I found the field research project to be an eye-opener. Primarily that while the design and execution of the sampling seemed simple enough, the overall impression I was left with at the end of the project was that the data I had collected was completely insufficient to be able to conduct any kind of meaningful analysis. I felt I had designed a very novice project that left me with more questions than answers. If I were to conduct an experiment like this in the real world, there would need to be a lot more forethought put into the sampling designs as well as clearly defining the question. I feel like my original hypothesis was correct, that the two weed species use propagation strategies that encourage establishment in clumps as a way to compete for available space and resources, but the data I collected was basically a pretty looking plot with no scientific weight.
I had changed the study design a few times leading up to the sampling as well as the question I was trying to ask. To be honest, I found it hard to think of something to study. I am not an ecologist and had to trawl the internet just to be able to identify two plants for this study. My main interest is in water, but the time and resources needed to do an aquatic study would have been more problematic than looking at land vegetation.
I do have a new appreciation for ecological theory, and that a lot of time, a lot of factors and levels, and lots and lots of replicates are required to be able to defend a conclusion due to the overwhelming complexity that is ecology.