User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
Given the results of my initial data collection and the advice I recieved on my sampling design, I have decided to change a few things about my project.
My hypothesis is that flooding effects the composition of plant species along the creek. I predicted that the plant species composition would increase as distance from the creek increased due to the plants furthest from the creek not having to endure the harsh spring flooding.
I have fifteen transects, each 10m from the last, along the creek. Within each transect, I placed my 1m2 quadrat four times:
Q1- Within two meters from the walking trail.
Q2- Two meters into the bush.
Q3- Four meters from the trail and four meters from the creek.
Q4- Within two meters from the creek.
I completed my data collection today. My sampling design was easy to implement for the most part. However, some areas near the creek were quite steep with thick bush. It was difficult to be accurate with my measurements when collecting some of the Q3 and Q4 samples, but I tried to keep it as accurate as possible.
My data seems to support my prediction for the most part. Q4 only had 5 different plant species in total and Q3 had 9. However, Q2 and Q1 both supported 13 different species, suggesting that four meters from the creek is when plant composition begins to drop off.
