Ecology field study on the relationship between abundance of native and exotic plant species within two different habitat types

<b>Meta-Data:</b>Herbaceous PlantsTo investigate the abundance of native and exotic plant species within both a grassland and disturbed open space, data was taken through quadrat sampling. Quadrats (0.5 x 0.5m) were randomly placed every two meters, alternating left and right, along a 50m transect. A total of 25 replicates were taken. The total number of observed flower heads was also recorded for each quadrat.Abundance of native plants - the total number of individuals of native plants within each quadrat were counted and recordedAbundance of exotic plants - the total number of individuals of exotic plants within each quadrat were counted and recordedTotal number of flowers (quadrat) - the total number of independent flower heads within each quadrat was counted and recorded<br>Woody PlantsTo investigate the abundance of woody plants within both a grassland and disturbed open space, data was collected for every 2m on a transect on the abundance of woody plants and flowers and percentage of canopy and vegetative cover.Abundance of woody plants - data regarding the abundance of woody plants within a 2m^2 (0.5m on either side along 2m of the transect) patch of ground along the transect was counted as discrete, whole values. Any plant equal to or greater than 1.5m tall was considered a woody plant. n=25.Canopy cover - data regarding the amount of canopy cover by woody plants. At the halfway point of each 2m segment along the transect, the canopy cover was estimated by looking up. The amount of canopy cover against the sky was recorded as discrete percentages. n=25.Ground cover - data regarding the amount of vegetative cover along a transect with woody plants. At the halfway point of each 2m segment along the transect, the vegetative cover was estimated by looking down. The amount of vegetation against soil cover was recorded as discrete percentages. n=25.Total number of flowers (transect) - data regarding the amount of flowers within a 2m^2 (0.5m on either side along 2m of the transect) patch of ground along the transect was counted. Any plant organism that had parts resembling flowers (containing petals and/or filaments) was considered a flower and recorded as discrete, whole values. n=25.<br>Vertebrates and InvertebratesTo investigate the abundance of vertebrates and invertebrates within both a grassland and a disturbed open space, data was through a point survey. Observations were made for 15mins within a 50m (vertebrates) and 5m (invertebrates) radius.Abundance of vertebrates - data regarding the abundance of vertebrate species within a 50m radius for 15mins was surveyed. Any and all vertebrates were recorded as whole, discrete values. If the same vertebrate was seen more than once, only the first sighting was recorded. n=1.Number of different vertebrate species - data regarding the amount of different vertebrate species observed within a 50m radius for 15mins was recorded. Any set of individuals that closely resembled each other was considered a single species and was counted as one species. n=1.Abundance of humans - data regarding the abundance of humans observed within a 50m radius for 15mins was surveyed. All humans were recorded as whole, discrete values. If one human was observed more than once, it counted only as one sighting. n=1Abundance of invertebrates observed - data regarding the abundance of invertebrate species within a 5m radius for 15mins was surveyed. All invertebrate species was recorded as whole, discrete values. Due to the difficulty of differentiating between the same individual, counting the same individual more than once might have occurred, but it was avoided as much as possible. This was done by observing a single area within the given plot and not observing it once again. This was done for the entirety of the area. n=1<br>InvertebratesIn order to examine abundance of invertebrates on both a grassland and disturbed open space, pan traps and sweep net techniques were used. 6 pan traps were placed in 3 meter pace along the transept, and filled with soapy water. After 1 hr, total number of invertebrate species were counted in each pan trap, and recorded to the data sheet. 10 sweep nets along 50 meter transect were done, alternating placement of the transact after each completed sweep. Total number of invertebrate species captured after each sweep was collected and recorded in the data set table. Abundance pan traps - data regarding the abundance of invertabrate species captured in six pan traps placed along a transect at every 3 metersAbundance sweeps - data regarding the abundance of invertabrate species captured in in each sweep net along a 50m transectAbundance of invertebrates observed - data regarding the abundance of invertebrates observed within a 5m radius over a period of 15 minutes<br><b>Methods:</b>In order to assess the relationship between the abundance of native and exotic plant species, 25 quadrats were sampled and studied. The habitat types being studied include a grassland (43.776128, -79.49629) and disturbed open space (43.776856,-79.497775) located at York University. Quadrats were placed every two meters along a transect within each habitat type and 25 replicates were examined. The abundance of native and exotic species was observed and recorded, as well as the total number of observed flower heads within each quadrat. Equipment used includes transect measuring tapes, quadrats, pen and paper.<br><b>Hypothesis:</b>There is a negative correlation between the abundance of native and exotic plants in both the grassland and disturbed open space due to competition between native and exotic species for resources (ie nutrients and light).<br><b>Predictions:</b>1. As abundance of native plant species increases, abundance of exotic plant species decreases2. As abundance of native plant species decreases, abundance of exotic plant species increases3. As abundance of native plant species increases, the total number of flower heads within each quadrat increases