the relationship between the Pileated Woodpecker and the White Pine. I hope to establish interactions between the two, exemplifying the success of their survival and a pattern of biodiversity at Amicalola Falls. The Pileated Woodpecker pecks in the bark of the White Pine not only to get the sap out, but more importantly, to find insects to eat. "Ants are the chief item of food. It is in pursuit of ants that the woodpecker cuts its great furrows in the boles of standing trees, living and dead. On examination the heart wood exposed by the woodpecker's operations will be found to have been penetrated by the labyrinthine passageways of the great carpenter ants, Camponotus herculeanus (Linnaeus)" (Bent, 1996-2000). It uses the tree for shelter as well, creating up to 14 holes for escape routes from predators. These holes are generally oval or rectangular in size, 4-6 inches in diameter. Inside the holes, the Pileated Woodpeckers will lay their eggs.
The land is mountainous as Amicalola Falls is nestled south of Springer Mountain, the mountain leading north towards the Appalachian Mountain Range. Here, we are in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, which stretch from Georgia to Maine, USA. The climate is generally temperate, with short, cool winters and hot summers. It is pre-Spring. The soil conditions are damp, the dirt being mostly loose, soft, and organic. There is decomposition of leaves and small limbs.
I chose this particular bird because it is native to the area and it was the first bird I observed on my excursion to Amicalola Falls. Figure 5 below is what a Pileated Woodpecker looks like. I chose the White Pine because they are in abundance here and in order to learn about the relationship between the two (See figure 4 for White Pine). It has also been documented that the Pileated Woodpecker pecks out its quarters in the winter, so I was hoping to catch a glimpse of this process.
Procedure
In order to make my observations, I got in my car and traveled approximately 55 miles north to the North Georgia Mountains. Upon arriving and parking, I made my way up one of the various trails cut out for hiking, with camera and binoculars in hand. One of the trails was almost a complete stairway straight up and over the waterfall. Other trails went around and back into more wooded areas. Another led to Springer Mountain for those wishing to hike the Appalachian Trail. On one particular trail, the West Ridge Falls Access Trail, and later, Creek Trail below, I was able to spot the Pileated Woodpecker from a distance, pecking its beak into one of the pines in the forest (See Field Log below).
In order to conduct my research, after making my initial observations, I then made a trip to the Visitor's Center where I had the opportunity to speak with several rangers regarding the Pileated Woodpecker and the White Pine Tree. I made several trips to Amicalola Falls over a two week period.
My third step in conducting my research was online sources, as well as books.
Field Log
I first spotted the pileated woodpecker on the West Ridge Falls Access Trail. The first thing I noticed, of course, was its red plumage, and secondly, that it was rather large for birds I was accustomed to seeing. The waterfall could be seen and heard from this angle (See Figure 6 for map). The foliage has not yet come to bloom. The bird was about 12-15 inches long, with a longer wing span, I noticed, as it flew from one tree to another. The body was black and white. It had a long beak. The crest on its head made it easy to spot, as well as its large size. The sounds the bird emitted were rather loud as well, descending and ascending in tone: cuk cuk CUK CUK CUK CUK. I didn't exactly have the clearest view of this bird, as trees were blocking my complete view; nevertheless, from what I was told later by the rangers, it is difficult to get close enough for a picture. I was, however, fortunate enough that they happened to have a replica of the pileated woodpecker in the Visitor's Center amongst other woodpeckers, and I photographed that instead, as I am not a very good artist (Please see Figure 5 below for a close-up).
In addition to wondering whether it was native to the area, I was curious about its survival techniques. Since White Pines were surrounding the area where I initially viewed the pileated woodpecker, I wondered what its relationship was to the White Pine. Was it killing this tree by pecking at it constantly? Was it eating the sap, or eating the insects in the sap? Was it native to the area? Were they migrating? Many of the questions I had would have to be answered later on by a park ranger or online sources and books about this bird and its relationship to the pine.
I was fortunate enough to be directed to Creek Trail at the bottom of the falls by a Park Ranger after my initial sighting, and was again able to hear and view the pileated woodpecker, with obstacles of course. This bird was smaller (about 12 inches long) and flew away immediately upon my arrival. My research was cut out for me. I now needed to learn whether this bird was using this tree for food, shelter, or both.
Research Material
I was to learn later that most of the pileated woodpeckers in this forest were foraging snags and that the pines that were older were cut down for safety reasons. We did find nests in other trees, but not the white pine.
The White Pine has a life expectancy of 200-400 years old (Atlantic Forestry Centre). I was to learn later on that the Pileated Woodpecker nests in the cavity of older live, dead hollow, or dead or decaying parts of pine trees. "Both sexes excavate a cavity in tree 15 to 125 feet above the ground. The oval entrance is taller than wide, about 4-6 inches in diameter. The cavities measure between 10 and 24 inches deep, and the birds construct a new one each year. The clutch ranges in size from 1 to 6 eggs, with an average of 3.8 eggs per clutch. Parents share in raising young and the young leave the nest about four weeks after hatching" (Audubon, 2005).
The Pileated Woodpecker drains the sap in order to keep snakes away, as snakes are their biggest enemies (Pileated Woodpecker). Because this bird prefers older pines, they may again become an endangered species as old trees are replaced by newer, younger ones. The pileated woodpecker's diet consists of "insects found under the bark and along the branches of pine trees", (Pileated Woodpecker) although it will eat sap, nuts, fruit, berries, acorns, and pine seeds (Wild Birds Forever). "Woodpeckers usually create holes in already hollow trees. These trees are usually weakened by fungus. They will make up to 16 holes in each tree to allow escape routes should a predator enter the tree" (Pileated Woodpecker). The pileated woodpecker helps other mammals, reptiles, and birds as well by carving shelter in the hollow tree. "Many organisms benefit from old-growth forests. One of the species that thrives within these ancient ecosystems is the pileated woodpecker" (Ancient Forest Research Report No. 15).
Discussion/Conclusion
It is obvious woodpeckers are beneficial to the environment because they feast on insects. It appears that some have spotted the Pileated Woodpecker pecking live trees, but generally the pines are old and hollow or decaying due to fungus and age. The White Pine's snags are foraged by the Pileated Woodpecker. "The pileated woodpecker lives in coniferous and deciduous forests. The Pileated Woodpecker drums on hollow trees with its bill to claim territory" (NatureWorks). As the White Pine ages, this creature finds many uses from it including food, shelter, and nesting. As a matter of fact, it seems as if its life depends on it! In addition, "Bark beetles are the most devastating insects to attack pines. The bark beetles girdle trees while building egg-laying galleries. The lack of sap flow immediately kills the tree, the insects move to adjacent live trees and the damage spreads" (Nix). Perhaps the Pileated Woodpecker slows this process by eating the beetle larvae with its long sticky tongue. "Pileateds eat about 75% animal matter, mainly insects that can cause permanent damage to trees if the populations are not controlled by predators. Undigested seeds from fruits are dispersed in bird droppings to replant the forest" (Seaworld: Biodiversity). Nature recycles itself.
References or Literature Cited
"Ancient Forest Research Report No. 15". http://www.ancientforest.org/rr15.html
Atlantic Forestry Centre. "White Pine". http://www.atl.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/index-e/what-e/publications-e/afcpublications-e/maritimetree
Audubon. "Pileated Woodpecker". National Audubon Society. 2005. http://www.audubon.org/bird/ivory/pileated.php
Bent, Arthur Cleveland. "Familiar Birds: Pileated Woodpecker". 1996-2000. PQN Web Page Design. http://www.birdsbybent.com/ch71-80/pileated.html
"Eastern White Pine". http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/eastern_white_pine.htm
Johnson, Karen. All photos (Figures 1-5) & hand drawn map (Fig. 6)
Martin, Alexander C. & Zim, Herbert S. Trees: A Guide to Familiar American Trees. New York: Golden Press, 1956. 18-20.
National Audobon Society. Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region. Chanticleer Press Inc., 1994. 576-577.
NatureWorks. http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/pileatedwoodpecker.htm
Nix, Steve. "Forestry: Top Five Conifer Killing Insects". About, Inc., 2006. http://forestry.about.com/od/forestinsects/p/con-ins-worst.htm
"Pileated Woodpecker". http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/pileated_woodpecker.htm
"Pileated Woodpecker". http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/pileat.html
Seaworld. "Biodiversity". http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/bio-diversity/pileated-wood-pecker.htm
"Wild Birds Forever". http://www.birdsforever.com/woody.html