local aquatic and wetland habitat along Pecousic Brook
Laurel and Bliss Parks Cooley Brook Turner Park
Though not mapped by BioMap, the parks do host a diversity of wildlife habitat. Dace, a cold water fisheries species, were observed in the stream, painted turtles rest on downed trees in Laurel Pond, great blue heron fish the marsh on the pond’s east end, red-shouldered hawks soar overhead, and neighbors report regular sightings of coyote and fox. While wildlife are visible within the parks, their habitat is impacted by the water quality in Cooley Brook, particularly for aquatic species. Sediment deposition behind the dams increases the turbidity of the water. This limits the amount of light available for photosynthesis by beneficial aquatic plants, in turn reducing dissolved oxygen levels in the system (Henley et al. 2008). Many fish and invertebrates rely on abundant dissolved oxygen in the water to sustain life. Additionally, sediment deposition behind the dams fills small gaps between the more coarse stream bed material. Many invertebrates rely on these small gaps, where the relatively still water at the stream bottom provides ideal habitat for species that have specialized to spend their larval stage here (Mass DEP, 2007). Removing the dams in Cooley Brook may increase habitat for certain species, and decrease it for others. If increasing habitat is a priority in this system, decisions should reflect a species-specific approach.
local rare species habitat along Longmeadow Brook regional rare species, critical natural landscape, and core habitat in and adjacent to CT River
Great Blue Heron This charismatic bird can be seen flying beneath the forested canopy along Cooley Brook or hunting in the shallow, slow waters near the marsh. They have a highly variable diet, eating fish, frogs, salamanders, insects, rodents and birds (Audubon). The wetland and aquatic habitat of the emergent marsh supports a diversity of feeding options for the great blue heron.
Northern Redbellied Dace This small minnow prefers sluggish waters in cool freshwater streams with ample vegetated cover, and tend to thrive in places with a history of beaver activity. They are found in Laurel Pond and the old reservoir feeding on plant material detritus, algae, and small invertebrates (New Hampshire Fish and Game). They are eaten by herons and predaceous insects. They rarely coexist with larger predaceous fish, implying that larger fish are likely not present in Cooley Brook or Laurel Pond.
Great blue heron - Source: Tom Franks Shutterstock
Painted Turtle
Northern redbellied dace - Source: The Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools
Painted turtle - Source: Jay Ondreika Shutterstock
Resting on downed logs in Laurel Pond and the old reservoir, painted turtles live in wetland areas with an abundance of vegetation and basking areas like slow-moving streams, shallow ponds, and marshes. They nest in sandy areas with open canopy. They are an exciting feature of the ecology along the stream.
Stream channel food web shows the relationship between plants, invertebrates, and fish species. Source: Science Direct “MicroHabitats” Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.
88 Village Hill Rd. Northampton, MA 01060 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu
BioMap3 identifies core habitat, critical natural landscape, and regional rare species habitat within the Connecticut River area; aquatic and wetland core habitat in Forest Park; and rare species habitat in Turner Park following the Longmeadow Brook. The mapped core habitat creeps up Cooley Brook from the Connecticut River but ends at Elmwood Avenue, where the stream flows through a more developed residential area, under a culvert, and cascades down a sandstone bedrock escarpment. The escarpment represents a significant change in elevation for the stream; the stream drops around 25 feet vertically over a 210-foot distance. The escarpment and culvert may make it harder for fish to travel upstream, though more research is required to make a conclusive determination.
ecological disconnect at Elmwood Ave?
Longmeadow, MA
Con nec ti c ut Riv er
The parks are home to a diversity of wildlife; improvement to habitat should be species-specific and more research is necessary to determine what species will benefit most from habitat restoration.
Prepared for Town of Longmeadow By Savannah Bailey and Brett Towle Spring 2023
HABITAT
HABITAT Revitalizing Cooley Brook in Bliss & Laurel Parks
Forest Park
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