User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
Blog Post 9 – 03/04/20
Throughout the duration of this course I designed a field experiment that had the objective of determining if soil moisture levels impacted abundance and distribution of three tree species (white spruce (Picea glauca), aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides), and white birch (Betula papyrufera)) in Kinsmen Park. I used a Stratified Random Sampling design to carry out this experiment and overall I felt, upon completion, that the design I chose was well suited to this type of study. Incorporating randomization into the study through selecting various locations to sample from within the designated strata allowed for bias to be completely eliminated. Furthermore, the randomization allowed me to come across some unexpected results that caused me to pause and really reflect upon my hypothesis, the patterns I saw, and the predictions that arose. There were no issues implementing the design. Some days were colder than others, making the ground slightly difficult to sample from, but overall the implementation of the stratified random sampling design went well. Engaging personally in the practice of ecology has certainly deepened and enhanced my appreciation for how ecological theory is developed. My study design was relatively simple and took place over a smaller area. It looked at very simple variables and factors and their impacts on each other. Through conducting my study as well as reviewing previous research for my annotated bibliography, I gained a much deeper appreciation for ecological studies that span years over vast distances and look at multiple variables. The effort that goes into planning and executing these types of studies is immense and the work these researchers are doing to advance ecology is incredibly important. I can’t help but marvel at their dedication to their research, to their field, and to ecology as a whole. Taking this course and performing a field experiment has allowed me to step into the shoes of a ecologist, albeit in a much smaller way, and has allowed me to develop a deepened sense of respect for how ecological theory is developed.
