Identity: Genus Calyptocarpus
Hypothesis: The distribution of Calyptocarpus plants is influenced by a combination of factors, including both human/animal activity and proximity to oak trees.
Why?: The observed higher abundance of Calyptocarpus plants on the north side of the path and further away from oak trees could be a result of the combined effects of these factors. The north side of the path might offer a less disturbed environment, and the absence of oak trees could provide more suitable conditions for the growth of Calyptocarpus plants.
Formal Prediction Based on Hypothesis: If the distribution of Calyptocarpus plants is influenced by a combination of human/animal activity and proximity to oak trees, then we expect to observe the highest abundance of Calyptocarpus plants on the north side of the path, further away from the oak trees. Additionally, we anticipate a gradual decrease in Calyptocarpus abundance as we move towards the south side of the path and closer to the oak trees
Response Variable: Response Variable: Abundance of Calyptocarpus plants (Continuous). The quantitative measurement of the abundance of Calyptocarpus plants at each sampled location.
Explanatory Variable: Distance from Oak Trees (Continuous). The distance between each sampled location and the nearest oak tree.
This is a good start. So it sounds like your gradient is amount of shade? You need to refine your hypothesis to say specifically what factors are influencing Calyptocarpus plants. Think about what factors you are going to measure when you do your study. If you are measuring distance to oak trees then it sounds like trees and possibly the shade they provide is the factor that you are focusing on and expect to be influencing the pattern you see.