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blog 4

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Blog Post 4: Sampling Strategies

  • Three sampling techniques that were used in the Virtual forest tutorial are Systematic, Random and Haphazard with 30 samples taken from each.
  • The results show that systematic has the fastest estimated sampling time by over an hour and haphazard had the slowest sampling time.
  • From the data below, the accuracy did in fact change with species abundance. Overall, the systematic sampling strategy was the fastest and the most accurate.  The comparison % errors are low across the different samples with the samples spreading out over a large area to allow for more accurate comparisons.

Systematic: 5 hrs, 5 min

Random: 6 hrs, 21 min

Haphazard: 13 hrs, 35 min

Comparison of % error between 2 common & 2 rare tree species:

Eastern Hemlock (Common), Sweet Birch (Common), Striped Maple (Rare), White Pine (Rare);

Systematic: 2.2%, 13%, 27%, 12%

Random: 19%, 7%, 11%, 12%

Haphazard: 15.9%, 4.8%, 51.9%, 49.7%

 

 

Blog 3

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  • Nov. 5, 2017
  • Weather: Partly Clear Skies, 14C, 1:28pm
  • I’m planning to study Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) and how different gradient sites affect their habitat
  • I’ve taken a few pictures of the different gradient sites around the lost lagoon in Stanley park. The 3 sites that I have observed are west, south, and east side of the lagoon.   I’ve noticed that there is an abundance of birds on the south side of the lagoon where it’s closest to the city and residential neighbourhood. The east side of the lagoon that is near a major road has not many abundances of animals. The west side of the lagoon which is more “inside” the park, has a more diverse species abundance in comparison to the west side.
  • I believe there is an impact of human interactions with certain bird species such as the Canadian geese, crows, and seagulls as there were abundance of them flocking the south side of the lagoon. It’s a possibility that the birds are conditioned to flock near humans in finding food as there maybe people feeding them while sitting on the bench.
  • After observing all 3 different sites, my hypothesis is that a large number of bird species are drawn to the south side of the lagoon where the residential areas are located because of abundance of food from humans.
  • Response Variable: Presence of humans, Explanatory Variable: Abundance of bird Species

I find they would be categorical variables because it takes on values that are numerical such that an “population of birds” depends on “population of humans” in a given area.

field drawing: 09091601 east

south 

west

Blog Post 6

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My data collection is proceeding smoothly. I have settled on a strategic sampling design that involves 15 replicates located along 5 bearings. I have not had any problems implementing my sampling design as it is a fairly simple method of standing at the base of a tree, taking 3 separate bearings, and establishing plots along each of the bearings. More specifically, each bearing consists of a transect that is 15 m long and has a plot located at 5m, 10m, and 15m. Each plot is a 1m2 square with the middle located at the predetermined point on the transect.

I had to look up the word ancillary and now that I know that it means providing support or serving as an aid, I have noticed some additional variables within my site that may be contributing to the stand density that my hypothesis is based on. For instance, the plots that have the most saplings present are also located close to large rocks (warmer microclimates for germination?) and all are leaning in a similar direction, towards the area that has the most solar impact.

Blog Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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The theoretical basis of my research project will focus on plant species (specifically grasses, shrubs & forbs) within one habitat compared to another, each habitat has different features & limitations, and I would like to explore what makes the plants grow in such diversity & abundance in one site, & not in the other. I will explore the limiting factors, such as sunlight exposure, moisture, exposure to the elements, as well as anthropogenic factors that could adversely affect the plant species within the measured sites.

The ideas that underpin my research are rooted in simple observation of the plant diversity and richness from one habitat to another. I would like to know why many of the plants I observe in one site have the ability to propogate, reproduce, survive & (seemingly) thrive in a certain habitat, but not in the other.

Key phrases: plant species diversity, environmental limitations, reproductive fitness.

Untitled

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For my sampling, I witnessed a lady feeding crows bread which I never thought of as a treatment level for my experiment. At this point, the number of crows was much great than any other point confirming that as the anthropogenic sources increase the number of crows does as well. I will add anthropogenic sources to certain points for the rest of my field study. The point counts that I observed were as predicted for my experiment that as the anthropogenic sources in the area increased so did the density of the crows. With these added treatment levels I feel that it will present clear evidence that anthropogenic sources allow for a greater density of crows.

Blog post 2

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Blog Post 2

I’ll be using this article in relation to my previous question in Blog 1:

  • If the Vancouver park board decides for some reason to turn the Lost Lagoon to a salt marsh, what potential impact can that cause on the current wild life habiting the Lost Lagoon?

Bibliography:

Herbert, E. R., Boon, P., Burgin, A. J., Neubauer, S. C., Franklin, R. B., Ardón, M., … Gell, P. (2015). A global perspective on wetland salinization: ecological consequences of a growing threat to freshwater wetlands. Ecosphere, 6(10), 1–43. https://doi.org/10.1890/ES14-00534.1

This is a peer-reviewed, academic, article.

It is academic as the authors are professionals in the field and the paper has in-text citations and a bibliography. Furthermore, the journals website states it is a peer-reviewed journal.

 

 

Blog Post 1

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Blog Post 1: Observations

Initial Observations of the Study Area by Randy Nguyen

November 2, 2017

The area of study that I have chosen to investigate is Stanley Park in Vancouver, B.C.

Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4

Area: 4.049 km²

Coordinates: 49.3017° N, 123.1417° W

Weather: Clear Skies, 130C

Time and Date Visit Site: 1:25pm on November 2, 2017

Description of the study area:

This large public park borders the downtown of Vancouver in B.C and is entirely surrounded by waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay.  It also a very historical park which dates back during the 1858 Fraser Canyon Gold Rush and after years of colonization by the British, the land was later turned into Vancouver’s first park in 1886. The name “Stanley Park”, came from the 16th Earl of Derby, a British Politician who later became a governor general.

In present time, the park draws thousands of resident and visitors everyday and to take part in recreational activities in the area.  To name a few popular attractions in Stanley, people take part in biking and walking along Vancouver seawall, forest trails, and go visit the Vancouver Aquarium.

Wild Life in Stanley Park

Stanley Park has a diverse habitat ranging from coniferous forests to boggy wetlands to sandy beaches and to rocky shores. At least 500 species are known to live in the park and to name a few: Bald eagles, bats, beavers, squirrels, coyotes, harbour seals and racoons. For plants, we have a few invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor) and English holly (Ilex aquifolium). For native trees, we have conifers such as the western hemlock and western red cedar, and Douglas fir.

Deciduous

  • Bigleaf maple (natural regeneration)
  • Black cottonwood (natural regeneration)
  • Wild and choke cherry (natural regeneration)
  • Red alder (natural regen and planted)

Rare

  • Pacific yew
  • Cascara
  • Pacific dogwood
  • Arbutus (planted)

In recent news, the Vancouver park board is taking first steps to examine whether it would be feasible to one day reconnect Lost Lagoon with Coal Harbour to recreate a salt marsh.

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-fresh-idea-to-turn-stanley-parks-lost-lagoon-salty-again

 

With ideas from the media and my observations of the park, I can devise 3 questions to narrow down my topic for the field research project:

  • Because humans are using the park recreationally, are there any possible risks to the conservations areas and the species living there?
  • How bad has the invasive species (i.e. Himalayan Blackberry) have put other native species of plants at risk?
  • If the Vancouver park board decides for some reason to turn the Lost Lagoon to a salt marsh, what potential impact can that cause on the current wild life habiting the Lost Lagoon?

Blog Post 6: Data Collection

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Location:

Data collection took place at two locations within the same municipal park, Macaulay Park in Esquimalt, BC. I visit this site daily, as I walk my dogs here on a regular basis. I have observed some interesting nature repetitions here on my daily walks, so it seemed like the best place to do my field research study.

Replicates:

Using a systematic sampling strategy, I will compare & identify individual plant species of grasses, forbs & shrubs in two separate habitats within the same regional park. The study areas are in two separate locations, with each location sampled comprising of ten 1 meter squared quadrats along a straight transect, with each quadrat placed in an alternating pattern (left to right) along the transect line. Each quadrat was placed 5 meters apart.

In habitat 1 (exposed bluff), my transect line was placed along a well used walking path, following a straight line & using a compass to identify a start from north to south. Following the rule of ten, I sampled 10 replicate sets.

In habitat 2 (moist meadow), my transect line began at the centre of what seemed to be the most lush & plant dense area of the meadow, following a straight transect & using a compass to direct from north to south. Following the rule of ten, I sampled 10 replicate sets.

Pattern Issues:

Although I have had to change my original field project focus, & with that, have had to take a whole new set of samples for my project, I have not had any problems implementing my sample design thus far.

Hypothesis reflection:

I clearly needed to reflect on the focus of my hypothesis, which is why (after consultation from the pro, Nancy Elliot) I have simplified my project to a more palatable approach. With my newly reflected upon data results, it is clear that simplifying my research project focus has made it much easier for me to obtain clarity on my hypothesis, & my field research project as a whole. So far, some ancillary patterns reveal individual plant diversity & abundance is richest in habitat 2 (moist meadow), & plant cover is lowest in habitat 1, where plant species are much more exposed to anthropogenic activities, more extreme elements & decreased solar & moisture abundance.

 

Blog Post 4

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Blog post 4

 

For the virtual tree sampling experiment, three methods were used: systematic sampling along a topographic gradient, random sampling, and haphazard sampling. The fastest sampling technique was the systematic sampling along a topographic gradient which took 12 hours, and five minutes to complete. The tables present the two most common and rare species found during the different sampling techniques. It was also found that the systematic sampling technique along a topographic gradient had the highest accuracy for the sampling of common species. The random sampling of the tree species (Table 2.) had the highest accuracy and precision for the rare species in the tests. The haphazard sampling technique (Table 3.) had the lowest accuracy overall for both common and rare species. The overall accuracy was not affected by the species abundance in the studies. The results from the second field study (Table 2) had the highest accuracy overall for all three of the studies.

 

Table 1. Systematic sampling of tree species along a topographic gradient at Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area.

 

species # of individuals density (stems/ha) Percent error
Eastern Hemlock 141 96 25.80%
Yellow Birch 47 108.9 42.10%
Striped Maple 4 16 8.57%
White Pine 4 16 90.50%

 

Table 2. Random sampling of tree species at Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area

 

species # of individuals density (stems/ha) Percent error
Eastern Hemlock 152 633.3 34.70%
Yellow Birch 35 145.8 33.98%
Striped Maple 4 16.7 4.57%
White Pine 2 8.3 1.19%

 

Table 3. Haphazard sampling of tree species at Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area

 

species # of individuals density (stems/ha) Percent error
Eastern Hemlock 155 645.8 37.43%
Sweet Birch 48 200 70.21%
Striped Maple 2 8.3 52.57%
White Pine 1 4.2 50.00%

 

Post 3: Ongoing Field Observations

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Yellow indicates low density of “bunchgrass” in low-lying area.

I intend to study the yellow “bunchgrass” which is nearly omnipresent in the field I have been visiting. During my most recent field observations, I found that in troughs, other plants dominated and the bunchgrass was barely present. I observed this is the areas marked in yellow on the map. N.B. Google Maps has apparently not updated this area in a few years.

I would guess that the “bunchgrass” grows better on light slopes and at the top of hills because moisture collects in the low-lying regions, and the plant is better suited to dryer soil.

Hypothesis: The density of yellow “bunchgrass” correlates to location on hills (i.e., peaks, troughs, or slopes).

Prediction: The density will be significantly lower in troughs.

Response variable: density of yellow “bunchgrass”, continuous.

Explanatory variable: location on hill (peak, trough, or slope), categorical.

Field notes

Example of difference between hills and troughs.