Criterion B

Inquiring

Variables

Variables are the part of my experiment that I can change and measure. Choosing
appropriate variables will also help me make it a fair test. In this inquiry I change
only one type of thing, and only measure one type of thing. The rest of the things I could
change, I have to actually keep the same.

Independent Dependent Control Variable

Variables Variables

What Types of soil (x) Diversity of the 50 cm x50 cm quadrate, same

plants (y) group does the experiment, by
MIS only, same day

Why We checked Our research To keep the same conditions

different soil by the
MIS

How collection of small Counting of the Meter, right attendance, in-house

soil samples diverse plants (no behind fence)

Defining the Problem

After I putted my independent and dependent variables together, I can form a question
that me will try to answer through my experiment. My research question is what I am
trying to answer when I write my conclusion or form my hypothesis. I have to also
explain why this is a problem that needs to be tested.

Research Question:

How do the types of soil affect the number of clovers distribution in place with
biodiversity index?

To be simple, it is: How does the (independent variable) affect the (dependent variable)?
This means, the Research Question has to be testable, it can be measured and shows what
units I measured with.

Explanation:

We can evaluate biodiversity at all levels of the organization of living matter. The basic level
is usually a population that is made up of a certain number of individuals of a given species
occurring on a selected one flat unit. Biodiversity is a collection of genes, species,
ecosystems inhabiting the area, and ultimately expresses the number, diversity and
variability of life on Earth. Species diversity refers to different species of plants in the area.
For example, biodiversity becomes visible in a colorful flower meadow, in contrast to a
monotonous green sports turf. Every living thing differs from its counterparts by small
deviations in the genetic material. The individuals of the same species in an area together
form a population. The genetic variability of a species or population allows it to adapt to
changing environmental conditions, e.g. to adjust the climate change. Only those variants
that can cope with the new living conditions survive. Genetic diversity is therefore the
"insurance" for the survival of a population.

Hypothesis:

Black soil and moist soil have the greatest plant diversity on the MIS campus.

After my experiment I will see if my data supports or contradicts my hypothesis. I assume

that there are more types of soil around the MIS, where we can find out how many
individuals of clover are found more. By studying in my home country so far, I have learned
that black soil (Chernozem) is the most fertile type of farmland. I deepened this knowledge
by studying professional websites on the Internet. I wonder if this experiment will confirm my
hypothesis.

Designing

Procedure

Scientific support:

We have used the Simpson’s Diversity index

D- diversity
N- total number of individual organisms
n- number of individuals of a particular
species.

Simpson's Diversity Index is a measure of diversity which takes into account the number of
species present, as well as the relative abundance of each species. As species richness and
evenness increase, so diversity increases.

Reference:

“Simpson’s Diversity Index”, Barcelona Field Studies Centre,

https://geographyfieldwork.com/Simpson%27sDiversityIndex.htm

“What is a black soil?”, Global Soil Partnership, Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations, https://geographyfieldwork.com/Simpson%27sDiversityIndex.htm

Apparatus and materials:

Quadrat - first we demanded one quadrate of fifty by fifty centimeters

Different types of soil - our types of soil were rocky soil, blacky soil, moist soil and sandy soil
Notebook to write notes to
Variables:

Method:

To calculate Simpson's Index for MIS, 4 areas were sampled using quadrats 50 cm x
50 cm placed randomly or systematically. We wanted to do 5 trials in one area to
have most relevant results. The number of plant species within each quadrat, as well
as the number of individuals of each species were noted. There was no necessity to
be able to identify all the species, provided they can be distinguished from each
other. We checked the clovers and rest of the plants. Several samples was taken and
the data pooled to give a better estimate of overall diversity.

Safety:

No extra big risk by this research.

Data collecting

Data for diversity index experiment.

Black Soil:

Total number of plant species Total number of the specific species

Quadrat 1 36 26

Quadrat 2 35 29

Quadrat 3 26 9

Quadrat 4 33 28

Quadrat 5 43 30

Moist Soil:
 Total number of plant species Total number of the specific species

Quadrat 1 129 32

Quadrat 2 156 32

Quadrat 3 143 20

Quadrat 4 115 6

Quadrat 5

Sandy Soil:

Total number of plant species Total number of the specific species

Quadrat 1 10 1

Quadrat 2 21 0

Quadrat 3 13 0

Quadrat 4

Quadrat 5

Rocky Soil:

Total number of plant species Total number of the specific species

Quadrat 1 30 16

Quadrat 2

Quadrat 3

Quadrat 4

Quadrat 5

Graph
 Diversity in MIS campus
37%

26%

7%

Black soil- 5 trials Moist soil- 4 trials Sandy soil- 3 trials Rocky soil- 1 trial

Conclusion

The graph describes the plant diversity in relation to one plant (clover) on the MIS
campus. It was mentioned in the data collection conditions that at least five sampling
operations were required. However, only black soil succeeded. If we decide to accept
only four samples for moisty soil (the other samples will not be considered), we can
most likely confirm our hypothesis that black soil and moisty soil have the greatest
plant diversity of all soils.
The graph tells us that in black soil there is a 37% probability of randomly
selecting two different plants, in moist soil, in 26% of cases.

Reasoning
For the next similar research, it is necessary to collect the required five samples from
each soil group. There will be more evidence from research and there will be no
doubt that our hypothesis is really proven.