BIOL2050 Lab 2, Dataset 1: Measuring the Abundance of Different Plant Species in York University Grassland Using Quadrats

Variables
"Total # of Plants"- A counted estimate as seen by the naked eye of the total abundance of plants within a quadrat.
"Total # of Different Plant Species"- Counting the number of different plant species found within a quadrat after careful examination by the naked eye.
"Total Cover of All Vegetation (%)"- Estimating the percentage of vegetation found within a quadrat (opposed to sparse areas of bare soil) as seen by the naked eye.
"Total Cover of Grasses (%)"- Estimating the percentage of grass found within the quadrat (out of the percentage of vegetation already present), again using the naked eye.

MethodThe dataset was collected on September 21, 2016 in a grassland area at York University (Keele Campus, Toronto). A square quadrat was used to measure the abundance and variety of plant species present within the grassland. After numbering the 4 sides of the quadrat, a random number generator was used to ensure random placement 25 times within the grassland. All measured variables were examined and estimated using the naked eye.