Learning Outcomes for Unit 6
- Explore the different biodiversity perspectives of the characters in this case study of woodlot biodiversity
- Expand your understanding of abiotic variables and discuss the importance of one variable such as “light” within a forest ecosystem.
- Understand key ecological concepts such as niche, habitat, functional traits and ecosystem engineering.
- Understand how species distributions are limited or expanded by abiotic factors and dispersal ability.
- Recognize patterns of distribution of organisms within a particular species.
This week we will learn more about some of the specific campus woodlots in our Inquiry Case as we begin by exploring one forest system on campus, the University of Guelph Arboretum.
We will consider temporal and spatial variation and focus both on some of the historical causes of diversity and also some contemporary, human mediated, changes to that diversity. We will explore some of the methods used to gather forest biodiversity data and learn about and use different sampling methods in the seminars that will become your tools in exploring woodlot diversity in your “Inquiry Project”. You will use these tools when you go to the field and sample woodlot diversity within the University of Guelph Dairy Bush.
We will see how the woodlot biodiversity affects the decisions and reasoning made by the campus community members. In the end, what we learn will likely add to the complexity of making a decision regarding which one should be developed.
The Community Members
You will hear more from the various university community members who have concerns about this development. They will share with you their respective thoughts regarding the biodiversity in each of the campus natural areas. You can gather this information and use it to begin to build a concept map of the knowledge you have gained for all three woodlots. This will help in making your final decision about which areas should be protected, and which one should be developed.
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Dr. Doug Larson — emeritus Professor, University of Guelph
“This represents the hope for biodiversity.....this could always be a doubling of the size of the Dairy Bush.”
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Gwyn Govers — Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
“We see (invasive species) like Garlic Mustard around the edges and the paths.”
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Martin Neuman – City of Guelph Manager of Forestry
"If there is no development here, where is it going to be?"
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Gord Gavrilovic – University of Guelph Manager of Space & Facility Renewal
"The Campus Master Plan takes a 50 year view of how to preserve and enhance valued places on campus."
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Chris Earley --– University of Guelph Arboretum Interpretive Biologist & Education Coordinator
“That's going to make this wild space, in the city limits, an island.”
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YOU — new member of the University community!
“What do I know about the biodiversity in each of the campus woodlots? How can I use this information to help inform my decision about development on campus?”
You will hear more from the various university community members who have concerns about this development. They will share with you their respective thoughts regarding the biodiversity in each of the campus natural areas. You can gather this information and use it to begin to build a concept map of the knowledge you have gained for all three woodlots. This will help in making your final decision about which areas should be protected, and which one should be developed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Doug Larson — emeritus Professor, University of Guelph
“This represents the hope for biodiversity.....this could always be a doubling of the size of the Dairy Bush.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gwyn Govers — Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
“We see (invasive species) like Garlic Mustard around the edges and the paths.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin Neuman – City of Guelph Manager of Forestry
"If there is no development here, where is it going to be?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gord Gavrilovic – University of Guelph Manager of Space & Facility Renewal
"The Campus Master Plan takes a 50 year view of how to preserve and enhance valued places on campus."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Earley --– University of Guelph Arboretum Interpretive Biologist & Education Coordinator
“That's going to make this wild space, in the city limits, an island.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU — new member of the University community!
“What do I know about the biodiversity in each of the campus woodlots? How can I use this information to help inform my decision about development on campus?”
A reminder about development on the University of Guelph Campus
Remember from last week, that all development within the University of Guelph happens under the guidance of the Campus Master Plan. This plan, “describes the history of the Campus and provides guidelines for future development. The guiding/planning principles are environmental quality; spatial structure and composition; project design; movement and associated systems; land use locations; and implementation.”
Last week, when you met Gord Gavrilovic, the Manager of Space & Facility Renewal for the University of Guelph you heard about the development plans for the field adjacent to the Dairy Bush.
Currently, these plans call for development up to within 10m of the drip-line at the edge of the forest. In the concept section, you learned last week about the concern such a development could have regarding edge effects. As you proceed through this week's Unit keep such factors in mind.
In the video below, you will re-join Dr. Doug Larson in the Dairy Bush where he will describe how the University accommodated concerns regarding development/edge effects when the buildings on the south edge of the bush were erected in the 1990's.
"The fence has done it's job."
Of the variety of edge effect categories that you were introduced to last week were "Access" and "Species Interactions". In the next section, we will learn more about some specific edge effects that include non-native species of plants and insects. Urban forests may be more prone to the effect of these exotic species due to edge effects and fragmentation.
Of the variety of edge effect categories that you were introduced to last week were "Access" and "Species Interactions". In the next section, we will learn more about some specific edge effects that include non-native species of plants and insects. Urban forests may be more prone to the effect of these exotic species due to edge effects and fragmentation.