Designing a field experiment is a mix of creativity, theory and adventure. While I love working in the outdoors and examining the natural world, any field research done over the winter limited daylight hours, plant identification and comfort while collecting data and observations. Extending the course into the spring allowed me to more holistically study Cates Park and its perennial plants and deciduous trees.
I changed my design a few times, including how data was collected, for realistic methodology, and to adapt to the knowledge and tools that were at hand. The changes are reflected throughout these blog posts and within the final project submission
Engaging in an ecological study has opened my eyes to the interdisciplinary subject matters integrated in ecology, as my subjects and connections in the study of nurse logs at Cates Park included Indigenous and logging history, ethnobotanical uses of local berry plants, conservation and public wellness. The vast amount of knowledge that is curated and studied in order to understand ecological processes is impressive and overwhelming, with so many variables that ensure this science will never rest as the world’s climate, biosphere and human values evolve.
