Hole Lot of Acorns: First day of data collection!

ABI 198 Section B - First day of data collection

Today we had three separate groups in order to begin our data collection using the newly developed protocol. A group was sent out to Quail ridge to search for a few more granaries and collect data from the existing ones; a total of 3 1/2 granaries were completed from that group. The Cahill group split into four separate groups and each was able to collect data on one Granary. Satellite group was able to gather images of both the Cahill and Quail ridge sites from 2020 and 2022 and overlay them for comparison pre and post fire; Great work everyone!

Meeting minutes for Cahill and Quail ridge groups

Cahill:

10:00am- Met at Mann Parking lot

10:05am- Satellite groups continued to work on collecting data and finding the best possible way to view Cahill and Quail Ridge

10:10am- Group 1 departed for Cahill

11:10 am- Arrived at Cahill

• Each group took specific equipment in order to complete the protocol for data collection:
• compass, clipboard,  protocol and data sheet, chisel,  caliper, sharpie, PVC square, masking tape, phone to take pictures with, auger wrench, wine opener, ruler, DBH tape, drill

11:15am - Split into four groups, 2 go up the hill and 2 go down and collect data on granaries

1:00pm- Headed back to van

1:10-1:20pm- Grouped at van to return to campus

1:50pm- Quick grouping for discussion with satellite group (Quail ridge returned around 2:30pm)

Quail Ridge:

9:00am - Met at parking lot.

9:10am - Realize van key is missing so they split into two groups and drove personal vehicles.

10am: Arrived at Quail ridge and split into two groups.

10:10am: One group begun hunting for new granaries as well as collecting data while the other drove to the already marked Granaries.

10:45am: begun data collection.

1:30pm: Met back at cars to drive back to campus.

2:30pm: Arrived at campus.

Based on how the first day of data collection went, this is going to take time and enthusiastic collaboration in order to complete all of the granaries. We most likely will need individuals to return to Quail ridge outside of class time in order to collect all the data. Quail ridge group completed data collection from 3.5 trees but that still leaves 5.5 more!

As a Reminder of what we measured:

1. Diameter of hole using calipers

2. Height Category (1-0.5m, 0.5-1m,1-1.5m)

3. Directional category (North,East,South,West)

4. Note the acorn status: empty vs intact

5. On the fifth hole, remove the acorn (if present) and measure length, width, bark thickness of the hole and depth of the hole

6. Label the acorn and place it into a baggie (include which granary it was taken from)

7. Collect bark sample from specific area of Granary and Label it with Granary number, direction and section it was taken from

8. For the neighborhood survey, Take a 6-inch PVC square and use masking tape to label what part of the tree it belongs to

9. Center the PVC square on one of the 12 categories on the tree and take a photo of the square and keep these photos organized and labeled

Friday's Class:

Now that we have data, what are we going to do with it? We do not have enough data to draw any FINAL conclusions  but for class we should discuss what each thing we're measuring could tell us.  As a group, we need to determine if it is important to continue to include in our protocol or if we need to add more to our observations.

What is the possible "hypothesis" one can have based on the data we have so far?

Do we need to explore areas with no fire damage as a control?

Why does acorn length matter?

Based on what we have so far, do these woodpeckers prefer a specific quadrant? Why could this be?

Any questions are good questions and will help lead the discussion

Schedule:

12:10pm: Arrive at the classroom in Briggs

12:15pm: Have the Satellite group briefly explain their next steps after image overlay and discuss what they discovered about the landscape pre and post fire

12:20pm: Discuss some potential set backs we saw from our first attempt at data collection.

12:35pm: Think/Pair/Share: Pair up with one other person and discuss possible hypothesis' and how our data we are currently collecting could prove/disprove it

12:45pm: Large class discussion about the importance of each point of data we are collecting to determine if we should add any variables or discard some.

1:30 pm: Continue discussion OR begin comparing data

1:55pm: any final thoughts and wrap up 

Hopefully this discussion can help not only individuals, but us as a group determine what our possible focus can be for data analysis and the importance of the data we are collecting. If we come to a consensus early, we can begin analysis of some of our existing data! Once we finalize our protocol, do not be afraid to begin the materials and methods section in your final paper!

What to bring for Friday

• Yourself ❤
• Possible hypothesis' for this data that we have been collecting (regardless of what it shows at the moment)

The goal for this Friday is to zone in on how this project is relevant in a fun and collaborative way