Plant species richness, abundance, functional group composition and invasive species richness in woodlots and grasslands at York University, Keele Campus

Boyer, Boynton and Danby woodlots and Stong, Boynton and Danby grasslands at York University were randomly sampled to collect data over three days on October 1st, 8th and 15th. Each of the six sites was plotted by 50x50m area and was divided into 100 numbered quadrat grid cells of 5x5m from which samples for the experiment were randomly generated using a random number table. Transect tapes were used to locate the quadrat numbers generated and to create the 5x5m quadrat sample for data collection. The number of species within a quadrat, their abundance and their names were recorded to classify them into their functional groups that were identified to be trees, forbs, shrubs, vines and grasses. Wildflower guidebook and tree species identification manual were used to identify the species for initial data records.