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Blog Post 3: Ongoing Research Material
Adrienne Burns
August 20, 2019
I have decided to do my research field study on the plant species Hydrocotyle heteromeria (Wax weed or Pennywort). I found it in a large patch around a wet soil area, underneath the mature Pyrus communis (pear tree). There were only a few areas I spotted with Waxweed species in large quantities, but perhaps with the field research project I may find smaller patches within the grassy areas. After I had completed a Tru.ca Library and internet research, it sounds as if the plant species prefers moist areas and grows in areas of yards, golf greens or forests that do not have well drained soil.
I found that by documenting the observable gradient of the landscape (attached photos), the plant species is clustered around areas 1 and 2. Both of the first two selected sites are in areas of lower soil levels. I notice that in area 1, where I first noticed the large clusters of Pennywort, there are small pockets of even lower soil levels around the base of the Pyrus tree. The Hydrocotyle heteromeria is found in large abundance in these pockets. In observation region 2, there is still large amounts of the plant found, but it looks as though there is a decreased amount of large clusters. It seems as though the plants are clustered around the base of the tree. There could possibility be a symbiotic relationship with the tree or the plant may prefer nutrients received closer to the mature tree. The nutrient level in the center and drier area of the landscape may differ from the nutrient level near the tree, especially because there are many large trees on the non-study side of the fence (approximately 4 feet from the location of found Waxweed). In both observational regions 3 and 4, there was no sign of the species, so distribution and abundance has decreased drastically.
I believe that these pockets of lower soils levels catch and contain more water. There would be an abundance of water especially around the base of the tree as the area receives less sunlight, and the lower soils levels would accumulate more water. There would also be an accumulation of water in areas 1 and 2 because of the winter water run-off from the tree.
Hypothesis: The distribution of Hydrocotyle heteromeria in the Christchurch New Zealand backyard landscape is limited to areas of soil with high moisture content. My
Prediction: H. heteromeria is seen in areas of high moisture and the plants abundance decreases at the soil becomes increasing dry.
Prediction Variable: Soil moisture. High moisture content or Low moisture content is a Categorical Variable.
Response Variable: Plant numbers decrease as soils moisture decreases. The sample units would be Categorical as “absent or present.”
Interesting hypothesis. Do you think there may be any human interference which may alter what would naturally occur ? Ex. Dogs urinating may provide moisture/nutrients or humans interacting with the pear tree ?
As it is winter in New Zealand there has been no human interference with the tree. We don’t have any dogs or pets that could contaminate the area. Likewise, the previous owners of the house also did not have pets. The yard does look as if the area around the South side of the fence around the tree might have drainage issues. There may be a different in soil nutrition as some of the pears drop and rot in the fall.