Is there a statistically significant correlation between light intensity (lux) and leaf surface area (cm2) of

bramble (Rubus fruticosuss) at Wildwood Trust, Canterbury, UK on 25/05/2022?

Introduction:
Brambles, commonly known as blackberries, are long thorny, prickly shrubs with serrated leaves and can grow up to
2 metres tall. It is a plant that can grow in a variety of habitats such as woodlands, scrublands, gardens, and cliffs 1and
typically flowers between May and September, producing its fruits around august. Changing the light intensity on
any plant increases its rate of photosynthesis and promotes a faster rate of growth in the plant. This is because in
the light dependant stage of photosynthesis, when photosystems absorb light energy, the electrons within them
become energised and subsequently move across the electron transport chain of the thylakoid membrane through
carrier molecules. And the energy released from the movement of electrons across the thylakoid membrane allows
for hydrogen ions to be actively pumped across the membrane. Finally, when the build-up of hydrogen ions within
the thylakoid lumen results in them diffusing into the mitochondrial matrix via ATP synthase from a high to low
concentration(chemiosmosis), molecules of ATP are synthesised using the energy released from the passive
movement of hydrogen ions. And this ATP along with NADPH, produced in the light dependant stage of
photosynthesis, is used to convert molecules of glycerate-3-phosphate into molecules of triose phosphate in the
light independent stage of photosynthesis. Therefore, increasing the light intensity should increase the energy of the
electrons in the thylakoid membrane, thereby increasing the rate at which ATP molecules are synthesised and the
rate of production of organic compounds.

However, it could also be argued that due to the lack of sunlight that the plant gets, the leaves may be larger in size 2
in order to maximise the amount of light that it can absorb due to it being in scarcity 3, as seen by plants in the
ground layer of rainforests for example, which have a large leaf surface area in order to make up for the lack of
sunlight they receive in the shaded region4. Despite brambles being plants that typically do well in sunny conditions,
they are also said to be able to tolerate some level of shade and are adapted to grow towards the light when they do
not receive it5. Suggesting that bramble, like other plants that are optimised to growing in areas of low light, may
potentially possess some of these adaptations, including an increased leaf surface area in the shade for it to access
sources of light more easily. Furthermore, it is typical of plants in general to have a larger surface area of leaves as a
mechanism to grow enough to reach a source of light and maximise the amount of light that they receive. Therefore,
I chose this investigation in order to identify whether the conventional notion of increasing light intensity, increases
the growth of the plants and the surface area of the leaves, or whether bramble would instead have a larger leaf
surface area in shaded regions with lower light intensity, in order to make up for the lack of light that it receives.

In order to investigate the relationship, the light intensity(lux) and the leaf surface area(cm 2) of bramble, the light
intensity can be calculated using a light meter app on the iPhone and leaf and the leaf surface area can be worked
out by measuring the lengths and widths of the leaves and multiplying the two values together in order to give an
approximate estimate as to what the surface area should be. The method of sampling used in this investigation, to
choose the bramble plants that were to be investigated, was stratified random sampling, since the data was sampled
from two different areas being uncoppiced woodlands (which resulted in the region being shaded) and coppiced
woodlands (which resulted in the region being unshaded). And within these two regions the bramble plants were
randomly sampled by using a random number generator to generate the coordinates for the selection of the
1
(Wildlife Trusts, 2022)

2
https://italianbotanist.pensoft.net/article/39393/

3
https://www.field-studies-council.org/resources/14-16-biology/photosynthesis/comparing-sun-and-shade/

4
https://extension.psu.edu/planting-in-sun-or-shade

5
https://www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/blackberries-and-hybrid-berries/grow-your-own

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bramble plant within a 25x25m area of investigation. For example, if the random number generator generated the
numbers 3 and 15, the individual investigating would have to move 3m along the x axis of the 25x25m area of
investigation, and 15 metres along the y axis of the area of investigation. And the bramble plant in closest proximity
to where the individual has ended up would get used in the sample for the investigation. Stratified random sampling
was used since it allows for the data to be collected in regions of varying light intensity, and the use of random
sample removes any element of bias when selecting the bramble plants that will be used to supplement the
investigation. Therefore overall, stratified random sampling was an effective method of choosing the bramble plants
to carry out the investigation.

Personal engagement:
This investigation has the potential to perhaps reveal new information about the bramble plant and it is interesting
to me as I love gardening and want to potentially cultivate blackberry plants of my own in the future which I can add
to my garden. And this investigation will aid me in doing so as i can investigate the optimum light intensities at
which I should keep my bramble in.

Location studied

Wildwood trust in Canterbury, UK was chosen as the location for data collection. The area is home to over 200 native
animals and is set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodlands containing large quantities of bramble plants 6.
Furthermore, since it had coppiced and un-coppiced woodlands, which resulted in areas of shade and no shade, the
area became a desirable place to carry out the investigation since it would allow for the surface area of bramble
leaves to be investigated at varying light intensities. The area which we studied, shown in the field sketch below, and
was easily accessible by the footpath that is used to observe the animals in the conservation centre.

*ask Ridwan for field sketch for biology

Hypothesis:

After researching previous studies on the relationship between the light intensity and the surface area of the leaf of
a different plant Fragaria vesca)7 which was still from the same family as the bramble (Rosaceae8), it was concluded
that increasing light intensity increased the leaf surface area. This relationship could perhaps be explained by light
intensity being directly proportional to rates of photosynthesis, so an increased light intensity should increase the
rate of photosynthesis, leading to faster rates of growth and larger leaves of plants. Therefore, my hypothesis for my
investigation is that increasing light intensity increases the surface area of the leaf based on the previous research
that has been conducted on plants that are from the same genetic family as the brambles, and my own
understanding of plant biology. However, although this principle may have applied to the strawberry plant it is not
guaranteed that the same correlation will appear in brambles and instead it may have similar growth patterns to
plants that have larger leaves in the shade.

Preliminary Investigation:

6
https://wildwoodtrust.org/about-wildwood/

7
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28309501/

8
https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-plants-in-the-family-Rosaceae-2001612

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 ❏ How were tests carried out to show a potential relationship?
❏ Give the results of the preliminary test in a table
❏ The preliminary investigation should test the lowest and highest values of the IV (each end of the range) and
a couple in between.
❏ Explain how the preliminary test helped to establish a suitable range for the IV (should be wide enough to
show a pattern).
❏ Explain how the preliminary test helped establish suitable values for the control variables (CVs).
❏ Explain how and why the main method was adapted as a result of the preliminary test.

Equipment List:
❏ Light meter app on phone±1lux
❏ Temperature sensor±0.05° C
❏ Compass± 1°
❏ Ruler±1mm

Method:
1. The first stage of the exploration involved investigating the relationship between leaf surface area
and light intensity within an un-coppiced woodland.
2. 4 25m tape measures were placed to form a 25m*25m square around the area that was to be
investigated within the un-coppiced woodland, ensuring that the area had large quantities of
bramble that could be investigated.
3. A random number generator was used to generate 2 numbers between 1-25.(random sampling).
4. The first number that was generated was used to move along the x axis of the tape measure by that
said number. For example, if the first number was 12, the individual would have to move 12m along
the x axis of the tape measure
[5.] The second number that was generated was used to move along the y axis of the tape measure to
the generated number, making sure to stay at the same x value. Using the previous example , where
the x value is 12, if the y value generated were to be 15 for example, the individual would have to
move 15m upwards from the x axis., making sure to stay at 12m on the x axis.This stage could be
simplified if more than one person is present as one person could move to the random value along
the Y axis and one along the X. And the
5.[6.] After having reached the coordinates given by the random number generator, the bramble that
was in closest proximity to the coordinates was chosen to be used in the investigation.
[7.] n the person on the X axis could move vertically upwards to be at the same height as his peer on the
Y axis, in order to be at the exact coordinates that were randomly generated
[8.]
6.[9.] On the bramble itself, the largest leaf on the plant was identified and the compass direction in
which the leaf was facing was recorded. The compass direction was a monitored variable as the
optimum growth rates of bramble occur towards the southwest 9 therefore monitoring the direction
of the sampled leaf will allow for it to be identified if it is a factor that affects the surface area of the
leaf of the plant.

9
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/bramble/

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 7.[10.] The surface area of the sampled leaf was calculated by measuring the lengths and widths of the
plants and multiplying the two values together. Although this may not provide the exact value for
the surface area of the leaf, it is less time consuming compared to tracing the leaf and drawing
gridlines over it to work out the surface area for instance. The value for the surface area of the leaf
was then recorded.
8.[11.] The light intensity of the area from which the leaf was sampled was calculated using a light meter
app on the iPhone. In order to prevent inaccuracies in the light meter readings, the light meter was
kept at a constant height (hip height) when measuring the light intensity.
9.[12.] The temperature sensor was placed flat on the ground, in the same place the leaf was sampled,
and switched on, giving the reading for the soil temperature. This is the second monitored variable,
and it is significant as substantial increases in temperature of the soil will result in increased rates of
photosynthesis, which could cause the surface area of the leaves to become larger. As a result, if this
variable remains unmonitored, then we will not be able to identify whether it is the changes in
temperature that is causing the sizes of the leaves to be larger, or if it is the light intensity.
10.[13.] Steps 1-10 were repeated 30 times, which resulted in 30 leaves being sampled and investigated
from the un-coppiced woodland.
11.[14.] The same process was then repeated for the coppiced woodland and the results were recorded.
Control variables and monitored variables

In order to increase the validity of the data, variables other than the dependant and independent variables had to be
controlled. Additionally, some of the variables which should ideally be controlled however cannot be due to natural
circumstances, for example the temperature of the soil, were monitored in order to identify if it had on effect on the
dependant variable.

Controlled variables:
Control variable How it was controlled Why it was controlled

Same equipment used in each Same light meter, temperature DIfferent equipment e.g different
repeat. sensor and ruler used in each repeat light meters may produce different
values in lux for the same light
intensity. Therefore the same light
meter was used in each repeat to
ensure that there were no
deviations on the results that were
produced

Largest leaf on the bramble was The largest leaf on the bramble This method of measuring the
recorded plant that was selected through largest leaf was kept constant
random sampling was recorded. throughout the experiment as each
bramble plant has differently sized
leaf, therefore it is important to
make sure that the way in which the
leaf is being selected stays the
same, preventing the results from
deviating
-Table 1 showing the control variables of the investigation

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Monitored variables:

Monitored variable How it was monitored Why it was monitored

Temperature A temperature sensor was placed The temperature was monitored

layed flat on the ground and the instead of controlled as it is
value on the device was recorded impossible to control the
temperature of the soil. However
monitoring it will still allow us to
identify whether there is a
significant correlation between
temperature and the surface area of
a leaf and determine if it is the
contributing factor instead of light
intensity

Compass direction The direction in which the leaf was The direction in which a leaf is facing
facing was recorded using a can contribute significantly to the
compass. way in which it grows as it affects
the direction it faces in relation to
the sun.
-Table 2 showing the monitored variables of the investigation

Graphs
(I am unable to put the exponents on the graphs)

Monitored temperature variable

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Visually it appears as if there is no correlation between the variables of temperature and surface. In order to identify
if this was the case, a pearson product moment correlation coefficient was calculated and the r p value produced was
0.24, thereby indicating a weak correlation between these two variables.

Risk Assessment:

Hazard Risk Control measure

Bending down all day Bending down can lead to neck stiffness An anti-inflammatory could be
and lower back pain taken in order to reduce muscle
soreness. Additionally, making sure

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 to bend down with straight back
and stretching beforehand can
reduce lower back pain.10

Ticks Ticks can carry bacterial infections Long sleeved shirts and long
trousers were worn in order to
protect the skin and prevent ticks
from being able to reach it.

Branches on the ground The branches on the floor can lead Be aware of branches on the floor
people to trip over and cause injury. whilst walking and possible wear a
helmet and knee pads to avoid
injury.

Hot sunny weather Hot weather can lead to fainting and
heat strokes. Additionally, sunlight can
cause rashes on individuals and increase
their risk of getting skin cancer as a
result of the ultraviolet radiation that is
being emitted
Wearing lighter and breathable
clothing will allow for heat from
the body to be dissipated more
easily, allowing the individual to
stay cooler despite the hot
conditions. Applying sun cream can
protect the individuals skin from
the radiation that the sun emits.

-Table 3 showing the risk assessments of the investigation

Ethical and environmental issues:

The main ethical consideration to consider during the investigation was making sure not to trample the
bramble, or any other plants for that matter, whilst collecting data. This could be achieved by sticking to the
footpaths when walking to and from sample sites. Additionally, to reduce the impacts on the field site, all
litter e.g from food should be removed in order to make sure that the organisms in the region of the data
collection are not disturbed or get trapped by it. Whilst collecting the data, in order to minimise damage to
the bramble plants, make sure not to damage any of the leaves e.g when measuring the surface area of the
leaves, and make sure not to cause any damage to the structure of the plant whilst pulling it over to measure
it. In order to minimise the harm and stress on the organisms nearby, such as the caged rabbits, we made
sure to be quiet during the investigation and talked only when we needed to which reduced noise levels

Results:
Coppiced woodland
Surface
area Light intensity Compass direction Temperature Qualitative observations
75 11743 South 21 Under a bush

10
https://www.virtua.org/articles/10-tips-for-dealing-with-lower-back-pain

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 96 23707 Southwest 21.3 Towards a footpath
80.5 1908 Southeast 21.5 Covered by branches
61.75 1172 Northeast 19.8 Tangled in other vegetation
46.75 572 South 16.4
12 572 South 17.4 Next to a footpath
-Table 4- showing the data for the first 6 sampled leaves from the coppiced woodland.

Un-coppiced woodland
Surface area Light intensity Compass direction Temperature Qualitative observations
Stepped along a footpath
114.75 572 South west 16.5 under a canopy
51 443 South 14.3
76 445 South west 18.9 In soil. Bugs all over
96 1075 South 17.1 Stepped on
28 572 NOrth east 18.3
70 630 South 18.2 Growing together
-Table 5- showing the data for another 6 sampled leaves however this time from the un-coppiced woodland instead

Pearson calculations:

(x-xmean)/standard Light (y-ymean)/standard (x-xmean)(y-

Surface area deviation intensity deviation ymean)
80.5 0.1927165837 1908 1.388109287 0.2675116796
61.75 -0.4086236776 1172 0.3591217496 -0.14674565
46.75 -0.8896958867 572 -0.4797267867 0.4268109488
12 -2.004179838 572 -0.4797267867 0.9614587534
37.5 -1.186357082 573 -0.4783287058 0.5674686477
63 -0.3685343269 773 -0.198712527 0.07323238739
97.75 0.745949624 1113 0.2766349768 0.206355757

Mean 74.49102941 SUM 35.23242423

Standard
Deviation 31.18035031 r 0.4258570781
N 68 r² 0.2765256665
Table 6- showing the method of working out the rp value for the relationship between the two variables

Graphs

(change the axis of the graphs)

Conclusion:
Overall, after analysing and investigating the results produced and the results from the Pearson product moment
correlation coefficient, it is evident that there is a moderate correlation between light intensity and the surface area
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of the leaves of bramble. This subsequently supports the hypothesis in which light intensity increases the surface
area of the leaves due to increased rates of photosynthesis, resulting in more growth in the plant. Furthermore, it is
evident from the graph visually that there is a moderate correlation between the two variables as can be seen from
graph 1, as well as the numerical value for the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. These results
however were concluded after removing the two anomalous results in the beginning of the experiment. The notion
of increasing light intensity increasing the surface area of leaves can be explained scientifically since increasing light
intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis within a plant, which leads to faster rates of growth and as a result
larger leaves. Another thing that can be concluded from this experiment is that temperature has no effect on the
surface area of the leaf, as can be seen visually from graph 2. This is surprising since, scientifically temperature, like
light intensity, is one of the factors that leads to increased rates of photosynthesis within plants, due to it increasing
the rates of enzyme activity within the plant that allow it to carry out photosynthesis 11. For example, the enzyme
rubisco, which catalyses the attachment of carbon molecules to ribulose bisphosphate to eventually form molecules
of glycerate 3 phosphate, should increase its rate of attachment of carbon molecules and thereby increase its rate of
photosynthesis. Therefore, it should also theoretically influence the surface area of the leaves just as light intensity
does. Perhaps there may be no effect however since the temperature of the soil is beyond the optimum
temperature and therefore changes in the temperature have no effect due to the enzymes within the plant having
been already denatured.

Evaluation:

Overall this experiment was successful in determining a correlation between light intensity and surface area of the
leaves of bramble. However it is also important to have an evaluation of the process in order to highlight the
strengths and weaknesses that were highlighted during the investigation.

Strengths and weaknesses of data analysis

The usage of Pearson product correlation coefficient was highly beneficial during this investigation as it not only
allowed me to identify whether there was a correlation between the light intensity and surface area but also allowed
for the strength of that correlation to be determined (since it was 0.53 it had a moderate correlation). This allowed
for a better interpretation of the correlation between the two variables on a continuous spectrum, in comparison to
a chi-squared test for example which would only be able to identify whether the two variables are independent or
not. Additionally, the removal of the outliers from the data set during data processing was also a strength of this
investigation as if the outliers were to remain included within the data set, the Rp value would have been skewed to
0.1 as opposed to 0.5, thereby presenting a weak correlation as opposed to a moderate one. Therefore, removing
the outliers was a crucial and essential stage of this investigation, as without identifying them the conclusions that
would be drawn about the correlation between the two variables would be entirely different to what they should be.

Qualitative data which was also recorded alongside the quantitative data allowed us to identify the reasoning behind
some of the outliers. For example, brambles that had been trampled on would subsequently have a lower surface
area of leaves and this was evident from the data set that these were outliers. Additionally, Plants that were situated
next to footpaths also typically had lower surface area leaves due to them having less room to grow and this
qualitative observation allowed us to identify as to why these were outliers. Finally, the fact that we collected
multiple pieces of data allowed for outliers to be more easily identified and the validity of our data to be much
greater overall (since overall, 80 pieces of data were collected).

A weakness of this investigation however was that there was no chi-squared test carried out to identify whether the
variables were independent or dependant. Therefore, it could be possible that the two variables are independent
despite the moderate rp value, and the two variables are related through causation as opposed to correlation.

11
https://edu.rsc.org/download?ac=12620

9
Strengths and weaknesses of methodology

One of the main strengths of the investigation was the use of random sampling to determine where the bramble
should be sampled from during the data collection process. The use of the random number generator to randomly
sample the brambles, eliminated the effects of bias when determine the coordinated within the area of investigation
that the leaves should be sampled from. This improved the overall validity of the results since bias during the
sampling process would be eliminated and the sampled leaves should theoretically be representative of the whole
region12

However, a potential weakness of random sampling however is that by chance, it could be possible for all the data
collected from one region as a result of coincidence. For instance, all the brambles could get sampled from one
corner of the area of investigation, leaving out bramble from being sampled in other areas. And this would
subsequently decrease the validity of our results as the data would not be representative of the whole region. In
order to prevent this from occurring the next time the investigation is conducted; systematic sampling could be used
instead to ensure that the leaves are sampled from each part of the area of investigation. For example, sampling the
leaves every 5m along the x and y axis of the tape measure would ensure that the entirety of the area gets covered.

Additionally, the equipment that we used during the investigation could be viewed as another limitation. Instead of
having access to an actual light meter, a phone app was used, which produced some anomalous results and reduced
the validity of our experiment. For example, the first two lux readings for the light intensity were almost 10 times
higher than the rest of the readings, indicating an error in the phone app, since it would not have been possible for
the first 2 readings to vary so much despite being in such close vicinity to the other sampled plants. Additionally, the
app produced results that had the exact same values as each other, such as 572 lux being a common value, which
was highly unlikely that the lux value did not even change slightly in a different location. This subsequently affected
the accuracy of the results for the light meter readings since, random errors in the phones measurement of the light
intensity would also produce random variations between the correlation of light intensity and the surface area of the
leaf. In order to prevent this from occurring the next time this investigation is carried out, the light intensity can be
measured through using an actual light meter as opposed to a phone app, which will provide more precise and
accurate readings.

The final weakness of this investigation is that although the monitored variables monitored the temperature and
compass directions, there were still many other factors that needed to be accounted for. The carbon dioxide
concentration in the air for example was not monitored, despite it having an impact on the rate of photosynthesis
and the rate of growth of plants, subsequently impacting the surface area of the leaves 13.

Extent of investigation

One of the main limitations of the investigation was that it was only possible to monitor one or two of the monitored
variables out of many possible things that affect the rate of photosynthesis and growth of a plant, due to time
constraints. For example, if a factor such as carbon dioxide concentration were to be affecting the surface area of the

12
(Zieffler, Statistical Thinking: A Simulation Approach to Modeling Uncertainty, 2012)

13
https://edu.rsc.org/download?ac=12620

10
leaf due to increased rates of photosynthesis in the plant, it would be impossible for it to be identified since the
temperature was the monitored variable that was chosen instead of carbon dioxide concentration. Therefore, if it
were possible to monitor all the possible monitored variables, it may be apparent that there are other factors that
are affecting the surface area of a plant as opposed to just light intensity.

Bibliography:

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