User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
My sampling strategy had a few difficulties, and therefore I decided to attempt another, hoping to redeem my first effort.
The first sampling strategy used a transect with alternating quadrats. Using my roommate’s measuring tape was the first challenge, since it only had imperial measurements, so I had to convert data into centimetres. I’m grateful I had a willing assistant who could help lay the measuring tape along the necessary gradients. The data collected was surprising as it revealed low numbers, and I realized that my next similar attempt should be on a more grand scale. I will need to be creative with data collection along points that are steep or heavily forested. One other difficulty was creating a data sheet template that would work for my purposes. I improvised and moved the data to a new spreadsheet that was more organized.
The second set of data collected was haphazard and distance based, and I believe, more successful. Five trees were selected haphazardly for ease of access in this forested region. These were the centre point where I measured neighbouring species. Again, the tape measure was not an ideal tool, and I benefited from having someone to assist. After the data collection, I realized I should have created a map, image or layout of where each tree was situated in relation to the midpoint. This data was predicted but I’m looking forward to more sampling.
I will likely continue to collect data with the second approach, and add another kind of sampling strategy to assist in the bigger picture of my hypothesis. By adding varied sampling techniques, replicates and variables, I will likely be able to prove or disprove my prediction and hypothesis. Modifications to data collection will also include appropriate measuring techniques and recruiting more volunteers!
