Lab 3 - Data set 3 - A Comparison of Insect Diversity in Grassland and Woodlot Areas

This study compares the diversity of insects found in grassland and woodlot areas using pan traps. The data was collected by four ecology students on Wednesday, September 30th, 2015, between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm and was taken from the grassland and woodlot located East of Stong Pond on the South-West of York University. For this study, there were four sets of three coloured bowls; each set contained one yellow bowl, one blue, and one white. Two of the four sets were placed in the grassland and two in the woodlot. Of the two in the grassland, one set was placed at random next to a thorn bush. The other set was placed in a flowered area where each coloured bowl was placed next to the flower of similar colour (yellow bowl with yellow flower, blue bowl with purple flower, and white bowl with white flower). Of the two in the woodlot, one set was placed at random near a pathway clear of many plants and trees, and the other was placed at random in a place with higher tree and plant cover. Each bowl was filled with approximately one centimetre of solution (mix of soap and water) to ensure that any insects that entered the bowl were unable to escape. Each bowl was placed at ground level and was placed at least one metre away from its neighbouring bowl. After three hours, the bowls were revisited and the number and type of insects inside each coloured bowl in each location were recorded. For this study, only the rtus of the insect was recorded (example: fly, ant, cricket, yellow jacket). Group Members: Murtuza, Chris, Phaeba