Embarking on this field research journey has been both challenging and enlightening. From designing the experiment to collecting and analyzing the data, each step has offered valuable lessons that have deepened my understanding of ecological research.
When I initially designed the field experiment, my goal was to explore the impact of soil type on species richness across different transects within Finnerty Point Park. The hypothesis was that different soil types—shallow versus deep—would significantly influence the diversity of species present in each habitat. My approach was straightforward: I selected various transects that varied in soil depth and substrate type and systematically recorded the species present in each. However, as is often the case with fieldwork, my initial plans encountered several hurdles. One of the main challenges was the variability in the field conditions. Some transects expected to have similar soil characteristics were more diverse than anticipated.
Additionally, the weather conditions sometimes made data collection more difficult than expected, leading to some inconsistencies in the data. My findings provided valuable information about the habitats I studied. The trend suggested that shallow soils might support a higher species richness than deep soils, which aligns with specific ecological theories about resource availability and habitat stability.
Engaging in this fieldwork has undoubtedly altered my appreciation of how ecological theory is developed. It is one thing to read about species interactions, habitat preferences, and environmental processes in a textbook; it is quite another to observe these phenomena firsthand, grapple with nature’s variability, and try to make sense of the data collected. This hands-on experience has highlighted the iterative nature of ecological research, where hypotheses are tested, revised, and retested in the face of new data. This field research experience has powerfully reminded me of the complexities involved in studying natural ecosystems. It has enhanced my appreciation for the rigour and creativity required to develop ecological theories and provided me with a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between theory and practice in ecology. Moving forward, I will carry these lessons with me, applying them to future research endeavours and continuing to explore the fascinating world of ecology.