Ecology Lab 4 - Density and Species Richness

Two trials were conducted for this experiment. On October 15th, 2014 at 2:30pm the first trial began in the grasslands at York University. It was partly cloudy and a relatively warm day. Twenty different meter-squared quadrats were placed pseudo-randomly in order to give us the best possible results. We then counted how many Solidago (goldenrod) we were able to see within the quadrat being studied and record the number found as the density. Next, we measured the height, in centimeters, of three Solidago within the quadrat. These three were a proper representation of the general population within that quadrat and were chosen by the researcher. If there were less than three Solidago within the quadrat the results were not recorded. Using the three heights measured the mean average size was calculated and that height was recorded as the height for the quadrat. Lastly, the number of other species within each of the quadrats was determined and counted by the researcher and recorded as species richness. On October 22nd, 2014 at 2:30pm in the grasslands at York University the second trial took place. It was a cloudy, rainy day with cooler temperatures than the first trial. Despite the change in weather the same procedures took place for trial two as they did in trial one. This experiment was conducted to determine if height was positively correlated to species richness and density.