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What factors affect the growth of plants at Flinders University campus? -…
What factors affect the growth of plants at Flinders University campus?
Factors that effect plant growth
Sun
How many hours of direct sunlight do the plants receive each day?
Is there anything that might block sunlight, like buildings or trees?
Does the season significantly affect how much sunlight the plants get?
Temperature
What is the average daily temperature in the Bedford area?
How much does the temperature fluctuate throughout the day and night?
Humidity
What is the typical level of humidity in the air in the Bedford region?
Does the humidity change significantly throughout the day or night?
Are these plants located at Flinders University campus suited for high or low humidity environments?
Soli
What is the texture of the soil? (I learnt a lot on how this effects plant growth, and what type of plants grow in the area)
What is the drainage of the soil? AKA how well does it drain water?
Is the soil rich in nutrients or is fertilizer needed?
How much organic matter is in the soil?
Water/Moisture
Are there ways to conserve water?
Is there a reliable source of water?
How much water do these plants typically need?
Plant type
What types of plants are best suited for the Flinders University campus climate and soil conditions?
How much space do the plants need to grow?
Are these plants seasonal or perennial, are they sensitive to weather changes?
Do these plants produce leaf litter?
Biodiversity
What types of plants and animals are currently found in the area?
Is the area suitable for attracting pollinators? (which is crucial for plant survival)
How would increased biodiversity benefit the plants being grown?
Are there any existing plants or animals that could be a challenge to the plants being grown?
Dose the level of human interaction effect growth of plants?
Possible research ideas
Leaf Littler
Decomposers
Is there a relationship between the amount of leaf litter on the ground and the density and diversity of decomposers (like millipedes, earthworms, and isopods)?
Human interaction
Is there a relationship between the level of foot traffic on walkways and the growth of plants growing nearby?
Plant growth
Composting
Is there a relationship between using compost in soil and the quality of the soil and the growth of plants?
Soil
Plants
Is there a relationship between the density of a local plant species and the density of weeds in that area?
Weeds
Sun
Is there a relationship between the amount of sunlight plants receive on campus and how much they flower?
Flowering
Plant growth
Is there a relationship between the spacing of plants (how close they are planted) and the overall health and growth of a particular plant species on campus?
Spacing
How to research these possible research ideas
Leaf little and decomposers
I could use sample from different areas of the campus with different amounts of leaf litter and count the different types and density of decomposers found in each sample
Human interaction and plant growth
Choose different paths on campus with different levels of traffic. Measure plant growth (height and leaf number) for the same plant species growing near each walkway
composting and soil
Choose two areas with similar soil conditions, add compost to one and leave the other unchanged. Record plant growth (height and density) and soil health
Plants and weeds
Choose different areas with different densities of the same local plant (a plant species that i know can survive well). Record the density of weeds in each area over time
Sun and flowering
Choose a flowering plant species common on campus. choose areas with full sun and partial shade exposure. measure the number of flowers produced by the plants in each location
Plant growth and spacing
Choose areas with different densities of a chosen plant species. Monitor growth (height, leaf number, and leaf size) of the chosen plant in each area