Soil moisture and plant abundance in a woodlot and grassland on York University campus

Data was collected on York University campus in the grassland adjacent to Stong Pond and in the Saywell Woodlot between 2:40pm and 5:30pm over two days: October 19, 2015 and October 26, 2015. On October 19, the temperature was approximately 15 degrees Celsius and it was partially cloudy. On October 26, the temperature was approximately 10 degrees Celsius and it was partially cloudy. 70 replicates in the grassland adjacent to Stong Pond and 70 replicates in the Saywell Woodlot were examined. To determine the placement of the first quadrat, a ball was thrown from the edge of the habitat by an experimenter with her eyes closed. The quadrat was placed where the ball landed. Subsequent quadrat placements were determined by an experimenter throwing the ball with her eyes closed from the location of the completed quadrat. In each quadrat, experimenters visually estimated the total percentage of the quadrat that was covered by vegetation, the percentage of the quadrat that was covered by grass, and the percentage of the quadrat that was covered by ground cover plants. Ground cover plants were defined as plants that did not have a stem or trunk with a diameter over 2cm. Experimenters obtained a soil sample from the centre of each quadrat. One handful of soil was taken in each quadrat. The sample consisted of soil from the surface to approximately 3cm deep. Soil moisture was estimated in each quadrat using the United States Department of Agriculture’s guide, “Estimating Soil Moisture by Feel and Appearance”[1]. Each soil sample was squeezed in a fist, bounced gently from hand-to-hand, and pinched between the thumb and forefinger. Based on these observations, the available soil moisture was estimated as 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, or 75-100% using the USDA guidelines. [1] [USDA] United States Department of Agriculture. 1998. Estimating Soil Moisture by Feel and Appearance. Program Aid Number 1619.