yorku.ecology.oct 17 2016

Variables<br> <br> Census - week number the data was collected.<br> Calendar date - date data was collected. Month/day.<br> Campus - university from where data was collected.<br> Group_ID - identification tag of group that collected the data.<br> Lat - latitude approximated using Google Maps.<br> Long - longitude approximated using Google Maps.<br> Elevation - approximated elevation. Measured in meters.<br> Rep - data collection number.<br> <br> abundance.native.plants - number of native plants, determined by aid of teacher assistant. A plant was classified as native if it originated in its respective habitat. This is continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no plant were observed.<br> <br> abundance.exotic.plants - number of exotic plants, determined by aid of teacher assistant. A plant was classified as exotic if it originated outside its respective habitat. This is continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no plant were observed.<br> <br> total.number.flowers(quadrats) - flower abundance measured by quadrats. Only flowers whose roots were inside the quadrat were counted. This is continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no flower head were observed.<br> abundance.woody.plants - number of woody plants, i.e. trees. A tree was defined to be at least 1.5m in height. This is continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no plant were observed.<br> <br> canopy.cover - approximated percentage sky is covered by tree canopy.<br> <br> ground.cover - approximated percentage ground is covered by vegetation.<br> <br> total.flower.numbers(transect) - flower abundance measured by transects (1m by 1m of transect).<br> <br> abundance.vertebrate - number of vertebrates, where vertebrates is defined as an animal with a structural backbone. There is a continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no vertebrates were observed.<br> <br> vertebrate.species - number of species of vertebrates, where species was distinguished based on morphologically traits. This is continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no vertebrates were observed.<br> <br> <br> abundance.human - number of humans observable in the area. This is continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no vertebrates were observed.<br> <br> <br> abundance.invertebrates.observed - number of invertebrates, where intervebrate is defined as annanimal lacking a structural backbone. This is continuous variable with a ratio scale where 0 represents no vertebrates were observed.<br> <br> abundance.invertebrates.sweep - number of invertebrates captured by sweep nets. An invertebrate was defined as lacking a structural backbone.<br> <br> Methods<br> <br> Data was collected across four observers and later compiled into a single digital document.<br> Data collected approximately from 15:00 to 17:00 on October 17, 2016 at the York University's designated "The Pond" and "impermeable ground". Weather conditions was foggy , mild temperatures and slightly breeze.<br> The process of collecting data was repeated twice. Once by The Pond at York U, and then again at the Impermeable Ground.<br> All abundances were counted and were clearly visible.<br> Two transects were combined to encompass 50 meters long . Most collection of data used the transects as a reference point.<br> 25 quadrats were placed in each habitat, distanced apart by 2 meters from the last, while also alternating left and right of the transect.<br> An observer would count the abundance of native and exotic plants in the quadrat, as well as the number of flower heads.<br> <br> An observer would walk along the transect. Every 2 meters, they would approximate the abundance of trees and flowers, as well as canopy coverage and vegetative ground coverage. Coverages were approximated as percentages.<br> <br> The abundance of verterbrates, invertebrates, number of vertebrate species, and abundance of humans were measured along the transect. Vertebrate information was collected on a 50m radius from the transect, and invertebrate information was collected on a 5m radius. Observances were made in a counter-clockwise direction around the transect for 15 minutes. To visualize a 50m observation range, the observer referred to the transect laid out. To cover a 5m observation range, the observer took 5 large steps. Any vertebrate that was more than 0.5m above the observer's view was not collected. Humans in vehicles were not included in the data, nor were humans recounted if they made a double appearance. The humans were counted as long as they were within observation range regardless if they were just passing by.<br> <br> An observer placed six pan traps in alternating color order. They were placed at 14:52 at The Pond, picked up at 16:20 at The Pond, while placed at 16:25 on the impermeable ground, and picked up at 17:09).<br> The pan traps were distanced along the transect, 3 meters apart from the last.<br> 10 sweep nets traveled 50m along the transect to capture invertebrates. 5 sweep nets on each side of the transect.<br> <br> Hypothesis:<br> As the amount of plants increase, the amount of invertebrates will increase as the plants provide them with resources. <br> Prediction:<br> 1. Near pond will have a greater abundance of invertebrates than the impermeable ground because there will be a higher abundance of plants resulting in more resources. 2. As the impermeable ground was lack of plants, there would be no ground invertebrate observable. <br>