Rainfall as an Abiotic Factor at Race Rocks

Rainfall  at Race Rocks. Recorded by a Davis Instruments tipping bucket rain gauge. These graphs are made possible by the website victoriaweather.ca

Hourly Rainfall today at Race Rocks

 

 

Rainfall for the past week at Race Rocks

 

 

Rainfall for the past month

Rainfall for 2020 at Race Rocks

 

 

Rainfall graph for 2019

Rainfall graph for 2018

Rainfall graph for 2017

 

ARCHIVES
2016 Rainfall for 2016
NOTE MISSING DATA in 2016 due to equipment failure
2015: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) 2014: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) 2013: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) 2012: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) 2011: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) 2010: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) 2009: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) Note : Jan to July.. equip failure. 2008: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) equipment failure gives blank records for several days 2007: Monthly Totals are shown. ( Includes data and graphs at this site.) Equip failure February March and part of April of 2007 2006: Monthly Rain Totals (includes data and graphs for part of 2006:  

Extreme values since 2006

 

 

 

The Adaptations and Response of Organisms to the Abiotic factor of Rainfall

Canada geese are dependant on the availability of fresh water at Race Rocks. During the winter, the higher level rock pools are refreshed by rainfall. There is no other natural source of water on the island. By the time their eggs hatch in June, most of the pools have dried up, so they have to take their young off the island and over to the mainland. They may make it past the eagles….(Photo by PB)

Juvenile bald eagles in very wet weather.( Photo by Pam Birley)
The availability of water for vegetation on Race Rocks has major implications for the species of plants which can survive on the island. Not only do they have to survive dessication from salt spray, but abundant water in the winter months and almost a total lack of water from June to September. One of the best grasses to tolerate these conditions is Fescue. Here you can see it growing on the natural rock outcrops on the island. 


Go to this exercise on the Water Cycle , along with other biogeochemical cycles.

Other references:  Google Climate change and Rainfall patterns

Global warming already changing rainfall... 

Wetland Conservation – Threatened by Climate Change


Rainbow West of Great Race Rocks from the remote camera 5. Image by Garry Fletcher,

Recent Posts

Back again!

Happy to be back at my home away from home!

Ecological Notes:

  • 3 female Elephant Seals, 1 Full Adult and 2 juveniles
  • The Gulls are slowly pairing off, no full courtship displays or nest building noted yet

A few squabbles here and there

  • So far, I’ve only found 2 of the 3 previously noted active Canada Goose nests…. I think the one by the composting are has been abandoned

The gulls are quite quick to take advantage of spoiled eggs

  • The harbour seals on the southern rocks seem to be very skittish …… wondering if there have been undocumented orca hunts in the reserve, maybe at night(?)

Visitors:

  • Just the waterfront coordinator during the Eco-Guardian exchange/transfer

Facility Work:

  • fuel transfers
  • Monthly report levels checks
  • general quick facilities check on arrival, moving to scheduled routine checks

DND events:

  • Heavy Blasting one one day

Noted Vessel Traffic:

  • Some eco-tourism vessels, all following good practices and procedures
  • 1 private vessel exploring the reserve

 Noted Infractions:

  • Private vessel approached the haul out area by the crane/jetty area a little close and head on orientation, startling the sea lions, all moving and several entering the water…. I feel the nervousness of the sea lions was increased by the previous days blasting though

Weather Events:

  • Thursday, April 03:
    • Sky: sunny and clear, very occasion cloud patches
    • Wind: Mostly W, 5-10 kts in the morning, dropping to very light in the afternoon, rising to near 20kts over the afternoon/evening
    • Sea: calm seas
    • Temperature Low 8.5oC, High 10oC
  • Friday, April 04:
    • Sky: Mostly clear, with some high overcast at times
    • Wind: NE shifting to E 5-15 kts
    • Sea: calm seas
    • Temperature Low 7oC, High 11oC
  • Saturday, April 05:
    • Sky: Bright, high overcast
    • Wind: W/WSW 16-37 kts
    • Sea:  calm seas
    • Temperature Low 8oC, High 10oC

 

 

** Any wildlife photos taken at the furthest distance possible, and may be cropped to improve detail! **

 

Weather – Current:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/current.php?id=72

 

Weather – Past:

http://www.victoriaweather.ca/station.php?

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