Assessing ecological variables in the proposed farm expansion stands on Evergreen's campus

By: Jordan A. Erickson

The 'farm team', a group of students in Field Ecology, are all taking on individual projects in the end part of spring quarter to assess ecological attributes of two stands surrounding the Organic Farm to add to the discussion about organic farm expansion. The main facets of our study will consider whether there are any unique species or important habitat features. The two sites of the stands are as follows 1) two acres to the north of the farm behind the community garden plots, equally as wide as the community garden, and 2) A five acre stand to the northeast across the road. Our study seeks to inform a debate which is arising about whether or not these are especially unique lands to the campus.

Four individual projects will be conducted involving the two stands which are proposed for farm expansion.

First off, A bird survey will be done which will compare the bird communities in the 'expansion plots' relative to similar forest types around campus. This study will also examine the bird communities in the preexisting organic farm to help determine how bird numbers and species would be effected if the expansion were to go forward.

Plant species and tree species of both of the stands will be censused as well. A measurement of canopy height, canopy layers, and dominant vegetation ID and abundance will be compiled in both the stands and then compared to other stands which seem to have similar characteristics. From initial observation, the two acre stand has a predominant Alnus rubra (red alder) overstory with intermingling of Acer macrophylla (big leaf maple) and sparse Pseudotsuga menziesii (douglas fir).

A model will be created in another project to show how net primary productivity would be effected by clearing land for the farm. The study will further calculate the college's carbon budget and calculate level of carbon sequestration of trees by the respective stands.

My part of the project will measure the amount of snags in the 'Farm stand' and then look for similar forest types around campus and count snags there. Snags, or dead trees provide habitat for birds, small mammals and insects, and provide foraging opportunities for woodpeckers and are therefore an important biotic resource for the campus.

The information collected this quarter will be made available to the Campus Land Use Committee (CLUC) to provide reference for future discussion of farm expansion. Through performing this study, the Farm Team will contribute to a better informed discussion on the effects of clearing for expansion.