My method of collecting the data submitted in Module 3 was haphazard sampling using a 3.25” diameter ring and taking 5 replicate samples of moss facing North, East, South and West. A sample was taken, then five strides along the edge of the beach where the closest moss was sampled until there were 5 replicates of each direction. The data was not surprising, there were no obvious results which I can draw from it at this time. The following corrections will hopefully improve my surveying.
I did not have difficulties collecting the data but I did have a few ideas on how to improve future sampling. For starts, using a bigger quadrant as almost all of the moss patches were larger than the quadrant and placing it may have been subjective. As the area in which I am focussing my study is along the edge of a beach, most of the moss which was South-facing was on timber. I will assess if there is adequate moss on rocks which are South-facing as the surface on which the moss is growing may be a good control to limit its impact on the growth of the moss. I may also do research and identify the types of moss which are in the area and add the identification to my charts as different classifications may need different growing conditions.