Factors Affecting Species Richness in Grassland and Woodlots at York University

Data was collected on October 1, October 8, and October 15, 2015 at York University, Keele Campus. Three grasslands (Boynton, Danby, Stong) and three woodlots (Boyer, Boynton, Danby) were sampled each day. Grasslands and woodlots chosen were required to be physically separated from other samples of their own type by either a road or a building. An uninterrupted area of 50m² was chosen from each grassland and woodlot, and divided into 100 quadrats of 5m² which were numbered from 1 to 100. Three quadrats per habitat were chosen for sampling using a random number table.

To sample a quadrat, transect tapes were laid at its perimeter and every plant within the quadrat and touching the transect tapes was identified to species and classified into a functional group using flower and tree guides. Total number of plants of each species was also recorded. Grasses (graminoids) were an exception as they were not identified to species but total number of species was counted.