Ecology Lab 2

Authors: Kamil Adamczewski, Joelle Brooker, Brittney Jorisch, and Karin Yosefi On September 24, 2015, at approximately 3:30 pm, 20 different individuals of the species cow vetch were observed. In order to determine which individuals were to be studied, a transect was placed vertically on the ground in a random location that was decided upon by the group members. The transect spanned 490 inches. Five traits were noted. The first was the distance of the individual on the transect. This was defined as what measurement on the transect the individual was adjacent to. This was recorded in inches. The next trait was the height of the individual. This was determined by using a transect, which was placed vertically along the plant, with the origin of the transect placed at the very bottom of the visible portion of the plant's stem. This was recorded in inches. The third trait was the number of leaves on each of the individuals. This number was approximated by manually counting the leaves on one of the plant's stems, counting the total number of stems, and multiplying the number of leaves on one stem with the total number of stems. The fourth trait was the number of flowers on each of the individuals. This number was determined by manually counting the flowers that were present on each stem. The fifth trait was to determine the level of crowding of each individual. Ranks were given based on the amount of surrounding vegetation within 20 inches of the plant being observed: 0 indicated that there were no surrounding plants, just grass; 1 indicated that there were two or less plants and grass; 2 indicated that there were 3-5 plants and grass; and 3 indicated there were 6 or more plants and grass. The purpose of this observation was to determine if the level of crowding of an individual was related to the plant's height and flower and leaf growth. The observation was conducted in the grasslands adjacent to the Danby woodlot, on the north-east side of York University, Keele campus. The temperature was 22 degrees Celcius, and there was no precipitation.