The Bowl
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
The southern portion of the RNA is pure spruce, and the lower elevations support pure hardwood stands. This RNA is one of the few accessible areas which still contains virgin forests with all of the principle timber types of the region. The Bowl is unique in that there is no recorded history of logging or fire in the area. Many trees are 400 years old or older. A relatively young class of red spruce (Picea rubens) on lower slopes dates from the great landslide of 1820. The state threatened squirrel-corn (Dicentra canadensis) is present (6-8 plants) along a perennial tributary to Wonalancet Brook. Lady slipper (Cypripedium sp.), a special concern species, was represented by a single specimen. Globally rare mosses (Philonotis yezoana, Cyrtomnium hymenophylloides) are found on ledges south of the Wiggin Trail.
At Tamworth, average annual precipitation is 55.2 inches (140 cm). Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year with a low median in January of 4.05 inches (10.3 cm) and high in November of 5.49 inches (13.9 cm).
At Pinkham Notch, average annual precipitation is 56.9 inches (145 cm), including 13.9 feet (4.2 m) of snowfall. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, with the lowest median monthly value of 3.23 inches (8.20 cm) in February and highest in November of 5.33 inches (13.6 cm).
The closest station is in Tamworth, 9 miles (14.5 km) to the southeast of the RNA at an elevation of 790 feet (241 m). Since Tamworth’s elevation is notably lower than The Bowl, data might also be used from Pinkham Notch, elevation 2010 feet (613 m), 23 miles (37 km) north-northeast.
The dominant soil type under northern hardwood stands at the The Bowl is a Typic Haplorthod in the Frigid temperature regime. Textures range from sandy loam to loamy sand while parent material ranges from firm to friable glacial till. These soils are variants of the Monadnock, Becket and Berkshire series. At higher elevations, above about 2700 feet (823m), shallow-to-bedrock soils in the Cryic temperature regime are present. Typical series include Ricker (Lithic Borofolist, and Glebe (Typic Humicryod). In addition to these predominantly glacial till soils, there are small areas of glaciofluvial gravel soils and peaty organic soils near streams.
The RNA comprises the western drainage area of the West Branch of Wonalancet Brook. Wonalancet Brook and its branches are perennial streams. Several perennial and intermittent brooks flow within the area, but there are no lakes or ponds. Numerous seeps provide distinctive habitat.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viburnum alnifolium Marsh. | Hobble-bush | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Acer pensylvanicum | striped maple | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Oxalis acetosella | Northern wood-sorrel | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Dryopteris spinulosa | toothed wood-fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Lycopodium lucidulum | shining clubmoss | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Clintonia borealis | bead lily | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Erythonium americanum | trout lily | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alces alces | Moose | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Lepus americanus | snowshoe rabbit | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Ursus americanus | black bear | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Tamias striatus | eastern American chipmunk | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | red squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Vireo olivaceous | Red-eyed vireo | Common Bird Species | ||
| Dendroica caerulescens | black-throated blue warbler | Common Bird Species | ||
| American warbler | Common Bird Species |
Publications
- Lee E. Carbonneau, Sarah D. Allen. 1995. Botanical reconnaissance of The Bowl Research Natural Area.
- Natalie L. Cleavitt. 1996. Bryophyte survey of six research natural areas within the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
- Stanley R. Gemborys. 1996. Structure and dynamics in a virgin northern hardwood-spruce-fir forest--the Bowl, New Hampshire
- Raymond E. Graber, William Leak, William B. Leak. 1992. Seed fall in an oldgrowth northern hardwood forest
- Raymond E. Graber, Donald F. Thompson. 1978. Seeds in the Organic Layers and Soil of Four Beech-Birch-Maple Stands
- William Leak. 1974. Some effects of forest preservation
- William Leak, William B. Leak. 1985. Relationships of tree age to diameter in old-growth northern hardwoods and spruce-fir
- William Leak, W.B. Leak. 1987. Characteristics of Five Climax Stands in New Hampshire
- William Leak, Raymond E. Graber. 1974. Forest vegetation related to elevation in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
- William Leak, C. Wayne Martin. 1975. Relationship of stand age to streamwater nitrate in New Hampshire
- C. Wayne Martin. 1977. Distribution of tree species in an undisturbed northern hardwood-spruce-fir forest, the Bowl, N. H.