The Study of Plant Distribution and Abundance Using Quadrats in the Grasslands of York University

On Monday September 21st 2015, at approximately 3:30pm, on the sunny day with partial clouds at a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, an experiment including 25 grassland plots of various different vegetation were examined in the grasslands around Stong Pond. A one by one meter quadrat was randomly placed around different areas of the grassland to determine the abundance and distribution of vegetation and grass. To randomize the selection of the grassland plots chosen, a plastic bowl was thrown backwards while facing the sun. The quadrat was then placed around the bowl and the results were noted. This experiment was repeated 25 times. Among the examined plots, there were many varieties of plants including the Common Plantain (<em>Plantago major</em>), Common Thistle (<em>Cirsium vulgare</em>), Canadian Goldenrod (<em>Solidago canadensis</em>), Late Purple Aster (<em>Aster prenathoides</em>), Heather Aster (<em>Aster ericoides</em>), and Wild Carrot (<em>Daucus carota</em>). The total coverage of vegetation and grass was visually estimated with the assistance of lab members Danika Gordon, Karen Lin, and Raman Singh.