User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
Three keywords that describe the underlying processes of my research project are water stress, microclimate and competition.
My hypothesis is that red alder require higher soil moisture. Through observation of my study site, I found that red alder were often found closer to the river, which lead me to believe that there is higher soil moisture in this area. Throughout my research, I have found a number of ecological processes that relate to my research project. Not only is there evidence that red alder live in areas of high soil moisture, but they have a tolerance to flooding and intolerance to water stress.
I theorize that the river provides a microclimate consisting of increased water availability, increased light availability, and is a slightly lower elevation than other areas in my study. These conditions allow red alder to thrive right along the river’s edge and creates the perfect microclimate to increase red alder abundance and survival.
Throughout my research, I have found that red alder are good competitors, and are often found in areas that have been disturbed. As the river changes throughout the season, it is likely that red alder are able to handle flooding and erosion better than other species in the area. This would allow them to live closer to the river’s edge, and give them the upper hand compared to other species that require more stable conditions.
