WK6&WK7: Field experiment datasets

This field experiment was conducted to determine the relation between canopy cover, and number of insects present in that area which took place on York University's Osgoode and Boyer woodlots on October 15 and 22, 2015. There were three specific areas of concern which consisted of low, medium, and high canopy coverage. Each particular area contained 15 pan traps in ratio of 5:5:5 red, yellow, and white respectively that were positioned 1 metre apart while being within the selected canopy area. Each bowl contained a mixture of soapy water that remained in the selected canopy area for 2 hours before being collected at the end to identify and record the insect species. This was done for two datasets, one per week. The canopy level of each area was determined by a physical observation, and using both hands to create a square to estimate the percetange of coverage visible. The percentages were categorized into three levels of coverage, low(0%-35%), medium(35%-65%), and high(65%-100%). From dataset 1, the number of insects recorded was proportional to canopy level from low to high cover, while in dataset 2, the number of insects increased when going from low to medium canopy coverage, but number of insects were significantly reduced with high canopy coverage. Weather conditions had an indirect relationship to this experiment as both days were cloudy, and had some light rain which may have triggered different responses depending on the particular insect species.