The functionality of a forest depends strongly on both the abiotic and biotic features of the ecosystem. These features can be easily disturbed and altered, creating new unfamiliar environments for organisms to adapt, migrate, or die within. Rates of human involvement of forests have been rapidly rising, creating a stronger need for restoration of ecosystems that have been subjected to human disturbance. These environmental shifts within a human disturbed forest located within the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) were investigated through comparing the ecosystem function to a natural/undisturbed forest present in the Fraser Valley of BC, Canada. Multiple methods and techniques were performed to measure the level of ecosystem function within two selected forests. The most essential practices included a belt transect, soil analysis, and plant diversity measurements. Methods and techniques were selected with the objective of measuring ecosystem function levels. The main goal of this research study is to analyze ecosystem function within two forests to gain supporting data for a restoration management plan.
Results/Conclusions
From comparison and analysis it was found that the natural/undisturbed forest maintained higher levels of functionality, more favorable growing conditions, and a higher biodiversity when compared to the forest which resides on the UFV Chilliwack campus. To increase the ecosystem function of the human disturbed forest, this management plan suggested changes in species composition, size of forest, and alterations in soil structure to achieve the ultimate goal of a partial restoration. In this present world where vegetation is continuously being degraded, it is vital for institutions such as UFV to be an active member and supporter of the restoration and maintenance for the ecosystems which remain.