Evaluating Insect Abundance - Group 4

The purpose of the experiment was to determine if there was a correlation between the abundance of plants (dead or alive), plant height and the abundance of insects caught in water trap. At the start of the experiment, 1 metre by 1 metre quadrats were placed randomly throughout Danby grassland. The abundance of plants dead or alive within the quadrat were judged by the researchers on a scale from 0-4 (0-no surrounding plants, 1- minimal surrounding plants, 2-moderately surrounded by plants, 3-an abundance of foliage, 4-ground was covered with plants). The average plant height was estimated with a transect in inches by taking the height of where the majority of the plant heights lied. A white, plastic bowl was filled ⅓ of the way with water and left out for 2 hours. After the 2 hours, the number of insects caught in the water trap were counted and recorded. The experiment was carried out on Wednesday, October 21st 2015 and Wednesday October 28th 2015 at Danby grassland with 40 samples being taken on each day. On the 21st, the temperature was around 13C with overcast and a chilly breeze. The Danby grassland on both days was covered with a range of plants and a variety of plant heights and had a clearing at the opening of the grassland. The members of group 4 are Kristine Del Rosario, Nassar Khan, Mike Angelini, Kate Britanico and Alex Qiu.