Experiments have provided evidence of certain characteristics of the surrounding habitat of the campus. Soil analysis, tree survey, fauna survey, floral survey and water analysis have revealed these characteristics.
The soil analysis results showed a clay-loam soil, neutral pH, medium phosphorous content, trace amounts of nitrogen, and a high potassium level.
The tree survey showed the species with the greatest percentage basal area per hectare of land was Black Cherry and Ash and the lowest species with the lowest percentage was Buckeye. Therefore, the wooded area could be called “Black Cherry-Ash.”
The fauna survey
showed that there was the greatest number of organisms found at the pond.
In the pond area, ants were the highest populated species and butterflies were
the lowest populated species. In Maple Creek, water striders were the
highest populated species and butterflies were the lowest populated
species. The grass area in front of Clermont College had spiders as the
highest populated species and ants the lowest populated species. The
butterflies were constantly low due to low amounts of flora in the studied
areas.
The floral survey performed
at the future construction site revealed Japanese Honeysuckle as the highest
percentage plant per square acre and Jack-in-the-pulpit the lowest percentage
plant per square acre. Japanese Honeysuckle out competes other
ground dwelling plants by smothering native plants in woodlands. It is an
invasive species that was introduced into the United States as an ornamental
vine more than 100 years ago (Byrd).
The water analysis results
indicated that the levels of oxygen found in the water around Clermont campus
are high enough to successfully support aquatic life. According to the
state of Kentucky’s water parameters, dissolved oxygen levels above 5.0mg/LH2O
are adequate for aquatic life to be sustained (KY Water
Watch).
