cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591091.v1
title: Vegetation and Soil Moisture in the Grassland and Woodlot Habitats

description: This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between habitat, soil moisture, and vegetation abundance in the Saywell Woodlot and Stong Pond Grassland. Quadrats were placed in randomly selected areas throughout each habitat and the estimated percentage of grass, other vegetation, and total coverage was recorded. Soil samples were taken from each quadrat location and squeezed to estimate moisture percentage based on guidelines set by the USDA. This study was conducted on two days - October 19th and 26th.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591088
title: Effect of amount of light and human disturbance on plant richness at York University

description: This experiment was performed on October 16 and October 26 2015, between 2.45 pm and 4.30 pm at the Stong Pond Grassland and Saywell Woodlot (43°46'14.2"N,79°30'22.7"W) at York University, ON. The weather was overcast on both days, with an average temperature of 15 °C. The experiment was performed to investigate whether human disturbance/activity and amount of light present would affect the plant richness in these areas. Method<br>A 10 m transect was run out in the grassland. The experimenters then walked along the transect and counted the number of plant species and the different type of plant species found within a 1 m buffer on both sides of the transect. The canopy coverage along the transect was recorded, by making a square with fingers and estimating what percentage of the sky could be seen when the formed square was held up. The amount of human disturbance was also noted, with 0 being no disturbance and 1 being light human disturbance (such as a path). This whole procedure was performed 59 more times (for a total of 60), with 30 replicates in the grassland and 30 replicates in the woodlot.The transects were run out randomly by walking in different directions in the grassland and the woodlot. The experimenters were Mohammad Imrit, Ron Kleiman, Fadumo Hersi and Gurjot Mukher.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591093.v1
title: Density of Vegetation in Response to Light Coverage and Habitat

description: The purpose of this experiment was to find any correlation between light coverage or habitat and density of vegetation through the quadrat sampling technique. It was hypothesized that areas with more light coverage and grasslands would have a larger density of vegetation. The data was collected on October 19, 2015 and October 26, 2015 from 2:30pm to 5:00pm in York University’s Danby Woods. The weather on October 19 was sunny with minimal cloud coverage with temperatures ranging between 14-16 degrees Celsius with a slight wind. The weather on October 26 was partly cloudy with temperatures ranging between 14-16 degrees Celsius with a slight wind. The grass in the Danby Woods’ grasslands were freshly cut. Sampling was done using the quadrat sampling technique where a quadrat would be randomly placed using a random number generator to produce a number between 1-20 steps and another number between 1-4 to determine direction (1 = North, 2 = East, 3 = South, 4 = West). Once the quadrat was placed on the ground, vegetation abundance was estimated into a percentage form basing vegetation on all vegetation contained in the quadrat and disregarding the areas with no or dead vegetation. After vegetation abundance was calculated, light coverage was calculated using a 1 meter by 1 meter blank piece of cardboard as a guide. The cardboard would have sunlight shown onto it and anywhere were sunlight was blocked were demonstrated as a shadow. Sunlight coverage was then estimated into a percentage form basing sunlight as the lighter areas and disregarding areas with shadows. This process was repeated 50 times for the grassland habitat and 50 times for the woodlot habitat on October 19, 2015. This process was repeated an additional 50 times for each habitat on October 26, 2015.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591097.v1
title: How moisture level effects species abundance

description: This experiment was conducted in the Danby woodlot located on York University’s campus. It was done with 4 other members; Keerthana, Taylor, Antoni and Hinal. From approximately 2:45-5:00 PM data was collected on two days which were a week a part. The weather on the first day was slightly windy and partly cloudy since it had rained the night before. The weather on the second day was definitely more windy/ colder and the air felt dry. On both days, data from the grassland was collected first followed by data from the woodlot. Since there were five people in the group, on the first day we divided ourselves into three groups (1 person worked alone) and collected 10 sets of data each from both the woodlot and grassland. On the second day, we had 4 quadrats so four people collected data and one person walked with the moisture meter so everyone can get a recording easily.The experiment began by choosing a starting point and walking a certain number of steps (this number was generated by a random number generator found on the internet). After walking said number of steps a quadrat was placed on the ground and for five minutes we would record the number of species and the species abundance. Furthermore, since the experiment was heavily based on soil moisture, the level of moisture was also recorded for each quadrat placed. Every five minutes a different quadrat was placed on a different spot and the same procedure would occur again. After approx. 1h15min we shifted locations and the same was done in the woodlot as well.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591086
title: The Effect of Sunlight and Crowding Level on the Presence of Moss in the Dandy Woodlot Area of York University

description: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if sunlight intensity and level of crowding are factors contributing the presence of moss in the Dandy Woodlot area of York University. A 30 meter transect was randomly laid out from the edge of the Dandy woodlot at York University towards the centre of the woodlot for a distance of 25meters. Walking along the transects, at 5 meter interval a (1mx1m) quadrat was placed directly over the marked distance on the ground. The area enclosing the quadrat was observed for the presence of moss and recorded on paper as either a yes "Y" or no "N". The percentage coverage of moss for the area in the enclosed quadrat was then estimated. The level of crowding of trees and other plants around the area of the quadrat (crowding ranks from 0-3, which 0 being no significant trees or plants within 20 meters, 3 means plants completely surround the area) was then determined. Finally, using fingertips, a rectangle was made and held towards the sky directly over quadrat to determine the level of sunlight intensity coming in and reaching the area. This entire process was then repeated several times.For every 5 meter interval walk along the transect, a quadrat was laid down was observed and data collected. For each time a transect was laid out 25m long, four (4 ) replicates/data sets were collected. In total 100 data points were collected. Data was collected on October 14,2015 and October 21,2015 between the hours of 3:00-5:00pm in the Dandy woodlot area of York University, Keele Campus among a group of four Ecology (BIOL2050) section 03 students. October 14th was a sunny day with temperature average of 14 degrees than compared to the 21st which was overcast and with temperatures average of 10 degrees celcius and wind speed of 2-4m/s . Data was collected by the following four members of group number three (3): Shaneil.H, Mary.H, Gamasayini.K and Prachi.M. Each member collected 25 replicates using a 1m*1m quadrat and a 30m tansect.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591097.v3
title: How moisture level effects species abundance

description: This experiment was conducted in the Danby woodlot located on York University’s campus. It was done with 4 other members; Keerthana, Taylor, Antoni and Hinal. From approximately 2:45-5:00 PM data was collected on two days which were a week a part. The weather on the first day was slightly windy and partly cloudy since it had rained the night before. The weather on the second day was definitely more windy/ colder and the air felt dry. On both days, data from the grassland was collected first followed by data from the woodlot. Since there were five people in the group, on the first day we divided ourselves into three groups (1 person worked alone) and collected 10 sets of data each from both the woodlot and grassland. On the second day, we had 4 quadrats so four people collected data and one person walked with the moisture meter so everyone can get a recording easily. The experiment began by choosing a starting point and walking a certain number of steps (this number was generated by a random number generator found on the internet). After walking said number of steps, a quadrat was placed on the ground and for five minutes we would record the number of species and the species abundance. Furthermore, since the experiment was heavily based on soil moisture, the level of moisture was also recorded for each quadrat placed. Every five minutes a different quadrat was placed on a different spot and the same procedure would occur again. After approx. 1h15min we shifted locations and the same was done in the woodlot as well.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591084
title: BIOL 2050 LAB: Conditions Necessary to Maintain Grasslands

description: In order to determine the most sustainable conditions for grasslands Savannah Wales, Sumerra Sidiqui, and I conducted an experiment in the York University grasslands. The factors studied were sunlight availability and soil moisture. After randomly placing the quadrats we first counted the number of individuals. Sunlight availability was determined by observing the shadow casted within the area and was recorded on a scale from 0- 4(0=complete shade, 1=25% sunlight availability, 2= 50% sunlight availablity, 3=75%, 4=100% sunlight availability). In order to determine the soil moisture we observed the colour and texture of the soil. Soil moisture was also recorded on a scale from 0-3 (0=completely dry, 1=slightly dry,2=slightly moist, and 3= moist). In order to increase the sample size we performed 120 replicates and recorded the number of plants, sunlight availability, and soil moisture for each replicate. Analysis of this data will allow us to determine the conditions required to sustain grasslands on campus, and help with the growth of new grasslands.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591097.v2
title: How moisture level effects species abundance

description: This experiment was conducted in the Danby woodlot located on York University’s campus. It was done with 4 other members; Keerthana, Taylor, Antoni and Hinal. From approximately 2:45-5:00 PM data was collected on two days which were a week a part. The weather on the first day was slightly windy and partly cloudy since it had rained the night before. The weather on the second day was definitely more windy/ colder and the air felt dry. On both days, data from the grassland was collected first followed by data from the woodlot. Since there were five people in the group, on the first day we divided ourselves into three groups (1 person worked alone) and collected 10 sets of data each from both the woodlot and grassland. On the second day, we had 4 quadrats so four people collected data and one person walked with the moisture meter so everyone can get a recording easily. The experiment began by choosing a starting point and walking a certain number of steps (this number was generated by a random number generator found on the internet). After walking said number of steps, a quadrat was placed on the ground and for five minutes we would record the number of species and the species abundance. Furthermore, since the experiment was heavily based on soil moisture, the level of moisture was also recorded for each quadrat placed. Every five minutes a different quadrat was placed on a different spot and the same procedure would occur again. After approx. 1h15min we shifted locations and the same was done in the woodlot as well.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591081
title: Species Abundance limited by Moisture in the grasslands and woodlot Locations

description: Conducted under the supervision of TA Bailey Hewitt with Ameena Mohammed, Hinal Patel, Keerthana Ledchumykanthan, Taylor Kerekes. Experiment observed between 2:30pm and 5:30pm on two dates: October 19, October 26. Data was collected in the Dansby Woodlot as well as the Dansby Grasslands. We were observing insect species abundance (flying, non-flying) within each region to assess whether abundance was higher relative to moisture and relative to type of ecosystem (grasslands, woodlot). The method of sampling we practiced was quadrat sampling, using 1m by 1m quadrat plots placed in each area replicated over 60 sets per area (30 on each observation day) for a total of 120 datasets. Quadrat sampling provided adequate examination of species abundance as it gives a proper assessment of abundance when replicated over many sets. We introduced randomness into our experiment by using a random number generator to dictate how many steps we would take before placing the quadrat again. The field location of the grasslands provide a variety of species in sections of plant life abundance, which many species use as cover for their habitats. The Woodland location was observed for its large canopy cover and richness of tree species, which can increase abundance of insect species. Weather Conditions: 1st Day of observance: Feels like 14 degrees celsius, partly Cloudy, 26km/h winds out of southeast, humidity 49% Second day of observance: feels like 9 degrees celsius, broken clouds, 14km/h winds out of the southeast, humidity 57%
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591086.v1
title: The Effect of Sunlight and Crowding Level on the Presence of Moss in the Dandy Woodlot Area of York University

description: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if sunlight intensity and level of crowding are factors contributing the presence of moss in the Dandy Woodlot area of York University. A 30 meter transect was randomly laid out from the edge of the Dandy woodlot at York University towards the centre of the woodlot for a distance of 25meters. Walking along the transects, at 5 meter interval a (1mx1m) quadrat was placed directly over the marked distance on the ground. The area enclosing the quadrat was observed for the presence of moss and recorded on paper as either a yes "Y" or no "N". The percentage coverage of moss for the area in the enclosed quadrat was then estimated. The level of crowding of trees and other plants around the area of the quadrat (crowding ranks from 0-3, which 0 being no significant trees or plants within 20 meters, 3 means plants completely surround the area) was then determined. Finally, using fingertips, a rectangle was made and held towards the sky directly over quadrat to determine the level of sunlight intensity coming in and reaching the area. This entire process was then repeated several times.For every 5 meter interval walk along the transect, a quadrat was laid down was observed and data collected. For each time a transect was laid out 25m long, four (4 ) replicates/data sets were collected. In total 100 data points were collected. Data was collected on October 14,2015 and October 21,2015 between the hours of 3:00-5:00pm in the Dandy woodlot area of York University, Keele Campus among a group of four Ecology (BIOL2050) section 03 students. October 14th was a sunny day with temperature average of 14 degrees than compared to the 21st which was overcast and with temperatures average of 10 degrees celcius and wind speed of 2-4m/s . Data was collected by the following four members of group number three (3): Shaneil.H, Mary.H, Gamasayini.K and Prachi.M. Each member collected 25 replicates using a 1m*1m quadrat and a 30m tansect.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591079
title: Determining Plant abundance in Woodlot and Grasslands by impact of Sunlight and Soil Moisture

description: Data collection of lab occured in two days, October 13, 2015 and October 20, 2015 during the time peroid of 2:30 to 5:10 PM in the York University Danby Woodlot and Grasslands with the assistance of group members Khaula, Kathy, and Houra. The experiment was to measure the impact of sunlight and soil moisture on plant abundance in both the York University Danby Woodlot and Grasslands. During the data collection dates, temperature changed each day, from cold and windy to rainy weather, along with leaves covering the smaller plants, which would impact the plant abundance. To collect the data, we chose random numbers, which was used for the location of the quadrat in order to get random sampling for the replicates. The information that was collected was the plant abundance, which was counted in the quadrats perimeter; sunlight, measuring (scale of 0-3) amount of light covering the plants in the quadrat; and soil moisture, measuring (scale 0-2) amount of moisture found in the soil that plants were growing in, done by using popsicle sticks and paper towel. My partner Kathy and I took 40 random replicates in the Danby Woodlot on the first day of data collection and 40 more replicates on the second data collection day while our other two group members Khaula and Houra repeated the same process in the Grassland area.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591084.v2
title: BIOL 2050 LAB: Conditions Necessary to Maintain Grasslands

description: In order to determine the most sustainable conditions for grasslands Savannah Wales, Sumerra Sidiqui, and I conducted an experiment in the York University grasslands. The factors studied were sunlight availability and soil moisture. After randomly placing the quadrats we first counted the number of individuals. Sunlight availability was determined by observing the shadow casted within the area and was recorded on a scale from 0- 4(0=complete shade, 1=25% sunlight availability, 2= 50% sunlight availablity, 3=75%, 4=100% sunlight availability). In order to determine the soil moisture we observed the colour and texture of the soil. Soil moisture was also recorded on a scale from 0-3 (0=completely dry, 1=slightly dry,2=slightly moist, and 3= moist). In order to increase the sample size we performed 120 replicates and recorded the number of plants, sunlight availability, and soil moisture for each replicate. Analysis of this data will allow us to determine the conditions required to sustain grasslands on campus, and help with the growth of new grasslands.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591078
title: The effect of age and urbanization on canopy coverage of Juglans Nigra

description: The study was conducted at the York University woodlot on both October 19th and 26th 2015 between the hours of 2:30 and 5:30 pm (ET). The temperature was 11˚C, with slightly cloudy skies. The experiment consisted of sampling a total of 56 trees from the species Juglans nigra. Each replicate consisted of measuring the diameter at breast height, obtained by placing a transect horizontally on the tree trunk at breast height (1.2 meters off of the ground) and obtaining a measurement in meters. This determines if the tree is a sampling (&lt;0.10 meter diameter) or an adult. Next, one would make a square using their thumbs and forefingers and look through it at the leaves on the tree. This gives a discrete rank of the trees canopy coverage, with 0 meaning no coverage and 5 meaning full coverage. The final step consists of using a transect to measure the distance of the tree from urbanization in meters. This indicates if the tree is affected by urbanization (&lt;10 meters from the road) or not affected by it (&gt;10 meters from the road). The materials used consisted of two transects. Results seem to indicate that saplings and trees affected by urbanization have smaller canopy coverage, while trees that are adults and ones unaffected by urbanization have greater canopy coverage. This experiment was conducted in the fall and therefore there may be bias as the Juglans nigra is a deciduous tree and canopy coverage may be affected by seasonal loss of leaves.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591081.v1
title: Species Abundance limited by Moisture in the grasslands and woodlot Locations

description: Conducted under the supervision of TA Bailey Hewitt with Ameena Mohammed, Hinal Patel, Keerthana Ledchumykanthan, Taylor Kerekes. Experiment observed between 2:30pm and 5:30pm on two dates: October 19, October 26. Data was collected in the Dansby Woodlot as well as the Dansby Grasslands. We were observing insect species abundance (flying, non-flying) within each region to assess whether abundance was higher relative to moisture and relative to type of ecosystem (grasslands, woodlot). The method of sampling we practiced was quadrat sampling, using 1m by 1m quadrat plots placed in each area replicated over 60 sets per area (30 on each observation day) for a total of 120 datasets. Quadrat sampling provided adequate examination of species abundance as it gives a proper assessment of abundance when replicated over many sets. We introduced randomness into our experiment by using a random number generator to dictate how many steps we would take before placing the quadrat again. The field location of the grasslands provide a variety of species in sections of plant life abundance, which many species use as cover for their habitats. The Woodland location was observed for its large canopy cover and richness of tree species, which can increase abundance of insect species. Weather Conditions: 1st Day of observance: Feels like 14 degrees celsius, partly Cloudy, 26km/h winds out of southeast, humidity 49% Second day of observance: feels like 9 degrees celsius, broken clouds, 14km/h winds out of the southeast, humidity 57%
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.1591088.v1
title: Effect of amount of light and human disturbance on plant richness

description: This experiment was performed on October 16 and October 26 2015, between 2.45 pm and 4.30 pm at the Stong Pond Grassland and Saywell Woodlto (43°46'14.2"N,79°30'22.7"W) at York University, ON. The weather was overcast on both days, with an average temperature of 15 °C. The experiment was performed to investigate whether human disturbance/activity and amount of light present would affect the plant richness in these area. Method<br>A 10 m transect was run out in the grassland. The experimenters then walked along the transect and counted the number of plant species and the different type of plant species found within a 1 m buffer on both sides of the transect. The canopy coverage along the transect was recorded, by making a square with fingers and estimating what percentage of the sky could be seen when then the formed square was held up. The amount of human disturbance was also noted, with 0 being no disturbace and 1 being light human disturbance (such as a path). This whole procedure was performed 59 more times (for a total of 60), with 30 replicates in the grassland and 30 replicates in the woodlot.The transects were run out randomly by walking in different directions in grassland and the woodlot. The experimenters were Mohammad Imrit, Ron Kleiman, Fadumo Hersi and Gurjot Mukher.