KEY AREA 1 - Field Techniques for Biologists

Point Count

Involves the observer recording all individuals seen from a fixed location.

Ways in which validity may be compromised during a point count

Animals wrongly identified

Animals counted more than once

Not all animals seen recorded

Selection bias

False data submitted

Quadrats

Used for plants and other sessile or slow moving organisms.

Capture techniques

Traps and nets, used for mobile species

Camera traps and scat sampling

Used for detecting elusive species indirectly

Identification of organisms

Classification guides

Biological keys

Analysis of DNA or protein

Taxonomy

Based on shared morphology

Morphology

Form, shape or structure of organisms (or parts of organisms)

Taxonomic Specifications

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species