User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
Since originally planning what I was going to study, it has turned from late summer to winter. So, instead of studying pollinators, I had to pick a new subject.
I really like the gradient I’ve chosen, so I thought I will still study the rabbit brush in the creek valley. But now, I want to look at the prevalence of Rabbit Brush and Sagebrush in Guerin Creek at various heights in the valley, I also plan to consider the direction of the slopes (whether they are facing south, east, etc.) to control for sun and weather exposure.
I have attached my field journal observations, and maps of the areas I plan to look at.
My hypothesis is that the process that is most influencing growth of the brush plants on the hill is access to water as the plants grow up the valley, away from the water source. Kamloops is extremely dry throughout the summer months, which would limit the growth of brush plants farther from a water source.
Therefore, my independent (explanatory) variable is the distance up the valley from the creek at various increments. My dependent (response) variable is the number of brush plants per square meter. I think there will be more of both bushes closer to the creek, and fewest at the farthest point. Both measures would be categorical, as I will split the elevation into distinct segments and the number of brush plants is also categorical.
