Month: October 2020

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.

Blog Post 9: Field Research Reflections

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Initially, I had a lot of issues with carrying out my project. I entered this course with a fairly basic knowledge of ecological theory. However, having made it through the course material and reviewing the literature necessary for my final project, I now feel like I (finally) understand the data that I was collecting. As time went on: the course equipped me with the knowledge to relate my observations to an increasing amount of theory. This did not result in me changing my sample design (aside from my initial changes from haphazard to randomly placed quadrats to transects – more information is available on this switch in Blog Post 6); however, it did result in me changing how I viewed my data.

 

Having noticed that forb species tended to change drastically over a small area, I originally set out to just characterize the forb species that reside along a riparian slope (and was completely ignorant of the patterns or processes that I should have expected to see). Following this, reflection on the underlying mechanisms led me to think that soil moisture would be the single largest factor contributing to forb distribution. I was (partially) correct in that assessment, but had an incomplete picture. As I began to dive deeper into the literature and the course work, the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis kept coming up. I then related what I had learned concerning this to my study area. It allowed me postulate that I would likely see a “hump-shaped” relationship of richness and diversity along the elevational gradient of my study. The reason for this was because I expected that the inundation of the river caused disturbance; therefore, the region of maximum disturbance would be at the lowest elevations of my study area, the areas of least disturbance would be at the highest elevations of my study area and the highest richness and diversity would occur somewhere in the middle. However, yet again, I was (partially) correct. Examination of my data revealed a biphasic pattern of richness and diversity (in which there were two peaks). I now understand that this is because disturbance was being exerted on both ends of my study area: river inundation at the lowest reaches, and anthropogenic at the highest reaches. Therefore, the area of lowest disturbance resided in the center of my study area, and areas of maximal disturbance resided at both margins.

 

As the result of journeying through the development, implementation and analysis of my project: I now have a great appreciation for ecological theory and just how complicated it can be to develop and study. At first glance, my project seemed simple: just go out and count the forbs. However, the amount of variables that were responsible for the patterns that I was seeing are overwhelming. I feel that I have managed to capture a few of the most important ones related to forb distribution along an elevational gradient in a riparian zone; however, I now know that I have only scratched the surface.

Blog Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives

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The theoretical basis or aim of my research project is to determine the likely cause of the observed variance in soil texture along a slope gradient in a grassland ecosystem. The theory that I am exploring and forms the parameters for my field data collection include, slope gradient and vegetation type and cover as possible explanatory factors for the observed variance in soil texture. Ideas that underpin my research include the understanding the gravity & water transport finer soil particles further away from steep slope positions then coarser soil particles. Another idea is the role that vegetation plays in determining soil texture in a given site.

Keywords: Soil texture, slope gradient, grassland ecosystem.

Post 3: Ongoing Field Observations

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I plan to study Peterson Creek as a viable spawning area for salmon and the effects of the aesthetic grooming of the creek could be having on that population.

The three locations I chose as my sample areas were at the base of the waterfalls where I noted the finest sediment and largest girth in the stream bed. I observed the gradient of the falls and levels to it, ensuring it was possible for fish to travel from the feeding lake above.

 I then traveled 0.5 kilometers downstream where I had first observed red algae along the edges of the stream indicating a food source and nutrients to sustain fry growth before entering the Thompson River. The rocks were much larger in this part of the creek and the water was much shallower while the walls of the stream were narrow and steep compared to the gradual gradient and deep pools found at the base of the falls.

The final location I chose was the beginning of the park another 0.5 kilometers downstream to see the most heavily traveled portion of the creek. This area has evidence of heavy travel in and around the water by dogs. There was absolutely no visible plant life in the water and around the creek bed was only grass, no shrubs which indicates heavy travel in the area. There were bits of garbage littered  around the tree bases.

The frequent creek bed disturbance by human intervention through methods of removing debris has resulted in the area being uninhabitable for local fish.

The areas of the creek with adequate substrate and width for fish to lay eggs shows evidence of removal of debris. This area will have depleted biodiversity and few if any fish inhabitants.

Based on my hypothesis, the response variable is the salmon population, it is considered categorical. I aim to measure their presence in the creek. The explanatory variable I have identified based on my hypothesis is the people who visit the park. It is considered categorical as I will be measuring their influence on the creek’s biodiversity.

Design Reflection

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My sampling strategies went better than I expected during the first few times I went out monitor ant activity. There was obvious ant activity that made the data collection easy. However, I am currently having some difficulties with my method. We have had some bad weather recently that has made any animal or insect activity scarce. Once the weather clears up, I plan to continue my current method of collection. The only modification may make is checking more frequently. I was going out every few days so as to not be too disruptive and cause a fluctuation in the numbers due to human activity. However, the weather this time of year can vary so greatly at any given moment that taking multiple samples a day (before bad weather and after, morning and afternoon etc) may help me acquire better results.  I also need to make sure I wait for it to be warm enough for ants to be out when I go out because some mornings can be cold and have not much activity.

One thing I found surprising is the number of ants changed the day before the weather changed. I went out to collect data and found no ant activity in any of my quadrats. Given the amount I had found previously I was not sure why there was none on the day I went out, especially in areas where the numbers have been consistent.

Post 9: Field Research Reflections

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I concluded that participating in the field research helps gain deep knowledge of the terrestrial diversity and roles offered by the insects. Many insects that I viewed in the field were easily identified using simple identification keys. I also learned that entomologists always investigate insects’ functional traits to solve problems such as deforestation and climate change that are facing the world today.  The interactions between the plants and the insects are important to understand since they form the basis for increasing local environmental awareness and conservation.

Post 8: Tables and Graphs

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I always viewed insects as pests; however, this field research has changed my attitudes towards insects.  The light-trapping technique produces several live specimens hence enabling me to handle and experience live insects.  The insects triggered strong feelings, which were both positive and negative. The feelings were positive because of the shape, colours, and diversity of the insects, while the feelings were negative because of the fear of the bites and diseases. Therefore, educating the importance of insects in the ecosystem using the field experience is very important.  I chose the fieldwork as an important activity in the course of the research project. My project results confirmed that observation and collection of the insects during fieldwork can trigger curiosity and interest in the local natural ecosystems, hence increasing conservation awareness. I did not adequately analyze or evaluate my project’s social advantages because of the small number of participants.

Post 7 Theoretical Perspectives

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The three keywords underlying the processes of my research project are conservation, ecosystem, and insects. Through observation of my study site, I found out that insects are important components of biodiversity. Therefore, it is important to understand and appreciate the several functions of the insects in the ecosystem. Biology teachers intending to conduct field research must first acquire a basic understanding of the ecology to implement the course

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.

Post 5: Design Reflections

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Prior to the arrival at Acadia Research Forest, I explained the protocols of surveying and safety measures to the forest guards. I built two different light traps for the two days and nights in the forest. The first trap had a 2.6 m× 1.6 m white sheet fixed between 2 tree trunks using the ropes. I suspended the 250 W vapour light, powered by the generator on the sheet, to attract the flying insects. I set up the second trap, 600 meters from the first trap, and it shed light on an 80-centimetre cylindrical white sheet employing a 40-centimetre actinic tube. In the day, I employed pitfall traps and aerial fruit traps to collect the ants, spiders, beetles, wasps, and butterflies frequently available in the forest.  I, however, only used the light traps to collect the data because this method had diversity and the highest abundance of the insects within the limited sampling time.  The light-trapping method is important compared to other techniques because it enables one to closely observe the live insects and interactions like competition and predation. It also offers an important chance of introducing some morphological traits typifying a different insect order.