Adult to Sampling Comparison in Danby Woodlot

<b>METADATA:</b><b>Tree Pair #:</b> the number of total trees sampled was 20, divided into 10 pairs of 1 adult tree and one sapling. All trees sampled were pairs of maple trees and no trees smaller than 0.05m were selected to participate in the study. <b>dbh: </b>(Diameter at breast height.) The diameter of 10 adult trees was measured horizontally using a transect at approximately 1.5m above ground level. An adult tree was defined as one with a diameter greater than 0.2m. <b>% Canopy Coverage:</b> The canopy coverage was estimated by looking at the relative leave coverage above compared to open space when standing directly under the adult tree in the pair. <b>Distance to Sapling:</b> The distance between the adult tree and the sapling was measured in a straight line using the transect. No pairs over a distance of 4m were selected. <b>dbh Sapling:</b> (Diameter at breast height of the sapling.) The diameter of 10 sapling trees was measured horizontally using a transect at approximately 1.5m above ground level. An sapling tree was defined as one with a diameter less than 0.2m but no trees with diameter less than 0.05m were included. <br><b>Environment: </b>The data was collected between 2:30 and 5:30pm on a sunny afternoon with no wind or cloud cover. The temperature was approximately 26 degrees Celsius. The data was collected from the Danby Woodlot on York University Keele campus while other students also surveyed similar trees. The lot consisted of maple trees as well as other non coniferous species and some ground shrubs. Canopy coverage may not be an accurate estimate as the ground was riddled with fallen leaves. <br><b>METHODS:</b>The data was collected by first seeking out a larger maple tree with a sapling within reasonable proximity. The diameter of the adult maple tree was then measured to two decimal places using a 30m transect approximately 1.5m above the ground. Next, while standing directly under the adult maple the percent canopy coverage was estimated by forming a rough 2inx3in box using our hands. Using this make shift measuring tool and looking directly up, the percent of coverage was estimated, relative to the open sky. After that, the distance from the adult maple tree to the nearest sapling was measured by placing one end of the transect at the adult tree and measuring (to two decimal places) in a straight line to the sapling. Lastly, the diameter of the sapling was also measured to two decimal places using the transect approximately 1.5m above the ground. This was repeated ten times for a total of the ten pairs. <b><br></b><b>HYPOTHESIS: </b><br>It was hypothesized that larger adult maple trees would have a greater distance to their nearest sapling and that the nearest sapling would be larger in relation because the larger adults can spread their seeds further and have existed to produce saplings longer. <br><b>PREDICTIONS: </b>1) Larger adult trees will have a greater distance to their nearest sapling.2) Larger adult trees will be paired with larger saplings. <br><br><br>