HIGH-RESOLUTION DIGITAL TECHNIQUES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING AND ANALYSIS ON DAMARISCOVE, MAINE

High resolution mapping techniques were used to explore the glacial history, cultural development and varying land-use practices on Damariscove Island, Maine that developed during continuous habitation from 1600 to 1959. Cultural history was documented by mapping current and former structures using total stations and RTK GPS. Microtopography and glacial history were investigated by mapping topographic transects using RTK GPS. Outcrop distributions were mapped using hand held GPS. Land use practices were examined by hand held GPS-positioned soil sampling and tree-coring, along with aerial imagery analysis. The orientation of elongate glacial scours within the microtopography of the island indicates that glacial flow greatly impacted the island's morphological development, and aspect shows the effects of the most recent glacial advance. The elongate harbor lines up with a valley, lowland, wetland, and large fresh water pond in a NNE to SSW trending pattern, characteristic of the local ice flow direction as indicated by glacial striation measurements. A high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) overlain with structural features revealed that buildings and stone walls were consistently located in areas of high elevation and exposed bedrock. Archeological evidence (Faulkner, 1985) for staging docks from the cod-fishery dating back to the 17th century indicates that the narrow, glacially-scoured harbor was the first island feature exploited by island inhabitants and this single island feature drew year round residents for the next 400 years. Analysis of soils indicated consistently higher levels of organics especially around the farm complex coinciding with the intensive farming practices of later inhabitants. The inhabitants also took advantage of exposed outcrops of granite intrusions to provide the foundations for farm buildings as well as material for a small-scale quarry industry in the late 19th century. Tree coring showed no trees older than 40 years of age matching the end of intensive human activity in 1959. Analysis of a sequence of remotely sensed imagery from the late 20th century revealed a continuing trend of decreasing grassland and increasing shrub land, indicative of secondary vegetative succession since the island has lost it's year round residents and become a protected environment.