Plant Succession in the FAIS Forest

Introduction-Project Details The goal of this project was to learn about ecological succession in the French American International School (FAIS) Forest. We achieved our goal by researching two native plants, taking pictures of the plants from February until June, and putting this book together. After the content from the research was approved, each student created two "pages" about the plant with at least four succession pictures and informational text. Each page was created in Publisher, saved as a jpeg, and then uploaded to create a book using an online tool called Blurb. The pages were combined to create a book that was given to the FAIS Library. We worked on the book on and off for four months.

We were able to see the succession in depth for our two assigned plants and learn about all our classmates' plants.

What is Ecological Succession?

Is the FAIS Forest all one ecosystem? The answer is 'no.

Varying conditions in a habitat can lead to different ecosystems or biological communities.

- Examples of varying conditions in the FAIS Forest include: areas that are dry or very wet, area that are shady or exposed to more or less light, and rocky or highly organic types of soils.

Ecosystems or habitats are always experiencing changes. A biological community or habitat can be destroyed by natural or human-generated 'disturbances' and replaced by another biological community. Fires, storms and floods are examples of natural disturbances. Human activities such as logging or clearing land for agriculture or building homes can also destroy a biological community.

- The FAIS Forest used to be part of the Teufel Nursery and was farmed during the first half of the 1900's. Other disturbances that have shaped our forest are the building of NW Miller Road after 1950, various fires before 1950, and building the parking lot C in 2008.

Ecological succession is the gradual process of how ecosystems change and develop over time. All habitats are constantly changing. Gradual changes take place as shrub and tree seedlings grow, altering the shade and moisture conditions around them. Earlier stages of ecological succession are known as 'immature'. They are simpler, with fewer species of plants and animals. Over time, the biological community becomes more complex. It adds more species, many of them more specialized with regard to diet and the way they interact with other plants and animals in the food web. The ecosystem then becomes more 'mature'.

- The FAIS Forest is a maturing forest and is currently classified as a mixed coniferous and deciduous riparian forest. The edges of the forest are considered scrub-shrub habitat.

La ForĂŞt autour de nous (The Forest Around Us) This space is an amphitheater with seating for up to 50, plus seating for 15 performers!

Starting in February, all students created a design for this outdoor classroom space. Then four groups compiled their ideas and we all voted for our favorites components from each design.

The final design of this outdoor amphitheater was a truly collaborative effort.

Then students worked in teams to clear the edges of the old space and expand it. They carried in the reclaimed logs from trees that fell during wind storms over the last year.

After much work, the space was opened just in time for use by all students and teachers at FAIS. The timing was perfect because of the great spring weather.

Habitat Management and .

Outdoor Education We have continued work to keep the forest a Certified Backyard Habitat with the Portland Audubon.

FAIS Forest allows animals to travel safely from Forest Park to the Tualatin River!

We made and maintained an insect hotel with tricolored honey bees that are using the log on the left!

Our Efforts Support Biodiversity!

The entire community of FAIS teachers, students, and parents work together to improve the amazing resource of the FAIS Forest.

Through ongoing efffort since 2004, the biodiversity of our plant and animal communities has improved immensely.

The FAIS Forest has decomposers and predators, like fungi, millipedes and centipedes. The riparian wetland support fragile amphibians like salamanders and Oregon tree frogs. The native plants, flowers and fruits attracts mule deer and pollinators like the Red Admiral butterfly and mason bees.

The forest needs you!