User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
I had collected the initial data by using a transect sampling with systematically placed units of 32cm by 16cm (divided into 2x8cm sections) both in the residential area and lake area of campus and by the lake. I used these to average how many patches (or average percentage) of the area grass had ceased to grow. The results from my initial field data showed as predicted that there was more area (by percentage) of the ground that grass was not present. In addition, I found more species of ground vegetation such as hieracium and taraxacum (common weeds) in the lake area then the residential area.
I recently got some really good feedback on my field study from a comment on my post and have since needed to review my hypothesis and feasibility of my study. In addition to this the weather has drastically changed and it is making it increasingly difficult to explore species abundance and diversity when the grass (my initial vegetation to study) is covered by several inches of snow and ice! I am no longer able to collect the data in the same way as some sampling units are iced over it would require for me the dig through the snow and ice (potentially removing the vegetation in the process) in order to see what I need to collect the data.
For these reasons I have chosen to take a new direction of study. Instead of exploring the vegetation I have chosen to test the acidity of the snow (in the same areas as studied previously). I will do this by taking samples of the snow at each sampling unit along the two transects and testing the samples pH level. I hypothesize that the pH will increase due to the run off from the road salt in the residential area and will be neutral where no salt is used. The significance of this study is that the change in pH may cause a change in the soils alkalinity fostering a less viable soil for vegetation.
I believe that changing my study is necessary and by sampling the technique for testing I will be able to produce more accurate results. From there, I will be able to do research as to the effects road salt and sand on vegetation to further understand the implications.
