OLFM: Nancy Elliot
Post 6: Data Collection
For my initial field data collection, I conducted six replicate samples. These samples were distributed as follows: two samples from each of the three main areas identified within the site….
Post 5: Design Reflections
I was walking around the park for approximately two hours from around 5pm to 7pm. Weather was sunny and temperature was around 29 degrees Celsius. I used haphazard sampling in…
Post 4: Sampling Strategies
Out of the three strategies that I did, systematic sampling was the fastest in terms of sampling time while random sampling was slowest. In terms of accuracy, the sampling strategies…
Blog Post 7
My research project explains how different levels of sunlight exposure and water availability affect plant growth. The first ecological process that my hypothesis touches on is photosynthesis as that is…
Post 3: Ongoing Field Observations
I plan to study the vegetation and biodiversity along the environmental gradient in Edworthy Park focusing on proximity to the Bow River and the impact of human recreational activities. I…
Post 2: Sources of Scientific Information
Source Title: The recovery of European freshwater biodiversity has come to a halt – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06400-1 Reference: Haase, P., Bowler, D. E., Baker, N. J., Bonada, N., Domisch, S., Garcia Marquez,…
Post 1: Observations
Edworthy Park is situated in Calgary, Alberta, on the southern bank of the Bow River. The park spans approximately 169 hectares, making it one of the larger parks within the…
Observations
The area I chose to observe is the backyard of my house. There is flat grass in the middle, surrounded by flower beds in which there are different plants planted….
Final thoughts on research project
As I wrap up my final report, a few reflections on the experience of designing and conducting a field experiment: It was a lot more challenging than I thought it…
Virtual sampling
For the virtual sampling activity I used area systematic (12h36m), area random (14h1m), and area haphazard (12h28m). Haphazard was the fastest and the most accurate for the rarest species, but…