User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
I have chosen to study two different areas within the Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Vancouver, B.C. This park occupies 874 ha, is predominantly forested and public access to the park is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists. The locations of the two different sites are presented in Figure 1. Site 1 is about 150m from the perimeter of the park between St George’s Trail and Sasamat trail. I have chosen to study is an area 10m by 10m located amongst the forest of Pacific Spirit Regional Park. The trees (mainly conifers) here are very high and mature and grow close together. There is a lot of moss and ferns, with bird song audible and is a very peaceful location. Figure 2 presents a photo of the area taken on April 17, at 6:40 pm. The temperature at the time was 10°C, the weather was lightly cloudy with a gentle breeze.
Site 2 is located where Musqueam Creek (flowing south) leaves the park through a culvert under SW Marine Drive (a four lane road) following the creek north 25m, 2m either side of the river banks. The banks of the creek slope gently away from a sandy bed, with a variety of forest vegetation, including shrubs, ferns, and a variety of different sized trees, both conifers and deciduous trees. As the area is located next to a busy road there is traffic noise. Photographs of the site were taken on April 13, 2018 at 9:00 am are presented in Figures 3 (looking north) and 4 (looking south). The temperature at the time was 9°C and lightly raining, with no wind.
Figure 3. Site 2 Musqueam Creek site looking north.
Site 1 contrasts site 2 near Musqueam Creek as it is removed from the road, the trees are more closely spaced so there is less light through to the forest floor and the vegetation is more uniform. The Musqueam Creek site faces south and there are not so many large trees, and the large trees that are present are deciduous, so there is more light reaching the lower growing vegetation, and the vegetation in the area is more varied. Site 2 is also likely to have a higher moisture level in the soil as it is located on the banks of Musqueam Creek. Some questions that could be asked are how does the vegetation differ between the two sites? For the ferns that are found in both locations, is there is difference in their size or density? Is there is a difference in the bird life between the two locations?
