A VEGETATIONAL STUDY OF THE LOVE CREEK NATURE CENTER BFRR1EN COUNTY, MICHIGAN HISTORICAL, PHYSICAL AND ECOLOGICAL FEATURES

Abstract

    The Love Creek Nature Center, one of the three nature centers located within the boundaries of Berrien County, is owned and operated by the county for public enjoyment and instruction of nature. The 44.5 ha study area, located seven km east of Berrien Springs, and two km southwest of Berrien Center, on Huckleberry Road, in T6S, R17W, sections 16, 17 (Lat. 41° 56' N; Long. 86° 18' W) is made up of deciduous woods and abandoned fields at various stages of succession. It is bounded on the east by the Berrien County Dog Pound and Huckleberry Road, to the north by cultivated Berrien County land and the Berrien General Hospital, to the west by the recently closed Berrien - Oronoko Township Landfill Dump; and to the south by private property. Love Creek flows east to west across the length of the property and forms its curved western boundaries. It eventually empties into the nearby St. Joseph River.

    The vegetation cover is represented by four distinctive communities of deciduous forests and four others: The Marsh, The Stream Sides, The Dry Meadow, The Disturbed Area and Trail Sides. Because of continued disturbance from all sides of the nature center, there is danger that considerable change in the vegetation may be forthcoming. This study is the first attempt to consolidate the known information about the Love Creek Nature Center area and to document its vegetation for future reference.