User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
I returned this morning, June 26, to McArther Island to observe the main pond in the golf course and the moat surround in the island. The three gradients I have chosen are the main pond because it is the largest of the three on the course, a section of the moat right by the bridge, and another section of the moat that is at the other end the the island near the boat launch closer to the mouth of the river. I have decided to specifically study the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and their habitat preferences. I would like to know why I have observed so many ducks around the bridge in the moat rather than in the quieter area of the pond or nearer to the opening of the river into the moat. I hypothesize that the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) prefer the bridge area of the moat. I predict this is because the water is of better quality, there is a greater food source and also because there is more shade during the day due to overhanging trees and shrubs. My predictor variables are: water alkalinity, pH, calcium and chlorine, water temperature, types of food source, shade vs sun, and these variables are categorical. The response variable is the number of mallard ducks present which is a continuous variable. This informations shows me that my experiment will be an ANOVA multi factor design.
Here are my three different gradients:
1.Golf course main pond
2. Moat by bridge
3. Moat by river
