Correlation Between # of Plant Species and % of Vegetation and Grassland Coverage in an Open Field at York University

This study examines the relationship between the amount of plant species present in a quadrat that also compares the percentage of vegetation versus grasslands in an open field located by a body of water at York University. <b>Methods</b> In pairs, a quadrat was used to collect data in an open field filled with various plant species. The quadrat was thrown and placed 25 times to collect data of the total # of species, the total % of vegetation cover, the total % of grassland cover and total # individuals present within the quadrat. For each trial, the distance was measured from the previous quadrat location. The data was recorded onto an excel sheet and uploaded to Figshare (table above). <b>Hypothesis</b> There will be a positive correlation between the amount individuals present and % of vegetation covered within the quadrat. <b>Prediction</b> There will be a positive correlation between the amount of individuals present and the % of vegetation covered within the quadrat as the % of vegetation coverage increases, the higher the probability more individuals will be present. If the vegetation coverage exceeds the grassland coverage, more species will be viable to live in the quadrat thus producing more individuals. Therefore, having a greater vegetation coverage than grassland leads to the growth of individuals of the species present. <b>Metadata</b>- 25 quadrat measurements were taken place all at random and different locations<br> - The distance was measured from each quadrat to ensure a diverse sample of data collected. Data is quantitative.- Total # of species present = 8 different species were present in the open field located at York University. Data is quantitative.- Total # of individuals present = the amount of living flowers that were not damaged or wilted from natural causes. Data is quantitative. - Total % of Vegetation and Grassland Coverage = the area calculated within the quadrat comparing vegetation and grassland. Data is quantitative.<br>

本研究旨在探究约克大学某临水开阔场地中，样方（quadrat）内植物物种数量与场地内植被占比、草地占比之间的关联。**方法**：采用双人协作模式，在生长有多种植物的该开阔场地中开展数据采集。研究者共抛掷放置样方25次，记录样方内的物种总数、植被总盖度、草地总盖度以及样方内现存个体总数。每次试验均测量当前样方与前一样方位点的间距。所有数据均录入Excel表格后上传至Figshare（见上文表格）。**假设**：样方内现存个体数量与植被盖度呈正相关关系。**预测**：样方内现存个体数量与植被盖度呈正相关关系——即随着植被盖度提升，样方内出现更多个体的概率随之升高。若植被盖度超过草地盖度，则将有更多物种可在该样方中存活，进而产生更多个体。因此，当植被盖度高于草地盖度时，样方内物种的个体数量会随之增长。**元数据**：
- 25次样方测量均在随机选取的不同位点开展
- 为确保采集的数据样本具有多样性，对每一个样方的间距均进行了测量，本数据集为定量数据
- 样方内现存物种总数：该约克大学开阔场地中共记录到8个不同物种，本数据为定量数据
- 样方内现存个体总数：指未因自然因素受损或枯萎的活体花卉数量，本数据为定量数据
- 植被与草地总盖度：指样方范围内计算得到的植被与草地占比面积，本数据为定量数据