Directions

1. Convert gopher mound count into gopher mound density.
2. Make sure all 3 statistical values (Mean, Standard Deviation, & P-value) are present for low, middle, and high elevations.
3. Do and label a bar graph using the mean values as the bars and the standard deviation values as the error bars.
4. Use your p-value to clearly state if your data is significant or not.
   1. A p-value of 0.05 or lower is significant.
   2. A p-value above 0.05 is not significant.
5. State if your p-value rejects or fails to reject the null hypothesis.
6. State if your data supports or does not support your alternative hypothesis.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesize that increased gopher abundance will have a negative impact on local vegetation diversity and abundance. Conversely, we predict that decreased gopher populations will lead to increased vegetation diversity and abundance. Furthermore, we anticipate that certain types of plants with traits such as deep root systems or chemical deterrents may be more likely to persist in the presence of gophers compared to other plant species.

Justification:

Increased Gopher Abundance and Impact on Vegetation: Gophers are known to be voracious herbivores, consuming various plant species. As gopher populations grow, their herbivory pressure on local vegetation is likely to intensify, potentially leading to decreased vegetation abundance and diversity.

Decreased Gopher Populations and Positive Impact on Vegetation: Conversely, reducing gopher populations through control measures may alleviate the pressure on local vegetation, allowing for increased growth and diversity among plant species.

Plant Persistence in Gopher Presence: Certain plant species may possess adaptations that allow them to persist in environments with high gopher activity.

For example, plants with deep root systems may be less susceptible to gopher damage, as gophers primarily feed on shallow roots. Additionally, some plants may produce chemical compounds that deter gophers, giving them an advantage in coexisting with gopher populations. Experimental Approach:

To test our hypothesis, we propose conducting a field study in areas with varying levels of gopher abundance. We will quantify gopher abundance using established trapping methods and vegetation characteristics such as species richness, abundance, and composition using vegetation surveys.

The study sites will be divided into treatment groups, including areas with high, medium, and low gopher abundance. We will compare vegetation metrics between these groups to assess the relationship between gopher abundance and local vegetation.

Additionally, we will conduct controlled experiments to investigate the effects of gopher exclusion or population reduction on vegetation growth and diversity.

Overall, by systematically manipulating gopher populations and monitoring vegetation responses, we aim to provide empirical evidence to support or refute our hypothesis regarding the impact of gophers on local vegetation.

only doing our class data (

Wednesd ay Afternoon Panasyan

Prof.

)))))

Data