sand dune succession

Stage Points to consider

AIM What is the aim of the study?What are you trying to find out?What was the underpinning theory?

HYPOTHESES What hypotheses can be tested?Which variable can be correlated against each other or in relation to some other variable such as distance downsteam or distance from CBD etc.

DATA COLLECTION What methods can be used to collect data for each of your hypotheses?Why were they the best?What equipment will be required to carry out the investigation?What were the risks associated, and how do you respond to them?

DATA PRESENTATION What method(s) would be suitable to test relationships between the variables being tested?Why is this method suitable?Illustrate this technique.

DATA ANALYSIS What method(s) could be applied to analyse the data?Is there any correlation between the variables?What are the advantages of using this method?

RESULTS What did you learn? Were there any anomalous results?What/how did it contribute to your understanding?

IMPROVEMENTS What could you do to improve it?

Ecosystems in the British Isles over time

Succession and climatic climax; illustrated by one of lithosere, psammosere, hydosere or halosere.

The effects of human activity on succession – illustrated by one plagioclimax such as heather or moorland.

Underlying Theory

Psammosere

Succession

Sere / seral stage

Pioneer species and their adaptations

Dominant species and their adaptations

Secondary species

Climatic climax community

Plagioclimax community

Underlying Theory

• Psammosere

• Succession

• Sere / seral stage

• Pioneer species and their

adaptations

• Dominant species and their

adaptations

• Secondary species

• Climatic climax community

• Plagioclimax community

• Highly specific plants

• Controlled by abiotic factors

• Controlled by biotic factors

• Halophytic

• Xerophytic

• Hydrophytic

• Species diversity

Key Terms

Seral Stage Species Type Conditions / Adaptations

Stand line / beach

Embryo Dune

Yellow Dune

Dune Slack

Grey Dune

Climax Community

Plagioclimax community

What is a succession?

The natural change in the structure and species composition of a community over time

Primary Succession

Secondary Succession

A vegetation succession that takes place on a surface where no soil or vegetation has formerly existed.

Starting from nothing e.g. new rock from a volcano

A vegetation succession which develops on land which has previously been vegetated.

Like turning the clock back. Seeds and soil present; e.g. forest fire

What types of succession are there?

Lithosere

Halosere

Psammosere

Hydrosere

PLAGIOCLIMAX – Where the process of succession has been halted or deflected. Such as on moorland by burning, grazing or cutting.

CLIMAX COMMUNITY

A vegetation community that is in balance with the environmental conditions of an area (soil and climate).

A SERE is a sequence of plant communities at a particular site.

A sere is comprised of different communities or seral stages

A seral stage is …………………………………….

The stable terminal stage in a sere is called the CLIMAX COMMUNITY

Yellow Dunes Grey

DunesEmbryo Dunes

Sea

Climax

Location of Important Sand Dune complexes

Formby Point

Studland

Southerness

Farne Islands

St Ives Bay

Gower Peninsula

Spurn

North and South Uist Fraserburgh

Bay

Aberffraw, Anglesey

Gibraltar Point

Location of Important Sand Dune Complexes

Factors required for dunes formation:

Plentiful sediment supply

An Obstacle

Onshore windsWide sandy beach

Sheltered Bay(protection from storms)

Sand dune formation

Seral Stage Embryo Dune Yellow Dune Dune Slack Grey Dune Climax Community

Conditions

Stages of a Sand Dune Succession

Sea

Distance inland increases (going back in time)

• Harsh, fluctuating – no soil, dry, no nutrients

• Much bare ground

• Stable, well-developed soils, retaining water

• Mostly plant covered

• Free draining substrate (arid), low nutrients, little substrate

• Dune temporarily fixed by plants establishing

• Close to water table – wet conditions

• Slightly saline soil water

• Simple soil starts to form – some nutrients, organic matter, more sheltered

Species PIONEERS Sea Rocket

Lyme Grass Marram Grass

Reeds, Iris, Willow

Hawkbit, Coltsfoot,

Gorse, Brambles

Silver Birch, Oak

Increasingly favourable conditions

Aim:

To investigate whether all sand dune successions exhibit similar ‘textbook’ characteristics of vegetation change.

Research Question 1:

How does vegetation change inland across the South Sands sand dune complex?

Research Question 2:

What factors affect the vegetation change seen?

Title: Succession in Ecosystems

South Sands Sand Dune Complex - Bridlington

Two km south of Bridlington on the East coast of England

1 km in the length and 50 metres wide.

See pictures of next slide

Investigation took place in October

Location

Link to underpinning theory

Link to aims and research questions

Link to time constraints and access

Link to hazards and risk assessment

Link to human impact

Justification for Site / Location Selection 1

This question needs to be answered using at least two different focuses.

Relationship to underlying theory and overall aim of your investigation

If you have to answer this question. Please, please,

please do not just keep writing about how safe it is,

near to pupil transport etc etc …………

You must also relate it to the underlying theory and overall aim of the investigation

Thank You


Allows the overall aim of the fieldwork to be investigated and can be compared to underlying theory.

Small enough to be investigated in the time allocated – make sure you mention depth of the sand dune (50 meters). This is critical as you are investigated the changes in succession. Therefore, your transect can be completed in the time allocated.

Easy accessible by either public or private transport, also public right of way so permission does not have to ask for prior to the investigation.

Near to car park. Therefore, not far to walk, this is important if the weather is cold(hypothermia) and if any accidents occur the injured person can easily accessed by the emergency services.

Shows evidence of stress from human impact.


Hazard = The physical problem that cannot be removed – weather, slope, sea

Risk = The likelihood of it happening and the extent of the consequence.

Then what you do to reduce the consequence.

Risk Assessment

Location : South sands Sand Dune Complex Bridlington Date…………………………….

HazardRisk

(Low,Medium,High)Control Measure

Likelihood of risk Impact of risk if it occurred

Sea and tides

weather

Dog poo kfhkdhfkjhdkfhkdshfkhdkf

litter

Steep lopes

Method of data collection includes both sampling method and the actual physical process of collecting your data – species type and number or soil moisture.

Method of Data Collection 1

Break of slope transect

Systematic Interrupted belt transect

Quadrat 50 by 50 cm

Do you know what data you collected with the break of slope transect

Do you know what data you collected with the systematic interrupted belt transect

Can you justify why you used these methods of sampling


Transect : Break of slope

Data 1: angle of slope and distance from beach inland

Equipment: 30 meter tape measure, gun clinometer, recording sheet

Can you describe how you collected this data

Can you explain why the data obtained might have been flawed

Can you explain how you could have made the results obtained more reliable


Transect : Systematic belt (4 metres) using a quadrat (50cm by 50cm)

Data 1: Type of species

Data 2: Height of vegetation

Data 3: Percentage of vegetation cover

Data 4: Number of species

Data 5: Soil penetration.

Data 6: Ph

Data 7: Soil Moisture

Data 8: Organic content of soil


Remember that method includes both:

sampling method e.g. random, systematic or stratified

and

the way that you collect your data e.g. quadrat, number of samples, the actual way you collected the data. (types of species or Ph)

When answering this question choose an example that you can write about in detail. So always mention sampling method and then link to type of data

Justification of Method of Data Collection 1

Why: helps to investigate the aim and the research questions

Why: provides quanative data to analyse

Why: every 4 meters - reduce the chance of missing any sudden changes in vegetation or other factors along the transect / sand dune succession

Why: 50cm by 50cm quadrat - minimum size to provide a representative sample of the total parent population

Why: 14 quadrats (data set) is large enough to allow a reliable spearman's correlation to be obtained

Justification of Method of Data Collection 2

Technique Why used/ purpose Method: when/where

Justification of sampling type

Problems/ limitations

Improvements Methods to be used for analysis

River surveys

Land-use survey

Field sketches

Photographs

Questionnaire

Technique Why used/ purpose Method: when/where

Justification of sampling type

Problems/ limitations

Improvements Methods to be used for analysis

Government statistics

Local area plan

Local newspaper

Websites

Variable Sources of Error in the Technique Possible improvements

Soil Moisture

May not have inserted the meter probe into the ground an equal amount each time.

% Cover of Vegetation / bare ground

Soil Penetration

Use a metre rule to judge exactly how far the skewer is being dropped each time.

Technique Evaluation

Link to aim

Link to analysis

Link to conclusion

Data Presentation 1

Photographs to show location, seral stage and human influence.

Cross section of sand dune complex to show slope angle and height of seral stage.

Kite Diagrams to show dominate species and changes between seral stages.

Located bar charts or line graphs to show; vegetation cover, species number, PH, soil penetration, soil moisture, organic content.

Scatter graphs: To show relationship between different factors.

Data Presentation 2






Data Presentation and Justification






Links Between Presentation – Aims and Analysis

Drawing the dune profile

Section Length (m)

2 1.6 3.4 3.2 4.8 3.0 6.0 Total length

24m

Angle (degrees)

10 17 15 -14 3 20 25

Need to fit the profile onto your paper:

1) Add up the section length to work out the total length2) Your paper is only 18cm wide so we need to scale down

the measurements if your profile is more than 18m long3) For a scale of 1:200 divide section length by 2 to give you

the length in cm to draw on your paper, for 1:250 divide section length by 2.5 etc…

4) The angle remains the same

• Represents a slice through the dune showing the changing terrain.

Beach

Dune top

Start here

0 %

50 %

50 %

0 %

50 %

50 %

Scattergraphs and line of best fit

Spearman's rank

Describe and explain the vegetation changes

Describe and explain the factors that control the vegetation changes

Link to aim and / or research question

Data Analysis 1

List data on independent and dependant axis

Only becomes analysis if you add a line of best fit.

Line of best fit calculated by finding the mean of the data set on the x and y axis

Line of best fit follows the main trend of the data and passes through the point fixed from the two means have calculated.

Graph show the relationship between the two data sets.

May indicate whether further investigation is needed e.g. Spearman's Rank

Scattergraphs

This is used to show the correlation between two data sets

It also shows the strength of the relationship.

+1 = perfect positive

0 = random

-1 = perfect negative

The test does not on it own show if this relationship is statistically significant.

You need to use the significant tables to find the statistically significant between the two data sets

The greater the number of data sets used the more reliable your result

Spearman's Rank

You should analyse your data and link the results to your overall aim and research question.

Spearman's Rank

Data Analysis 2

Your conclusion should draw together your results and relate them directly back to the overall aim.

It should suggest how your results indicate that the South Sands sand dune complex do show characteristics of a typical sand dune succession.

It should suggest how your results indicate that the South Sands sand dune complex do not show characteristics of a typical sand dune succession.

It should then go on to suggest what underlying factors controlled whether the South Sands sand dune complex followed a typical sand dune succession.

It should also say how your knowledge and understanding of the underlying theory has developed.

Conclusion

Evaluate the success of

The area of study

The data collection techniques and reliability of data collected

The reliability of your results

The reliability of your conclusion

• Suggest other avenues of enquiry to increase the reliability of your conclusion

• Evaluate the overall strengths and weakness of your fieldwork investigation. You could do a SWOT table, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Evaluation

Same data – at the same site

Same data - at same location different times of year and past data.

Secondary data same site– at a different location and compare

Extra data – same site on vegetation change and factors

Secondary data from other sand dune complexes

Actual data collection methods

Evaluation

Collect more data from the same site – sites closer together along transect .

Compare your data with other transects completed by other groups of students.

Collect more data from the same site – at different time of the year.

Compare to secondary data from data collected in previous years

Compare to secondary data from other sand dune complexes

Collect extra data to explain the success changes you have observed.

Evaluation

Site –data collection – presentation – analysis - conclusion and evaluation

Multi map

Google earth – maps and pictures

Data logger and GPS

Excel – spread sheet – graphs – statistical calculations – work out or check

The questions may also ask you to justify why you used these ICT techniques

Use of ICT

Question may ask you how ICT can aid the following

AS Starting point Methods Skills Interpretation Conclusions/Evaluation

1 Outline the aim and describe the theory, idea or concept from which your aim was derived

Outline and justify one method of data collection that you used

Describe one method used to present your data

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the analysis technique(s) that you used?

How far did your fieldwork conclusions match the geographical theory, concept or idea on which your study was based

2 Explain the geographical concept, process or theory that underpinned your enquiry

Examine the limitations of your chosen methodology

Describe one application of ICT skills in carrying out your fieldwork and comment on its usefulness

Outline and justify the use of one or more techniques used to statistically analyse your results

Summarise your findings and suggest how this enquiry could be improved

3 Outline one source of information that you used and assess the extent to which it was “fit for purpose”

Outline one hypothesis and describe one methodology for primary data collection in relation to this

Describe and illustrate one technique you used to present data in this enquiry

Name one technique of data analysis and describe how it was used

Making specific reference to your results, suggest how your enquiry could be improved

4 Explain how you devised your aim and how you responded to the risks associated with your chosen site for fieldwork

How did you respond to risks associated with undertaking primary data collection

What difficulties did you face when presenting your results?

What is meant by the term ‘significance’ in the analysis of fieldwork data?

In what ways would your conclusions be of use to other people?

5 Describe the location of your fieldwork and explain why it was suitable for your investigation

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the method of data collection

Describe a method of presentation that you used in your investigation and indicate how the chosen method was useful

In the context of the analysis of fieldwork data, outline the meaning of ‘anomalies’.

Drawing upon your findings, explain how your enquiry improved your understanding of the topic area

A2 Starting point Methods Skills Interpretation Conclusions/Evaluation

1 In the light of your aim why was the location selected?

Describe and justify the risk assessments that you did

Data presentation skills – why selected and what were the strengths and weaknesses?

How and why were the techniques of interpretation useful in developing understanding?

Evaluate the success of the investigation in the light of the aim.

2 Why was/were the aim/ hypothesis/es chosen?

Justify the methods used to collect data

Data presentation; evaluate the alternatives

How did the aim/data influence the skills of interpretation used?

What did you learn from this study – geographical understanding?

3 How important was the theory in the choice of aim?

Explain how and why data was selected for the investigation

What skills were used to present the data and why were they useful?

Interpret the results in the light of the aim – how was understanding broadened/contributed to?

How did theory influence your evaluation of this investigation?

4 How important was location in the choice of aim?

How was data selected; what improvements would you make?

How did the aim influence presentation methods?

How did the results influence interpretation?

How can your investigation be further developed and extended?

5 How important was theory in the choice of location?

Explain the importance of sampling to your investigation

How did results influence presentation skills?

How important were anomalies in the interpretation of the data collected?

In what ways would your conclusions be of use to other geographers?

At A2 you are required to undertake investigative work in the field. This allows you to develop skills associated with planning investigations, collection of primary and secondary data, and presentation, interpretation and evaluation of results. You are required to sit either Unit 4A – an examination consisting of structured and extended questions based on your own fieldwork investigation (1½ hours) - or Unit 4B – an examination of structured and extended questions, including research based skills questions, based on an Advance Information booklet, which is pre-released (1½ hours). Both papers carry 60 marks.

Evaluation.

Evaluation of the whole study (part of the Conclusions)

• Was the study affected by external factors?e.g. Choice of site? Recent weather conditions?

• Were there any limitations on the study?e.g. Time? Number of sites? Size of samples? Variables not considered?

• How certain can we be of our findings?e.g. What significance level did we choose? Is there a causal relationship?

• What ideas do you have for further work arising from your study?e.g. A new avenue of enquiry? A different site? More data?

• What would you do to improve the enquiry?

Sand Dune Succession

Possible questions/issues/problems to investigate.

• Do plant communities change in a systematic way across the dunes?• Do soil characteristics change in a systematic way across the dunes?• What factors control the distribution of plants at South Sands?• What is the relationship between plant cover and distance from the beach?

• What effects have human activities had upon the dune system?• Is it possible to distinguish seral stages on the dunes at South Sands?• What is the link between soil moisture, organic content and pH?• What links are there between soil factors and plant distribution?

• Does the succession of plants at South Sands conform to classic models of sand dune succession?

Jan 2009 Questions GEO2

Explain the geographical concept, process or theory that underpinned your fieldwork enquiry. (4)

How did you respond to risks associated with undertaking your primary data collection? (4)

Outline and justify one method of data collection that you used in your enquiry. (6)

With the aid of a sketch diagram, describe one technique that you used to present data in your enquiry. (6)

Making specific reference to your results, suggest how your enquiry could be improved. (5)

June 2009 Questions GEO2

• Describe the location of your fieldwork and outline why this was a suitable site for your investigation. (4)

• State one hypothesis or research question or issue for evaluation that you have investigated in 2a. Describe one method of primary data collection used in the investigation. (5)

• Discuss the limitations of your chosen method in 2a. (6)

• Outline and justify the use of one or more techniques used to analyse your results. (5)

• Drawing upon your findings, explain how your enquiry improved your understanding of the topic. (5)

Jan 2010 Questions GEO2

• Describe the location of your fieldwork and outline why this was a suitable site for your investigation. (4)

• State one hypothesis or research question or issue for evaluation that you have investigated in 2a. Describe one method of primary data collection used in the investigation. (5)

• Discuss the limitations of your chosen method in 2a. (6)

• Outline and justify the use of one or more techniques used to analyse your results. (5)

• Drawing upon your findings, explain how your enquiry improved your understanding of the topic. (5)

Questions GEO2

• Explain the geographical concept, process or theory that underpinned your fieldwork enquiry. (Jan 2009)(4)

• Describe the location of your fieldwork and outline why this was a suitable site for your investigation. (June 2009) (4)

Questions (4A)

• State the aim(s) of your investigation (0)

• Explain the reasons why you selected this aim for investigation. (June 2010)(10)

• Describe the location of your fieldwork investigation and explain its relevance to the aim(s).

Why choose this site?

• Not too far to travel

• Site is easily accessible

• Manageable size of sand dunes for half day study

• Can compare to geographical theory

• Shows evidence of stress from coastal development

sand dune succession

Documents