Woodlot Dataset 3 - Lab02 - Random Distribution of Adult Trees in the Danby Woodlot of York University

On the bright sunny day of September 22, 2015 during the lab period 02 from 2:30 - 5:20 pm, students gathered in the Danby Woodlot of York University in order to gather data for Datasets 3 and 4. It was 21 °C and partially cloudy. My group members included Katie, Ashley, Adam and Katherine and by group decision and my preference I have chosen to focus on collecting data for Dataset 3 (set in the woodlot setting) with the assistance of my partner for this particular experiment, Ashley.

Using measuring transects my partner and I measured the distances between neighbouring adult trees-- with heights greater than or equal to 3 meters-- that were rooted along a straight line/path from the edge of the woodlot to the centre of the woodlot. The distances were measured in inches. It is important to note that the first tree was situated right at the edge of the woodlot; hence a distance of zero was recorded for the distance trailing to where it was located as there was no preceding tree observed before it. From the first tree onwards, distances from previous tree to the next immediate tree was measured along the transect line in the order of tree 1 to tree 2, tree 2 to tree 3 and etc.

The diameter of the tree trunks at the breast height of the observer (DBH) which is approximately 1.3 meters off the ground was measured and recorded with lengths varying from 3 to 19 inches in thickness.

Lastly, the condition of the trees was closely observed and recorded based on a ranking scale of 0 to 2. A dead tree with no leaves, dried stems and breaking branches was assigned the grading value of 0. A living tree with relatively young/thin trunk and less branches and leaves was allocated with a ranking of 1, and a green canopy or in other words older tree with thicker trunk and more abundant leaves and branches was graded with a 2 for its condition.

The overall purpose of this experiment was to become familiar with using transects to measure data, to improve data collection techniques in the field to attain a better understanding of sample size, variety as well randomness of data. The distribution of trees and the distances in between them greatly varied in this particular dataset collected from 10 trees. Some locations in the woodlot and along the path of the transect were denser in comparison to others which indicates a random pattern of tree growth.

Author's note: This experiment was awarding in the sense that students had the chance to work outdoors, became familiar with using new measuring devices such as the transect and further improved their data collection skills. - Ava G.