User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
I chose to study to area in Fish Creek that is approximately 3.5km from my home. The area is a stormwater pond that is surrounded by walking paths. This stormwater pond has signs posted that it frequently floods and to keep your distance as a safety precaution.
The main area that I am looking to study will be a region of increasing elevation to the north side of the stormwater pond.
The area consists of grassland areas which are higher elevations and riverine areas that run along the edges of creeks and ponds.
Observations:
I usually run from my house, up to Fish Creek, through a section of Fish Creek that passes by the stormwater pond, and then loop back towards my house.
The stormwater pond is completely surrounded by walking paths which provides an unnatural barrier for vegetation.
I have seen water levels rise and fall in the pond but have yet to see a drastic increase but there does seem to be a distinct line where vegetation density increases. This could be a high point of flood in and around the region.
Some of the vegetation that grows in the area are:
– Cow parsnip
– Asters
– Veiny meadow rue
– Karl Foerster
– Silver sage
– Cotoneaster
– Dogwood
– Aspen trees
– Poplar trees
– White spruce trees
The trees and larger shrubs were not present at all until at least 10 ft past the walking paths uphill except for a couple of spruce trees.
There seems to be a fair amount of human traffic in the area as I have yet to run through that section of the park without seeing other people. There are paths through the grass and brush in some area where people make their own paths or their dogs are left to roam. There was also some construction on the walking path that resulted in some vegetation and trees being removed. These larger trees and shrubs could provide a base for smaller vegetation to thrive in the immediate vicinity.
