The sampling strategy I am using in my research is the systematic sampling technique. I choose to use a gradient where approximately every hundred meters the abundance of moss growth was observed on different tree species. My response variable is the amount of moss abundance on the different species and the explanatory variable is the location of the tree being observed. Initially, I did not have any difficulties implementing my sampling strategy. However, I have been examining the moss growth on the trunk of trees and my area has received many recent snow storms which are now making it quite difficult to implement my original sampling strategies. The majority of moss growth in this area is at the trunks of trees making it ideal for me to observe, but now I may have to make changes to allow for my research to continue throughout the entire winter. I found the initial sampling perfect for my current skill level and will continue to use the same methods even if I no longer observe the abundance of moss on the tree trunks. I found it easy and accurate to count trees in this manner. It was easy to be accurate in my counting rather than estimating. I was surprised to see such a difference in monthly growth among the different species. Originally, I did not notice how paper birch trees had a significant amount of moss growth compared to the other tree species. However, there are substantially more birch trees in this area than in others which may be the reason for these results.
just a suggestion that using the same species of tree might simplify and keep out the variable of using different species of trees
of course, this can be discussed in the Discussion, as a possible confounding variable