Using a transect to sample adult and sapling Red Maple trees in a York University woodlot

The data was collect on September 21st, 2015 from 3:00pm to 5:30pm. The location of data collection was in the Danby Woodlot on the York University campus. The research was conducted on a sunny day in around 20 degree celsius weather conditions. The sun did not shine as strongly in the woodot as opposed to on the grassland due to canopy coverage from the large trees present. This research was conducted by myself, Taylor Kerekes. I was also assisted in the data collection by my group member Frankie. To start the data collection a transect tape of 30 meters was laid down from a designated starting point in the woodlot. I, the researcher, then walked along the transect and made observations of trees up to one meter away from the tape. Red Maple trees were chosen as the species to sample for the data. The trees were easy to spot from the transect line due to them being immobile organisms. 10 Adult Red Maples were chosen which were designated Adults by the height of them compared to the height of the researcher (trees must be double the height of researcher to be considered adult). For every adult Red Maple the closest sapling of the same species was found and the distance was measured with the transect tape in inches. The diameter at breast height was also measured for both adult Red Maple and corresponding saplings. This was recorded in inches as well.The canopy coverage of the adult trees was measured by creating a square using the fingers of the researcher and estimating the precentage of the sky the trees leaves were covering. The accuracy of this technique is questionable however it makes it easy to compare the canopy coverage of the samples in comparison to eachother. When putting down the first 30 meter transect only 4 adult Red Maples and saplings were found. A random generator was then used in order to decide how many steps would be taken before placing a second transect. 23 steps was decided, and the second transet was laid. I again walked along the transect observing the Red Maples up to one meter away. The remaining 6 adult Red Maples and saplings were collected on the second transect line. This data collection was done to exhibit how transects are used and how to collect data with them. Different methods are used when transects are involved. The random sampling technique was used and the importance of accuracy was understood when collecting this specific data.