Collection: I took five replicates of each elevation band across the gradient to ensure thorough coverage of the study area. I created a standardized 10-meter square plot at each location. This consistency in plot size was important to data accuracy and comparability across elevations. I conducted detailed counts of coffee plants within these plots, distinguishing between mature plants and seedlings. Observing the seed colour helped in accurately categorizing the plant’s maturity, which helped in differentiation.
Challenges: The Blue Mountains’ rugged and steep terrain posed significant physical challenges, making access to some higher elevation sites particularly time-consuming. Unpredictable weather, particularly heavy rains, was a frequent disruptor of my sampling schedule, affecting both site accessibility and data collection consistency across time periods. I encountered internet connectivity issues while conducting research in the eastern part of the country, which is more mountainous. This limitation my ability to upload data in real time or access online resources.
Observation: At lower elevations, the evidence of human activities, like small-scale farming and trails, appeared to have a noticeable impact on the distribution and health of coffee plants. This was an aspect I hadn’t fully considered in my original hypothesis, which primarily focused on natural environmental factors.
Be careful out there, this is meant to be a study somewhere close to you and can even be urban, sounds like you are almost done though I should have encouraged you to think of a question at lower elevations!