‘sit ing e col Og ist

explains role of alder

in forest biology —

' Ecologist Dr. Alan Carter, a
private consultant working
through UBC and recommended
by the B.C. Science Council,
provided an interesting addition
to the Terrace Science Fair.
Through a slide presentation
and informal talks, Carter
visited six schools and gave two
public presentations which ex-
plained the natural cycle of
plants and how they relate to
animals and offered some in-
teresting insight into our local
ecology. ,

by Tod Strachan»

‘Carter explained how willow,
cottonwood and alder are widely
regarded by foresters as a pest
species, but they are in fact im-
portant stabilizing agents in
nature. As a group they provide
basic nutrients for the soil, food
for small organisms and shelter
for fish. |

In explaining the facts, Carter
described how cottonwood and
willow thrive near bodies of
water, preventing erosion, pro-
viding food and shade for in-
sects and bacteria, organic food

for small organisms in the water
— which are in turn food for the
fish — and, finally, shade to
keep the water at just the right
temperature for maintaining
aquatic life cycles.

An interesting bit of informa-
tion pertaining to alder, a
species which is burned, cut and

sprayed to make way for more.

valuable conifers, is its real pur-
pose in nature.
Carter explained that, like

‘peas, beans, clover and many

other nitrogen fixers, alder has
nodules which use bacteria to
turn gaseous nitrogen into
organic nitrogen — the same
stuff you put on your lawn to
make it greener.

In the natural course of»

events, a cleared or burned area
of forest is first taken over by
fireweed and other plants, which
begin to condition the soil and
provide humus for the next cycle
of events — the alder.

Alder rapidly fill the hillside
with the first real stage of
reforestation. In a very short
time there is protection against
erosion, animal habitat, shade
for other species and organisms,
and all the while the alder are

Top achievers

named

Caledonia Senior Secondary
School announced last week the
names of students who achieved
Honor Roll status, based on
report cards issued April 15.

The Honor Roll is constructed
in three categories calculated for
full-time students and using the
marks from all the courses the
student is taking when report
cards ate issued. ==

Outstanding Achievement:
Grade point average greater
than or equal to 3.50.

Meritorious Achievement:
Grade point average greater
than or equal to 3.25.

Honorable Mention: Grade

by Cal

David Hogg, ‘Susan Kelly,

Rebecca Mattheis, Randy
Musselman, Bruce Neid,
Neelam Parmar, Nina Parr, Bet-
ty Raposo, Michelle Rolfsen,
Nina Teixeira.
Honorable Mention: Merle
Alexander, Charles Baverstock,
Laura Bennett, Kris Fairless,
Keith Fell, Rhaiannon George,
Paulette Gyger, Darrin Hudson,
Cory Killoran, Russell Mc-
Farland, Scott Peden, Debbie
Penner, Kathleen Pringle, Tom-
my Shippit, Elizabeth Sluys,
Barry Smith, Emerson Squires,
Kiera Sundberg, Cory Swan,
Selena Tank, Theresa Taron,

pumping a constant stream of
nitrogen into the soil and pro-

viding an annual harvest of

leaves to further build up the
soil. |
After about 20 to 30 years,
when nature feels it’s time and
the soil is ready, conifers begin
to grow and dominate the
forests. ‘‘It’s natural regenera-
tion and it can be used in
forestry,’’ explained Carter.
‘People don’t give it due
credit.”’

Fortunately however, speak-

- ing of alder and what he con-

siders another important tree,
cottonwood, Carter says, ‘‘At-

_ titudes are changing a bit and

there’s some talk of planting it.
It’s a good hardwood and it has
several uses.”’

It also explains why buffer
zones are so important. Accord-
ing to Carter -~- if we lose the
buffer, we lose the fish.

Carter said local students
showed genuine interest in this
and other topics relating to our
natural forests, and asked
several valid questions. He says,
**T believe they’re beginning to
get the message.”’

Terrace Review — Wednesday, May 4, 1988 21

Se

Consulting ecologist Dr. Alan Carter displays a section of
alder root. Close examination shows nodules on the root.
that help fix nitrogen into the floor of developing forests.
Carter lectured to local students during the recent Terrace

_ Science Falr.

3

Telescopes such as this one, the Skeena Junior Secondary Science Club's entry for the Ter- ,
race Science Fair, have been In use ever since isaac Newton designed the configuration In

point average greater than or Jeff Tupper, Megan Walker,
. the 17th century. Seen above with the nearly completed telescope — some essential parts

equal to 3.00. Shauna Yeske.
In the calculations, ‘*A”’ is 4, Grade 12

“BR” is 3, “C+ is 2.5, “C” is 2,
“Cc or “pr? is 1.
Grade 10

Outstanding Achievement: San-
dra Lopston, Tina Thomas,
Tracey Todd.

Meritorious Achievement:
Matthew Albert, Andy Blair,
Jessie Carroll, David Dhaliwal.

Honorable Mention: Brian
Anderson, Dana Iverson, Jason
Schulte, Gary Ventura, Darlene
Volkman.

Grade 11
Outstanding Achievement:

Andy Davis, Anil Deol, Victor Bartlett, Mark Bentley, Inness The zone seven B.C. Summer with many diffe erent mouth-water. ing .
Dhami, Josh Eades, Ben Foote, Campbell, David Currie, Aaron Games soccer playdowns will be cakes and pastries. mb
Shelley Giesbrecht, Scott Davis, Cheryl Degerness, Gayle held at Terrace on the weekend 7
Hansen, Jenine Krause, Janet Deinstadt, Gurmit Grewal, Dale of June 10 to 12. Teams wishing Sunday, May § — 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. al
Lennox, Rose Lenser, Tony Harms, Debbie Jackman, Pam- to enter the playdown must be It
Marques, Shane McColman, ela Jakobs, Melaney Jones, Julie registered with the B.C. Soccer Regular hours: Dinner Mon. to Sat, - 5 to 11 p.m. /
Melody Newman, Kelly Pegg, Krause, Norma Jean Kutzley, Association through zone seven ; Lunch Men. to Fri. - 11:30 a.m, to 2 p.m.
Jason Rempel, Edward Rood- Verna Locke, Robert co-ordinator Richard Hasset of go we eservations recommended
zant, Jeremy Smith, Rick Yip. © Mercereau, Andrew Ogawa, Terrace by May 5. Phone ifos BAVARIAN INN

Meritorious Achievement: Janewa Osei-Tutu, Allan Hassett at 635-6849. The Sum- RESTAURANT Z
Dana Boyce, Jennifer Dow, Power, Gil Rego, Iida Soares, mer Games are slated for Vic- len Ace ) 1 AGA
Lorne Fisher, Jason Haldane, Michael Wong, Anita Ziegler. _toria on the July 28 weekend. 4932 Lakelse Ave: PHONE: 635-9161 si (

Outstanding Achievement:
Connie Araujo, Lesa Bellamy,
Colin Brehaut, Karen Brodie,
Sara Chen-Wing, Surrinder
Deol, Adam Ford, Michelle
Hendry, Peter Hepburn, Davis
Lindsay, Shawnee Love, Kelly
McIntyre, Christine Weber,
David Weismiiler, Jann Marie
Wilson, Peter Yip.

Meritorious Achievement:
Binder Kandola, Mishi Lynch,
Anna Medeiros, Mark Neid,
Rodger Talstra, David Vu.

Honorable Mention: Terry

of which were obtained with the help of the H.R. McMillan Planetarium in Vancouver — are _

club members Nick Pelletier, Chris Karker, Kyle Lindsay and Richard Blower.

Date set
for zone ©
soccer
playdowns

Give Mom a Break

Celebrate Mother’s Day with the
family and treat Mom to a fine
special offer between 3:30 p.m.

- and 5 p.m. at The Bavarian Inn.
All dinner menu items will get
20% discounted and every lady will

receive a rose.

Another feature is a dessert wagon