User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
For my field study, I have decided to focus on a group of Goldfinger Potentilla Shrubs that are located in a circle in the park behind my house. They are separated into three groups.
Group A is located 301º NW in the circle and has minimal sun exposure due to larger trees blocking the sun. It is noted that the shrubs have less dense foliage and the number of flowers is less compared to the other plants.
Group B is located 68º E in the circle and has full sun exposure from sunrise to afternoon. These plants have dense foliage and a greater number of flowers throughout.
Group C is located 190º S. They have full sun exposure throughout part of the afternoon and evening. The plants are noted to have a similar appearance to Group A. They have a decreased number of flowers and foliage.
Due to the positioning of groups A and C, it would appear they have greater competition for sunlight then group B due to larger trees blocking out the sun. The decrease of direct sunlight may be a consideration as to the variations between the groups.
My hypothesis is as follows:
Are Goldfinger Potentilla shrubs are more likely to produce more flowers when in direct sunlight and does the competition of other plant species around affect the number of flowers on the shrubs? I do think that the amount of sun plays a part in the number of flowers the shrubs produce. I also think that they are directly affected by the competition of the surrounding trees.
