ScLi12- Identify the elements in the methods that allow rese…
ScLi12- Identify the elements in the methods that allow researchers answer their research question A real study aimed to test if temperature plays a role in a barnacle species (Notochthamalus spp.) abundance, growth and distribution. Researchers performed a shading study conducted at two intertidal elevations and determined the effect on the abundance, growth rate and space occupation. The study was conducted on the central Chilean coast. “To investigate the effect of emersion temperature on the growth, cover and reproductive output of Notochthamalus, we shaded ten 10 × 10 cm plots in each of the high and mid barnacle zones with plastic mesh. All experimentally shaded areas had similar total barnacle cover (~50%) at the start of the experiment. Ten control areas (unshaded 10 × 10 cm plots) of similar total barnacle cover were selected in each barnacle zone from an ongoing study of the same species. In order to characterize thermal conditions in each zone and the efficacy of the experimental shading treatment, we monitored rock temperatures over the course of the study. ”