DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.3984213.v1
title: yorku.grassland-disturbed.october4-2016.csv

description: <b>Description:</b> On Tuesday, October 4th, a study occurred in the grassland and disturbed/open space areas of York University between the Stong Pond and Bergeron Centre on a sunny day between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. Four different surveys were performed using a variety of instruments; a quadrat, 50m of transect tape, sweep nets, and pan traps. Each surveys purpose was to record data for different datasets: herbaceous plants, woody plants, vertebrates & invertebrates, and invertebrates. <b>Methods:</b> Every survey performed made use of a transect tape stretched 50 metres in a straight line though the area of study. Each study was also performed twice--once in the grassland, and once in the disturbed area. Survey 1 - Herbaceous plants Every two metres along the transect, a quadrat was placed on alternating sides of the transect tape. In each quadrat placed, the total number of individuals of native plant species were counted and recorded as well as the total number of exotic species present. In the same quadrat, all observed flower heads were also counted and recorded. This was done along the entire 50 metre length of the transect resulting in 25 repetitions. Survey 2 - Woody plants Every two metres along the transect, an observer was to look for a tree (any woody plant above 1.5 metres) within 0.5 metres of the transect. At the same points, the observer was to estimate the total overhead canopy coverage, as well as estimating vegetative ground coverage in a square measuring about 0.5x0.5 metres around the transect at that location. The total number of flower heads within 0.5 metres of the point was also recorded. This process was also completed 25 times along the 50 metre length of transect, which also resulted in 25 repetitions Survey 3 - Vertebrates & Invertebrates At the beginning of the transect, an individual observed a 50 metre radius from their location for 15 minutes, recording any vertebrates they saw and noting the species observed. This was then recorded as total number of individuals seen, as well as total species of vertebrates observed. The same process was repeated for Invertebrates, except the radius was reduced to 5 metres instead. During this survey, any humans observed that were not related to the lab were also recorded. Survey 4 - Invertebrates Six pan traps of alternating colors (white, yellow and blue) were spaced three metres apart along the length of the transect and filled with a small amount of soapy water to trap invertebrates. Along the length of the transect, a sweep net was performed and at the end of each sweep the amount of invertebrates was recorded. The sweep net was repeated ten times along the transect. At the end of the sweep nets, the pan traps were checked and the abundance of invertebrates caught was recorded. <b>Hypothesis - Grassland Survey 2:</b> The total number of flowers recorded will decrease as canopy cover increases. <b>Prediction - Grassland Survey 2:</b> There should be a correlation between the amount of flowers counted and the canopy coverage found above the flowers. When there is a higher canopy coverage, most of the direct sunlight is taken by the taller plants/trees, and the lower vegetation will have less light available. This lack of sunlight will cause these plants to grow slower compared to if they were exposed to more light, and thus they will be observed with less flowers. <b>Metadata - All Surveys:</b> The following metadata is Categorical: Campus- The campus the data was obtained from, as there are two universities collecting similar data (UofT and York University). Habitat- This is the habitat the data was observed in. The surveys took place in grassland and disturbed habitats. Abundance of native plants- The amount of native plants observed in a quadrat during survey 1. A native plant was considered any plant that was not exotic (see exotic plants for detail). Abundance of exotic plants- The amount of exotic plants observed in a quadrat during survey 1. An exotic The only exotic plant found in the grassland was the wild carrot plant, while in the disturbed habitat, any plant found (except grass) was considered exotic. Vertebrate species- The amount of different vertebrate species observed within 50 metres of an observer during survey 3's 15 minute interval. The following metadata is Continuous: census- The week of data being sampled. Week 5 is census 1. Rep- The amount of repetitions being done during a specific survey. Total number of flowers (quadrat)- The total number of flowers of all species observed within the quadrat. A flower was considered any bloom found off of each stem from the main stem of the plant. Abundance of woody plants- The amount of trees observed in survey 2 within 0.5 metres of a specific point on the transect. A tree was considered any woody plant measuring 1.5 metres or taller. Canopy cover- A estimated percentage of cover provided by nearby tall plants/trees. Recorded by estimating a potion of visual area above observer blocked by foliage. Ground cover- The estimated percentage of ground covered by vegetation. Vegetation was considered any plant that was not grass. Total flower numbers (transect) The total number of flowers of all species observed within 0.5 metres of the location on the transect. A flower was considered any bloom found off of each stem from the main stem of the plant. Abundance of vertebrates- The total amount of vertebrates (except humans) observed within 50 metres of an observer during survey 3's 15 minute interval. Abundance of humans- The total amount of humans not in the lab observed within 50 metres of an observer during survey 3's 15 minute interval. Abundance of invertebrates in pantraps- The total amount of invertebrates observed within a specific pan trap during survey 4. Abundance of invertebrates in sweeps- The total amount of invertebrates caught during a 50 metre sweep net along the transect. Abundance of invertebrates observed- The total amount of invertebrates observed within 5 metres of an observer during survey 3's 15 minute interval.