After all the data was collected, I conducted a one way ANOVA test using SPSS Software. Figure 1 displays the results of the ANOVA test. With a p-value less than .05 between groups, I was able to conclude a significant difference between the seed germination success rates in different solutions of NaCl. Figure 2 further displays that group 1 (the control group of 0mg/L NaCl) is the only group that is significantly different from the other groups. Therefore, there was a significant difference between the germination rates of the 0mg/L NaCl solution and the other solutions (100, 500, and 1000 mg/L NaCl respectively).
The average number of seeds germinated for each individual test can be seen in Figure 3. Of the twenty seeds in each beaker, the highest number of seeds germinated came from the 0mg/L (average of 7.4 seeds per beaker). The beakers containing 100mg/L solutions had the second highest seed germination per beaker, at an average of 4.4 seeds germinated. Both 500mg/L and 1000mg/L solutions had an average of 4.2 seeds germinated per beaker.
Figure 4 charts the different NaCl concentrations throughout the Lake Wingra Watershed. I tested three different locations; the middle of Lake Wingra, inside the carp enclosure, and The Old Spring near Lake Wingra’s edge. The Old Spring had the highest average concentration in mg/L and Lake Wingra had the lowest. (This huge difference is probably due to the size difference between the spring and the lake. Lake Wingra is much larger and therefore is far more diluted than the small spring.) Based on Figure 3, of the three areas tested, Zizania palustris would be best suited to grow in Lake Wingra as it has the lowest NaCl concentration.
Figure 1: Gives statistical information
regarding the total number of germinated Zizania palustris seeds from
each of the four different salinity levels. Defines p value as .003 which is
significant.
Figure 2: Defines the significant
difference between each level of salinity. Treatment 1 represents 0 mg/L NaCl, 2
represents 100 mg/L NaCl, 3 represents 500 mg/L NaCl, and 4 represents 1000 mg/L
NaCl. The control treatment was significantly different from each of the other
four treatments.
Figure 3: Mean germination total for each treatment tested. Significant
error bars are two times the standard error.
Figure 4: Shows the average NaCl concentrations in three different
locations as determined by twelve trials. Standard error bars are given