Initial Data Collection

Total Species Count of Cakile Endentula
Count Observer: Jen Awan
Count Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Start Time: 9:30am 

Weather: 14 degrees celsius , light wind, mixed sun and cloud
Lat/Long: 49.7217° N, 124.8862° W

Predictor Variable: Distance from Beach Entry point
Response Variables: Number of Cakile edentula and relative location (within 6 inches of a protective structure)

I used systematic grid sampling across the foredune region.  I chose a plot size of 5 x 5 ft due to the fact that the foredune region along airforce beach is sparsely populated with Cakile edentula, therefore I wanted to be able to capture a representative sample.  I chose my starting point by using a random number generator between 1 and 50 to determine the distance in meters from the entry point to the beach that I would begin plot sampling. Each additional plot sample was measured 50 meters away for a total of 11 plot samples.  I repeated this process 5 times, each time using a random number generator to determine the sampling start point.  

I recorded two pieces of information in each plot sample. First, I did a complete count of Cakile edentula within the plot parameters. Secondly, I recorded the number of species that were within 6 inches of what I am calling a protective structure.  At Airforce beach there are many logs along the foredune.  When I first explored the beach I noticed that Cakile edentula appeared to be growing tucked into hidden/protected areas around logs.  However, further down the beach away from the general usage area, Cakile edentula can be observed growing readily in open spaces.  Therefore, my second observation measured the relative location of individual species in order to determine if there was a pattern.  You will see from the chart and graph below that while population count at any one location fluctuated, there does appear to be a trend towards higher counts the further away you get from the beach.  Additionally, when the relative location of Cakile edentula is taken into consideration the data indicates that closer to beach entry it is found tucked into protected locations but further out it is more likely to be found growing in the open.

Only issues with sampling design is that the abundance of logs makes it difficult at times to sample some areas super accurately as different heights and angles of logs make it difficult to place my plot markers.

Also Perhaps the fact the logs take up more space on the beach closer to the parking lot and their are fewer logs further down is a possible explanatory factor to the growth pattern being more or less open.  More logs less sand exposed areas to allow Cakile edentula to grow?