Succession In Tree Tyle
Succession in Tree Type from Field to Forest
Alyssa Estabrooks
October 21, 2013 Ecology 2101
Group #3/Thursday PM
Succession and diversity in a local field and forest of Sackville, NB was measured using a quadrat sampling method. Tree species were counted and recorded to numerically represent the difference in species between the two chosen locations. Using our diversity indices, we found that the forest had a higher diversity based on both the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson’s indices than the field. Ecological succession is the change in the species diversity of a studied community or location over time. The observed field was once a part of the corresponding forest until it was cleared for recreational purposes in the 1980’s. After a period of time, the park had been abandoned and eventually it began to re-establish itself with a greater number of species. We tested to see if the succession in the field had led to a significant difference in species and diversity between the field and the forest. We hypothesized that the diversity observed in the field would be greater than that of the forest.
During the experiment, a quadrat sampling method was used. We sampled a five metre by five metre area in both the field and forest. We mapped out the sampling area using a long measuring tape and marking the points with flagging tape. We randomly selected the starting point by one group member closing their eyes and another walking in a random path until the first member indicated to stop. The remaining three points were marked off from that point. Each tree was then identified, tallied within a table, and its circumference measured using the measuring tape. After all of our data was collected, we calculated the two diversity indices, the average size of each species within each location, and the standard deviation of said mean.
We found that the forest had a higher level of diversity than the field, even
Alyssa Estabrooks
October 21, 2013 Ecology 2101
Group #3/Thursday PM
Succession and diversity in a local field and forest of Sackville, NB was measured using a quadrat sampling method. Tree species were counted and recorded to numerically represent the difference in species between the two chosen locations. Using our diversity indices, we found that the forest had a higher diversity based on both the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson’s indices than the field. Ecological succession is the change in the species diversity of a studied community or location over time. The observed field was once a part of the corresponding forest until it was cleared for recreational purposes in the 1980’s. After a period of time, the park had been abandoned and eventually it began to re-establish itself with a greater number of species. We tested to see if the succession in the field had led to a significant difference in species and diversity between the field and the forest. We hypothesized that the diversity observed in the field would be greater than that of the forest.
During the experiment, a quadrat sampling method was used. We sampled a five metre by five metre area in both the field and forest. We mapped out the sampling area using a long measuring tape and marking the points with flagging tape. We randomly selected the starting point by one group member closing their eyes and another walking in a random path until the first member indicated to stop. The remaining three points were marked off from that point. Each tree was then identified, tallied within a table, and its circumference measured using the measuring tape. After all of our data was collected, we calculated the two diversity indices, the average size of each species within each location, and the standard deviation of said mean.
We found that the forest had a higher level of diversity than the field, even