Sampling

What is sampling?

A survey of organisms that helps to give information about the population in a habitat. Helpful to get an estimate.

Why is sampling useful?

1) Estimate population size. 2) Biodiversity within a habitat is shown. 3) Estimate the percentage cover.

What are quadrats?

Wood or metal 0.5 × 0.5 squares used to sample populations of organisms.

Abiotic factors are … factors that affect a habitat such as …

Non-living factors such as moisture, wind, light intensity, temperature and soil pH.

Biotic factors are … factors that affect a habitat such as …

Living factors such as human activity, food availability, decomposers and predators.

What 3 things are important when using a quadrat?

1) Sample size. 2) Making sure they are random. 3) Making sure they are never thrown.

What are the steps in using a quadrat?

1) Get a position using a random number generator and place the quadrat in the habitat. 2) Measure how many of that certain plant is in it. 3) Repeat this a certain number of times. 4) Get the mean of the results. 5) Get the area of the field and divide by the area of the quadrat. 6) Multiply those 2 numbers to get an estimate.

What is abundance?

The number of organisms of a species in a habitat or ecosystem which tells you how common an organism is.

How to find estimated population?

(Total area of the habitat ÷ area of the quadrat) × mean number of plants per quadrat.

How to estimate population size using the mark-release-recapture method?

(Number in 1st catch marked × number in 2nd catch) ÷ number of marked animals in 2nd catch.

What is a transect?

Non-random sampling in plants and is an imaginary line.