January 31, 2010 - Welcome Blanket

Welcome to the Nature Notebook.

There are times when snow can be a real nuisance for us humans. In nature, however, snow is a welcome blanket. Snow cover functions as an excellent insulator by protecting the soil and keeping frost from penetrating deeper and deeper. Because of its insulating quality, snow prevents damage to the roots of trees and shrubs. Snow also protects seeds from winter’s frigid temperatures. Snow is important to small mammals, too. Not only does it provide a warmer environment at ground level, but the snowpack also hides small mammals from the sharp eyes of predators. Winter snows also aid in conserving soil moisture to help ensure a good start to the growing season. A fresh snowfall can bring some drawbacks, like broken branches, drifted roads and downed power lines. For the most part, snowfall is a welcome and comforting blanket for nature.

This is PPL's naturalist, Jon Beam, with the Nature Notebook for WVIA.