Category: Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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My hypothesis touches on the ecological process of invasive species and their impact on native species. In the situation of the Spruce Beetle and Spruce trees, the presence of the invasive spruce beetle has a negative impact on the spruce tree population as they burrow themselves into the bark of the tree through small holes and slowly kill the tree by depriving them of their essential nutrients. By the spruce beetle impacting the spruce trees, it in turn also affects the surrounding ecosystem as spruce trees provide habitat for some animals and insects in the community. Another idea that underpins my research, is the impact that climate change has on the intensity of the spruce beetle destruction in Kluane because other researchers have linked the spruce beetle infestations to higher summer temperatures.

 

Keywords:

Spruce Beetle

Invasive species

Climate Change

Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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My hypothesis is based on the ecological process of small scale changes in habitat, therefore, relative tree abundance in a range of environments. I predicted that there would be more Douglas fir and less Garry oak trees in areas of direct ocean exposure.

My project focusses on the ecological processes of competition and adaptation. Through my project I am hoping to deduce an abundance pattern between tree species and direct ocean exposure. Douglas fir trees are described as competitors against garry oak trees, which changes the garry oak ecosystem drastically. Historicaly, garry oak ecosystems have experiences aboriginal induced burning practices to reset the environment. If my predictions are correct, the harsher environment Douglas firs can withstand contribute to the rate of competition. Another ecological process to consider is the range of environments in Piper’s lagoon, some may experience higher risk of being overtaken. The areas in which Douglas firs are more abundant appear densely packed forest, whereas Garry oak trees appear to thrive in rocky sunny substrate areas.

Three keywords to describe my research project:

  • Exposure
  • Tree habitat
  • Adaptation

Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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My research proposal focuses on not only abundance of Larrea tridentata but also to developmental success based on height (dried mass would be preferable but difficult and illegal in the scope of this course). These factors are being tested based on soil moisture in a semi-arid environment, namely the Sonoran shrublands of Arizona, USA. It was my hypothesis that creosote would be more successful in size and number with more access to moisture provided by the man-made oasis in Papago Park, Arizona. I tested this hypothesis through counting and measurement of creosote plants in pre-determined areas of varying distances from the water source. The shrublands have on average 11 inches of rain per year which is defined by some sources as arid and others as very semi-arid. This will limit the impact that unseasonal weather can have on soil moisture as more rain than usual can affect soil moisture.

My research touches on resource availability as a factor of reproductive success as well as growth. It also could be used in further research on competition for resources like water which are beyond the scope of this study. 3 keywords that apply to my proposal are arid shrublands, soil moisture, and reproductive success.

Blog Post 7

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For my study, I am analyzing whether elevation has an effect on the dominance of black spruce species in terms of frequency, density, and basal area. The ecological process that my hypothesis touches on is the competitive exclusion principle. Black spruce species dominate at higher elevations to avoid competition with other species such as deciduous trees. They dominate at higher elevations because they are adapted to withstand harsher conditions such as less moisture and nutrient in soil, more wind and more sunlight.

Blog Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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My research project focuses on dabbling duck habitat selection within Colony Farm Regional Park. I predicted that dabbling ducks (specifically mallard and wood duck) found within the constructed drainage channels that border the existing dyke network would select channels with increased emergent vegetation cover. I tested this hypothesis by assessing waterfowl abundance within drainage channels that contained varying amounts of emergent vegetation cover.

My research primarily focuses on waterfowl habitat selection and whether emergent vegetation cover within aquatic habitats affects habitat selection by waterfowl. Relevant literature indicates that emergent vegetation cover provides several benefits to dabbling ducks, including habitat complexity and reduced predation risk. These aspects will also be discussed as part of my research project. Three keywords that I could use to describe my research project are emergent vegetation, habitat selection and dabbling ducks.

Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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The hypothesis for my study is that the moisture level of soil greatly affects the vegetation of that area. Therefore, I predict that location 2 will have the lowest percent moisture in the soil, followed by location 1 and finally location 3. My hypothesis touches on a few ecological processes. Those being species richness, water cycling, and variation in vegetation.

To summarize my study in three keywords, I would include soil moisture, vegetation variation, and vegetation success.

Blog Post 7 – Theoretical Perspectives

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Quite honestly, my hypothesis is based purely on urban legends I have heard over my lifetime. The entire purpose of this introductory study is to see if there is any backbone to this saying. Finding those ecological processes/keywords is the goal of this research. Having read peer-reviewed articles on related subjects and having started my annotated bibliography, I’ve noticed a certain pattern. It is possible that:

  • sunlight is a factor in where the moss is present/absent as it generally is a factor in vegetation growth
  • soil moisture and moisture in general could also be a factor seeing as there are hypotheses out there which connect moisture levels with presence of moss on the northern face of trees
  • presence/absence of water source could be a factor. There are studies out there that demonstrate that water conductivity is a factor in moss growth patterns.

All this will be backed up in my paper with proper citations.

Blog 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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My hypothesis is that the Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) will be much more abundant by the bridge of the moat compared to the mouth of the moat entering the river or the pond in the golf course and after a few days of observations I believe this is mainly due to the landscape composition, primarily water quality. Not many ducks were counted by the mouth of the moat to the river, and this could be due to the speed of the river water, whereas by the bridge the water is much more calm. There was also little to no ducks around or in the pond and after testing the water quality, I believe this to be the main reason.

Keywords: landscape composition, habitat, mallard duck distribution, animal behaviour, patch choice

Blog Post 7

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I would have to say that the ecological process for this would be competition.  The Canada Thistle is in constant competition with all the other vegetation for both root space and leaf space.  The keywords that I would choose for this project would be root spreading/reproduction, competition, canopy cover thistle.