BIOL 2050 - Lab 4: Experimental Design Training Using Plant Techniques

The objective of this experiment was to observe the white aster species to determine if there is a correlation between phenotypic plasticity (number of leaves, height) and stress of the environment (abundance). The dataset for this experiment was collected over the course of two weeks in the grasslands of York University's Keele Campus. This region is an open area, with minimal shading and low human activity. The study had a total of 140 replicates (n=140). On the first day of collection (Thursday, Oct 15, 2015) the weather was moderately cold with a temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, slightly cloudy grey sky, with high winds and precipitation. On this day we recorded replicates 1-80 between 3 and 4:30 pm. All 80 replicates were observed in dim light, giving way to possible observation errors. A week later, on the second day of the collection (Thursday, Oct 22, 2015) the weather was 16 degrees Celsius with sunlight. On this day we recorded replicates 81-140 between 3 and 4:30 pm. All 60 replicates were observed in natural lighting provided by the sun. This allowed for clear visualization leaving little room for error and making data easy to collect. The materials included in this study were: pen and paper to record data, transect tape for height measurement and a quadrant (1 meter by 1 meter) to estimate the abundance. This study involved the active participation of all 4 group members, they include: Adilah Ismail, Amrutha Balamurugan, Harshvir Hehar and Olivia Kazmierczak. The methodology was meticulously planned prior to the execution of the experiment. All members of the group were assigned specific tasks to achieve the final dataset. This way all measurements and estimates were consistent over the two week data collection period. Amrutha was responsible for laying out the quadrant. All 140 placements were made very carefully to prevent observation of the same region. Adilah was responsible for measuring the height (in centimeters) of all replicates using transect tape. The plants were placed in an upright position prior to the measurement to ensure consistent recordings. Amrutha and Harshvir were responsible for counting the number of leaves. The number of leaves were counted by Amrutha and Harshvir using their fingers, given the criteria determined prior to data collection. This criteria allowed for the exclusion of all leaves below 3 cm as they were irrelevant to the experiment. The abundance was determined by all 4 group members. Olivia Kazmierczak recorded the data. Caution was taken to ensure that there was no recounting. All data was collected carefully to prevent disruption of the natural environment.

本实验以白紫菀（white aster）为研究对象，旨在探究表型可塑性（叶片数量、株高）与环境胁迫（种群丰度）之间的相关性。本实验数据集于2015年10月15日至22日的两周周期内，采集自约克大学基尔校区的草原生境。该区域为开阔地带，遮光程度极低且人类活动稀少。本研究共设置140个生物学重复（n=140）。
首次采集日期为2015年10月15日（周四），当日气温适中偏低，为18℃，天空呈微阴灰色，伴随强风与降水。本次采集于当日15:00至16:30间完成，共记录重复样本1至80号。由于所有80个样本均在弱光环境下开展观测，存在潜在的观测误差。
一周后进行第二次采集，日期为2015年10月22日（周四），当日气温16℃，光照充足。本次采集同样于15:00至16:30间完成，共记录重复样本81至140号。60个样本均在自然光下观测，成像清晰，观测误差极小且数据采集效率较高。
本研究使用的实验器材包括：用于记录数据的笔与纸质记录工具、用于测量株高的样带尺，以及用于估算种群丰度的1米×1米样方。
本研究共有4名组员全程参与，分别为Adilah Ismail、Amrutha Balamurugan、Harshvir Hehar及Olivia Kazmierczak。实验执行前已对研究方法进行周密规划，所有组员均分配专属任务，以确保两周数据采集期内的各项测量与估算工作保持一致性。其中，Amrutha负责布设样方，共完成140个样方的精准布设，避免重复观测同一区域；Adilah负责使用样带尺测量所有重复样本的株高（单位：厘米），测量前将植株扶正以保证记录的一致性；Amrutha与Harshvir共同负责计数叶片数量，二人依据实验预先设定的标准开展计数：仅统计长度≥3厘米的叶片，排除尺寸过小的无关叶片；种群丰度由4名组员共同判定；Olivia Kazmierczak负责数据记录，全程注意避免重复计数。所有数据采集工作均谨慎开展，以最大限度减少对自然生境的干扰。