Category: Percy Hebert

Ecology refers to the scientific research of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Fieldwork happened in the Acadia Research Forest (ARF) situated 20 kilometres northeast of Fredericton, New Brunswick, on Highway 10. This research forest was established in 1933 and continues to function as one of Canada’s essential and oldest research forest. The Acadia Research Forest is dedicated to facilitating continuing forest research or study through secure research sites. Additionally, the forest protects wildlife habitats and species that are at risk. I visited the Acadia Research Forest on 10^th September and conducted field research at night and in the daytime. The potential subject that I want to explore for my research is Insect ecology and Natural history. Based on my observations, the interesting questions that may form the subject of the research project are:

1. Why is it important to manage and conserve forest ecosystems?
2. How are insects important in terrestrial biodiversity, particularly emphasizing on their excessive abundance and species richness?
3. How to investigate the taxonomy and explore natural history and understand the functions or roles of the insects using observation methods in the field?

The identification of the insects and discovering their natural history as well as understanding their importance helps in creating awareness of the significance of the forest habitat conservation.

The area that I have selected to observe is the Garden City Land Teaching and Research Farm, currently leased by Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Richmond BC. The land is primarily bog and open for citizens to walk. It also has 8 acres of farmland run by the Sustainable Agriculture Program of KPU. The specific location I chose is between the untamed bogland and the organically farmed production land. I have selected an area of large stretch of land on the southern side. This area is generally flat but has been specifically modified by the professors at KPU to do their ‘Greenhouse Gas Plot’ research project; this entailed digging down to the bog in segments and leaving other segments with the mineral soil layered top. There is a notable gradient between the two different plots. I visited October 19 at 16.00 during a cool and dry day, however the week prior saw heavy precipitation. I observed that there was a denser and more diverse group of plants closer to the peat.  I observed that the scentless chamomile was very abundant on the top soil and very scarce nearer the bottom of the pits, and that clover was prominent throughout but more abundant at the bottom of the pits.  overall, there was more abundance and diversity at the bottom of the pits.  I am not sure whether to focus on a specific plant or where there is more diversity.  Before I collect samples I will be mowing the site to simplify the observation of my sample group (TBD).

over time.

My three questions are:

Is there a correlation between the soil being disturbed and the success of new plants establishing?
Are the plants that are lower more successful due to the shade in the lower level? Or more water access?
Does the pH of the soil being closer to the peat land provide a more suitable environment for the success and diversity of plants?

The study site I have selected is a creek formed by lake overflow down a cliff face into a valley surrounded by wetlands. It is called Peterson Creek and is a recreational green space with many groomed walking paths that are frequented by residents and often off leash dogs. Notable wildlife in the area was sparse, with minimal to no tracks visible, near silent trees with only one high pitched chirp coming from a small bird in the brush and a single brown squirrel in a decaying tree stump. The valley has a steep grade slope upwards that dramatically changes the terrain from lush, well-established greenery, to grasslands and eventually desert approximately 50 meters in elevation from the base.

The area I have selected to study is 2 acres total radiating out from the creek bed and up both sides of the valley. The creek bed is mostly a rock base with sediment at the base of the waterfalls but it does not continue down the creek. The edges of the creek are quite steep as spring flooding erodes a deep scar that it left nearly empty by this time of year. Immediately surrounding the creek is grass, bamboo, and medium sized shrubbery with many types of berries visible. Scattered amongst this is a variety of medium and large trees of varying types.

A few I was able to form an educated guess towards their type were Pine, Birch, willow, maple and poplar. The area is located in the city center directly next to the hospital. It is surrounded by busy streets on each side that are not visible from the trails or audible due to the deep valley and brush positioning in relation to the trails. I made my first observation at the site at 13:00hrs, the temperature was 11 degrees C with a gentle breeze. The skies were completely cloud covered. 

I made many interesting observations during my first trip to the site; the most prominent in my mind were as follows. Does the lack of sediment and the narrowness of the creek bed along with the seasonable variability in water levels affect spawning of fish in the area? I also noticed a randomness to tree type and placement and was curious if these were planted intentionally to add appeal to the area and if so, does this adding of biodiversity in the area create more interest for animal population, or does it drive them away due to creating an abnormal habitat for them? Lastly,  I noticed a lack of debris in the creek. There were no sticks or blockages in the water, which struck me as an unexpected finding as a lake is what feeds the creek via a waterfall. Does the potential cleaning out of the creek for aesthetic purposes contribute to the lack of animal inhabitants?