Insect population characteristics within Danby Woods grasslands and woodlot

Data was recorded in the Danby Woods area on the York University Keele Campus. 1 by 1 metre quadrats were randomly placed and all insect life observed within the quadrat over a one minute time interval were counted and their recognizable taxonomic unit recorded. Ten samples were taken from both grassland and woodlot environments. Parameters investigated included total abundance, recognizable taxonomic units, recognizable taxonomic unit abundance and diversity. Since no live samples were taken and given the high motility of the insects, recognizable taxonomic units were used to identify and group organisms instead of species.