Population density of insects and birds in York University's Woodlands

This field study examines the population density of animals around the woodland areas using four different techniques; namely the pan trap, quadrant, sweep net, and distance based. The animals observed were restricted to birds and insects. Methods: The pan trap consisted of 18 tricolor bowls, each filled with soapy water, which were placed in clusters of three; one of each color, at six different woodland locations. The locations varied in respect to sun exposure and vegetation. The quadrants were randomly thrown by hand about ten times with respect to the previously thrown location to collect the total number of individuals and different species. The distance between each previous and each subsequent location was also noted. In order to collect data for both the distance based and sweep net, the same transect measuring 25 m was used. For the distance based, five belt transects were conducted to deduce the distance on and from the transect when the bird(s) were sighted. Both the number of species and individuals were noted. In the case of sweep net, 10 line transects were conducted to try and sweep insects into the net and verify both total number of individuals and species. Hypothesis: There will be a correlation amongst the color of the pan and the total number of insects trapped. There will be a positive relationship between amount of vegetation and the total number of insects trapped in the pans. There will be a negative relationship between sun exposure and the total number of insects trapped. There will be a positive relation to the distance between quadrant throws and the total number of individuals. Prediction: The color of the pan will determine how many insects are attracted to it with yellow being the most attractive since it is associated to food colors like honey. Blue will also garner similar attraction but due to its visibility as something that stands out and evokes curiosity. White is predicted to garner the least amount of attraction due to its ability to blend in compared to the other two colors. Also the presence of vegetation will increase the likelihood of many insects being trapped because it increases the surface area and provides additional sources of nutrition and protection for them. However the sun exposure decreases the likelihood of encounter with insects since direct and prolonged photons and UV rays can be harmful to the creatures and increase the likelihood of them becoming easy prey. Also the distance from the previous quadrant will determine the total number of individual since the lower the distance between the throws the greater the probability that the quadrant will land on a territory already disturbed from a previous throw. Meta – Data: - The Plot was the disturbed territory on the outer perimeters of the woodland entrance from York university keele campus - The three bowls of soapy water were placed in clusters in all of the five locations except for location number six where there was shortage of yellow bowls so only white and blue were used - Most of the pan traps were left to collect insects for an average of 5 minutes while the pan traps for location 1 may have exceeded to about 10 minutes since it took time to lay out the other five