Comparing Abundance of Plants, Humans, Vertebrates and Invertebrates in Grasslands and Disturbed areas

Methods In order to assess the abundance and diversity of herbaceous plants, woody plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates in a grasslands and disturbed environment, 50m of transect tape was laid in a straight line in each area. The following methods were then implemented similarly for both the areas: For measurement of herbaceous plants, every 2m along the transect, a quadrat (1mx1m) was placed adjacent to the tape, alternating between the left and right side for the entire 50m for a total of 25 quadrats. For each quadrat, the same person counted the individual number of native plants, the individual number of exotic plants, and the number of observed flower heads within the quadrat. For measurement of woody plants, every 2m along the transect (total of 25 measurements) if a tree was observed within 0.5m of either side of the transect, it was recorded. At these same points, the same person looked upwards to estimate the canopy coverage, and then looked down at a 0.5mx0.5m area of the ground adjacent to the transect, to estimate vegetative ground cover and count the total number of flowers in that area. For measurement of vertebrates and invertebrates, the area within a 50m radius of the beginning of the transect tape was surveyed for 15 minutes and the total number of vertebrates and number of different vertebrate species were observed. In the same area and time interval, the numbers of people (not including those participating in the lab) were counted. In another 15 minute interval, the number of individual invertebrates within a 5m radius of the transect tape were observed. For measurement of invertebrates, 6 pan traps filled halfway with detergent were placed along the length of the transect tape, each spaced 3m apart and in alternating colours (yellow, blue, and white). After sitting 45 minutes, the total numbers of invertebrates found within each pan trap were counted. 10 sweep nets were also conducted along the 50m transect and the total number of invertebrates found at the end of each sweep were counted. Study Site Temp: 13°C Wind Speed: 21km/h Sunny with intermittent cloud cover. Danby Woods (grasslands), York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: 43.776126-79.49638 176.309174. Chimneystack Lot (disturbed area), York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: 43.776088-79.439102 174.439102. Hypothesis There will be a greater diversity and abundance of vegetation, vertebrates, and invertebrates in the grassland compared to the disturbed area, but more humans present in the disturbed area than in the grassland. This is because the disturbed area is located closer to an area densely populated with humans (school campus/parking lot) and therefore is more likely to be disturbed by human activity and pollution. Also, the grassland provides more resources including nutrients and shelter for the animals and plants allowing them to thrive in the grassland environment rather than the disturbed area. Predictions There will be more abundance of native plants in the grasslands area than the disturbed area. There will be more of an abundance of people in the disturbed area rather than the grasslands area. There will be more of an abundance of invertebrates in the grasslands area rather than the disturbed area. Metadata habitat: Categorical. Grassland is defined as an open area at least 250m by 250m in size with nearby woodlot. Disturbed open space similar to grassland in size but with mixed vegetation and trails/pathways accessible for people. lat: Continuous. Used GPS unit and record location each plot. long: Continuous. Used GPS unit and record location each plot. elevation: Continuous. Used GPS unit and record location each plot. abundance.native.plants: Discrete. Counted total number of native plants within 1m x1m quadrats placed every 2m along a 50m transect tape, alternating from left side to right side (total of 25 times). abundance.exotic.plants: Discrete. Counted total number of exotic plants within 1m x1m quadrats placed every 2m along a 50m transect tape, alternating from left side to right side (total of 25 times). total.number.flowers (quadrats): Discrete. Counted total number of flowers that were fully bloomed (not buds) within 1m x1m quadrats placed every 2 meter along a 50m transect tape, alternating from left side to right side (total of 25 times). abundance.woody.plants: Discrete. Every 2m along the 50m transect tape the number of trees or woody plants within 0.5 meter of both sides of the transect tape were counted (total of 25 times). A tree was defined as being taller than 1.5 meters. canopy.cover: Continous. Every 2m along the 50m transect tape an estimate of canopy coverage in percentage was made by looking up. ground.cover: Discrete. Every 2m along the 50m transect tape an estimate in percentage of vegetative ground cover for a 0.5mx0.5m area was made by looking down. total.flower.numbers (transect): Discrete. Every 2m along the 50m transect tape, the total number fully bloomed flower heads (not buds) within a 0.5mx0.5m area adjacent to the transect tape was counted. abundance.vertebrates: Discrete. Total number of vertebrates observed in 15 minutes within a 50m radius of the beginning of the transect tape. vertebrate.species: Discrete. The number of different vertebrate species observed in 15 minutes within a 50m radius of the beginning of the transect tape. abudance.people: Discrete. Total number of humans (not including those participating in the lab) observed in 15 minutes within a 50m radius of the beginning of the transect tape. abundance.invertebrates.pantraps: Discrete. Total number of invertebrates captured via pan trap after being left for 45 minutes. Pan traps were placed 3m apart on the ground along the transect tape in alternating colours of yellow and blue. abundance.invertebrates.sweeps: Discrete. Total number of invertebrates captured via sweep net which were swept along the 50m transect. abundance.invertebrates.observed: Discrete. Total number of invertebrates observed in 15 minutes within a 5m radius of the beginning of the transect tape.