For my sampling of Fullerton Creek I selected three main pools within my sampling area which I named Sycamore, Pepper Tree, and Rocky Bank – all situated in the more vegetated area of the creek. These pools were chosen for their diverse habitat types, ease of access, and because they were similar in size.
To gather data, I conducted visual surveys for five minutes each over four separate sampling days, spaced out to observe variations over time. This involved counting and documenting the number of fish in each pool, as well as noting details like fish size, species, and habitat characteristics. Additionally, I collected rainfall data over specific periods, sourced from local weather stations, to correlate with my observations of fish populations.
An aspect of my sampling design that I was unable to control was the impact of environmental factors that could affect fish populations, such as temperature, water flow, habitat structure, and human disturbances.
This one should have been on the virtual forests activity in the Moodle Tutorial