Yorku.Grassland.Sep20-2016.csv

YORK UNIVERSITY GRASSLAND META-DATA
Data Column Headers and Descriptions:

Quadrats: quadrats measuring 1 square meter were placed in the grassland according to the pre-determined randomized process (as described below).
Number of Plants: the number of plants in each quadrat was visually assessed, estimated, and recorded. Categorical variable.
Number of Species: the number of plant species in each quadrat was visually assessed, estimated, and recorded. Categorical variable.
Percentage Grass Cover: the percentage of the quadrat that was occupied by grass was visually assessed, estimated, and recorded. Continuous variable.
Percentage Plant Cover: the percentage of the quadrat that was occupied by plant was visually assessed, estimated, and recorded. Continuous variable.
Percentage Bare Ground: the percentage of the quadrat that was occupied by bare ground was visually assessed, estimated, and recorded. Continuous variable.
Additional Information:
Hypothesis and Predictions: It was hypothesized that in the grassland there is more grass relative to other plant species. We predict that other grasslands at York University will show a similar distribution of grass and other plant species.
Time Data Was Collected: Tuesday, September 20, 2016. 3:15-3:45 EST.
Location of Data: Grassland at York University, near York Boulevard. Latitude and longitude: 43.775, -79.505.
Weather Conditions: 24-25 degrees Celsius, clear, sunny, dry conditions.
Survey Method: Quadrats measuring 1 square meter were randomly placed in the grassland. Randomization was achieved using the random number generator from www.random.org. One random number was generated from 0 to 359; this number determined the angle at which we walked from the previous quadrat to the next sampling site. A second random number was generated from 1 to 25; this number determined the number of steps taken from the previous quadrat to the next sampling site. 25 quadrats were placed using this method.