Ecology BIOL 2050 - Lab 3 Sweep net dataset

The experiment conducted for this dataset was a sweep net capture of insects and all other surrounding invertebrates in two different specified areas. This was conducted by two group members one did the transect measurement and sweep capture while the second person counted the insects and recorded them. The specified location was adjacent areas within the grassland of York University close to the University pond. The location was divided into a mowed and non-mowed area indicated by whether or not university staff has lawn mowed the area in question. In the mowed area our team measured at 30 feet distance each trial and the target area was always south of the previous trial, 100% on the mowed land, and never overlapping the previous trial area. As for the non-mowed area we began at a random point using 30 feet distance each trial and the target area was always north of the previous trial, 100% on the non-mowed land, and never overlapping the previous trial area. For the mow area the sweep net was lightly brushed back and forth as close to the ground as possible for the distance of the transect tape. For the non-mow area the sweep net was brushed back and forth approximately chest level due to the height of the surrounding plants for the distance of the transect tape. At the end of each sweep the captured specimen were tallied based on the closest common name or scientific classification without using any taxonomy references. All specimens captured in the net were recorded including insects and non-insects. Five trials were done per area with a total of 10 trials. All specimens were released back to the wild after each trial.