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Leaves

11/9/2013

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Walk any forest trail these days, and you’ll be scuffling through crunchy brown, yellow and ochre leaves.  It’s next to impossible to walk quietly, unless the leaves have been dampened by rain.  I recently read of a forestry study that examined landscape rainfall infiltration rates.  Thanks to accumulated leaf litter, a mature deciduous forest absorbs rainfall faster than any other type of landscape, reducing runoff and improving rainwater filtration.  Leaf litter facilitates infiltration by providing habitat for detritivores, the small creatures in our world who make all of our organic wastes disappear.  The detritivores, in turn, are part of the food chain for other creatures who, mostly unseen by us, till the soil on the forest floor, opening it up to absorb rainwater.  This year’s leaf litter forms a cover over last year’s litter, providing a partial moisture barrier essential for the balance of air, moisture and organic materials that comprise detritivore habitat.  By carefully digging down through the leaf litter, you can see the progression of decomposition, from the new leaves on top to the humusy soil below.

--Ben

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© 2016, Friends of Pocahontas State Park
  • Current Info
    • Fun Stuff To Do
    • Park After Dark >
      • Park After Dark Activities Map
    • Pocahontas Premiers
    • Poca 5K Runs
    • Poca Parking Raffle
  • About Us
    • About the Friends.....
    • Officers
    • Meetings
    • Donate / Support
  • Our Park
    • Location
    • North Parking Expansion Project
    • CCC Cabin Preservation >
      • CCC Cabin Work Week >
        • CCC Cabin Work Week 2019
        • CCC Cabin Work Week 2018 >
          • Cabin Work Week 2018 Volunteers
      • CCC Group Cabin Stabliization Financial Contributors >
        • CCC Cabin Work Week 2018 Preservation Virginia Pitch Winner
    • The Native Plant Garden
    • Pocahontas Park Web Site
    • Mountain Bike Trail Info >
      • Trail Maps
      • Night Mountain Biking
      • Trail Safety
  • Volunteering
    • Volunteer Benefits
    • Meet-Up Events
  • Blogs
    • The Naturalist
    • Ride Center News
    • Trail Talk
    • Volunteer Blog
    • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Partners
    • Virginia Master Naturalists
    • DCR
    • IMBA
    • Paralyzed Veterans of America
    • RVA MORE
    • Ride Kore
    • Virginia State Parks
  • Follow Us
    • FoPSP Facebook
    • FoPSP Twitter
    • FoPSP Instagram
    • FoPSP Meetup
    • Trail Boss Twitter
    • Subcribe to our Mailing List