Lab 3: Techniques & data: field sample training with animals (pans, pitfalls, sweeps, and distances) - Distance Based Dataset

To measure bird diversity in different habitats on campus, the frequencies of various bird species in Saywell Woodlot(43.770222, -79.508942) and in the grasslands around Stong Pond (43°46'13.2"N 79°30'25.9"W) were measured on September 30th, 2014 from 3-5pm. At the time of measurement, the weather was cloudy with a temperature around 20 degrees Celsius. To measure the frequency of bird species, n=10 transects were performed (approximately 25 meters in length) with n=5 performed in the grassland habitat (denoted as G) and n=5 performed in the woodland habitat (denoted as W). The different types of species of birds as well as their frequency were recorded as we proceeded along the transect. We walked along the length of the transect in both directions until birds were spotted, after which a new transect was performed. The transects were performed approximately 10 meters apart in different directions including random areas at the boundary of each habitat. Species were differentiated using a bird identification handbook (differentiated based on morphology). The distance from the transect to the group of birds was approximated (i.e. not directly measured) using binoculars. Distances from the transect which appeared to be greater than 500 meters were denoted as “500+” (500m was the cutoff point). The frequency of the birds that could not be identified at the distance they were observed at were recorded under the “Unidentified” column. Wind speed at the time of sampling was consistently 0 km/h. Species observed included B. Canadensis (Canadian Goose), L. Argentantus (Gull), P. Domesticus (House Sparrow) and T. Migratorius (American Robin). Note: Variable definitions are in column C of Meta sheet.

本数据集旨在测定校园不同生境的鸟类多样性，于2014年9月30日15时至17时，分别在塞维尔林地（Saywell Woodlot，坐标43.770222, -79.508942）与斯唐池塘周边草地（Stong Pond，坐标43°46'13.2"N 79°30'25.9"W）内，开展了不同鸟类物种的出现频次调查。采样当日天气为多云，气温约20摄氏度。本次调查共布设10条样线（transect），单条样线长度约25米；其中草地生境（记为G）布设5条，林地生境（记为W）布设5条。沿样线行进过程中，记录途经的鸟类物种类型及其出现频次。调查人员沿样线双向行进，直至观测到鸟类，随后更换至下一条样线。样线之间间隔约10米，布设方向各异，且覆盖各生境边界的随机区域。鸟类物种识别依据鸟类图鉴完成，以形态特征作为区分依据。通过双筒望远镜估算样线至鸟群的距离（未直接实测）；若估算距离大于500米，则记为"500+"（以500米为截断阈值）。对于观测距离下无法识别的鸟类物种，其记录归入"未识别（Unidentified）"类别。采样期间风速恒定为0 km/h。本次调查观测到的鸟类物种包括：加拿大黑雁（B. Canadensis）、银鸥（L. Argentantus）、家麻雀（P. Domesticus）以及美洲知更鸟（T. Migratorius）。注：变量定义详见元数据表的C列。