BIOL 2050: Ecology - Lab 3 (Pan trap dataset)

The eastern end of York University campus grasslands and woodlots were used for the pan trap study sites on October 3, 2014 at about 3p.m. The temperature was about 22˚C with overcast and mild rain. The first study site was in the grasslands on an open patch of tall grass surrounded by taller sprouting vegetation. Ten of the solo bowls were placed in a relatively circular shape on the grass in alternating colours – yellow, blue and white. The second study site was in the woodlots where the bowls were placed on a flat part of the ground with tree leaves and branches blocking the sky above the bowls. Once again ten of the solo bowls were placed in a relatively circular shape on the soil in alternating colours – yellow, blue and white. Each of the bowls were ¾ filled with soapy water. After about an hour the study sites were revisited and all 20 bowls were observed to see if any animals were trapped in the soapy water. Each insect that was caught was identified (if possible) and recorded. The amount of animals caught in total as well as how many different species were trapped were recorded. A note was made of the colour of the bowl in which the animals were caught and well as if it was in grasslands or woodlots. The purpose of this study was to observe if there was any correlation between the colour of the bowl and the amount of animals that were trapped in that bowl. Another reason would be to see if there was a correlation between the colour of the bowl and the species of animals attracted to a colour(s) more than the other colours. The results from this dataset show that in the woodlots area animals are less likely to fall into the pan traps than in the open grasslands area. This study also provided as a way to gain experience in field sampling techniques with animals and traps. Study members were Lilach Dahoah-Halevi, Cait Carew, Shervin Tohidi and Nitharsija Srikanthan.