My hypothesis is that Daphne and Salal would be equally abundant at lower elevations and higher elevations. However, we found that the abundance of Daphne and Salal was greater at higher elevations where there was more moisture and shade.
According to my research the ecological processes that may explain the observed patterns of plant abundance is that higher elevations receive less direct sunlight and may be cooler and moister, creating more favorable conditions for the growth of shade-tolerant species like Daphne and Salal. Another possibility is that the elevation gradient may influence soil properties, such as nutrient availability and pH, which can affect plant growth and survival or due to the fact that higher elevations have less competition from other plants and more favorable growing conditions for Daphne and Salal. study examines the distribution of the Ericaceae family, which includes Salal, in relation to soil properties in British Columbia. one of the study suggested that Salal was more abundant in moist, well-drained soils with a low pH, and shady areas suggesting that soil properties and light may play an important role in Salal distribution and abundance. Crompton, C. W., & Barbour, M. G. (1992).
This research project include the importance of understanding the ecological factors that influence plant distribution and abundance, as well as the need for accurate identification and measurement of plant species in the field.
Three keywords that could be used to describe our research project are: plant abundance, elevation gradient, and species distribution. These keywords capture the main focus of our research and highlight the ecological processes that we aim to investigate
Crompton, C. W., & Barbour, M. G. (1992). Distribution of the ericaceous shrub Gaultheria shallon and its association with soil properties. Canadian Journal of Botany, 70(3), 542-549.
I am interested in why you thought they would be similar at both elevations? Why that pattern and what are the ecological processes that led you to your initial hypothesis? This is what you will have to address in your introduction.
Is there enough elevation difference at your site that the higher elevation is cooler and moister? What did you observe at the two sites? Your study site description will be very important in your methods.
Hello Professor,
I am sorry for the stated hypothesis. I will make some changes. It is pretty obvious that there will be some differences in the abundance and I will surely make changes in the paper and edit the post accordingly.
Yes the elevation difference is around 40 meters which might not be enought but the maple trees and buildings are locations on top of the campus that way the soil at higher elevation recieves more shade and moisture.
I don’t know what made me kept the hypothesis as this please let me know if I can make changes. I did write this blog post just after taking the reading in the park and it is possible that it made me little distracted while I was writing the post.