State agency has spoken to you to perform a scientific assessment of kudzu in the nature preserve in southern Georgia. They are worried about effects of kudzu (non-native invasive vine) on the small uncommon plant which grows on forest floor in preserve, but which is establish nowhere else in the state.
Kudzu is only growing in east side of preserve as it has not yet had time to occupy further. So as to assess effects of kudzu on exceptional plant, you set up the experiment given below:
Site 1: On east side of park with kudzu, you set up ten 1m x 1m plots on forest floor. In every plot you calculate number of individuals of unusual plant.
Site 2: On west side of park without kudzu, you set up ten 1m x 1m plots of forest floor. In every plot you calculate number of individuals of unusual plant.
In this experiment, Site 2 is your:
i) variable.
ii) control.
iii) replication.
iv) hypothesis.
Question 1) Which amongst the options is the best answer and describe why in detail.