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Date: 16-02-2023
Time: 16:35 – 17:35
Weather: 4-5°C, overcast – 100% cloud cover, light precipitation (rain), wind speeds of
approximately 0-6km/hr
Elevation: 72-100m
Location: Kanaka Creek Park / Bell Irving Hatchery, Maple Ridge, BC.
UTMs: 10U 535742 5451069
My study area includes approximately 35,000m2 of municipal Kanaka Creek Park, divided into two halves by 256 Street (Figure 1). To the east of 256 Street is Bell Irving Hatchery (eastern study area; Figure 2), and to the west of 256 is Canyon Trail (western study area; Figure 3). The entire study area is bordered to the north by Kanaka Creek, and to the south by residential properties, creating a linear shape that curves with the natural meanders of the creek. The Bell Irving Hatchery buildings mark the eastern extent of the study area, and the western extent terminates at the top of a steep hill. The elevation across the study area is relatively consistent; however, there is a steep embankment along the southern border between the Park and residential properties, and the aforementioned hill at the western border of the study area.
Figure 1. Screenshot from Google Earth (2022) indicating the study area, outlined in yellow.
Figure 2. Field sketch of the eastern study area.
Figure 3. Field sketch of the western study area.
The eastern study area around Bell Irving Hatchery is heavily anthropogenically modified with manicured lawns, walking paths, a parking lot, stormwater retention ponds, several buildings and recreation structures such as picnic tables and outhouses. Despite the clearing of vegetation and infrastructure built to support the hatchery, the vegetation adjacent to the manicured areas and the vegetation within the gardens is primarily native, with some invasive species encroaching along the edges of open areas. Photos 1 -3 provide an oversight of the area.
Photo 1. View of the Bell Irving Hatchery structures from the lawn near the eastern edge of the study area.
Photo 2. View of the stormwater retention ponds from the lawn near the eastern edge of the study area.
Photo 3. View of Kanaka Creek and the lawn from the parking lot in the eastern study area.
The western study area is forested with primarily native vegetation consistent with the eastern area. The only anthropogenic infrastructure along the western study area is the gravel walking path (Canyon Trail) and some small sections of split-rail fence (Photo 4).
Photo 4. A view of Canyon Trail looking downstream along Kanaka Creek from near 256 Street in the western study area.
A list of the dominant vegetation across the entire study area is provided below. Note: some vegetation is difficult to identify without foliage in the winter months and vegetation inventory will likely be supplemented as spring vegetation emerges.
Vegetation list:
- Western redcedar (Thuja plicata)
- Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
- Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)
- Black cottonwood (Populous trichocarpa)
- Red alder (Alnus rubra)
- Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)
- Vine maple (Acer circunatum)
- Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
- Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
- Sword fern (Polystichum munitum)
- Liquorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza)
- Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)
- Cutleaf blackberry (Rubus laciniatus)
- English holly (Ilex aquifolium)
- Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
Kanaka Creek is a natural meandering watercourse with a width ranging from 10-20m across the study area. Stream substrate consists of boulders, cobbles, gravel and sand. Due to the fast-flowing nature of the creek there is little to no buildup of organic material within the streambed itself (Photos 5 &6)
Photo 5. Looking upstream from the edge of Kanaka Creek in the eastern study area.
Photo 6. Looking downstream from the edge of Kanaka Creek in the eastern study area.
Due to the location and size of Kanaka Creek, almost the entire study area could be considered riparian area, except for southwestern corner of the study area as it is approximately 50 meters from the watercourse edge (Photo 7). The main habitat types included in this study area can be described as: riparian – anthropogenic, riparian – forested, and upland forest. Additionally, although contained within the “riparian – anthropogenic” location, the stormwater retention ponds serve as unique microhabitats.
Photo 7. Looking toward Kanaka creek from the top of the hill in the upland forest at the western border of the study area.
Given the range of habitat types, this study area certainly supports numerous faunal species of invertebrate, fish, small mammals, and songbirds. A golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa) and an American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) were identified audibly on site despite unideal weather conditions. The site also has the potential to support larger fauna including bears, deer, and raptors; however, these species would likely be less common due to the heavy human use of the area.
Three potential questions:
- How does the diversity and density of invasive vegetation change between the forested area surrounding the large anthropogenic disturbance in the east study area vs the small anthropogenic disturbance in the west study area?
- Is there suitable habitat within the study area for amphibians to breed, forage, or overwinter?
- Is there a difference in the species composition of birds observed in the anthropogenically disturbed area and the forested area?
Reference:
Google Earth Pro 7.3.6.9345. (July 29, 2022). Kanaka Creek Regional Park, BC Canada. 49°12’40.06” 122°30’37.47 W, Eye alt 983m. Borders and labels, places, roads, terrain layers. (accessed February 16, 2023).