Determining insect diversity, density and abundance using quadrat method

The following data was collected on September 29, 2015 between 2:30-5:30. The weather was rainy, with a temperature of 17°C. My group members consisted of Tonia, Amanda, Michael, and I. Amanda and I paired up to collect data to study distribution and abundance of insects at Danby woodlot and grassland at York University. The first half of the experiment was done in the grassland, where a 1x1m quadrat was randomly placed in a grassy patch. The total number of insects recognizable with naked eye, different recognizable taxonomic units (RTUs) such as bees, flies, etc, and their numbers were recorded as well. This method was replicated 10 times. Using a cell phone, a random number was generated between 1 and 10; the distance from one quadrat to the next one, in feet. This random distance between each quadrat helps limit the effect of unmeasured variables. After collecting data from 10 replicates, we headed to the woodlot and performed the experiment again, using the same approach. The collected data will help us determine the abundance and density of these insect species at York. Due to heavy rain, it is important to note that, many insects were most likely hid under leaves or grass. This reduced the number of insects we would have seen in comparison to a day where it had not been raining. However, we did manage to see earthworms and snails, which would likely not have been possible without the rain.