Lab 2. Quadrat sampling in a grassland

The dataset was collected at 3pm in a field to the south of the Danby woodlot on the York University campus. A square quadrat was placed randomly on the ground. Only plants with stems found inside the border were counted as being contained within the quadrat. The total number of unique species in the quadrat was counted and recorded. Each of these species was identified to genus or species (sp.), or if unknown was given a descriptive general grouping. The number of individuals for each species was counted. If there were more than 20 individuals, the quadrat was divided into quarters and the individuals within only one quarter were counted and this number multiplied by four to achieve the abundance. The percentage of the quadrat covered by each species was estimated. Grasses (Poa spp.) were not included in any counts, resulting in total % cover not summing to 100.