Field techniques for biologists

Hazards in fieldwork include…

adverse weather conditions, difficult terrain, problems assocoiated with isolation, and contact with harmful organisms

What is risk?

the likelihood of harm arising from exposure to a hazard

How should sampling be carried out?

in a manner that minimises impact on wild species and habitats

What are the 3 techniques for the sampling of wild organisms?

point count, transect, remote detection

What does a risk assesment involve?

identifying control measures to minimise risk

What are quadrats used for?

plants and other sessile or slow moving organisms

What are capture techniques used for and give examples of them

mobile species - nets and traps

What are elusive species

species that are difficult to find in the wild

How can elusive species be sampled?

camera traps, scat sampling

What does a point count involve?

The observer recording all individuals seen from a fixed point count location. This can be compared with other point count locations

How can organisms in samples be identified?

classification guides, biological keys, analysis of DNA or protein

What are the 2 organism classification techquiques?

taxonomy and phylogenetics

What does taxonomy involve?

the identification and naming of organisms and their classification into groups based on shared characteristics

What is phylogenetics?

The study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of many organisms

What are examples of taxonomic groups?

nematodes, erthropods and chordates

What are model organisms?

organisms that are either easily studied or have been well studied

What are indicator species?

species at which their presence, absence or abundance can give information of enviromental qualities

What species can be used to monitor an ecosystem?

susceptible and favoured

What is an ethogram?

An ethogram lists species-specific behaviours to be observed and recorded in the study.

What is latency?

The time between the stimulus occuring and the response behaviour

What is frequency?

The number of times a behaviour occurs within the observation period.

What is duration?

The length of time each behaviour occurs during the observation period.

What is systematic sampling?

When members of a population are selected at regular intervals

What is stratified sampling?

The population is divided into categories that are then sampled proportionally.

What is random sampling?

When members of the population have an equal chance of being selected