User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
The purpose of my research project was to investigate soil moisture as a potential limiting factor of tree size and frequency in my study area. In measuring soil moisture along a slope, an ecological process that my hypothesis and research touches on is the hydrological cycle. It focuses on water infiltration of near-surface soil, percolation and, indirectly, water uptake by surrounding vegetation and trees (Freedman et al. 2015). Ideas underpinning my research project include how gravity impacts water distribution in near-surface soil layers along a slope, how varying degrees of soil moisture impact surrounding vegetation, specifically trees in my research, and conversely, how vegetation impacts soil moisture.
Keywords: Soil moisture, slope, balsam poplar forest
References
Freedman, B., Hutchings, J., Gwynne, D., Smol, J., Suffling, R., Turkington, R., Walker, R. and Bazely, D. 2015. Ecology: a Canadian context. Second edition. Nelson Education, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
You will also want to consider soil texture as another variable that could influence results in your study and expand on the vegetation influence which I know you are also considering.