Presenter: Kaia Sharon

Faculty Sponsor: Katherine Elizabeth Markham

School: Worcester State University

Research Area: Environmental Science and Sustainability

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Auditorium, A37

ABSTRACT

The iconic stone walls found throughout New England are an architectural feat reminiscent of a past cultural practice. In 1939, an estimated 259,000 miles of stone walls existed in New England. Today, fewer than 100,000 remain. Study of these structures is essential to their preservation. Stone walls are artifacts that tell a story about the culture and history of the humans who built them. They increase species richness and biodiversity by providing heterogeneous microhabitats, therefore establishing themselves as a vital part of their ecosystem. Still, the true extent and pattern of the walls is unknown. This is the first systematic study of stone walls in the Cascades Conservation area in Worcester, Massachusetts. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) was utilized to approximate the location of the walls, which were subsequently ground truthed to verify their existence. GPS coordinates were documented to create an accurate map of the walls using ArcGIS. These walls historically marked property boundaries, enclosed merino sheep pastures, and served as a dumping ground for stones displaced by frost heaving. They form long, straight rows, triangular enclosures, climb steep terrain, contain gaps, and end abruptly. Spatial analysis reveals that gaps and abrupt endings result from ecological succession, hydrological features, and human disturbances. Documenting their extent and pattern advances the understanding of the cultural and historical value of these structures and increases the likelihood of their preservation as artifacts.