Canopy Cover and Diameter at Breast Height of Adult and Sapling Trees at York University

A field study was conducted examining tree trunk diameter, corresponding canopy coverage, and location of same species saplings. Methods: - Experimenters performed the study in woodlands at York University- Two 25m Transect tape rollers were used to mark 50m of woodland- Students proceeded along Transect tape and located mature trees, approximately 3.5m or taller. - Mature tree diameter at breast height (approximately 1.5m) was recorded; as well as canopy coverage, as a percentage. - Saplings of the same species were then located, and distance from adult along with diameter at breast height (DBH) were recorded. - The process was carried out for 50m of woodland totalling to 10 adult trees. Hypothesis: There will be a correlation between the distance a sapling is from an adult tree and the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the adult tree. Prediction: There will be a larger distance between the sapling and an adult as the DBH of the adult increases. As DBH increases so does the height of the tree, allowing for a wider distribution of seeds causing saplings to be at greater distances from the adult. Metadata: - Diameter at Breast Height: A numerical, quantitative measure of the diameter of a tree at approximately 1.5m above the ground, recorded in metres. - Canopy Coverage: Quantitative and numerical data. Approximate canopy coverage as a percentage was recorded using hands to estimate. - Distance of Same Species Sapling: A numerical, quantitative observation recording the distance in metres from the adult tree to the closest sapling of the same species.