Data gathering day #3: Two for One!

Today was a double data gathering day:  Snow Fence for permafrost probing, and then Global tree plots (G-tree) behind the lodge (DLN and DLS).  Last night, we went to sleep to this:

Unfortunately, we woke up to this

So after breakfast, we braved it, and put on our rain boots to hike out and work in the field

Our first site, Snow Fence, was quite close, so the plan was to do Snow Fence first, back to the lodge for lunch, and then the G-tree plots on the north side of the lodge (DLN), and perhaps, if there was time, the south side of the lodge (DLS)

We arrived at site at 9:30am, 5C (41F, over 30 degrees different from yesterday), elevation 1650m (5412 feet)

This site had 84 points (1-84) all at Palsas, several points slumping through the bog, as well as in water.  Here are more photos

As always, we discussed interesting flora and fauna, and this Fairy Puke was especially endearing!

We quickly finished at 10:30am, with light rain coming down.

We went back to the lodge for lunch,and then headed over to do G-tree data gathering.

Steve is interested in measuring if the tree-line is moving because of global warming (so either moving north, or up in elevation).  So starting in 2013, seedlings of either sub-alpine fir or white spruce were planted in various locations, either caged (to protect from animals) or uncaged (natural habitat).  While it seems the caged seedlings seem unnatural (like not a real way to test for growth conditions), for years they just never saw seedlings.  Since it is assumed that animals were eating the seeds, a caged variable was added.

Each transect contained 20 plots, each plot with a caged, and uncaged.

These sites are named DLN and DLS because they are on a hill behind our lodge, Dechelan Lodge, on the north side, and then on the south side.  Here is a behind picture of the lodge and cabins we are staying in:

We arrived at 2:05pm, temperature was 5C (41F), elevation:  1660m (5610 feet).

Our leader Steve confirming species…

This sub alpine fir is 11 years old!!

Here is the data sheet of us monitoring the seedlings:  there are either various colors of stick, or a specific tag

We pushed through it and did both DLN and DLS.  At both sites, several cages were disturbed/removed from plot (animals, bear or caribou), and we had to reestablish the cages (put them back in the right spot, etc)

After each data collection, we input the data, usually with a glass of wine 😊

Or relaxing with views…

Good night!