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Post 1: Observations

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The location that I have chosen to conduct my research in my family property in Metcalfe, Ontario, which is 2.1 hectares and contains several different types of vegetation and conditions. Within the property, there are two still water ponds (originally dug for drainage) (Figures 1 and 2), a small forest stand (plus several more spaced apart) of white spruce (Picea glauca) (Figures 3 and 4). There is also areas of swamp containing various species of coniferous trees and woody plants (Figure 5) in addition to the kept gardens and grass. I first went out to observe on May 27th around 9:00, it was overcast and around 12 degrees Celsius. When I took the following pictures, it was 15:30, sunny and 18 degrees Celsius.

 Figures 1 and 2

Figures 3 and 4

Figure 5

From my initial observations, I noticed some differences between the two ponds. One is in the front yard with some ducks and rabbits, enclosed in a fence (Figure 1). It had lots of tadpoles swimming around but interestingly there were no adult frogs (multiple undetermined species) to be seen. In contrast, the second pond (Figure 2), which is in the backyard and is completely open to the surrounding agricultural fields (Figure 6), had fewer visible tadpoles but at least 10 frogs were counted. What causes this difference in species richness between two similar sized ponds only approximately 200 metres apart?

Figure 6

I also noticed many robins (Erithacus rubecula) all throughout the property. I am considering observing how long they spend feeding on the ground in various areas with different surroundings. What influences that behaviour? I would analyse the surroundings to try and explain any differences in time spent feeding.

Finally, in the stand of white spruces, the trees are very close together, to the point where it is hard to walk between them (Figure 7). There are also some nearby that have been planted further apart. I noticed bright green buds on the tips of the branches. On the crowded trees, only the outer branches had these buds while the spaced trees had them all around them. Is access to direct sunlight the only factor that causes this variation within species or is there something less obvious?

 Figure 7

I have included a rough sketch map of the study site in Figure 8. Each of these potential study subjects are very interesting to me, so I need to evaluate which one I would realistically be able to study for my final project.

Figure 8

Post 8: Tables and Graphs

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I used an ANOVA analysis using excel to plot plot distance from a path (categorical variable) to mean ratio of trees to shrubs (continuous variable), inclusive of standard deviation, and found statistical significance. I was significantly stressed about doing this because I haven’t yet taken a stats class but I found some resources (thank you Percy) and learned quite a bit about statistics that will help me in the classI have to come.

With my hypothesis I am testing for a number of variables and decided to present this relationship because it is statistically significant. However, most of the tests did not disprove the null-hypothessis. I was wondering what I did see during initial observation. I still think there may be a relationship. Many of my p-values were low but not near the 5% threshold, lending themselves to show more of a relationship than not. I am doubtful of the 5% p-value rule and have read academics challenging the 5% threshold. I have much more to learn.

 

Blog Post 2: Sources of Scientific Information

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To obtain information on the Giant Hogweed I was required to do some research. I will be reviewing information on Giant Hogweed in Canada as an invasive species. This information came from ‘The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 4. Heracleum mantegazzianum,” Sommier and Levier. It reviews on how it takes over including its effects on the environment and human health. It also speaks on the identification and nature of the plant, as well as give possible management options, etc.

This is an academic, peer-reviewed material. https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/P05-158

In the last 3 pages of their review is a long list of sources sited in the text. They do not run their own tests, but rather review many others.

Blog Post 1: Observations

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I have decided to my project on my own private property, located in Southbank, British Columbia, Canada. Southbank is a small remote rural area, about 24 km from Burns Lake, BC. There you will reach the ferry terminal of the Francois Forester that crosses Francois Lake to Southbank. Francois Lake is the 2nd largest natural lake in British Columbia. Our property is on the first street bordering the lake (we are on the upper side of the street, so our land does not sit directly on the lake shore).  For the purpose of this study I have split the 30 acres into 2 separate sections to study and observe.To make things simple, I divided the property in half. The first 15 acres (Section 1) is the home front. It is mostly grass land and was select logged around 10 years ago. To break down section 1 there is around 1 acre of mature birch and aspen stand, 3 acres cleared (home, yard, etc.), 5 acres new immature growth (aspen, birch, cottonwood), and the remaining 6 acres is grassland. The second section is a mature mixed forest stand (birch, pine, spruce). 1/4 of the back property is made up of a steep gully. The entire property is on around a 30% slope. The first site visit was May 25, 2019, spring/summer time. The temperature was around 20 degrees Celsius, at 1015. It was sunny with a slight breeze. I began to notice the abundance of young Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Giant Hogweed (also known as cow parsnip), is a prennial plant and often grows around roadsides, ditches, and streams.  It is an invasive plant and is know to commonly invade old fields and native habitats (woodlots). Their seeds remain viable in the soil for 15 years and each plant can produce up to 120000 winged seeds, which helps them travel long distances in the wind and streams. Once I obtained this information I began to thing of 1.) How does Giant Hogweed impact the environment (Natural Resource Impacts)? 2.) Pre-Cautions? How does it affect human health? and 3.) How do we prevent further growth as well as safe removal and management?

Below are photos of the site, both section 1 and 2.

References: http://www.invadingspecies.com/giant-hogweed/

Blog Post 6: Data Collection

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I have started collecting data for my research project on the effects of temperature on bird activity. So far I have collected 4 replicates. I am using a point count method to count the number of birds in my sampling location while noting the temperature during each observation. I am using a bird feeder to count the number of birds at the feeder during each 10 minute observation. Some initial difficulties I had were the competition the birds had with the bird feeder with other species, specifically with squirrels. Within 24 hours of hanging the bird feeder, the squirrels had eaten nearly the entire feeder so I had to start again and buy a squirrel proof bird feeder. Another issue I have had is that it is tricky getting temperatures within my range. (I hypothesized that bird activity is highest between 10-15 celcius). Of all the replicates I have done, they have all been above my temperature range. I’m worried I won’t have enough ranges of temperature to fully test my hypothesis and perhaps I should have hypothesized a higher temperature range. In New Jersey, where I live the average low in May is 12 celcius and 17 celcius in June. Therefore, it is unlikely that I will get temperature ranges below my hypothesis of 10-15 degrees and it may even be tricky to get temperature ranges within my hypothesis.

I have a feeling that other variables are going to affect the results of the study too. In particular, wind and cloud cover seem to also affect the abundance of birds in my observation area. At this point I don’t know what variable seems to have the most effect on bird abundance: temperature, wind, cloud cover or precipitation. My hypothesis deals specifically with temperature but I have a feeling that cloud cover plays a significant role. While I am not testing these other variables, I have been taking note of them as I believe they may have an effect on the overall results.

Post 4: Sampling Strategies

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After completing the different sampling techniques and comparing the results, the fastest estimated technique was systematic with an estimated time of 12hr 5mins the next fastest method was haphazard with a sampling time of 12hr 44 minutes. The final and longest sampling method was random with an estimated time of 12hr 55minutes.

 

The most common species sampled was Eastern hemlock, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of -4.2%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of -16.6% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of 27.7%. For the second most common species sweet birch, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of -14.9%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of 2.8% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of -29.1%. When comparing these two data sets for the most common trees we can see that systematically sampling gave the lowest error percentage for eastern hemlock and randomizes sampling gave the lowest percentage for sweet birch.

 

The most least species sampled was White pine, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of 98.8%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of 98.8% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of 98.8%. For the second least common species Striped maple, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of -100%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of 18.9% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of -4.5%. When comparing these two data sets for the least common trees we can see that all sampling methods provide the same results for White pine and haphazard sampling gave the lowest percentage error for Striped maple.

 

Overall as species abundance decreased percentage error of all sampling methods increase dramatically, from this data set randomized sampling appears to be the most effective

Post 5: Design Reflections

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For the initial collection of data I used what I initially thought was a systematic sampling technique because I walked a certain number of paces to get to certain areas of each corner of the field. However, I realised that I was not actually using a systematic sampling technique because the sample taken in the middle of the field was not able to be measured by a certain number of paces equally from each “edge” of the field. This was due to the field not being uniform. Hence, I determined that I used a simple random sampling technique for the initial collection of data. This was not so much a difficulty but more of a misunderstanding on my part for sampling.

My initial hypothesis stated that there would be more dandelions towards the northern and eastern perimeters of the field because I had typically observed less prolonged human activity in those areas in the field whereas the southern and western parts of the field had benches, a playground, and a street hockey area. The data from the replicate in the southwest corner of the field surprised me because it had the greatest number of dandelions in the quadrat I set. However, I did not initially consider whether I would count flattened (versus upright) dandelions in my counts.

I still intend to use the random sampling technique for future data collection although I may consider adding more replicates to get a better idea of the abundance of dandelions in different parts of the field. One thing I may have to consider is that the park is maintained every so often and the dandelions may be mowed down during subsequent samplings.

Blog Post 3: Ongoing Field Observations

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I plan on studying the amount of paper birch in the area surrounding disturbance in my site. Disturbed areas consists of two large areas in which trees were removed in order to accommodate for housing to be developed. I plan on surveying along the edge of the disturbed area in 5m,10m and 20m intervals( this variable is classified as continuous )  . I predict that due to paper birch being a shade intolerant species it will only be found on the edge of the disturbed area due to the fact that without adequate sunlight it does not thrive. One potential explanatory variable that could affect the growth of paper birch in this area could be percipitation.

Post 2: Source of Scientific information

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A) Jenerette, G. D., and Weijun Shen. “Experimental Landscape Ecology.” Landscape Ecology 27.9 (2012): 1237-48. ProQuest. 5 May 2019 .

B) This paper is Academic, peer-reviewed review material

C)

1. This article was written by two experts indicated by their work at universities

2. This article included in-text citations

3. This article contains a complete bibliography

This article was peer reviewed, which can be determined by examining the acknowledgements sections in which other professionals who had input into the article were thanked. Due to no methods or results this article was deemed to not be research material.

Post 1 Observations

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I have decided to study a forested area adjacent to my rural house in Clearwater BC. The area is about 9.1 hectares in size, located at valley bottom on the base of a slope. The forested area chosen is primarily private land which backs on 3 rural homes with one edge of the area running alongside a large power line corridor. There is also a small subsection of forested area that runs between two private properties.  The forested area is primarily a second growth Douglas fir stand with some Lodge pole pine and Paper birch within the stand. The site was visited from 12:30 to 14:40 on April 30 2019, the weather was mainly sunny with a few scattered clouds.

Figure 1

Three possible questions for this area could be,

  • Is there a difference in tree species/species concentration in the forested area between the cleared homestead and the forested area deeper within the site (See Figure 2)?
  • Do observed American robins nest within the forested area in the same concentration as the homestead area?
  • What are the observable human impacts in the homestead area compared to the forested area?
                                                   Figure 2