For my sampling technique, I decided to run five 15m belt transects around various areas of Turner’s bog. The transects extended 1m to both sides creating 2m x 15m transects. These transects were done to determine % the cover of invasive gorse and blackberry. I found various pros and cons of implementing the belt transect method. They were:
Pros:
- Provide a good way of being able to clearly visualize the changes taking place along the 15m line
- They were done fairly quickly
- Can be used to monitor any change in an area over time
Cons:
- It was difficult to identify where best to undertake the transects
- Transects may not represent the entirety of the area studied.
- May not represent all organisms in the habitat.
- Does not provide insight into historical land use patterns.
I began this research under the assumption there would be a higher abundance of Gorse, one of my key response variables. After conducting a few site surveys and sampling transects I was underwhelmed to find only a small patch located on the Northeast end of the bog. Although, this finding added another layer of intrigue to my hypotheses. After conducting further online research, I was able to learn that Gorse thrives on south-facing aspects. On the Northeast slope, the B layer of vegetation was comprised of strictly Gorse and blackberry. With this, I was able to formulate a new hypothesis/prediction.
Hypothesis: Can ruderal species compete with invasive gorse and blackberry in favourable environmental conditions
Prediction: Invasive gorse and blackberry cut out all available resources for ruderal species to survive.