User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
The area I have selected for my project is in Kananaskis Country in Alberta. This area has development of trails, recreation sites and highway 66 going through it. The location I have chosen is the Elbow River boat launch location on the South side of the highway and the Ing’s Mine trail area on the North side of the highway. Highway 66 going through the middle shows quite a gradient in the landscape. Both of these sites are within Kananaskis Country and are designated as Provincial Recreation Areas (PRA’s).
My first visit to this location was on 23/05/2020 at around 13:30hr. It was 7 degrees with wind and low cloud coverage hiding the surrounding mountains. The plants seemed to be in the beginning stages of blooming and the water level of the river was quite high due to spring melt.
The Elbow River boat launch location had a 500m trail heading West along the Elbow River. On the South side of the river there was a large rock wall. At the end of the trail along the North side there is about an 80% slope that has evidence of rock slides from the floods in 2013, as well as game trails along it. The elevation at the top of the slope was 1470m and it was South West facing at a bearing of 207 degrees. The Ing’s mine trail was at the same elevation on the North side of the highway. The terrain was flat other than the surrounding mountains.
Observed Species:
- Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Pine (unsure of species)
- Birch
- Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)
- Canadian Geese (Branta canadensis)
I found little variation in tree species and would like to look into whether this is natural or if the area has been previously logged? As well, there were two geese floating down the river with four goslings between them. At what age do the goslings go off on their own? The Kinnikinnick plant seemed very common in this location. What are some limiting factors of this species?
(Kinnikinnick could potentially be subject for research)
View from top of slope at Elbow River boat launch (South side of highway)
Arcstaphylos uva-ursi
We have emailed a bit but nice to see the full site description and sounds like a good place for a study. Your first two questions are not as much research questions as the third one on Kinnikinnick. I wonder, the slope you described is quite steep, does it have plant growth? Good luck with continuing to develop you research question.