Sweep net data from Stong Pond gassland

This study was conducted to observe the diversity of insects in the York University Stong Pond grasslands. To do this, a transect was laid out in ten randomly seleted places. A sweep net was used to sweep 50 centimetres on either side of the transect (belt transect) for eight metres for approximately one minute. At the end of each sweep, the organisms caught in the net were counted, along with the number of recognizable taxonomic units (RTUs), and then set free in roughly the same location they were caught. Starting locations for each replicate were randomized by turning 30 degrees to the right and taking 10 steps from the starting location of the previous transect's starting point. The study was done on September 28th, 2015. It was approximately 20 degrees celsius and there was a light breeze. Earlier in the day there had been rain and the sky was still overcast.