User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
I did my initial data collection using the distance haphazard sampling method. I divided the accessible areas at Pipers Lagoon into 6 areas: A through F. I began with only Area A, where I designated five points spread out over the area. I found the sampling technique to be fairly straight forward. Often I found myself confused by my compass which took several seconds to find North. When I indicated the closest tree type in each quadrant, some were of almost equal distance which caused me to refine my guidelines and choose points which created no bias decisions.
The data I collected slightly surprising, as one tree type, the red alder was nowhere in the area, as well as Douglas fir in which a single young tree was recorded. Outside of the data collection I noticed neither of these trees were present. Otherwise, the relative abundances of Garry Oak and Arbutus trees appeared to be representative in which the Garry Oak was slightly dominant.
I believe this sampling method was sufficient in identifying the tree type and relative abundance. Initially, I created a table in which I would write young, mature, very mature, or dead to describe the tree. I believe using a table with a different layout will be easier where I can tick the box which applies rather than having to write down a letter.
By modifying the data collection table I can speed up the sampling process and increase the amount of area covered per hour. Therefore, the research can be done more continuously in a single day rather than requiring several days.
I commented on mfaure’s Blog post 3.
dkinsella’s hypothesis is as follows:
“Quercus garryana trees are more abundant where there is a large amount of sunlight and protection from direct ocean wind.
I predict that Quercus garryana will be most abundant on the South coastline where there is little to no ocean breeze and a gradual landscape. I also predict that Pseudotsuga menziesii will be most abundant on the Northern coast where there is harsh wind and rocky bluffs.”
This is a solid hypothesis because it is falsifiable because the occurrence of different tree species along different environmental gradients in Pipers Lagoon Park can be quantified. dkinsella does not clearly state what the pieces and patterns are, however reading through the other blogs the pieces are the different species of trees and the patterns are the occurrence of trees across environmental gradients.
dkinsella states:
“The potential response variable is tree species abundance, which is categorical in which the trees will be assigned to their respected category. The predictor variable is relative exposure to ocean breeze/wind, which will be categorical relative to each site conditions”
Based on this, the response variable is easily measurable since it requires counting the number of trees present at the site. The predictor variable seems tougher to measure since it is “relative”. I think it would be useful to categorically define how different levels of exposure to ocean breeze/wind are determined.