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Sycamore Island - A Snapshot of 'Urban Ecology'
The Dynamic Processes of River Island Ecology
Creating an optimal long-term plan for a river island, such as Sycamore Island, is much different from formulating a plan for a natural area on the mainland. While any ecosystem is constantly changing over time, a river island ecosystem is especially dynamic. In terms of geologic time, a river island's dynamics tend to be short, with quick and relatively frequent restructuring occurring regularly. The biology of an island such as Sycamore Island may be impacted by such factors as weather extremes, ice scour, river current fluctuation, climate changes, downstream changes, upstream changes, dam management, maritime traffic and dredging, industrial activities, and various other anthropogenic impacts.
Metal pilings in the backwater channel of the Allegheny River
from the former marina. According to local canoeing
enthusiasts, these pilings make a great beginner's course
for practicing steering and different paddling strokes.
(Click photo for a larger version.)
Culture
Historically, Sycamore Island was used as a commercial marina and for camping. At one time, there was also a plan to create a small golf course on the island, but this was never realized. While the island was used for a marina, a restaurant was located in a grounded barge at the downstream end of the island (from about 1968-1972). After Hurricane Agnes in 1972, it appears that the restaurant and marina were damaged from significant flooding, leaving the remnant structures we see on the island today.
The cultural remnants of the island, mainly the grounded barge, dredge spoil piles, metal pilings in the backchannel, and the old swimming pool, hint at the former human uses of the island. As these cultural remnants have been exposed to weathering elements, and organic matter has been reintroduced over time, these features have gradually been re-colonized with vegetation. Small habitat niches occupy the spaces in between of these cultural remnants, revealing a unique ecological and cultural story about the island and a true example of 'urban ecology' at work.
Human created landforms are located throughout the island
from past deposits of dredge spoils taken from the river.
(Click photo for a larger version.)
Dredge Spoils
On the island there are unique cultural landforms that were formed by the dumping of dredge spoils from the river. These spoil piles have since been colonized by vegetation, creating a unique human induced ecology from the industrial and transportation related activities in the surrounding area.
Symbiotic relationship of a silver maple tree
and the grounded barge.
(Click photo for a larger version.)
The Grounded Barge
Historically, (from around 1962-1972), there was a restaurant on the island housed within the grounded barge. The remnant structure of the barge is still present, yet vegetation has re-colonized it creating a unique composite of ecology and culture. A small willow cove exists as a distinct vegetative community downstream of the barge from the accumulation of sediment, perhaps as a testament to the barge's possible influence upon the geomorphology of the island.