The Water Content of Soil

2732 Words6 Pages

The Water Content of Soil

The water content of soil is a major factor that will determine what

sort of plants are able to grow, and when considering a system of sand

dunes will have considerable effects on the zonation and succession of

that environment. In order to investigate this, trial experiments were

initially carried out in order to determine the most effective method

of assessing a section of the dunes and obtaining results. Once these

results had been obtained, adjustments to the original method were

made, and the process of gaining results took place.

After tabulating the results, and drawing appropriate graphs, I

concluded that within a system of sand dunes, zonation and succession

of plant species is present, and as the distance from the strand line

increases, so too does the water content of the soil. I also concluded

that the water content of the soil is affected by the aspect of its

position as well, which relates directly to its exposure.

Planning

Aim

An experiment to investigate how the water content of soil within a

system of sand dunes affect zonation and succession.

Introduction

This investigation will take place on the southern coast of the Gower

Peninsula, at Oxwich Bay where an extensive system of sand dunes is

present. In order to complete a successful experiment with accurate

results, the investigation must be carefully planned out.

The complex structure and ecosystem of sand dunes must firstly be

researched and studied, drawing conclusions and predictions from any

information gained. Selecting the appropriate variables must also be

considered, while taking into consideration the relevant information

gained from the background information, and results from trial

experiments.

Biological Knowledge

The following biological knowledge is all directly related to this

investigation and is essential for predicting trends, and being able

to give some sort of explanations for what is seen.

Community Ecology And Succession

A community is a group of interacting populations living in any given

area representing the living part of an ecosystem.

Open Document