Field Notes: Monitoring meadows on Mount Revelstoke
Jacolyn Daniluck Public Relations and Communications Officer for Parks Canada
For over a century, the wildflower meadows of Mount Revelstoke National Park have been admired by locals and visitors from all over the world. Caring for the meadows and making them accessible to everyone were some of the reasons the citizens of Revelstoke lobbied the federal government to create a national park here in 1914.
Considering my personal history, I was very excited to volunteer to join Parks Canada Biologist Gregg Walker and other volunteers (Tomoaki Fujimura and Federico Osorio) this summer as they surveyed the sub-alpine meadows to monitor how the meadows are changing. We met at the summit of Mount Revelstoke and hiked along the Eva Lake trail to find our research plot. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaMonet-like meadows beside the trail were awash with purple blooms as we walked. I lagged behind taking pictures. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaGregg stops to check his GPS … no, this is not the meadow we are looking for. Gregg is searching for one of the 70 original plots mapped out by well-known plant biologist George Scotter in 1975. Our research will survey/monitor the same plots and compare the data from 40 years ago to what we find today. Mount Revelstoke National Park has one of the best and oldest records of sub-alpine plants in North America. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaWe keep hiking and finally Gregg stops to check the map – we have arrived! Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaGregg put up a sign to let hikers know what we were doing. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaI have hiked this trail many times and have always admired this meadow – it reminds me of “ The Sound of Music.” Gregg and Federico consult on the exact location of research plot #44. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaThere are three plots in this area and we will be monitoring all of them using various tools. This plant book came in handy a few times as we had to record the plants by their Latin names. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaFirst, a 5m X 9m plot is marked out using a rope. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaThen Gregg records the exact spot by taking a picture. A chalk board sign is used to record the date and location. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaWe were joined by Kate Walsh, another volunteer. Here Kate models the frame tool used to measure a “quadrat” – a small section of the plot. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaThe frame is placed within a selected area of the plot and every plant within it is recorded Tomoaki Fujimura photo courtesy of Parks CanadaA rope works, too. Gregg and Tomo find that this quadrat contains saxifrage (the tall spindly red plant). Saxifrage – Leptarrhena pyrolifolia. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaMy first plot had a lot of moss and partridgefoot (Luetkea pectinata).Caterpillars don’t count – flora only! Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaSpeaking of flowers, there was an abundance of flowers all around us but very few in the plot. Gregg explained that the 70 plots were chosen to cover a variety of meadow types. Tomoaki Fujimura photo courtesy of Parks CanadaWhen it was time for a break, Federico took a 10 minute nap… Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaI took pictures. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaEasily mistaken for Western Anenome, this is Cotton Grass – Eriophorum augustifolium. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaWe were not the only ones working that day – this bee was busy pollinating a purple Mountain Daisy (Erigeron peregrinus) beside our plot. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaBack to work. Federico identifies sedges, grasses and flowers in this plot and Kate records the data. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaSuddenly Federico discovers a strange plant we have not seen before. Everyone gathers around. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaGregg identifies it as Alpine Clubmoss – Lycopodium alpinum. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks CanadaWhen we are finally done, Gregg marks each plot with a number. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks Canada
Tomo folds up the rope and it’s time to hike back. Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks Canada
Before we leave, I get everyone together for group photo. It was a glorious day! We monitored three plots and learned about the different kinds of meadows and plants found in Mount Revelstoke National Park. When all the data is compiled, Parks Canada will compare the results from the last three summers to those of 40 years ago to see what, if anything has changed. What’s more, I made new friends and amends for my past behavior. I may have to make this a summer ritual! Jacolyn Daniluck photo courtesy of Parks Canada Note: if you are interested in volunteering next year, contact Parks Canada in June, 2013.
