Field sample training with animals: Sweep net dataset

Random insects were captured by sweep nets across random locations on the York University grasslands near Danby woodlot. The number of insects and the number of unique taxonomic units were recorded. The equipment used was a transect tape and a sweep net. Transects were laid out on the grassland 10 times for a total distance of 30 feet and 2 inches. For each trial sweep nets were swept along the transect tape in a figure 8 swing like motion. The total time for each trial was approximately one and half minutes to cover 30 feet and 2 inches of the area. A few insects accumulated when the finish line was almost reached. Therefore the amount of insects captured was dependent on the amount of distance walked and the time spent for each sweep motion. The dependent variable was number of insects and the independent variable was time. This was a mensurative experiment and no manipulations were done in order to perform this experiment. The total sample size was 10 transect net sweeps. The data was collected on October 1st, 2015 between 3:10-3:23 pm. It was a sunny day with temperature of 14 degrees Celsius and some clouds. Alexander, Stephanie, and I took turns sweeping the net. Vivian placed the transects at random locations for a total of 30 feet and 2 inches each time a new trial was begun. I counted the number of insects and different recognizable texonomic units. The purpose of collecting this data was to gain experience sampling animal populations. The dataset can also be used to estimate animal abundance and diversity in the given area. The chilly weather was also a variable that affected how many insects were around and affected their behavior resulting in few insects captured in the nets each time. This dataset was collected by Stephanie, Alexander, Vivian, and Amandeep.

研究人员在丹比林地（Danby woodlot）附近的约克大学（York University）草原随机点位，使用扫网（sweep net）捕获昆虫样本。本次研究记录了捕获的昆虫总数以及独特分类单元（unique taxonomic units）的数量。所用采样设备为样带尺（transect tape）与扫网。研究人员在草原上布设样带，共开展10次采样，每条样带总长度为30英尺2英寸。每次采样时，研究人员沿样带尺以8字形挥扫扫网，单次采样时长约1分半钟，以覆盖30英尺2英寸的采样区域。临近采样终点时会有少量昆虫聚集，因此捕获的昆虫数量取决于行走距离与单次挥扫的耗时。本次实验的因变量为昆虫数量，自变量为采样时长。本研究属于计量型实验（mensurative experiment），未施加任何人为干预措施。总样本量为10次扫网采样。数据采集于2015年10月1日下午3:10至3:23之间，当日天气晴朗，气温14摄氏度，伴有少量云层。Alexander、Stephanie与笔者轮流挥网采样，Vivian负责在每次新采样开始时，将样带布设为随机点位，每条样带长度均为30英尺2英寸。笔者负责统计昆虫数量以及可识别的不同分类单元。本次数据采集的目的一是积累动物种群采样的实践经验，该数据集也可用于估算研究区域内的动物丰度与多样性。寒冷天气同样是影响昆虫活动与种群数量的变量，导致每次扫网捕获的昆虫数量较少。本数据集由Stephanie、Alexander、Vivian与Amandeep共同采集完成。