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BACKGROUND: In the populations of animals which we encounter at Race Rocks, we see a good representation of the biodiversity of the area. For years we have wanted to get a better idea of the levels of the bird and mammal populations throughout the year and also from one year to another. We have had scientists record the Christmas Bird Count in recent years, but we also need to have an idea of the population levels throughout the year. Scientists can determine the health of an ecosystem by knowing the trends of the populations through time. You have an opportunity here to contribute to the body of knowledge about the changes in populations through time.

Objectives: After doing this assignment, students will be able to:

a) Gather census data on populations of animals at Race Rocks using the remote camera.

b) Submit records of population data to the GIS database.

c) Use a simple dichotomous key for the identification of species.

d) Analyze the seasonal trends in populations of birds and mammals from Race Rocks

e) Describe the correlations between population trends on a particular day, and climatic conditions.

Procedure:

1. Census of Population: We will be estimating the numbers of a particular species in the areas visible from the remote control camera 5 of racerocks.com. Choose a bird or mammal species while viewing the area through camera .Verify the identification of a species observed by using the Dichotomous key for birds and mammals of Race Rocks.

2. Estimate the numbers of individuals of this species in the various sectors of the island visible from Camera 5. Record these on the GIS.The ecosystems of Race Rocks are identified below in Table 1.

( Directions here how to do this)

3.Record the location of the population on the Sector maps of Race Rocks. Click on the appropriate image below for the sector designation. Where possible, capture a photo and include it with your data report in the GIS.

4. Record the weather conditions, and indicate weather you think that they have any effect on the population levels and locations.

Great Race Sectors Race Rocks Reserve Sectors
Great Race Sector Image Map

Click on the red-outlined polygons to identify the views from camera 5.

Race Rocks and Race Passage Sector Image Map

Click on the red-outlined polygons to identify the outer islands views from camera 5

TABLE 1: Race Rocks Sector Designations:
1.0.1.1.8 Race Rocks
1.0.1.1.8.1 Shore and Rock Rise North East of Jetty
1.0.1.1.8.1.1 East Rock rise
1.0.1.1.8.1.2 East shore
1.0.1.1.8.1.3 Water to East
1.0.1.1.8.1.3.1 within 1 km
1.0.1.1.8.1.4 underwater

1.0.1.1.8.28.6 Winch House and grass plain
1.0.1.1.8.3 Shore North of Jetty
1.0.1.1.8.3.1 Tidepool#14
1.0.1.1.8.3.2 Tidepool#15
1.0.1.1.8.3.3 Tidepool#16
1.0.1.1.8.3.4 Tidepool #17
1.0.1.1.8.3.5 Tidepool#18
1.0.1.1.8.3.6 Tidepool#19
1.0.1.1.8.3.7 Tidepool #20
1.0.1.1.8.3.8 Crevasse
1.0.1.1.8.3.8 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.4 Jetty and Jetty Bays
1.0.1.1.8.4.1 underwater

1.0.1.1.8.5 North Perch by cam 5
1.0.1.1.8.6 West Perch and cliff face
1.0.1.1.8.6.1 underwater

1.0.1.1.8.7 Rain Pools and close foreground -cam5
1.0.1.1.8.8 Heli pad and near camera 5
1.0.1.1.8.9 West shore and tide pool area
1.0.1.1.8.9 .1 Tidepool#1
1.0.1.1.8.9 .2 Tidepool#2
1.0.1.1.8.9 .3 Tidepool#3
1.0.1.1.8.9 .4 Tidepool#4
1.0.1.1.8.9 .5 Tidepool#5
1.0.1.1.8.9 .6 Tidepool#6
1.0.1.1.8.9 .7 Tidepool#7
1.0.1.1.8.9 .8 Tidepool#8
1.0.1.1.8.9 .9 Tidepool#9
1.0.1.1.8.9 .10 Tidepool#10
1.0.1.1.8.9 .11 Tidepool#11
1.0.1.1.8.9 .12 Tidepool #12
1.0.1.1.8.9 .13 Tidepool#13 artificial tp
1.0.1.1.8.9 .14 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.10 SW corner by surge channel rock
1.0.1.1.8.10.1 Surge Channel
1.0.1.1.8.10.2 South East Rise
1.0.1.1.8.11 South shore to Engine Room
1.0.1.1.8.11.1 Outfall surge channel
1.0.1.1.8.11.2 Shoreline
1.0.1.1.8.11.3 Underwater
1.0.1.1.8.12 Science House and lawn areas
1.0.1.1.8.13 Tower and Base area
1.0.1.1.8.14 Shore South and East of tower
1.0.1.1.8.15 South Rock Islands
1.0.1.1.8.15.1 Beyond South Rocks to Strait
1.0.1.1.8.15.1 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.15.2 underwater Rosedale reef
1.0.1.1.8.16 South-east rock beach bay
1.0.1.1.8.17 Around the Keeper’s House
1.0.1.1.8.18 Water channel off docks
1.0.1.1.8.18.1 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.19 Middle Island
1.0.1.1.8.19.1 East islet of middles
1.0.1.1.8.19.2 Main middle
1.0.1.1.8.19.2.2.1 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.19.3 Turbine Channel
1.0.1.1.8.19.3 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.20 North Rock
1.0.1.1.8.20.1 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.21 North to Pedder Bay and Victoria
1.0.1.1.8.22 Race passage to Bentinck Island
1.0.1.1.8.23West ocean view area
1.0.1.1.8.24 West Race Rocks
1.0.1.1.8.24.1 underwater
1.0.1.1.8.25 Strait of Juan de Fuca West and South
1.0.1.1.8.25.1Within 1 km
1.0.1.1.8.25.2 Beyond 1 km

Lesson 2: Animal Behavior.

Go to this file for the Animal Behavior lab.

Link to the Reference File for the Census Lab:
Go to the Ethology Assignment:
Return to the OceanQuest Index
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