Question

Question: How does the distance from a sidewalk tile (abiotic factor) affect the

prevalence of “Flower-X”?

Hypothesis

• Our group hypothesized that the further away we measured from the cement tile, the more little yellow flowers (“Flower-X”) we would find. We believed that the abiotic factor upset the balance of the grass and soil.

Method

• We used an 8,000 square cm. circle (Hula-Hoop) to measure out patches further and further from our origin. The origin was halfway into a sidewalk panel. That way, our first measurements were ½ concrete, ½ grass. Once we placed the hoop, we systematically and carefully counted each yellow flower within its confines. After that we moved the hoop further away from the sidewalk in even increments and repeated our process. Facing the street, we moved 4 hoolahoop distances out in the left and right directions. Thus we encompassed both halves of the sidewalk tile, as well as several thousand square centimeters of grass.

Method (2)

Independent Variable

• The distance from the sidewalk. Each measurement extended 70 centimeters further than the last. The area of the hulahoop is approximately 8,000 square centimeters.

• The Number of flowers within a given hoop. We measured these individually by hand.

Dependent Variable

Constants

• Wind• Precipitation• Sunlight

Data

020406080

100120140160180200

1stMeasurement

4th Qtr

Left

Right

Conclusions

• Based off of the data we gathered, our group surmised that the prevalence of Flower-X did in fact increase the further away we measured from the cement. We believe this to be due to the unnatural presence of the sidewalk tile, its contamination of the soil, its impeding of root systems, and its limiting factor on resources.