Yorku.Grassland.Woodlot.Sep27-2016.csv

Data Column
Headers and Descriptions: 

Pan Trap Replicates: 10 pan traps (plastic bowls with a diameter of
15 cm and a depth of 6.5 cm) were placed in each habitat. The pan traps came in
three colours: yellow, white, and blue.

Habitat: refers to the habitat in which observations were recorded. The two habitats
that were assessed are grassland and woodland. Grassland is defined as an open
area at least 250m by 250m in size with few trees. Woodlot is defined as a
forest on campus

Number of Insects: the number of insects in each pan trap was
visually assessed and recorded. Categorical variable; a discrete number of
insects were observed.

Number of RTUs: the number of recognizable taxonomic units
(acronym: RTUs) in each pan trap was visually assessed. Categorical variable; a
discrete number of RTUs were observed.

Additional
Information:

Hypothesis and
Predictions: It was
hypothesized that in the grassland there are more insects and more recognizable
taxonomic units than in the woodlot. I predict that pan traps placed in the
grassland will capture more insects than pan traps placed in the woodlot. I
also predict that the pan traps placed in the grassland will yield more
recognizable taxonomic units than pan traps placed in the woodlot

Time Data Was
Collected: Tuesday, September 27,
2016. 3:20-4:05 EST.

Duration of Survey: 45 minutes.

Location of Data: Grassland and adjacent woodlot at York
University, near York Boulevard. Latitude and longitude: 43.775, -79.505.

Weather
Conditions: 21 degrees
Celsius, cloudy/overcast, and dry conditions.

Survey Method: Ten pan traps were placed in each habitat.
One pan trap was placed randomly at the periphery of each habitat. Successive
pan traps were placed approximately two meters (two stride-lengths) westward
from the initial pan trap. Directionality was determined using the iPhone
compass application. Each plastic bowl was filled half-way with soapy water.

In each habitat, three
yellow-coloured, three blue-coloured, and four white-coloured pan traps were
placed. The pan traps were arranged in the following order by colour:
white-blue-yellow. The first pan trap placed at the periphery was
white-coloured.

The pan traps were
left in each habitat for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, the pan traps were
visually assessed and the number of insects and the number of species
(recognizable taxonomic units) were recorded.