Question

Construction of a solar power plant is proposed for a desert area near a school. a student has hypothesized that the shade cast by the solar panels will increase the mortality of creosote bush, a native desert plant in the area. before construction begins, what experimental data should the student collect in order to eventually test the hypothesis?

Answer 1

In order for the student to be able to properly test the hypothesis, it will be needed that certain data is collected first. The student will have to take the most important things in consideration about the creosote bush, like would it be able to survive under shade (much limited sunlight), would it be able to sustain increased amount of moisture (the solar panels will keep some of the moisture below them), but also being exposed under high temperature. The conditions for the creosote bush will change significantly, so these three things will be of crucial importance to be tested, since it is a very specialized plant, and those types of plants usually react very badly on sudden changes.