Writes Pranay P. (L6th)
On Monday 12th June, the Lower Sixth Biologists set off in the treacherous rain to spend a day at Epping Forest as part of the practical component of our A-Level course. With a glimmer of hope for some sunshine, we arrived at the education centre and were welcomed by the staff, who briefed us on the busy day ahead.
As the sun began to emerge, we immediately immersed ourselves in the forest, investigating the effect of light intensity on plant growth. Using light meters to measure light levels in different areas, we used quadrats and a coordinate grid to compare plant species and their relative abundances. This practical investigation allowed us to understand the interactions between abiotic and biotic factors within an ecosystem.
Throughout the day, our instructor gave us an insight into her career and highlighted the importance of ecological data – not only as an educational tool, but also in real-world applications such as site surveys and planning decisions for future developments.
Later in the day, we moved to Pillow Mounds, a more open grassland habitat compared to the dense woodland studied earlier. Here, we investigated the impact of trampling on plant growth. Unlike the random sampling used previously, we carried out systematic sampling by setting up a belt transect and collecting data at regular intervals. This investigation demonstrated the significant impact humans can have on ecosystems, even by something as seemingly minor as trampling.
Having gathered our data, we returned to the classroom and used two statistical tests to analyse our findings and draw valid conclusions. Both the Student鈥檚 t-test and Spearman鈥檚 Rank Correlation provided valuable insights and helped us interpret the data we had collected. Despite the classic British weather, we all agreed that the trip was a valuable learning experience, allowing us to apply classroom knowledge to real-life ecological fieldwork.
Many thanks to the team at Epping Forest Field Centre for guiding us through the activities, and to Mrs Pratt and Mr Simpson for organising and supporting the trip.
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