Diversity of insects found in the Woodlot and Grasslands of the Danby Woods at York University

On September 29th, 2015 from approximately 3:30 -4:30pm Muhammad Akram and Daniel Germani, both students of BIOL 2050 and in lab section 02, headed out to the Danby Woodlots in order to collect information regarding the diversity of insects that could be found in the grasslands region and in the woodlot region using a quadrat. The temperature was approximately 15 degrees celcius, with a wind of approximately 15-20km/h in an Eastern direction and moderate persistent rainfall. Insect diversity was first observed in the grasslands area. The grasslands region is characterized by an open field containing short grass, wet soil and small shrubs of plants growing in a patchy distribution. The shrubbery is denser towards the West boundary of the Danby woods and gradually diminishes in the Eastern direction. Trees provide cover along the edges of the grassland. A 1m x 1m quadrat was used to collect data in both the grassland and woodlot. The first quadrat was laid down approximately 30m into the grassland from the Western boundary. The total number of insects and the number of recognizable taxonomic units (RTUs) among these insects was counted by Muhammad Akram using his naked eye and discretion based upon morphology. The data was gathered over a 60 second interval. Then the quadrat was shifted 1m over Eastward and the same variables were counted. After 10 quadrats had been conducted in the grasslands area, the researchers shifted over to the woodlot region of the woods. The woodlot region of the woods is characterized by dense tree growth with a moderate amount of canopy cover. There is a clearing at the centre of the woodlot approximately 200m squared and at the centre of this clearing is where the first quadrat was positioned. Using the same technique, the total number of insects observed and the number of recognizable taxonomic units was recorded, over a 60 second interval. The quadrat was then shifted approximately 1m south and repositioned with recordings being taken once more. A total of 10 quadrats were conducted here in the woodlot, making for a total of 20 quadrats conducted over the woodlot and grasslands area of the Danby Woods. No insects were observed in the woodlot area quadrats and this may be due to the rainy conditions which may have resulted in insects finding shelter underground. Also in the grasslands area the total number of insects as well as the number of RTUs experienced a general decrease as the quadrats were moved Eastward, which may be correlated with the decrease in shrubbery and increase in dirt in that direction of the grasslands.