Date: 21st July 2024 to 25th July 2024
Location: Kamloops, BC (three specific locations explained below)
Time: 6:30am -11:30 am
Weather: Sunny with a clear sky on the earlier days, cloudy sky with wind on the later days
Temperature: avg 20℃ with 52% humidity
Pressure: avg 722 mmHg
My field research project explores how urbanization affects bird species diversity and abundance, I’ve been conducting systematic observations across three distinct environments in Kamloops: Riverside Park (urban), Peterson Creek (suburban), and Kenna Cartwright Nature Park (natural). Each of these locations represents a different point along an urbanization gradient, providing a unique setting to study the ecological impacts of human development.
These are the initial observations ranging over 5 days. From 21st July 2024 to 25th July 2024.
Organism Studied
The focal organisms for my study are birds, specifically looking at variations in species diversity and abundance. Birds are excellent indicators of environmental health and provide insights into the broader ecological changes that urbanization might engender.
Field Journal Observations
- Riverside Park (Urban): The bird activity in this highly urbanized setting was notably different from the other sites. Species observed were mostly urban adapted like pigeons and house sparrows. The abundance was high, but diversity was low.
- Peterson Creek (Suburban): This area offers a mix of native and urban-adapted species. I recorded moderate levels of both abundance and diversity, observing species such as robins, blue jays, and occasionally, a red-tailed hawk.
- Kenna Cartwright Nature Park (Natural): The most diverse and abundant observations came from this site. The range of species included forest dwellers like the ravens, the mountain chickadee and the elusive Swainson’s Thrush.
Hypothesis: The diversity and abundance of bird species decrease as the level of urbanization increases.
Prediction: If the level of urbanization increases from natural areas through suburban to urban areas, then the diversity and abundance of bird species will decrease.
Variables
- Response Variable: Bird species diversity and abundance (Shannon–Weiner Index)
Type: Continuous
- Explanatory Variable: Level of urbanization (natural, suburban, urban)
Type: Categorical