Introduction to Knox Mountain Park, Kelowna:

I went to Knox Mountain Park in Kelowna. The visit took place on December 16th 2023, on a cloudy day, with no traces of winter snow yet, providing a unique perspective to observe the park’s features. Knox Mountain Park is a prominent natural area, covering approximately 385 hectares, situated just north of the downtown Kelowna.  The topography comprises rolling hills, mountain slopes, trails and is adorned with diverse vegetation, including pine trees, Douglas fir, and the Arrowleaf Balsamroot, which is the official flower of the Okanagan region.

Weather and Seasonality: The weather was mild, with overcast skies, creating a tranquil atmosphere. It is the month of December, the absence of snow hinted at the late fall or early winter season.

Flora and Fauna: The park boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna. Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir dominate the landscape, other plant species were dogwood, apche plume, blue fescue, providing a forested environment. While the Arrowleaf Balsamroot adds a splash of color during the blooming season over there, unfortunately, my visit did not coincide with this period. Wildlife encounters included a sighting of a mule deer at the park’s entrance, showcasing the diverse fauna that inhabits the area.

Potential Research Subjects:

1. Impact of Environmental Variables on Plant Species: Explore how the seasonal variations, sunlight and water availability affect the growth patterns of plants in Knox Mountain Park.
2. Impact of soil on different plants: Investigate the biodiversity of plant species in the park, emphasizing soil type affecting plant richness. This could involve tracking the blooming cycles of key floral components and their ecological significance.
3. How slope or topography of the mountain has the major role: My main aim was to find how slope of the mountain was affecting the plants growth majorly, as that solo factor was solely determining how much erosion there could be, how much sunlight a plant could receive, all that factors further affect soil as well, any soil not getting adequate water or getting more of it could affect plants growth.