Sweep-nets and Transects in Danby Grasslands Estimating Insect Abundance

The following is a dataset observing the insect population in the Danby Grasslands at York University Keele Campus in Toronto Ontario. The collection of data took place on September the 29th from approximately 2:40pm- 3:15pm. It was approximately 18 ⁰C with constant precipitation in the form of rain, the wind speed was not available at the time of collection but it was insignificant. There was overcast with little natural sunlight appearing through the clouds. The collection of data was carried out by myself along with the other members of my laboratory group from BIOL 2050 Katie, Katherine, Ashley and Ava. A total of 10 trials were to be conducted using transects and sweeping-nets. Each trial consisted of a sweep-net being moved back and forth in a “sweeping” motion along a transect of 15 metres for the approximate time of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Each trial used a new random location to place its transect and begin sweeping. Before the beginning of each trial the sweeping-net was removed of all debris including insects prior to sweep. Each transect was swept from start to end a total of 15 metres (ie. not back and forth on a transect of 7.5 metres for a total of 15 metres covered). After each sweep the insects collected were recorded and removed from the sweeping-net. Unfortunately most likely due to the weather there was a lack of variation in the insects found or total unique RTUS, with only Field crickets and Garden spiders being found. This was also evident by the number of trials that had zero insect captures.