User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
My hypothesis is that increasing distance from a site of forest disturbance, such as a pathway, is correlated with lower tree and shrub species diversity, lower tree and shrub density, larger tree size, a higher ratio of trees to shrubs, and a higher ratio of evergreen to deciduous tree species. This is based on noticing that more deciduous species at higher densities appeared to exist at the edge space of paths than further into the forest.
My research project is focused on examining the changes in species composition, richness across an environmental gradient as a function of distance from a path. There are likely many mechanisms at play here such as the impact of continual human disturbance (clearing of the path and adjacent areas) each time a tree comes down or growth becomes too thick along a path; the presence of additional space, light, and runoff adjacent to the path that likely encourages and discourages the establishment and growth of certain species; the path as a conduit for the dispersal of seeds via wind, humans, and other animals; of course, the cultural requirements of individual plants play a role; as does the known dynamics in Coastal Western Hemlock forests.
Key Words: Edge Environments, CWH Zone, Species Richness, Forest Dynamics, Disturbance Gradient
