Measuring insect abundance relative to distance from pond water & plant density

The purpose of this experiment was to observe the effect of distance from a water source (pond water) and plant density on insect abundance. This field study took place over a span of two weeks. It was conducted in the grassland area of York University's Keele Campus nearby the pond. Our group was split based on measuring at various distance intervals from the pond. Using transects, we measured up to 20 metres away from the pond. At various intervals (1 metre, 10 metres and 20 metres), group members placed quadrats on the grassland surface, and noted the insect abundance and plant density inside the quadrat. Exactly 20 quadrat measurements were taken at each distance interval (for a total of 60 quadrat measurements), each one spaced 1 metre apart within their respective distance intervals, where the process detailed above was repeated. The data was compiled into chart form, and the results displayed increased plant density, and thus greater insect abundance the further away from the pond water.