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The location that I have chosen to conduct my research in my family property in Metcalfe, Ontario, which is 2.1 hectares and contains several different types of vegetation and conditions. Within the property, there are two still water ponds (originally dug for drainage) (Figures 1 and 2), a small forest stand (plus several more spaced apart) of white spruce (Picea glauca) (Figures 3 and 4). There is also areas of swamp containing various species of coniferous trees and woody plants (Figure 5) in addition to the kept gardens and grass. I first went out to observe on May 27th around 9:00, it was overcast and around 12 degrees Celsius. When I took the following pictures, it was 15:30, sunny and 18 degrees Celsius.
Figures 1 and 2
Figures 3 and 4
Figure 5
From my initial observations, I noticed some differences between the two ponds. One is in the front yard with some ducks and rabbits, enclosed in a fence (Figure 1). It had lots of tadpoles swimming around but interestingly there were no adult frogs (multiple undetermined species) to be seen. In contrast, the second pond (Figure 2), which is in the backyard and is completely open to the surrounding agricultural fields (Figure 6), had fewer visible tadpoles but at least 10 frogs were counted. What causes this difference in species richness between two similar sized ponds only approximately 200 metres apart?
Figure 6
I also noticed many robins (Erithacus rubecula) all throughout the property. I am considering observing how long they spend feeding on the ground in various areas with different surroundings. What influences that behaviour? I would analyse the surroundings to try and explain any differences in time spent feeding.
Finally, in the stand of white spruces, the trees are very close together, to the point where it is hard to walk between them (Figure 7). There are also some nearby that have been planted further apart. I noticed bright green buds on the tips of the branches. On the crowded trees, only the outer branches had these buds while the spaced trees had them all around them. Is access to direct sunlight the only factor that causes this variation within species or is there something less obvious?
Figure 7
I have included a rough sketch map of the study site in Figure 8. Each of these potential study subjects are very interesting to me, so I need to evaluate which one I would realistically be able to study for my final project.
Figure 8
