User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
Although I had a different location planned, I noticed the amount of life in the courtyard at TRU so I decided to switch my location. Therefore, the area I chose to observe is the courtyard on the TRU campus between Old Main, the library and the Clock Tower. The area is approximately 1 acre (measured with the scale on google maps), once you account for the cement walkways and buildings on it. The topography is very slight hills, filled with thick grass. There are human planted flower beds which include a variety of flowers and ornamental grasses. There are also a handful of trees left in the courtyard.
I first visited this courtyard in respect to this course on September 13th, 2017 at 10:36 am. It was around 20 degrees celsius. The sun was shining and the sky was clear however the was a slight wind.
In my field journal (click – ecology) I took notes on many bees and insects I saw. My first question would be, can this type of urban ecosystem support other larger organisms? Secondly, what is essential to provide a habitat in an urban environment? (e.g., is just a grass lawn enough, are flowers essential, are trees needed?). Lastly, what would be the main food source for these other organisms, if they are present? Aside from the pollen in the flowers for the bees.
