Blog Post #7
The ecological processes that my research project might touch on are the water and nutrient cycles. Water is a necessity for vegetation and is needed in ample amounts to support growth and development. Insufficient amounts of water can negatively affect development. In my current research project, Garry Oak trees at higher elevations, where water is more scarce because it flows downhill, are smaller and shorter, compared to lower elevations where water is more plentiful. The nutrient cycle also potentially plays a role. At Christmas Hill, the ground at higher elevations was mostly composed of rock, which is less nutrient dense than the soil at the lower elevations, potentially contributing to the difference in Garry Oak tree size.
Three keywords: Elevation gradient, growth distribution, abundance