Procedure

Places where centipede counts were taken:

 

Number of Centipedes/ Square Meter

location

plant kind

experimental

negative control

site 1

monoculture English ivy

116

16

site 4

diverse English ivy

124

8

site 2

monoculture knotweed

148

112

site 3

diverse knotweed

120

108

site 3

monoculture rhododendron

268

12

site 3

diverse rhododendron

140

64

site 4

monoculture jewelweed

192

92

site 4

diverse jewelweed

52

20

As can be seen in graph 1, an average of 91 more centipedes per meter square were found in the experimental plots then the negative control. Upon t-testing the data, a p-value of 0.006 was found. This shows that the difference in centipede density between the variable and the control plots was statistically significant.

As can be seen in graph 2 there is on average 72 more centipedes/ meter square found in the plots containing a monoculture of plant species then a plot where plant species were diversified. Upon t-testing the data a p-value of 0.12 was found, which shows that there is only an 88% likelihood that the difference in centipede density is due to an absence of plant diversity.

 

As seen in Graph 3 the density of centipedes in the plot containing a monoculture of rhododendron was 76 greater than the next greatest monoculture plot.  Upon performing a chi-square test, a chi value of 71.85 was found, showing that we can be 99.9% certain that plant type has a strong correlation to centipede populations and that the alternative hypothesis hold true.  This statistical significance implies that centipedes prefer a rhododendron dominated environment over one dominated by  jewelweed, knotweed and English ivy.

 

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