Final

Date: June 4th, 2012
Location: -122.24731100000 47.50339700000 Lake Ridge Park, Seattle WA
Route: Entered from grass lot located on the western edge of park, 10600 block of 68th pl S. Went East down embankment into park. Elevation, 150-200 feet above sea level.
Weather: Mostly cloudy, high 50's F, no precipitation. No wind noticed at lower level, nor any signs of disturbance to upper canopy.

Habitats: To the WxSW there is a roughly 70-80 degree embankment running along the edge of park. Few trees grown on this embankment relative to the area east of embankment. Furthermore the trees that are present on the embankment have a significantly smaller diameter (6" to 1') than do trees only 20 meters from embankment (2'-3'). Embankment marks edge of park, to the west is flat homo sapiens dominated terrain. Going east from top of embankment elevation drops roughly 40 feet to lowest point then rises another 7-10 feet to internal highpoint characterized by large western red cedar. Although elevation of park is low enough to have been largely shaped by glacial till, boundaries are clearly defined by man made alterations. From internal high point ground slopes down toward the east. At lowest point is a creek which flows in a generally NE direction towards Lake Washington, which it's self flows into Puget Sound. Creek appears to act as drainage for water shed that includes surrounding hillsides. Creek roughly 3-5 feet in width flowing gradually at about an elevation of 100 feet. Area is moist but not overly saturated except in a few select areas located mostly at lower points near creek. Whole area of park appears to be canyon carved by creek, gentle slope of areas not clearly effected by man indicates water flow caused topography as opposed to the steep edges that would be found as the result of glacial erosion. Although some large rocks were seen suggesting the presence of glaciers at one time. Floor is covered by an abundance of pine needles, cones, unidentifiable twigs, as well as some alder and maple branches, average depth of surface material 1-3 cm. Soil dark brown, compact, not gravely at surface other than in areas where man made trails were added. Estimated prevalence of fallen trees, roughly 15-20 per acre, but generally younger trees. Instances of fallen trees acting as nurse logs less than would be expected. Believe this to be due to lack of competition for sunlight, canopy is not too thick as to require fallen trees to create areas of sun exposure. This being stated nurse logs were still encountered.
Vegetation: Embankment had few trees and seemed to be dominated by Hemlocks, being that Hemlocks are able to grow in shade this could be explained by the forest covering light from the east, and the embankment covering light from the west, other trees besides the hemlock may have trouble starting in this particular section due to lack of light. The side of the embankment was otherwise covered in sword ferns, and Dryopteris expansa ferns. After embankment on top of internal slope is a large western red cedar and several big leaf maples. Western red cedar had bees making a home in the folds of its bark. The surrounding big leaf maples had not only moss and licorice ferns, but also some patches of lichens growing on them. While the prevalence of lichens was still less than that observed at higher elevations, they were a pleasant surprise due to the surrounding human settlement and lichens vulnerability to pollution. These and alders and doug firs appear to be the most dominant trees. Single bushel of red huckleberry observed just outside of cedars covering growing from a decaying stump. Red elderberry and devils club appeared to be very common at this point. Embankment and area around large cedar also had patches of what appeared to be tall manna grass. As you look east the hill slopes down toward creek. Closer proximity to creek yields more red alders, this is to be expected as red alders are often a pioneering species that thrives in more open areas close to creeks. These red alders will likely temporarily push out conifer growth put ultimately improve the soil for future conifer growth, specifically by facilitating nitrogen fixing of the soil. Patches of Oregon Grape common but not as common as in other similar areas of Puget Sound. Closer to the creek and especially near the trail Salmon berries are very common and the fruit is fully ripe. Manny bushes are missing berries indicating birds or animals maybe consuming them. Patches of buttercups also observed in areas not covered by salmon berries. Two different types of buttercup observed, western and creeping. Patches of fowl blue grass observed. Sticky current also common. Evidence of fungus was not as prevalent as had been expected, found mushrooms on trees that had been sectioned by chainsaw but very rarely on untouched fallen trees. At edge of creek were what appears to be young Giant horse tail. In general the vegetation could be described as a large amount of shrubs with moderate to light tree coverage.

Common garden slugs were very common found covering trails and plants. One snail was observed as well. Due too surrounding human settlement it was unsurprising that crows were the only observed bird. A flock of 4-7 were congregating for a time in the canopy. Possibly heard a Ren but unsure due to noise from crows. Holes in ground were seen indicating presence of burrowing animals, possibly rodents, but none were visible. Due to small area of forest and abundance of human development surrounding it, larger animals such as dear, elk, or bears are unlikely. Animals that could already coexist with human development are probably more likely in the area such as racoons and possums.
Species List:
Tsuga heterophylla
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Thuja plicata
Alnus rubra
Acer macrophyllum
Dryopteris expansa
Evernia prunastri
Dicranum scoparium
Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans
Oplopanax horridus
Glyceria elata
Sambucus racemosa
Vaccinium parvifolium
Ranunculus occidentalis
Ranunculus repens
Berberis aquifolium
Rubus spectabilis
Polypodium glycyrrhiza
Equisetum telmateia
Piptoporus betulinus
scripus microcarpus
Ribes viscosissimum
Genus Arion
Genus Trifolium
Genus Taraxacum
Allogona townsendiana
Corvus