User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
I used the area random sampling method. I built a 0.25m2 quadrat to determine bud density and measured the width of base branch growth for each replicate to gain an understanding of the effects of crowding on white spruces.The main difficulty that I encountered in my collection of data was in Location 1, the trees are so close together it is hard to walk between them. It was very hard to find my tagged replicates and carry my quadrat, measuring tape and field journal while fighting through the dense branches. Sometimes the outer branches of trees overlapped those beside them, making it harder for me to distinguish which buds belonged to the replicate I was sampling. The data was not surprising, it aligned with my hypothesis, which is that trees that are subject to crowding will be less productive than those that have ample space to themselves. The new growth bud density in Location 1 (most crowded) was on average lower than both that of Location 2 and 3 (least crowded). Despite my difficulties, I think this sampling strategy is the best one for my project. I still have to figure out how I am going to test the soil properties for each location (if I am even able to do so).
Hi there, I was wondering if you had a actual number of trees you’d like to see that would be the ideal number for appropriate spacing per tree? Or is that something you hope to find in your results? As an example for the Burns Lake Community Forest, once we have harvested an area we plant trees with the standard of 1600 stems per hectare.