Blog5

The Sampling Strategy

Quick refresher: I am investigating arborvitae seedling diversity across an altitudinal gradient. For this phase, I sampled from four key zones:

– Hilltop Dwarf Forest and Hilltop Scrub (1100-1480 m)
– Mixed Deciduous Broadleaf and Coniferous Forest (800-1100 m)
– Mixed Evergreen and Deciduous Broadleaf Forest (400-800 m)
– Evergreen Broadleaf Forest (200-400 m)

Challenges and Difficulties
Implementation Woes

Despite my meticulous planning, fieldwork in natural ecosystems is never straightforward. The terrain’s steep slopes made it physically taxing to carry equipment and perform measurements. Plus, unpredictable weather changes posed additional challenges.

Unexpected Data

What surprised me was the strong, significant correlation between temperature and seedling species diversity. I didn’t just find a ‘hint’ of a relationship; the data screamed it loud and clear (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices: R = 0.40, P < 0.05; R = 0.38, P < 0.05).
Another revelation was the dramatic decline in diversity as I moved higher in altitude, with some species dominating significantly more than I anticipated.

Future Directions

Modifications in Approach?

Given these initial findings and challenges, some tweaks in my methodology are in order. First, I plan to incorporate temperature loggers at each site to continuously capture temperature data. This will complement my periodic sampling and give me a more comprehensive understanding of temperature effects.

Second, to better cope with the steep and difficult terrain, I am looking into lighter and more portable equipment. These changes will allow me to sample more efficiently and likely yield more reliable data.

Will I Continue With the Same Technique?

I’ll retain the core of my sampling strategy but include these modifications to improve my data quality and research scope.

Conclusion

While the data from Module 3 has been eye-opening, it’s just the tip of the ecological iceberg. The modifications in my approach aim to refine my research, making the data collected in upcoming modules even more reliable and insightful.