Woodlot Dataset 4

Variable DescriptionDiameter at breast height: the diameter of an adult tree's (at least twice the height of the researcher) trunk was measured using a measuring tape at the researchers breast height in centimetres. Canopy coverage: The amount of sunlight, in percent, an adult tree covered with its branches was estimated using the researchers 2 index fingers and thumbs (creating a square with them) as aid. Distance to nearest sapling: A sapling tree near the adult tree was found and the distance between the two was recorded, in centimetres, using a transect measuring tape. Diameter at breast height of sapling tree: The nearing sapling tree to the original researched adult tree's trunk diameter was recorded, in centimetres, at the researchers breast height using a measuring tape. Meta Analysis Using a sample size of 10 adult trees, continuous data was collected that involved adult white spruce trees and their trunk diameter at breast height, canopy coverage of the sky, the distances that the trees were to their closest sapling white spruce trees and also the diameter of the nearest sapling white spruce trees. The research was conducted in a woodlot environment near Hoover house on York University campus at 4:00 pm. The researchers were Karandeep, Didar and Sophia. Firstly, the diameter of an adult tree was calculated using a simple measuring tape and holding the tape from one side of the trunk to the other. Secondly, the canopy coverage involved making a square with one's index fingers and thumbs and standing under a white spruce adult tree. The square was then pointed upwards, toward the branches, and an estimation of sky coverage was recorded. Next, a sapling white spruce tree was found near the adult tree and the distances between the two was calculated using the transect measuring tape - holding the tape from the adult trunk to the sapling trunk. Lastly, the sapling tree's diameter was calculated exactly how it was for the adult tree - holding the measuring tape from one side of the trunk to the other. It is hypothesized that the greater the dbh of an adult tree would ultimately imply a greater canopy coverage area. This is because the greater dbh already implies that the tree is strong and stirdy and thus would have more branches for a greater coverage of the sky. It is also hypothesized that the smaller the distance an adult tree is from a sapling tree, the smaller its canopy coverage would be for the adult tree. This is because a sapling tree did not have enough nutrients to grow into an adult and most likely, if a same species tree is near it, it too will face the same environment and not grow with a significantly great canopy coverage in relation to adult trees that are farther away from the sapling. The greatest error when collecting this data would have to include the lack of space for research which ultimately did not give fully accurate measurements.