Analysis – Investigating the Effects of Trampling on

A basic trend brook be drawn from the results collected. The kite diagram emphasises clearly the effects of trampling on species distribution near footpaths. On the path real little to no species grew, whereas towards the edges of the footpath there was an increase in species enumerate and variety.Moreover, the data gathered from testing the footpath for bosomion revealed that the path itself has greater compendiousion than the areas to either side of it. Further to a greater extent, the waste pipe time of the defacement showed a similar trend in that where areas of reason were more compact, the drainage time was higher. Also where areas of soil were less compact the drainage time was less. The spearmans rank determine supports this trend by revealing a positive correlation between the drainage time and the compaction of the soil.The kite diagram reveals the trend that less species escape to grow on footpaths. This is cod to the fact that as people walk on the footpaths t he soil becomes increasingly compact. This leads to the soil particles macrocosm forced closer together creating a decrease in pipeline space which results in the piss taking longer to drain into the soil. As soil becomes compact, root growth is stamp down due to lack of air space. The roots grow shorter and thicker which largely decreases the overall surface area of the roots which leads to the plant being unable to absorb sufficient nutrients and moisture. Moreover, as the roots become inhibited, they are limited to the amount of soil they can explore. This can decrease the plants ability to take up nutrients. Similarly, as pee runs off compact soil it dissolves the nutrients and carries them away, a process known as leeching.As the drainage time is far greater on the footpath, this lack of piddle results in the soil having very little nutrients. The lack of air space reduces the number of aerobic bacterium. Atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by bacteria. Lack of bacteria will result in a decrease of nitrates for the plants. Plants need nitrates for proteins and for nucleic acids and will die without these. The nitrogen cycle is unable to progress as less water and oxygen leads to fewer microbes and less decay which results in less nutrients. Compact soil may hold little water which will lead to plants with xeric adaptations being able to thrive.More plants are able to grow better in less compact soil due to an increase in the air space available. This can provide the roots with space to grow and the water with space to drain through. Therefore more nutrients and water provide the plant with adequate to(predicate) living conditions. Grass has a very low ripening point allowing it to survive after being cut short. Its rolled leaves provide added protection when being trampled upon.From the kite diagram we are able to see that grass can grow on the footpath but there is less of it. This maybe due to the possibility of the footpath not being used by the public for a while, thereby giving the grass time to develop. However, as grass has its suppuration point at the base of the plant, and is therefore not damaged when cut, grass is better adapted to survive in trampled areas than other plants that have their growing points in more vulnerable areas. Rosette plants have a growing point which is defend by leaves which emerge from a central point. This enables the plant to be super adaptable to varied conditions. In contrast, the Violet plants are very delicate and their growing point is exposed. This results in the plant being less adaptable and more likely to survive in well controlled, less compact environments.The plant Heather prefers slightly more acidic soil to obtain the best growing conditions. They also need a significant amount of moisture in the soil, which will not be found on highly compact pathways. The growing point of Heather is quite vulnerable, being at the base of a plant that will often spread out. The kite diagr am supports this as no Heather was located on the footpath.Spearmans rank calculation demonstrates a positive correlation between the drainage time and the compaction of the soil. If the soil is less compact then in general, the drainage time should be less also. Similarly, if the soil is more compact then the drainage time should take longer than normal. water supply that is trapped in compact soil has difficulty moving up through the soil surface where it can evaporate and reduce soils temperature. Therefore the soil water in compact areas can heat up from increased thermal conductivity of the denser soil.This can cause significant damage to the roots of plants. compression can result in significant reduction of the rate at which rainwater can penetrate the soils surface. This is confirmed by the spearmans rank calculation exhibit a positive correlation, and the data gathered when measuring the drainage time of both compact and less compact soil on the footpaths. Heavily compact soil has a reduced rate of both water infiltration and drainage from the compacted layers. This is because compact soil contains few large pores which are the most trenchant in moving water through the soil when it is saturated.In conclusion, the reasons why trampling on species near footpaths affects their distribution is due to a range of factors the soil compaction, drainage time and the species itself. The soil is proven to be generally more compact on the footpaths than in the surrounding areas. This compact soil on footpaths leads to increases drainage time as the soil has less pores or air space which would normally aid water absorption. The growth point of a plant can also be a factor as to why trampling on species on footpaths affects their distribution. A trend was shown from the data collected that grass, a very adaptable and sturdy plant, was able to grow on footpaths and withstand the trampling.This is due to grass having a growing point at the base of the plant where it is protected well. In contrast, the Violet plants were recorded to only grow in the surrounding areas of the footpaths. This is due to the growing point being highly exposed. The spearmans rank value shows a positive correlation between drainage time and the compaction of the soil. As the spearmans rank value is greater than the critical value, 0.4140.377, it can be valued as reliable. Moreover, the confidence level of the spearmans rank calculation is 95% which can be valued as very reliable.