Grassland Dataset 2

The purpose of this observational study was to utilize the line transect method, i.e., a distance method, for sampling purposes, to meausre characteristics of the Common Milkweed plant (Asclepias syriaca), i.e., plant height, number of leaves, number of flowers, and level of crowding, and to use the distance on the transect measures from the plants as a means to estimate the population abundance of this plant species in the Grassland situated near the Danby Woodlot at York University, which is the location where this study was conducted. This study was conducted by group members Gajamugan Rajavarothayan, Gopaul Parbatie, Albert Lin, and Hannan Fayyaz from 3:25 pm to 4:00 pm EDT. A transect tape was randomly placed in a straight line stretching 20 meters in the Grassland situated near the Danby Woodlot at York University, specifically in an area that had the presence of the target plant species, i.e. the Common Milkweed plants. As we walked along the transect line, we recorded the distance on the transect whenever a Common Milkweed plant was visible near the transect tape, i.e. within 2 meters from the transect tape, to estimate the population abundance of this plant species in this Grassland area near Danby Woodlot at York University. We also measured the plant height using a second transect tape from the ground up to the tip of the largest leaf in the Common Milkweed plant, i.e.. the largest leaf in the plant was actually lifted to as high as possible and this height was recorded as the plant height. Gajamugan was the one who read all the measurements from the transect tape to ensure errors are minimized as the measurements for both the distance on the transect and plant height were recorded consistently by the same person. The number of leaves and number of flowers was recorded for each individual plant, and the level of crowding for each individual plant was scored from 0-3, whereby 0 = open, 1 = some plants nearby, 2 = quite a few plants nearby, and 3 = very crowded bunch of plants nearby within 50 cm. In total, our sample size, n, was 20 individual Common Milkweed plants. The conditions at this site at York University had an atmosphere temperature of 23 degrees Celsius, the weather was partly cloud, wind speed was 16 km/h blowing from the East, and the humidity level was 63% and the soils were not dry but rather they contained some moisture. The height of the grassland vegetation in area we used to sample the Common Milkweed plants was below 0.5 m, I.e., below knee level. However, in neighbouring grassland areas from our site that contained other plant species, the height of the grassland vegetation increased and was around 1-1.5 m, i.e., above knee level. Insects like lady bugs, bees, and flies flew around our site as well. Hence, overall these factors provided adequate conditions for viewing the plants and recording measurements from it.