Plant Abundance in Saywell Woodlot and Stong Pond Grassland in York University (Keele Campus)

Data was collected on two spate days 1 week apart. Woodlot trials 1, 2, and Grassland trials 1 was collected on October 19. 2015. The temperature was 16oC. Woodlot trial 3, and grassland trials 2, and 3 were collected on October 26. 2015. The temperature was 10oC. All data was collected either at the Saywell Woodlot, or the Stong Pond Grassland. 10 transects were chosen for each trial, each measuring 10 meters. Sites for transects were chosen by walking 5-10 steps away from the previous spot of the transect. Plants that were 6 feet in height or less, and 1 meter away from the 10 meter transect were included in the count. Dead plants were excluded from the count. The type of species and the individuals belonging to that species was recorded as “Species (# of individuals)”. The total number of individuals belonging to all species in that area observed, were recorded as “Plant Abundance”. The canopy cover of the area around the transect was measured by making a square with the hands and estimating the percentage of tree foliage covering the square. Finally, “Human Activity” was qualitatively observing the presence of human-made objects such as garbage, or the presence of trail defined by an area of only dirt and no plants. A “0” was assigned where no trail or garbage was present with the presence was plants around the transect. A “1” was assigned to where human activity was evident. All plants were counted by estimation.