A Brigg is a natural pier, which penetrates the coastal line as shown below. There is a sheltered and exposed side depending on prevailing winds.
Why Filey Brigg ? This is an excellent place to carry out this investigation as there is such a large difference in climate. As one side of the Brigg, the sheltered side can remain calm and almost untouched by the wind and waves while the exposed side could be being battered by the strong force of the wind and waves. This is why it is almost certain that limpets will have evolved differently to suit there environment.
The possible environmental key variables:
- Power of waves
- Amount of food
- Changing tides
- Amount of current
The variables I think are likely to affect the size of the limpets are:
- Force of wind
- Power of wind
- Amount of food
My prediction
The strong force of wind and waves will affect the size and shape of the limpets on the exposed side as, as the limpets will need to have a shape that gives them an advantage to cling on to the rocks. For this environment the shape would be low with a wide base and large sloping height. On the sheltered side I believe that the shape would be taller and not as wide once again with a large sloping height.
The availability of food will cause the exposed side limpets to grow larger as I believe more water will come into contact with the exposed side as the waves are larger as a result of the strong winds and as a result of this more food (algae).
A change of climate can change how the same species can be altered not only in appearance but in how it works for example
Possible key measurement variables of the limpets
- Sloping height
- Perpendicular
- Width
- Circumference
- Weight
- Area
- Base area
My chosen variables are:
- Sloping height
- Perpendicular height
- Width
I have chosen these variables because they only require simple equipment, which will give a more reliable set of results. They pose no difficult scientific problems such as measuring the area and circumference, which would take considerable time and effort and could lead to unreliable results.
I will measure the limpets completely at random to give me a reliable and accurate result. The word random meaning no specific criteria not large not small but any, the spaces between each limpet must also be random. I must be random as this will be fair and give truthful accurate results.
I will take about 30 results from each side of the Brigg. Once again, to give me a more reliable results. For each variable I will take 3 results to make sure no errors are made an average can be given to 1dp.
For sloping height: I will measure from the limpets peak to it’s rim with a pair of compasses. Then place the compass up against a ruler to give a measurement. I will record this measurement on a piece of paper and repeat three times for the same limpet to make sure my all readings where correct. I will carry out this excerise on 30 random limpets on the exposed and 30 random limpets on the sheltered.
Perpendicular height: for this I will place a pair of compasses from the rim directly up at a right angle until the point is level with the peak. I will then record this measurement on a piece of paper. Then I will repeat this 3 time to make sure all readings were accurate. I will carry out this exercise randomly 30 different limpets on the exposed side and on 30 random limpets on the sheltered side.
Width: I will measure the width by placing the points of the compass from one side of the limpet to the other making sure they go directly through the peak. Then I will record this measurement on paper. Then I will repeat this 3 times to make sure my initial results were accurate. I will carry this exercise out on 30 random limpets from the exposed side and 30 random limpets from the sheltered side.
