YorkU.Forest.Oct24-2016.csv

<b>Meta Data</b><br>Census: This variable represents the week that is being sampled. Week 8 is defined as census 3.<br>Campus: This categorical variable defines the York University campus that the study is being conducted.<br>Habitat: This categorical variable defines the type of habitat used in the study. A forest habitat represents a woodlot on campus. The forest habitat that was studied was the Saywells Woodlot.<br>Replicates: A total number of 25 quadrats were used to survey herbaceous plants. A total of 25 replicates were performed to survey woody plants. A total of 6 replicates for pan traps and 10 replicates for sweep nets were performed to survey invertebrates.1 replicate was conducted to observe vertebrates abundance. <br>Abundance of native plants: This continuous variable measures the total number of individual plants that are native to Ontario within a 0.5 x 0.5 m quadrat.<br>Abundance of exotic plants: This continuous variable measures the total number of individual plants that are exotic in Ontario within a 0.5 x 0.5 m quadrat.<br>Total number of flowers: This continuous variable measures the total number of independent flower heads within a quadrat.<br>Abundance of woody plants: This continuous variable measures the amount of a trees present within 0.5 meters of the transect. The tree must be larger than 1.5 meters.<br>Canopy cover: This continuous variable represents the amount of canopy coverage of a tree by looking up. It was measured every 2 meters by holding both hands up towards the sky to form a square. <br>Ground cover: This continuous variable measures the amount of vegetative ground cover by looking down. It was measured every 2 meters by holding both hands towards the ground to form a square. <br>Total number of flowers: This continuous variable represents the amount of observed plant species.<br>Abundance of vertebrates: This continuous variable measures the amount of animals located within a 50 meter radius and duration of 15 minutes.<br>Vertebrate species: This categorical variable represents the type of specie observed within a 50 meter radius and duration of 15 minutes.<br>Abundance of humans: This continuous variable measures the amount of human population that interact with the area but are not involved in the lab for a duration of 15 minutes.<br>Abundance of invertebrates observed: This continuous variable measures the observed number of invertebrates within a 5 meter radius of the given habitat for a duration of 15 minutes.<br>Abundance of invertebrates in pan traps: This continuous variable represents the observed number of invertebrates collected within colourful bowls (blue, white and yellow) that contain soapy water.<br>Abundance of invertebrates in sweep nets: This continuous variable represents the observed number of invertebrates captured in the sweep nets at the end of the 50 meter length transect.<br><br><b>Description</b><br>On October 24th, 2016 a study conducted by Candice, Moses and Numra was performed in the Saywells Woodlot at York University. The temperature was 9 degrees, with significant cloud cover. The forest GPS coordinates are; latitude: 43. 76876, longitude: -79.5079, elevation: 126.302. The study was conducted to compare different habitats across various universities by using transects, quadrats, pan traps and sweep nets.<br><b>Methods</b><br>The data collection for the forest habitat began at 2:50 pm and ended at 3:50 pm. In order to survey the herbaceous plants, a 50 meter transect was randomly placed. A 0.5 x 0.5 m quadrat was placed every 2 meters of the transect, by alternating left to right. The abundance of native plants, exotic plants and number of flower heads within the quadrat were recorded. The quadrat was divided into 4 squares. The abundance of plants within a square were recorded and multiplied by 4 to represent the whole quadrat. The woody plants were then surveyed along the 50 meter transect. The presence of a tree that is larger than 1.5 meters and within 0.5 meters of the transect was observed at every 2 meters. At every other meter, the canopy coverage was recorded by looking up and using 2 hands to form a square. Alternatively, at every other meter, the vegetation ground coverage was measured by looking down and using 2 hands to form a square. The number of flowers surrounding the transect was also calculated. Next, the data survey for the vertebrate and invertebrate was conducted within a 50 meter radius. The abundance of vertebrates was recorded by counting the total number of individuals. The specie type was also observed for a 15 minute interval. The abundance of invertebrates, for example, flying insects observed was recorded for 15 minutes within a 5 meter radius.In order to survey invertebrates, pan trap and sweep net techniques were used. A total of 6 pan traps, in alternating colours (white, yellow and blue) contained soapy water solution and were placed every 3 meters along the 50 meter transect. After 40 minutes, the amount of invertebrates present in the pan traps were counted. The sweep net technique was performed by sweeping the net in a figure 8 motion, right to left along the the 50 meter distance of the transect. A total of ten repetitions were made in each habitat.<br><b>Hypothesis</b>In the Saywell Woodlot, there should be a higher abundance of insects due to the higher abundance of plant species compared to the impermeable habitat, the baseball diamond. The plant species can be used as a habitat or food supply for the insects. <br><b>Predictions</b>The Saywell Woodlot can act as a habitat and food supply for the insects to survive off of because of its higher abundance of plants.The impermeable habitat, the baseball diamond, cannot act as an ideal habitat or provide any food source due to its lack of abundance in plants.