Group 3: Dataset 2: Grassland data collection using transects and the observation of the Purple Aster (Aster prenathoides)

Two transect tape was used to collect data, along with observations which were recorded on paper. One transect was placed on the ground of a randomly selected area within the grassland. A visible plant species which was easy to spot "Purple Aster <em>(Aster prenathoides</em>)" was then select. This is the targeted plant species. Each time the Purple Aster plant was spotted along the randomly placed transect it was studied and data recorded. Using a second transect, the height of the Purple Aster was measured along with the marked distance it was found on the first transect tape on the ground.By visual observation the number of leaves and number of flowers were estimated and recorded. The level of crowding was also estimated and recorded. The level of crowding determines whether the plant selected was in a crowded patch of other plants within approximately 50 cm. A scale 0-3 was used. 0=open, 1=some plants nearby, 2=quite a few plants, and 3=very crowded bunch of plants. The height, distance, level of crowding and number of flowers and leave was collected for twenty individual Purple Aster .All measurements were taken in feets and inches, then later converted to meters with aid of a calculator. This data was collected in the grassland area at York University Keele Campus in Ecology(BIOL2050) lab section 03 on September 23,2015. Lab was conducted on a sunny afternoon with the temperature average of 24 degrees celsius, at approximately 3:00-4:00pm. Data was collected by the following five members of group number three (3): Shaneil.H, Mary.H, Gamasayini.K, Prachi.M and Antoni I.

本次研究借助两条样带卷尺结合纸质记录观测数据的方式开展采集工作。首先将一条样带铺设于草原内随机选取的区域地表，随后选取易于识别的可见植物物种“紫菀（Purple Aster，学名*Aster prenathoides*）”作为目标植物。每当在该随机铺设的样带上发现紫菀植株，便对其开展研究并记录相关数据。利用第二条样带，测量紫菀植株的株高，并记录其在第一条地面样带卷尺上的对应标记距离。通过目视观测估算并记录植株的叶片数与花朵数，同时估算并记录植株的拥挤程度：该指标用于判定目标植株是否处于周围约50厘米范围内存在其他植物的密集斑块中。本次采用0至3的分级标准：0代表开阔无邻株，1代表周边存在少量植株，2代表周边存在较多植株，3代表植株簇生极为密集。本次共采集20株紫菀的株高、标记距离、拥挤程度、花朵数与叶片数数据。所有原始测量单位均为英尺与英寸，后续借助计算器转换为米制单位。本次数据采集工作于2015年9月23日，在约克大学基尔校区生态学课程（BIOL2050）第03实验组的实验场地草原内开展。实验于晴朗午后开展，时段约为当日15:00至16:00，平均气温为24摄氏度。本次数据由第3小组的5名成员共同采集：Shaneil.H、Mary.H、Gamasayini.K、Prachi.M与Antoni I.