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Team Name: Team Shaw Woods Partner: Shaw Woods (Grant Dobson & Lyndsey Mask) Communications Lead: Mary Catherine Morris Team Members: Zach Macmillan, Jordan Peterson, Mickey Delorme, & Mary Catherine Morris |
Project Overview
What: The National Geographic describes a bioblitz as an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. They usually take place during a fixed time limit, like 12 or 24 hours, for example, but they can be however long or short you want them to be (Lanark Stewardship Council, 2010). In our case, we conducted our biological inventory in 5 hours. Bioblitzes rely heavily on volunteers to carry out the species survey for a given area. It is important to remember that they don’t tell you exactly which species are present, and how many; instead they provide a general snapshot of the types of species and biodiversity found in that area.
Where: We conducted our bioblitz at Shaw Woods. In its entirety, Shaw Woods spans across over 700 acres of forest. The forest can be generalized as maple/beech/hemlock, and is in the climax stage of succession. Because the forest is unmanaged and privately owned, there are a lot more species living there. Managed forests are missing a number of species that rely on fallen trees or logs. This is why you can see species like salamanders and fungi that you would not normally find in managed forests.
When: We conducted the bioblitz on October 8th, 2013, which lasted from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Why: There are a few reasons why we though a bioblitz would be a worthwhile project to undertake at Shaw Woods. Shaw Woods is home to one of Ontario’s most diverse forests, and probably one of the more diverse forests in Canada. It is located in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region, which is the second largest forest region in Ontario. This forest region is a transitional zone between the southern deciduous forest of eastern North America and the predominantly coniferous boreal forest, and contains species that are commonly found in both regions (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2012). Trees that are commonly found in this region are conifers, such as the eastern white pine, red pine, eastern hemlock and white cedar; and deciduous broad-leaved species, such as the yellow birch, maples, basswood, and red oaks. And although less common, species found in the boreal forest, such as white or black spruces, jack pines, aspens and birch species also exist here (MNR 2012). As mentioned before, Shaw Woods is an unmanaged forest, so more species of fungi or mosses than would normally be expected can be found on the site. To add to the forest’s diversity, the Great-Lakes St. Lawrence forest is “uneven aged”, meaning both young and old trees can be found within the same group of trees (MNR 2012). Shaw Woods is known to have some full sunlight trees, such as poplar, birch and the white pine, but for the most part, these have been replaced by shade tolerant trees, like maple, beech, or hemlock.
The southern Ontario forest region is in large part (38%) privately owned (MNR 2012). The entire Shaw Woods forest area falls in that 38%. Because the land is privately owned, a species inventory has never been thoroughly conducted at the site, so the full extent of the forest’s diversity is relatively unknown; which is why we felt it was important to conduct a bioblitz on the land. As well, the plans for the addition of a few new trails are being put into action. With such expansive boundaries, and the changing landscapes within them, it is difficult to know the full extent of biodiversity that exists within the forest, and that is why we chose the new wetland trail as the area to survey. Furthermore, the mission of Shaw Woods is to foster an ethic of responsible environmental stewardship by providing unique experiential environmental education and outdoor learning opportunities to local school groups, community organizations and the public at large. For that reason, we figured that conducting a bioblitz, with other interested members of the community, was a perfect project to undertake.
How: Before we conducted our biological inventory, we came up with a protocol to ensure that the bioblitz was carried out efficiently, properly, and with the least impact on the surrounding environment. For example, we decided that it would be less invasive if we restricted the sampling area to 1meter on either side of the trail. We also decided that it would be most efficient, because of time constrictions, to document the diversity, that is to record the names of the different species; but not the prevalence or quantity of each species identified.
Where: We conducted our bioblitz at Shaw Woods. In its entirety, Shaw Woods spans across over 700 acres of forest. The forest can be generalized as maple/beech/hemlock, and is in the climax stage of succession. Because the forest is unmanaged and privately owned, there are a lot more species living there. Managed forests are missing a number of species that rely on fallen trees or logs. This is why you can see species like salamanders and fungi that you would not normally find in managed forests.
When: We conducted the bioblitz on October 8th, 2013, which lasted from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Why: There are a few reasons why we though a bioblitz would be a worthwhile project to undertake at Shaw Woods. Shaw Woods is home to one of Ontario’s most diverse forests, and probably one of the more diverse forests in Canada. It is located in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region, which is the second largest forest region in Ontario. This forest region is a transitional zone between the southern deciduous forest of eastern North America and the predominantly coniferous boreal forest, and contains species that are commonly found in both regions (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 2012). Trees that are commonly found in this region are conifers, such as the eastern white pine, red pine, eastern hemlock and white cedar; and deciduous broad-leaved species, such as the yellow birch, maples, basswood, and red oaks. And although less common, species found in the boreal forest, such as white or black spruces, jack pines, aspens and birch species also exist here (MNR 2012). As mentioned before, Shaw Woods is an unmanaged forest, so more species of fungi or mosses than would normally be expected can be found on the site. To add to the forest’s diversity, the Great-Lakes St. Lawrence forest is “uneven aged”, meaning both young and old trees can be found within the same group of trees (MNR 2012). Shaw Woods is known to have some full sunlight trees, such as poplar, birch and the white pine, but for the most part, these have been replaced by shade tolerant trees, like maple, beech, or hemlock.
The southern Ontario forest region is in large part (38%) privately owned (MNR 2012). The entire Shaw Woods forest area falls in that 38%. Because the land is privately owned, a species inventory has never been thoroughly conducted at the site, so the full extent of the forest’s diversity is relatively unknown; which is why we felt it was important to conduct a bioblitz on the land. As well, the plans for the addition of a few new trails are being put into action. With such expansive boundaries, and the changing landscapes within them, it is difficult to know the full extent of biodiversity that exists within the forest, and that is why we chose the new wetland trail as the area to survey. Furthermore, the mission of Shaw Woods is to foster an ethic of responsible environmental stewardship by providing unique experiential environmental education and outdoor learning opportunities to local school groups, community organizations and the public at large. For that reason, we figured that conducting a bioblitz, with other interested members of the community, was a perfect project to undertake.
How: Before we conducted our biological inventory, we came up with a protocol to ensure that the bioblitz was carried out efficiently, properly, and with the least impact on the surrounding environment. For example, we decided that it would be less invasive if we restricted the sampling area to 1meter on either side of the trail. We also decided that it would be most efficient, because of time constrictions, to document the diversity, that is to record the names of the different species; but not the prevalence or quantity of each species identified.
A Guide for Planning Community Bioblitz Events in Eastern Ontario:
http://lanarkstewardshipcouncil.ca.previewdns.com/stewardship/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Bioblitz_Protocol.pdf
Shaw Woods’ Website
http://www.shawwoods.ca/
MNR’s website with information on forest regions in Ontario
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Forests/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_091288.html
http://lanarkstewardshipcouncil.ca.previewdns.com/stewardship/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Bioblitz_Protocol.pdf
Shaw Woods’ Website
http://www.shawwoods.ca/
MNR’s website with information on forest regions in Ontario
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Forests/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_091288.html