Blog Post 5: Design Reflections

Hello Class & Professor Elliot,

During the collection of initial field data in Module 3, I found the most difficult part was trying to design a sampling unit that would accurately represent the area I was trying to study. Once I had devised a plan to span an environmental gradient on both sides of Jack Creek, I found it was relatively easy to put together a sampling method. The difficulties in implementing the sample unit happened more on the ground when specific points I wanted to measure either had nothing to sample or weren’t easy to access on foot. The data I collected was surprising (in the context). I tested soil moisture to see what would happen and it was uniform, even as I got closer to the creek. I only took measurements on one side of the creek for my initial data so I am interested to see the differences on the eastern side. I plan to use the same technique for my larger data collection, however, I will need to modify what I am sampling as discussed below.

Previously, I was counting all vegetation present and I did not take diameter breast height (DBH) measurements for large woody vegetation. To date, I have only used desktop review to analyze the gradient or metres above sea-level (MASL). For my larger field data collection, I will use the compass and elevation reader on my smartphone to collect this data at each replicate point. I think calculating DBH and aspect will be most important to my study. By understanding the amount of aspect this will potentially show any underlying processes in microclimates.

For the second part of this blog post, I have decided to comment on M. Myles recent post on their recent field observations, as our study designs are similar.