User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
I decided to not use some of the data that was collected as I feel it would provide too broad of a scope and not a clear reflection of my hypothesis which is that the species abundance and percent coverage will fluctuate based on the distance from the stormwater pond.
I had a total of 16 quadrats, 4 from each zone, at different distances and elevations from the stormwater pond. I did not have set distances from each zone. I defined each zone based on the maps of Fish Creek I was using and by the physical differences that were noticed in the zones.
Zone 1: Natural Wetland – this area was located pretty much right beside the flood zone of the stormwater pond and had a little pond itself.
Zone 2: Riverine lower elevation – this area was located just a few meters up the hill from the flood zone of the stormwater pond.
Zone 3: Riverine higher elevation – this area was located a few more meters up the hill from the lower elevation zone and was restricted by the walking trail that was located to the north of the zone.
Zone 4: Grassland – this area was located north of the walking trail and at a higher elevation. It was a few meters back from the walking trail as the walking trail had a buffer zone which seemed to be regularly disturbed.
I am unsure how accurate my data really is as there are several variables to consider that could alter the results. I tried to be as accurate as possible with determining the percent coverage of vegetation within the quadrats. I do think that the size and lack of randomness of the selection of where the quadrats were to be placed can possibly affect the results. I do think that while the data collected may not be the most accurate it will still be able to determine how vegetation responds to flooding in and around the stormwater pond.
It is promising to see that the data I have collected does coincide with how I predicted vegetation would respond to the flood zones.
