While walking through the Johnson Woods it was impossible to miss the countless numbers of fallen trees. While most of these trees lay on the forest floor undisturbed decaying from decomposers, there were some which were disturbed. These trees were disturbed in a way that I found was disruptive to my ability to experience nature to its fullest es at the moment. Some of the largest treed which fell in close proximity fell over the boardwalk. In order to allow for the boardwalk to remain passable, the trees had to be cut up and moved aside. While I understand this action of clearing the boardwalk is necessary to continue to allow the public to access the preserves boardwalk. However, I found it extremely distracting to see a tree cut by what was likely a chainsaw. I felt as though I had been taken out of the location where I was and brought back to the artificial machine world outside this small patch of woods. While these fallen trees are inhabited by many smaller decomposers the larger animals which typically would be present in these woods were absent. Animals such as deer, rabbit, and fox which likely would inhabit these woods on a larger scale were absent. Possibly as a result of the past tree cutting noise pollution and the surrounding farm’s loud machinery. In the summer months, I imagine the farm’s equipment will further detract from the serenity of nature.
Nick– I think it is interesting that you explore the concept of natural versus artificial processes found in nature by concentrating on the number of fallen trees in Johnson Woods. Despite my limited exposure to and knowledge of nature, I was surprised to find myself easily identifying which trees had fallen by the force of man and which had fallen naturally. The trees that were victims of the human agenda appeared as logs with smooth ends and placed adjacent to the boardwalk while the trees that had fallen organically often had its roots exposed and suffocating its neighbors.
I also like how you explore the theme of disturbance. To further your analysis, I found it fascinating that as humans distress nature, nature somehow finds a way to retaliate. As humans tried to tame the natural growth of trees which ended up interfering with the boardwalk, the roots of the trees appeared to insistently crawl beneath the artificial path, made by trees, resulting in it no longer being leveled and at times broken. It almost seems like humans are at war with nature as we try to see who is the superior one.