CAPE SBA DATA UNIT TWO

AIM OF STUDY:

To compare the vegetation type and density on a steep slope and a gentle slope in the undisturbed area of Naparima Hill.

HYPOTHESIS:

Vegetation type and density are affected by slope angle

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

- Restate the aim of study

- Summarize the methodology: table of random sampling, quadrat sampling, ranging rod and clinometres were used

- Why have you chosen this topic to study? (give a personal reason)

- Variables affecting the study: Climate, Vegetation type and soil type. Soil type: humus content, leaf litter layer, physical texture, soil colour, depth of soil profile, drainage, geology.

METHODOLOGY:

Instruments used: Clinometer, Ranging Rods, Rope, Measuring tape, Table of Random Numbers, Spade

1. The angle of the slope was measured with the ranging rods and clinometers

2. On two sheets of paper, one for steep slope and one for the gentle slope: a square of 10 cm by 10 cm was drawn and divided into 100 squares, each measuring 1 cm x 1 cm. The squares were numbered then the table of random numbers were used to select random numbers on 10 squares. An area of 10 metres x 10 metres was then measured on each slope, then divided into 1 metre x 1 metre square. The chosen numbers were found on the corresponding squares on the ground.

3. Three prominent species on both slopes were selected and named A, B and C. The number of species in each selected 1m x 1m square, were counted and recorded.

PRESENTATION OF DATA: Use the information below to construct your presentation of data.

RAW DATA AND FORMULAE(TO BE PLACED IN APPENDICES)

Note to students: You are to use this raw data to construct your data presentations. NO RAW DATA is to be placed in the Presentation of Data Section!The calculations are to be done on your own!

FORMULAE:

1. Relative frequency of quadrats=

No. of plots in which species occurs/Total no. of plots X 100

2. Abundance of species

No. of plants in which certain species occurs/Total no. of plants X 100

3. Vegetation density

No. of plants of certain species/Total area explored

Note to students: the total area explored is 100 metres squared

PRESENTATION OF DATA

1. Sketch maps

2. Relative Frequency of quadrats: comparison bar graphs

3. Abundance of species: Pie charts

4. Vegetation density: Comparison bar graphs

5. Photographs of Species A,B and C as well as the gentle and steep slopes.

6. Soil profiles: sketches

7. Slope profiles: drawn on graph paper based on data from the profile stations.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

Restate aim of study as sentence.

To discuss findings in data and give reasons.

CONCLUSION

To restate the aim of data. To summarize methodology and findings

LIMITATIONS

What problems were encountered?

RECOMMENDATIONS

There must be at LEAST THREE (3) recommendations on how the study could have been better.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Guinness, Paul and Nagle Garrett, Advanced Geography Concepts and Cases, Hodder Education 2002

Holmes, David and Warn, Sue, Fieldwork Investigations: A Self Study Guide, Hodder and Stoughton 2003

Waugh, David Geography An Integrated Approach 4th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2014.

APPENDICES

To insert raw data.