Category: Post 6: Data Collection

Blog Post Six: Data Collection

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My data collection went fairly smoothly, similar to the collection we made of preliminary data. I did twenty replicates of 1M2 as planned to heighten the sample size. My sampling did however include some changes than what I proposed in my first small assignment because when I went to the pond to collect my data, I saw that one half of the pond had had all of the cattails completely levelled and removed. I was still able to space them approximately ten feet apart and maintained the sample size I wanted, however this means that one half of the lake was completely unsampled which is a shame because the two sides of the pond definitely differ in light as well as elevation from the pond and now I am not sure whether those are confounding variables that will influence the data.

Despite the fact that the collection process went smoothly, one thing I will note is that I can already see from the data that it did not progress as I predicted it would, and I am looking forward to analyzing it further and discussing why I think this was the case. One thing I also realized was that there are some large trees semi-nearby the pond that I did not factor into the abundance hypothesis, and I am not sure what effect if any they had on the data I collected.

Blog Post 6: Data Collection

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Initially, to collect samples, I chose a systematic random sampling method by dividing my subject area visually into three transects; a makeshift road, a regrowth area, and an old-growth area. In each transect, I took one replicate, consisting of five samples. A compass direction generator was used to select a direction, then I would walk 10 paces in that direction. At the 10 pace mark, I would use a 1 m2 square or quadrat to frame the area I would collect samples in. In each quadrant, I would record a “1” to represent if Virginia creeper was present or a “-” to represent if there was no Virginia creeper present in that sample. Replicates will be taken at 10:00 am beginning in the sanded area for six consecutive days from November 18th, 2020 to November 23rd, 2020.

In replicates two to six, I will adjust my sampling method to ensure a more exact distance and direction are followed. I will use a measuring tape to ensure the distance is at 10 m and request a friend assist in ensuring that the generated compass direction is followed. To create independence in the replicates, a compass direction generator will be used to provide an equal probability of any part of the transect to be measured and to remove sampling biases.

Ancillary patterns I have noticed are that Virginia creeper plants in the sanded area tend to be smaller plants, consisting of shorter vines or bunches of small sprouts. In the regrowth and old-growth area, the plants tended to be more clustered or quite full and long vines, often climbing up trees in the vicinity. Where shoots were present it was more likely to find a couple small shoots growing in clumps rather than evenly distributed throughout the area. I have also noticed in the sanded area, that some sections of sand are densely packed and in these areas, Virginia creeper is not present. It appears that Virginia creeper is more likely to be present along the edge of the transect or where the sand has been disrupted either by other plants, animal activity, or where water has created depressions and grooves.

Blog 6

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Blog Post 6: Data Collection
Create a blog post describing your field data collection activities. How many replicates did you sample? Have you had any problems implementing your sampling design? Have you noticed any ancillary patterns that make you reflect on your hypothesis?

I had to change my collection design, as after trying to collect data a few times, I realized it wouldn’t work the way I was doing it. I am trying to see if there is a correlation between where fruit plants grow and where poison ivy grows and if there are any other contributing factors for where the poison ivy is growing. I had tried out just randomly selecting plots to check for poison ivy and fruit plants, using a random generator app. The problem is that then I don’t always get many poison ivy plants in my data. (I tried this method a few times). My last attempt at data collection involved instead, systematic sampling along a transect. This is what I had tried on my very first data collection, but I had to add more quadrants this time to get enough data.

Post 6: Data Collection

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I have 20 replicates over a 2km stretch of creek and waterfall at Peterson Creek Park in Kamloops BC. I struggled to get my sample sizes as measuring across the creek was tricky and anything I would place in it would float away. Staking posts would damage the creek walls as I hoped to get the full range of creek for most samples. I ended up enlisting help and painting measurements on a stick then marking the edges with flagging tape. I noticed after my first walkthrough that my hypothesis could have varying results based on pollutants and human traffic which made me reevaluate. I also noticed there was virtually no wildlife which suggested the area may have underlying pollutants effecting multiple habitats. Soil and water sampling would be ideal if the resources to do so were available.

Blog post 6

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My field collection consists of 12 total replicates, 6 in each subarea of my yard. Each replicate is a quadrat that measures .5*.5m. I randomly placed them in my tard using a random number generator. I decided not to use the garden as it was too small to have more than one replicate it in it. If I put more than one the results would have been skewed due to the disproportionate replicates compared to size. The extreme changes in weather continues to be challenging to my collection activities and I worry that if I do not try and go out on days when weather is similar that my results will be skewed. I tried going out multiple times a day to get more accurate results, but I found that going out once a day in mid afternoon when the weather was at its most stable worked better.

I think that my results will be reliable given the fact that my yard usage has not changed much in the time I have lived here. This consistency will reduce the amount of interference in my data collection.

Post 6: Data Collection

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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.

Blog Post 6: Data Collection.

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I collected data for 15 days continuously, it was supporting my hypothesis. I sampled 11 replicates, 5 m around the ponds and along them and the same distance for my spots along the river as well. I counted the number of geese in that space. I also recorded the weather while collecting the data. This was the only way that I could do replication to support my hypothesis. I have noticed positive ancillary patterns that support my hypothesis.

At first I thought my sampling design was Tabular but then after considering my data I decided that it was logistic regression because my response variable is continuous.

 

Blog Post 6- Data Collection

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      I have begun implementing my experimental design by collecting field data from my study site. As previously mentioned in an earlier assignment, I will be performing 30 replicates total (10 replicates per study site). In order to be finished by module 8 I have chosen to do 10 replicates (1 study site) per module. This week I did my first set of 10 replicates and it went very smoothly. I chose my first location- the elderflower shrub branch. This is the location that is furthest from the road and my prediction is that this location will have the most Western Honeybee pollination activity. I counted the number of honeybees that pollinated the branch over 5 minutes, then repeated this 9 more times. My numerical data was written in my field journal in addition to the time that this data was collected and other pertinent information. As I have only collected data from one treatment site, I cannot comment on whether or not this data is congruent with my prediction because I have no other data to observe it against.

       So far I have not had any difficulties implementing my sampling designs. But I may run into problems in the following weeks. The weather is getting colder and the plants in this community garden are beginning to wilt and become dormant. I am nervous that my other treatments will not be viable by the time I get to observing them. I initially planned on completing this before the cold weather came but due to unforeseen circumstances (involving a glass of water and my laptop!) I was not able to access my modules/experiment information and schedule this experiment as I had initially intended. However, I will remain hopeful for the next 2 weeks and ideally be able to obtain accurate data for this study. Perhaps I will have to choose different plants that are still active in the same location of the treatment sites left. This is unfortunate because I initially had chosen my sample placements because of their similar characteristics. I am hoping that there will be some similar samples left in the locations I am studying during the weather changes.

Post 6: Data Collection

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I used the Microsoft Excel software to enter and format the collected data. And it contained the quantity of the insects collected, the abundances for every sampling period. I ensured that I worked towards my previously proposed research questions when coming up with the presentations.  For the questions that I did not adequately address the collected data, the instructors offered me more guidance and support. I prepared my PowerPoint presentation with 11 slides with the fieldwork pictures and graphics, enough for 10 – 15 minutes oral presentation. I presented anything I found relevant or important to the subjects or topics I learned during fieldwork, lectures, and laboratory, to increase scientific knowledge.

Blog post 6: Data Collection

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Data collection for my study has begun. So far I have collected 7 replicates. There were not any problems this time around. The sampling went according to expectations and there were no surprises in the process. Over the process of the data collection, some further observations of the area have been made. I have noticed that there is some grass cutting occurring in the tall grass areas of my study area which I hadn’t noticed before. This could be a contributing factor to the observed differences in the vine growth so I have begun corresponding with the City to confirm the schedule and extent of the grass cutting through the growing season.