User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
The two areas that I have selected to observe are situated on the Alfred Howe Greenway, a trail southwest of the Port Moody Arm of the Burrard Inlet, in Port Moody, BC. This forested trail is 1.1 km long and is part of a hill close to the Burnaby Mountain. This trail connects the Westhill residential area to the Barnet Highway. The area chosen for observation roughly spans 11.43 acres. This area was selected due to the steep elevation gradient between the two end points of the trail, in addition to the noticeably different vegetation in the south part of the trail in relation to the north part of the trail.
Alfred Howe Greenway and surrounding areas. (Google Maps, 2018)
My first set of observations for the trail were taken at the south point of the trail (location: 49.285 ºN, -122.8789ºW, elevation: 125 m) and the north point of the trail (location: 49.290ºN, -122.8788 ºW, elevation: 30 m) on Friday, June 29th, 2018 from 16:19 to 17:08. It was a relatively cold summer day (16 ºC). During the observation period it was cloudy with intermittent light drizzle.
The south point of the trail was densely forested with tall evergreens and smaller bushes, with some birds observed at a distance. Some unusual plant and fungi species were noted, as well as some commonly reoccurring species. A sign close to the trail warning of a high pressure underground crude oil pipeline was also noted.
Photo: South Point of Alfred Howe Greenway Trail (left). “Camouflaged” moth found resting on pathway (top right). Unusual light grey mushroom specie with an appearance of an “inverted” cap (bottom right).
The north point of the trail had vegetation more spread out with less evergreens and much more seasonal trees, in addition to a much greater amount of flowers. It was noted that many of the plant species observed had pale brown and/or pale white “discolouration”. This trail segment was mostly covered in fine gravel and included a steep sand/fine gravel slope, which had a crevasse that could potentially contain a cave opening. Bird sounds were noted, however no birds were observed.
Photo: North Point of Alfred Howe Greenway Trail (left). Berry bush with some leaves having white, chalky, spots (middle top). Foxgloves (digitalis sp.) showing signs of budding, bloom, and wilting (top right). Opening in the middle of a steep sand/fine gravel slope (bottom right).
Three interesting questions that could form the subject of a research project could be:
- What is the impact of elevation on species diversity?
- What impact does the nearby oil and gas pipeline and activities have on the natural ecology of the surrounding area?
- Why do many of the plants on the north point of the trail have a pathologic appearance?
A copy of the first field journal entry is shown below:
