Data collection for this experiment was carefully structured to ensure accuracy and consistency across the two study areas. The main variable of interest was the leaf length of Miscanthus plants, which I measured using a tape measure. I chose a tape measure because it’s easy to use in the field and its readings are precise, especially for plants with varying leaf lengths.
To avoid bias, I first marked two plots: one shaded by tree cover and the other fully exposed to sunlight. Both plots were of equal size (1m x 1m), making sure there’s a standardized comparison. Within each plot, I randomly selected five points to measure leaf length, using a random number generator to choose specific locations in the grid. This random sampling ensured the representativeness of the overall plant population in the region.
At each selected point, I measured the length of the largest Miscanthus leaf found. This approach focused on the largest leaf as a key indicator of the plant’s growth response to environmental conditions. The measurements were recorded immediately to avoid any data loss or confusion. Each measurement was repeated to confirm accuracy before moving on.