Data Analysis Project/Paper

The objectives of this assignment are to (1) familiarize you with local citizen science projects and restoration efforts, (2) analyze a given data set using simple statistical tests, (3) create and understand simple graphs, and (4) use your results along with published data to draw conclusions about the experiment (the discussion section of a lab report).

Directions:

You will choose one of the following data sets and citizen science projects to learn about.  Each of these data sets are real data, collected by citizens and volunteers alongside marine scientists and environmental educators.  These non-profit organizations are often run by a small staff and having citizens volunteer as a part of their workforce helps to accomplish more in a short period of time.

Once you choose the data set, you will need to analyze it. Analysis must include the use of simple statistical tests (i.e., Student’s T-test) as well as creation of graphs.  Depending on which data set you choose, there are different analyses you may do to try and answer the hypothesis- this is something you must decide (I can help!!).  You will present your raw data (in an organized data table), graphs, and any statistical values in the Results section.

Your results don’t mean much without an explanation of their importance and relevance- this is the Discussion section of a scientific paper.  For this project, I have gathered a collection of primary literature articles you may want to use; you are free to find any other primary or secondary sources to help you.  You are required to use a minimum of 2 primary resources for your discussion section.  The discussion should be about 2 pages, and should discuss the findings of the study and the relevance of them. You want to connect this back to the given. Hypothesis- was the hypothesis supported or rejected based on the data?

Project choices:

What crabs  live on a restored oyster reef?  NY/NJ Baykeeperhttps://www.nynjbaykeeper.org

For the past 6 years, NY/NJ Baykeeper has organized citizen scientists to go out to an oyster restoration site in the Bronx River (Soundview Park, NY).  The EcoVolunteers program helps restoration practitioners and scientists collect data on oyster growth and reproduction, as well as local invertebrate species that colonize the oyster reef.  Oyster reefs are complex intertidal communities; the oyster acts as an ecosystem engineer and provides habitat for a host of arthropod, annelid, and fish species (among many others).   The data set given focuses on the carapace widths of two crabs, Hemigrapsussanguineus and Rhithropanopeusharrisii.  These crabs both live in and around the oyster reef, though they have different niches.  The data set looks at crabs on the reef over 3 summers. During sampling events, EcoVolunteers lift baskets out of the water, which are filled with shell and mud (to create a fake oyster reef which can be subsampled).   It was hypothesized that the invasive H. sanguineus was larger and moreabundant than the native R.harrisii.

Things to think about:

1. What is the common name of these species?
2. Where on the reef would you find them?
3. What do they eat?
4. How big do they normally get?
5. Etc….

Data set:

How many horseshoe crabs mate along Rartian Bay?   Save Coastal Wildlife https://www.savecoastalwildlife.org/horseshoe-crab-monitoring

Horseshoe crabs are abundant along the NJ shorelines, and their eggs are a vital food source for migratory birds.  Every spring, during the spring tide full moon, citizen scientists go out along Raritan Bay to document horseshoe crabs that have come on shore to mate and lay eggs in the soft sandy beaches.  These crabs are tagged with a small metal tag; when a tagged crab comes back to shore, volunteers can call Save Coastal Wildlife and report seeing that crab (they have some crabs that return to the same beach year after year!). These citizen scientists have been documenting crabs at 4-5 locations along the bay since 2009, and have a wealth of data.  It was hypothesized thatmore crabs would be closer to the open ocean (Sandy Hook) than further in the bay (Cliffwood beach).

Things to think about:

1. What does horseshoe crab biology say about mating behavior?
2. When do they mate?
3. Where are they found most- open ocean salinity or estuarine salinity?
4. What about sex ratios, is that important? Would you find more males or females on land?
5. Etc…

Data set:

going from sandy hook towards staten island (look at a map)– A.plum island is on sandy hook

1. many mind creek is next, near atlantic highlands
2. leonardo is next
3. keyport after that
4. cliffwood is closest to staten island

How many different species of fish live underneath piers in the Hudson River? Hudson River Park Estuary Lab  https://hudsonriverpark.org/visit/events/event/live-from-the-field-3/https://hudsonriverpark.org/the-park/parks-river-project/wetlab/

Fish are an integral part of the Hudson River, both for sport and for food.  There are many different types of fish there, including migratory and resident fishes. Smaller, more cryptic fishes tend to hang out underneath pier pilings, though sometimes larger migratory or sport fish can be found there.  The staff and citizen scientists working at the River Project, part of the Hudson River Park Estuary Lab, have been cataloging the fish found in traps along the west side of NYC since 1988!  This data has been used to modify legislation and restoration practices for the river, and to help with park and walkway renovations.  It has been hypothesized that moreresident fish, and smaller fish, will be found in the traps underneath piers than larger, migratory fishes.

Things to think about:

1. What is the common name of these species?
2. Where in the river would you find them?
3. Do they migrate out to sea, or down to a southern estuary? or do they live here full time?
4. How big do they normally get?
5. Etc….

Data set:

Data is from Pier 25 on west side of NYC  https://www.google.com/maps/search/pier+25/@40.7202306,-

74.0159084,17z/data=!3m1!4b1

Instructions:

1. Choose a data set from one of the local non-profit programs (crabs on an oyster reef, horseshoe crab mating, or fish in the Hudson river)

2. For your data set you must first create graphs and data tables to accurately display the data. The number of graphs and way you organize the data is up to you, but should be cohesive and clear. A graph is meant to simplify data into a readable form.  Not every data point should be graphed! You should calculate averages, standard error/standard deviation.  You need to think about the best type of graph- bar, line, pie chart.  Bar graphs are used to display data of a single time point (e.g.., how many turtles were trapped at multiple piers along the jersey shore); line graphs show the same data point throughout time (e.g.., how many turtles were found at a single pier, every month in 2019).   I am available to help you determine the type of graph you may need, and how to calculate averages/error, and use Excel to create a graph!

3. After, you will need to use your data set to calculate some simple statistics to see if there were significant differences between your groups. A T-test is used to determine if there is a difference between one group versus another collected (e.g., were more turtles caught in Sandy Hook or Point Pleasant in 2019?). Depending on how many groups your data set has, you may require multiple T-tests to see if groups are different.  Along with average, standard deviation, and range of data, the T-test statistic can tell you a lot about the group of data collected and how it supports or rejects your hypothesis.  Averages, ranges, medians—all of these simple statistics are important, but to determine if the hypothesis was supported or rejected you need a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) difference.  When you perform a T-test (excel is fine) then you will get a p value.

4. Once you have a graphical representation of the project, you need to write a short discussion section. What do these results mean? Why do they support or reject the given hypothesis? What else could’ve been looked at? Here you will need to use some background literature to help strengthen your argument.  I have posted some potentially useful articles on Blackboard; you may use these or any others you find.  You must use a minimum of TWO primary references to help explain the data you analyzed and why it is important/relevant.  Were these results seen previously? Do they agree with other projects in NY/NJ? Or are they in opposition to previously published literature?   You should write a shortdiscussion section (1-2 pages, double spaced) that explains the results you found and the relevance of these results (e.g., you found that more turtles were found in Sandy Hook than Point Pleasant, which is in opposition to Jones et al 2009 where they found more turtles in Point Pleasant—why??).

Paper requirements:

• Header with your name and title of paper (no cover page necessary)
• 12 point font, double spaced. The discussion should be 1-2 pages; the graphs and data tables do not count towards this page number.  Graphs should be copied and pasted into the word document (first), then list results section with averages, standard errors, statistics, etc. (second), then discussion section (third).
• Proper grammar (use spellcheck, grammar check)
• In-text citations (APA style; using Author name, year) as well as a full reference list at the end(APA or MLA style accepted)
• Paraphrasing NOT QUOTATIONS. Using direct quotes (even with citation) is not used in scientific literature. Failing to paraphrase is considered plagiarism and will result in a failing grades
• References chosen must be within the past 10 years (2010-2020) and must be primary references! You may choose to use additional sources for information; these secondary sources can be older or non-primary (i.e., textbook or professional websites) but should only be used sparingly.  The majority of information should come from primary literature sources.

Grading rubric: The following rubric will be used to determine your grade on this paper.  This assignment counts for 15% of your overall grade.  To do your best, adhere to the stated due dates! Losing late points will not help you to earn an A.   PLEASE reach out to me for help sooner rather than later! I am always available to discuss your progress or take a look over graphs/stats or a rough draft; but you need to give me a day or so to review and give you comments! Don’t send it to me the night before it is due!