Sustainable Environment and Ecology

Scope

The quantitative methodological approach was assumed for the study as this enabled computation of mean values for each tree species.

Objective of data collection:

• To determine the richness and abundance of the tree stock present in 4 green spaces (the Ponderosa, Weston Park, Crookes Valley Park and Harcourt Road), in terms of the dominant tree species, richness, evenness and density across the 4 greenspaces

Selection criteria for trees considered for data collection:

• Features of tree: only trees with trunks of 10cm or thicker in diameter and trees taller than 1.4metres (i.e. approximately shoulder height) were considered
• Distance of tree: only trees within 1 metre of either side of a set transect line were considered

Process of data collection:

• The data collection process comprised 4 groups with each group tasked to place 4 transect lines in random spots in the 4 greenspaces resulting in 16 transects within each greenspace and a total of 64 transects.