We learned a lot when corresponding with Dr. Miller.
SO-
We are now going to focus on these 3 Main Questions:
1) Are there more tardigrades found in lichen or moss?
2) Is the number of tardigrades, rotifers, and nematodes in the canopy different from the base of the tree?
3) Is the number different between Grey Oak and Cedar Elm trees?
Week 1: Grey Oak #1
1) Each day we collect 3 samples from the canopy and 3 from the base from one Grey Oak tree.
( We only get samples from that same tree each day for that week to end up with a total of 15 small samples at canopy and base of that specific tree.)
2) Then we would calculate the stats (collect height of tree and surface area, multiple surface by average number of tardigrades per sq in found in samples to calculate population estimate of tree.)
Week 2: Grey Oak #2
The next week , we would collect samples from the next Grey Oak tree. Same thing- 3 from canopy, 3 from base each day for one week. Collect data, calculate population estimates)
Week 3-5 Grey Oaks #3-5
Same again with more grey oaks.
Week 6-11 Cedar Elm #1-5
Same again only now with another type of tree- I'm going to look to see which other tree has the most lichen and moss. With our previous 4 tree species, we had the issue that 3 out of the 4 had very little lichen, so we were only finding critters on Grey Oak trees. That's why I want to start fresh with some different questions.
Eventually, we would have 30 total small samples of 5 Grey Oaks and 5 Cedar Elms. (Is that an appropriate sampling size?) We would calculate the populations of each to compare, and answer our questions about base vs canopy and lichen vs moss. If able, then calculate the standard deviation of each tree/samples as well.
SO-
We are now going to focus on these 3 Main Questions:
1) Are there more tardigrades found in lichen or moss?
2) Is the number of tardigrades, rotifers, and nematodes in the canopy different from the base of the tree?
3) Is the number different between Grey Oak and Cedar Elm trees?
Week 1: Grey Oak #1
1) Each day we collect 3 samples from the canopy and 3 from the base from one Grey Oak tree.
( We only get samples from that same tree each day for that week to end up with a total of 15 small samples at canopy and base of that specific tree.)
2) Then we would calculate the stats (collect height of tree and surface area, multiple surface by average number of tardigrades per sq in found in samples to calculate population estimate of tree.)
Week 2: Grey Oak #2
The next week , we would collect samples from the next Grey Oak tree. Same thing- 3 from canopy, 3 from base each day for one week. Collect data, calculate population estimates)
Week 3-5 Grey Oaks #3-5
Same again with more grey oaks.
Week 6-11 Cedar Elm #1-5
Same again only now with another type of tree- I'm going to look to see which other tree has the most lichen and moss. With our previous 4 tree species, we had the issue that 3 out of the 4 had very little lichen, so we were only finding critters on Grey Oak trees. That's why I want to start fresh with some different questions.
Eventually, we would have 30 total small samples of 5 Grey Oaks and 5 Cedar Elms. (Is that an appropriate sampling size?) We would calculate the populations of each to compare, and answer our questions about base vs canopy and lichen vs moss. If able, then calculate the standard deviation of each tree/samples as well.