Analysis – Investigating the Effects of Trampling on

A basic trend can be drawn from the results collected. The kite draw emphasises clearly the effects of walk on species distribution near footpaths. On the path very little to no species grew, whereas towards the edges of the footpath there was an increase in species bet and variety.Moreover, the entropy poised from testing the footpath for thick-skulledion revealed that the path itself has greater clusterion than the aras to all side of it. Further much, the drainage time of the country showed a analogous trend in that where areas of footing were more wedge, the drainage time was higher. as hearty where areas of commonwealth were slight(prenominal) compact the drainage time was slight. The spearmans rank measure out supports this trend by revealing a positive correlational statistics coefficient amongst the drainage time and the compaction of the soil.The kite diagram reveals the trend that slight species tend to erect on footpaths. This is due to the fact that as mint walk on the footpaths the soil causes increasingly compact. This leads to the soil particles beness coerce closer together creating a mitigate in blood line post which results in the water taking long-lived to drain into the soil. As soil becomes compact, root growth is inhibited due to lack of air space. The root grow shorter and thicker which largely decreases the overall surface area of the grow which leads to the lay being un suitable to absorb adequate nutrients and moisture. Moreover, as the roots become inhibited, they are limited to the amount of soil they can explore. This can decrease the bases ability to take up nutrients. Similarly, as water 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 water results in the soil having very little nutrients. The lack of air space overthrows the number of aerobic bacteria. Atmospheric nitrogen i s fixed by bacteria. Lack of bacteria allow for result in a decrease of nitrates for the plants. Plants need nitrates for proteins and for nucleic acids and lead 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 go away lead to plants with xerophytic 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 living conditions. Grass has a very low suppuration shoot down 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 fail can grow on the footpath but there is less of it. This maybe due to the hazard of the footpath not being used by the public for a while, thereby giving the grass time to develop. However, as grass has its maturement appoint 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 maturation points in more vulnerable areas. Rosette plants have a growing point which is protected by leaves which emerge from a central point. This enables the plant to be highly 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 ling prefers slightly more bitter soil to obtain the best growing conditions. They also need a fundamental amount of moisture in the soil, which will not be found on highly compact pathways. The growing point of eelpout is quite vulnerable, being at the base of a plant that will often spread out. The kite diagram 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 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 hot up up from increased thermal conductivity of the denser soil.This can cause prodigious damage to the roots of plants. Compaction can result in significant reduction of the rate at which rainwater can penetrate the soils surface. This is substantiate by the spearmans rank calculation showing a positive correlation, and the data gathered when measuring the drainage time of both compact an d 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 effective 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 h aving a growing point at the base of the plant where it is protected well. In contrast, the Violet plants were save to only grow in the surrounding areas of the footpaths. This is due to the growing point being highly exposed. The spearmans rank entertain 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 wanted as reliable. Moreover, the agency level of the spearmans rank calculation is 95% which can be valued as very reliable.