I’m going to explore the differences between T1, the planted and weeded tier, with T2 and T3, the cleared but natural tiers.
On further exploration, there are denser patches of visible regrowth in different parts of T2 and T3 and the branching of the fruit trees is different in T1. The regrowth seems to be concentrated in the NW section of the study area. Some is suckering from leftover stumps and some is natural regen. While the proximity to the tree line does not change much, the south section is virtually absent of woody regrowth aside from what was planted in T1.
Some underlying processes that could account for this are:
Sunlight allowance, slope differences along the tier, soil nutrient content, soil compaction, proximity to the forest edge, reaction and exposure duration to other biotic and abiotic influencers, subsurface water flow
Study Object: Tree performance and density
Hypothesis: Subsurface water flow is influencing the density and growth of tree species found in the tiers
Gradient: 3, 20m x 15m plots (A, B, C) including Tiers 1, 2, and 3 will form the gradient
Prediction: Tree performance and density is influenced by subsurface water flow
Predictor Variable: Location, plot A, B, or C (categorial)
Response Variable: Tree performance and density (continuous)
