Yorku. Woodlot. Sept20-2016.CVS

This study was conducted to measure the diameter at breast
height (dbh) of adult trees in pairs and the distance between them in woodlots,
at York University around 3:30pm- 5:00pm.

Location: Data was collected at York University, at Keele St.
and York Blvd, in the Woodlots.

Methods: In this field experiment,  transects measuring tapes were used to
determine the distance between 10 pairs of sugar maple trees. The diameters
were measured from the middle of the tree trunks, using a tape measure. Canopy
coverage was determined by making square with fingers and holding it up, in
order to gain an estimate regarding how much of the sky was seen.

Key to variables: Diameter at breast height (dbh), distance to
nearest species, and canopy coverage were continuous and quantitative
variables.

Prediction: It was predicted that the distance between two
trees with a low dbh would be less than those with a greater dbh, since the
smaller the dbh, the smaller the tree and therefore, the less branches and
canopy coverage it would have. Thus, the space it occupies would be less and
the trees could form closer to each other.

Hypothesis: Tree pairs with lower dbh are closer to each other
than pairs with greater dbh. Also canopy coverage is greater for trees with a
higher dbh.