Dispersal Patterns of Goldenrod Species within the Grassland (Stong Pond) Habitat with Respect to Distance from Resources and Height Response

A group of three students (Rosalie, Andrew and Sandra) analyzed the grassland habitat (Stong Pond) at York University for the dispersal patterns of goldenrod plants. The data was collected between 2:30 to 4:00pm and investigated on October 19, 2015 and October 26, 2015 for a better representation. On October 19, 2015 the weather conditions were cloudy with slight winds at a temperature of 13° Celsius and on October 26, 2015 the weather conditions were clear, sunny with slight winds at a temperature of 9° Celsius. A 1x1 meter quadrat was systematically placed at fixed intervals of 1 meter from the last. For both sample days the same protocol was completed; for each day a total of 15 1x1 meter quadrats were placed 5 meters away from the pond distinguished as proximal to the pond and a total 15 1x1 meter quadrats placed 50 meters away from the pond, noted as distal from the pond. Data that was collected within the 1-meter by 1-meter quadrat included; a total count of individual plants and the height of five randomly selected goldenrods, in centimeters using a measuring tape.