I have changed my research focus and location to the following:
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
Hypothesis: Trampling due to human recreation at Airforce Beach has influenced patterns of vegitative growth along the foredune specifically with reference to American sea rocket (Cakile edentula). Trampling along the foredune restricts growth of Cakile edentula to protected areas. Predictor Variable: Distance from beach access point (continuous variable). Response Variable: Species count (continuous), and location relative to protective structure (categorical). Prediction: Closer to beach entrance, less likely to find Cakile edentula, and if found more likely to be located in protected areas. As you move further down the beach, the Cakile edentula population becomes more abundant and widespread, growing in open and protected areas.
Null hypothesis: Trampling has no impact on vegetation growth patterns at Airforce beach.
Hi Jena! This seems to be a very strong hypothesis and prediction. All of the pieces and patterns are there to conduct a strong experiment, and it was very interesting to consider human trampling as a catalyst for vegetative growth rather than some other factor. Might I suggest expanding the area around the beach entrance to multiple areas where people may want to relax and lay down at the beach. This would expand your sample unit and allow for multiple areas to be considered for study. Additionally, it may be useful to consider other plant species rather than just Cakile Edentula populations, or to see if there is any overabundance of one species that was once in competition with a trampled, reduced species. Overall, a very strong hypothesis and prediction!
Thanks!
Graham Neilson-Welch