Eastern Region Geography Land Cover Trends Task
Field Trip Report

Laurentian Plains and Hills Ecoregion

August 4 - 8, 2002
Tom Moreland

Logging causes a typical land cover change in this part of Maine. (Photo by Thomas Loveland)

Participants:
Thomas Loveland, EROS Data Center
Kristi Sayler, EROS Data Center
Steve Blauer, Rocky Mountain Mapping Center
Thomas Moreland, Eastern Region Geography

The Laurentian Plains and Hills Ecoregion (see ecoregion map with outlined sample sites below) lies at the extreme northeastern extent of the United States.  Maine is the only state with territory in this ecoregion.  Roughly the eastern half of Maine, and most of the coast of Maine is included.  (Our fieldwork was confined to the U.S. portion of this ecoregion, and we did not cross the border into Canada.)  This region is mostly forest covered with numerous glacial lakes, and many wetlands.  There are some areas with significant agriculture.  In general, the area is sparsely populated. 

The day before fieldwork began was devoted to travel, during which the participants flew to Boston where we rendezvoused, and then drove to Portland, Maine, where we stayed for the night.  The drive from Boston to Portland was slowed by remarkable traffic congestion, which we attributed to weekend and vacation travelers heading to Maine on that Saturday afternoon. 

Map showing the sample blocks for the Laurentian Plains and Hills Ecoregion. (Map by Kristi Sayler)

The fieldwork in the Laurentian Plains and Hills Ecoregion actually commenced on August 4, 2002.  Each team member had specific duties to perform.  Tom Loveland was the team leader, driver, and photographer.  Tom also conducted what amounted to an informal running seminar on Land Cover Trends that was of great value to the inexperienced members of the group.  Kristi Sayler kept field notes that documented types of land use and land cover, indications of change, general land cover trends, drivers of change, and social, economic, historical information for each sample block, and also for the areas traveled between the sample blocks.  Unusual features were carefully noted.  Kristi's work continued after the trip was over.  She wrote the field trip report for the ecoregion.  Steve Blauer was the navigator.  His task was crucial to the success of the fieldwork because it was essential that each sample block be covered as thoroughly and efficiently as possible, and the travel between sample blocks was reduced as much as possible.  In the more remote areas of the ecoregion, it was sometimes difficult or impossible to get to the sample block.  Tom Moreland used the GPS to record waypoints that corresponded to each photo taken.  Tom also documented details regarding the land use(s) and land cover(s) at each waypoint.  All team members capably fulfilled their common duty to be as observant as possible, and to point out features of interest.  Throughout the trip the team members discussed various land cover trends issues in great detail.  The team functioned effectively and harmoniously throughout the trip.   

The first day we covered seven sample blocks, traveling through Kennebec, Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, Penobscot, and Waldo Counties.  Major activities in these blocks included dairy and beef cattle farms, some corn and hay fields, and some paper mills.  We noticed forested areas with a few that had been thinned or cleared.  There are some tree farms/plantations.  The sample blocks also contained the Penobscot and Androscoggin Rivers, some wetlands, and numerous lakes and ponds.  Recreation is an important activity in some of these blocks as evidenced by boat dealers, boat ramps, vacation homes, campgrounds, golf courses, and an equestrian center.  Two of the larger developed areas were the towns of Skowhegan and Bucksport.  Most roads in the blocks were well maintained.  Our lodging for the night was in Orono.  

On the second day we visited five sample blocks.  These areas were less densely populated and accessibility became an issue – we were unable to get to two blocks, and access to another block was limited mostly to one road that cut through it.  Sample blocks visited were in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties.  Blocks were generally forested with some wetlands, lakes, and ponds.  We observed some recreational use of areas, tree farms, considerable logging, and paper mills.  Farming began to include potatoes, but was not very extensive.  Spent the night in Houlton - right on the Canadian border.

Day three was spent almost entirely in Aroostock County, where we saw the most agricultural activity of the trip.  Potatoes seemed to be the most significant crop.  We also saw fields of wheat, oats, barley, clover, and hay.  Visited six blocks, two of which had very limited access.  Another block was totally inaccessible.  As on the previous days, we saw large forested areas and logging; also some lakes and associated recreation.  We spent a long time driving along U.S Route 1, which frequently runs along the St. John River, and enjoyed many scenic views across the river into Canada.  U.S. Route 1 took us through Madawaska – the northernmost tip of this part of Maine, Frenchville, and Fort Kent – the northern terminus of U.S. Route 1.  We spent another night in Houlton.

Vista of a classic Maine wetland with forested hills in distance. (Photo by Thomas Loveland)

We headed south from Houlton to begin our fourth day.  We visited five blocks, and had to skip another due to accessibility problems.  The blocks were in Aroostock and Washington Counties.  There were many lakes with associated recreational use.  One block extended into Canada.  We drove to the border crossing and took photos of the checkpoint/customs building.  As we traveled further south, we saw the first of many blueberry fields.  Reaching the Atlantic coast, we could not help noticing that tourism and recreation are major economic activities.  Commercial fishing boats were also seen.  We were delighted to pass a marker along U.S. Route 1 that showed the location of the 45^th parallel.  A quick GPS check indicated it was accurate.  We were halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.  We could still see some logging activity.  Our lodging for the night was in Machias. 

On our final day of fieldwork we visited four blocks in Washington and Hancock Counties.  Two blocks were right on the coast, each with considerable tourist activity.  Another block was notable for extensive blueberry fields (some with pickers harvesting the berries) and processing plants.  We also saw a large peat processing plant.  As on the previous days, we saw woods and wetlands.  When we finished with the last sample block, we made the long drive south to Boston, where we spent the night before flying to our homes the next day.

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