After a very short period of viewing, the plants and animals were respectfully returned to their wet ocean habitats. By towing mesh nets of two different sizes behind a boat, either zooplankton or phytoplankton were collected and taken back to the lab for closer inspection. Beyond Grappler Inlet, next to Bamfield, are a series of small streams and creeks. Students looked at the differences in stream characteristics, as the two were different from each other in size, water flow speed, and the types of substrate. Forests provide three dimensional habitat, and students got a chance to view the diversity of habitats within the canopy of some large tree species including Hemlock, Cedar, and Douglas Fir.
Many organisms make their homes in the tops of trees.
Dennis Morgan inspects stream morphology Ecosystems in a small geographical region are often interconnected. Let's consider how the above ecosystems are related to each other, starting with the canopy. Trees in the canopy provide leaves and large woody debris. The invertebrates in the stream use the vegetation for food. Fish in the stream eat the invertebrates, and use the large woody debris for cover.