This was an interesting project as I have never gone through the whole process from design to implementation and finally creating a report on my own. I have done each of the individual components but it was really interesting to have them all come together. The implementation of my project went well other than having to post pone collecting samples one day as the deer were occupying my study site and I did not want to scare them off. It was really interesting though to watch them graze and see what types of plants they were eating and avoiding. I think it was great to have a first hand account and helped me shape my research into the topic afterwards. I find it really interesting that plants and herbivores have co-evolved together with plants creating defenses against herbivory and then herbivores developing new ways of getting around them.
Going forward I would love to repeat my study and see what plants are being impacted by herbivory later in spring. I would like to do this because there are culturally important plants at my site that were not in season at the time of sampling. I was a bit disappointed by this as I initially wanted to know what was causing the Camas lilies disappearance at my site. Additionally, I would like to know if any of the plants found in my study will have issues with their reproductive success due to the intense grazing early in the season.
Engaging in ecological practices has helped awaken my curiosity for nature. When I am out and about I am often wondering about the processes behind instead of just taking nature at face value. It has been great to develop a deeper understanding of the ecological world as not all can be tested in a laboratory alone.