apk's Journal

1. Amphibian- Found a California Slender Salamander under a log near the trail head of the Strawberry Canyon firetrails.
2. Animal- Millipede, one of the millipedes found under the same log as the Slender Salamander.
3. Plant- Willow found along the trail through Strawberry Canyon during our hike.
4. Fungi- Scarlet Waxy Cap found near creek during hike through Strawberry Canyon,
5. Bird- I spotted, one I believe to be a crow when walking through campus near Giannini.

I spotted a plum tree (Genus Prunus) on the hike through Strawberry Canyon this past weekend that was flowering but was not leafed out.

Later on in the hike I saw a Stinging Nettle plant that was leafed out but not flowering at this time.

1. Western Swordfern likes cool, moist, shaded climates located at low altitudes. They are commonly found on the understory of forests. The moist evergreen forest I explored meets all of these conditions.
2. French broom is highly invasive and can be found in many climates, but it does particularly well it wet Mediterranean climates at low altitudes making the moist evergreen forest of the Berkeley Fire trails a good place for it to grow.
3. Poison Hemlock is an invasive species in California so it widely found. It prefers damp soil and climates which a moist evergreen forest provides.
4. Western Swordfern grows best in moist, shaded areas and thus is often found growing in forests.
5. Miner's Lettuce thrives in moist evergreen forests because it prefers damp, shady and cool conditions, all of which are characteristics of this habitat.

1.Flowering plant (bush type plant with yellow flowers) I am unsure of the exact species of this plant, but it has small leaves which allow for better water retention in a dry climate like the chaparral.

1. Common Pill-bug is brownish grey in color which allows it to blend it with the dry surroundings of the chaparral.
2. Flowering plant (small white flowers) this plant had small leaves and a woody stem. The small leaves would help for water retention in a dry climate like the chaparral.
3. Coast Live Oak has leaves that are adapted for absorbing sunlight, a dry and open climate like a chaparral gives it plenty of opportunities to do so. The tree also thrives on coastal fog, which allows it to survive in drier climates. Chaparral near the coast, which is what I observed, makes for a great climate for coast live oak.
4. California Poppy is a drought tolerant flowering plant. Because it does not need a lot of water to grow, it is often found in the dry chaparral.

1. Sugar Maple is a very shade tolerant tree, allowing it to grow under the canopy of other trees in the deciduous forest during the spring and summer months when the trees in the area are in bloom.
2. American Elm can withstand low temperatures and can continue to through colder months until frost hits. This allows it to thrive in the mountains of Massachusetts.
3. Birch has thin bark but it is resistant to decay which allows it to survive in this climate
4. Black Knot infests trees that are found in this region.
5. Fungi (unknown type) this type of fungi appears to be able to withstand freezing temperatures, and enjoy a cold moist climate which this deciduous forest provides, especially during this time of year.