Effect of transect distance on vegetation cover and soil properties in Crowden area

This research was conducted in the Crowden area of the Peak District National Park, UK, where nine sample points are set up along a 40 meter sample belt. The aim is, firstly, to explore the percentage cover of grass, bracken and moss; secondly, to measure soil electrical conductivity (EC), pH and the rate of CO2 production; and, finally, to explore the relationship between these variables with increasing distance along the transect. The results reveal a significant decrease in grass cover and a gradual growth of moss cover with increasing distance up transect, a marked trend of soil acidification, and an ascending of electrical conductivity (EC). It's worth noting that bracken coverage fluctuates considerably between different points, likely influenced by microenvironmental conditions and anthropogenic disturbances. And the rate of CO2 production varied non-linearly, with peaks in areas with more grass.