My field research project investigated the abundance of a fern species called Athyrium filix-femina, at varying distances from a small creek in North Vancouver. I was interested in the impact of proximity to a free water source on the growth density of this species.
After overcoming some issues in the initial data collection stage, I didn’t experience too many challenges in collecting my data. One adjustment that I had to make however was to broaden my study area after receiving feedback. Initially, when I collected data I only collected up to 4m away from the creek, however upon feedback from my instructor I went back to my study site at a later date to collect data up to 7m away from the creek.
The hardest part of this project for me was conducting the literature review to gather background information, and to spend a lot of time writing my report. It has definitely given me more respect for ecology researchers who must have to spend so much time on their computers collecting information for their studies and writing papers to publish! 🙂