User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
The graph I submitted for my Small Assignment 5 illustrates the relationship between slope incline (%) and common snowberry density (stems/m2). I added a linear trend line to my line graph to visually show that as slope incline (%) increases, the density (stems/m2) of common snowberry decreases. To produce this graph, I stratified my slope incline (%) into four distinct ranges. The ranges were 0-5%, 6-10%, 11-15% and 15%+. I determined these ranges based on my data collection. I then manipulated my data by changing the number of stems per quadrat I collected into density (stems/m2) by dividing my stems per quadrat by 2.25m2. I then calculated the average density in each slope incline (%) range, for example between 0-5% slope incline, the average density of snowberry was 15 stems/m2. Between 6-10% slope incline, the average density of snowberry was 8 stem/m2.
The linear trend line on my graph illustrates the general trend I was predicting in support of my hypothesis, that snowberry distribution is determined by slope incline (%). Specifically, I predicted that snowberry will be present in area where slope is less than 20% and that snowberry density will decrease as slope incline (%) increases.
When I was first organising my data and producing graphs, I didn’t think my results were showing the trend I predicted, and my graphs appeared cluttered with too much information. As I started to aggregate my data into different ranges and averages, my graphs appeared to show a better trend and I think they are easier for the reader to interpret.
As I am working through my data, I am noticing some trends that I didn’t predict, for example my data is showing that common snowberry is highest in Site 1 Eastern Area compared to Site 2 Riparian Area. During my initial field observations, I expected common snowberry to be at highest density in the riparian area. My data is also showing that light exposure is similar in Site 1 and Site 2 compared to Site 3 Upland Area, which could be another variable determining snowberry distribution. My soil moisture data did not show what I expected, where Site 3 Upland Area was not the driest site, where I was expecting Site 1 and Site 2 to have the highest soil moisture, and Site 3 to have the lowest, however this is not the case with my data. I also want to evaluate slope aspect (degrees) as a predictor variable.
As I am working through my final report, I will be outputting more graphs that will hopefully further support my hypothesis and show other potential trends.
