Ecology test, suggestions welcome!

I imagine that restoration would have something to do with the type of damage, e. g. if you damaged with too-high a pH in the water used to water the plant, you'd counter that with a more basic pH in the water. That could be tested with litmus paper.

It's been forever since I did any sort of science other than computers but of course the main things you're looking for are measurability and consistency.

the restoration i am reffering to would be damage by people/ car trampling these plants.

Managment goals must be clear and measureable.

Section plots off into variouse trials and catagories.

1. no access by humans
2. partial access by humans
3. full access by humans
4. control (do nothing)

or different techniques for keeping humans away.

1. Full height fence
2. half height fence
3. shooting anyone who stands on this area.
4. Control (do nothing)


You must state clearly how and what you will meas you are going to measure. There are accepted methods for measuring such as transects. the spacing on your transects will be determined by the size of the area to be measured and the number of plants you expect to find.

Measure your plots or transects prior to doing anything and record the things you want to record
eg.
1. Average height of plants: at start date, and after predetermined times. 3 months, 6 months, 12 months
2. Number of new plants established, This will entail counting the number prior to establishing your trials
3. Plant density. Number of plants per square meter/foot in each of the trials.

The above are examples only. You need to decide what will best represent your management goals. Its really up to you.

Thank you so much!
How about limitations tho? Can anyone see any limitations of this study method and any ways to overcome it?

What study methods? You have yet to define your methods. You have yet to define even the area you are going to study.

All study methods have limitations.

Direct method ie total area count.
A huge effort in time and money
Not suitable for difficult topography or remote sites

Area covered: The area covered by target plant is measured or estimated.

Quadrat method
Large number of quadrats needed for a large area.
Selection of Quadrat points can be biased if not selected randomly and/or reflecting different topography/site conditions within the site.
Plant density may be too high to count.
It may be difficult to separate individuls ie mat forming plants

Transects
Potential to "miss" important populations.

All are potentially misleading unless laid out in a way that reflects the site in general.

Learn to work with human communities, not just totally isolating sites. For example it may be suitable to alow walking during a certain time of year.
Look beyond what you believe may be the root cause of plant population reduction. It may not be vehical or human access causing the problem but spray drift or fertliser or removal of overstory or drought or one of a hundred other things.

Ensure your control methods take into account potential pitfall. eg if human pressures are removed it is also possible that native animals will be removed. Weed populations could be advantaged. grasses kept in check prior to control methods may be advantaged and put more pressure on you target species.

What Level schooling are you at? Tafe diploma? High school?
Ensure you correctly credit this website and its members in your assignment. Believe me When I say these things are checked up on.

Some links that may prove useful.

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=H7VjsfGQWHcC&pg=PA209&dq=Measuring+plant+density&sig=_nBWV56Xpk35LvjYhMDfXwenpQU#PPP1,M1


http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/biol_sampl_cont.htm

http://www.ffp.csiro.au/nfm/mdp/bbproj/survdes.htm

high school level. I will most defintly source this site and its members

The information I have given you is based on a Diploma of Conservation and Natural resources in Australia. I suspect that things Overseas will be similar but may not be.

It may be worth mentioning this in your assignment if you are not located in OZ.

DApapads study proposal seems realistic and quite complete in its scope. The only thing I can add is the old rule in ecological studies is that the very size of your quadrats can be an importanr limitation in studying plant successions in any region of the nation. For example, a trall grass prairie needs many more acres of space to maintain reasonable diversity while , often, a study of lichens in boulder fields of the Northern Appalachians are only limited by the sizes of the boulder fields.

Youve gotta consider the succession series of the area you study.

You could set out many small quadrats of natural plant communities in which you pruposely keep traffic free(inclusing your own during return measurements trips), and do these by GPS locations and random walk location methods. Then compare those quadrats to heavily travelled similar seres (succession areas).

Sounds like a lot of data collection and long term commitment. (perhhaps longer than your course time) Maybe this could be a multi year investigation for your regional science fair. Ive seen some kids come in witha project in the 9th grade and keep the same project through their seniro year in HS and many of these kids gradually show us (the judges) that these are prize winners.

Guide human movement into specific areas with barriers. Be aware of the erosion potential caused by concentrating traffic. Paths may need regular maintenance or introduced material such as gravel and edges.

Provide elevated walkways over the top of sensetive areas.

Collect seed or cuttings and revegetate.

Communities will often respond more positivly to projects when you engage with them directly. Call for volunteers to assist or liase with landcare/natural resource groups and volunteers.
What groups are active in your area?

You need to explore legislation and how it applies to your hypothetical area. Local state and federal legislation can be applicable. Here is a list of legislation that is applicable to forestry developments in Victoria Australia. Many would also be applicable to other Natural resource areas.
http://www.planningplantations.com.au/assets/content/plantation_management/regulation_planning/index.html

youve done all this kids thinking for him dapad. Personally I think this kid can just, follow up your advice, write up the proposal for the study and get an A.
We dont demand much from students in the US , except for kids in "Magnet SChools" or advanced placement study programs.

Yeah I was aware i was doing that but in a disjointed kind of way. Thats why I requested a credit as a source. Hope the information I have given leads to thinking further down the track and outside the direct path of lock it up and throw away the key.