User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
Over the past two weeks, I have been walking my field site wondering about what organism or environment I want to study. I have made several observations within my field journal, noting a wide range of possibilities, and have decided upon the Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) (HBB). This an invasive species to Vancouver Island that is found along the Wetland ecotone.
Vancouver Island is just coming into spring, and new growth is starting to occur within the ecosystem, but not on the blackberry vines yet. The first area I chose to observe was a slope alongside the road that quickly transitions of short grasses. The second area is at an area where high rivers and flooding have caused parts of the bank to erode, washing away parts of the transitional area containing blackberry bushes. It will be interesting to see if the blackberries colonize around the obstruction, or if native flora will be able to become established. The third area is a zone that borders woodland and my ecotone. The HBB becomes pervasive, walking through the ecotone becoming less developed with the existence of mature Cedars and Douglas Firs.
My Hypothesis: Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus Armeniacus) prefers a ecotone environment.
There is a visible transition zone from forest to wetlands along the ecotone with invasive species (Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry), seemingly winning the race. Blackberry bushes seem to prefer the ecotone environment with minimal bushes appearing in forested areas. The categorical response variables could include recording the amount IN m^2 of HBB I observe in a perpendicular direction spanning into the ecotone. Predictor variables could be the amount of sunlight reaching the vine going into denser brush. An experimental design could include a one-way layout, by choosing patches of blackberry and documenting their health going into spring. I will choose ten replicates at a minimum making sure that each choice is independent of one another.
I appreciated your observations and the time you have been putting in to find the right study site and specimens. Your thorough analysis of the site is definitely going to give you lots of information for your final research. I like your pick of the Himalayan Blackberry bush for its relevance in your area as an invasive species. It makes your research more relevant and engaging. The patterns and study subjects are well explained in your post. You made me fully understand the type of site you are studying and what it looks like from your first observations. On the other hand, I fear it may be complicated to measure the level of sunlight reaching different plants as you are explaining for your predictor variable. Unless you have already an idea and a method to do so, I have trouble picturing how you could accurately determine that variable in a field setting. Maybe distance from the bottom of the slope or elevation could be easier variables to measure, while still providing a sense of location on your ecotone. Your hypothesis is very interesting and is well put in words. I am looking forward to seeing this research unfold and understand a little bit more how competitively aggressive this invasive species really is.
Great work!
Shannon