fire investigation biology

animal ethics : reduction alternatives

• methods that obtain comparable levels of info from use of fewerr animals

• or for obtaining more info from same number of animals

Animal ethics: refinement alternatives

• methods that alviate or minimise potential pain

• distress and enhance animal wellbeing

Animal ethics: Replacement alternatives

• methods that permit purpose of an activity/project to be achieved without use of animals

• or use of animals of a lower sentient value or non sentient animals

reliability

consistency of results

random errors and more trials **

validity

experiment actually measures the intended outcome.

controlled varibles**

accuracy

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value. 

systematic error

systematic error

• limits accuracy

• due to using wong tyoe of instrument

Random errors

Due to chance or unpredictable fluctuations in the environment or equipment. 

huam errors

• Due to carelessness, mistakes, or limitations in human abilities. 

quadrats +disadvantage

A quadrat is a square, rectangular or circular frame used to mark out an area in which vegetation is sampled.

• only useful for immobile species

transects + disadvantage

A transect is a line through a large area of study, selected to include most of the plant andimmobile animal groups present, and used to investigate changes in community compositionand population abundance along an axis.

• immobile species only

electrofishing + disadvantage

an electrical current is passed through the water to temporarily stun fish, allowing them to be easily captured with a net

• limited application

capture recapture + disadvantage

a method used to estimate the size of a population, particularly for mobile organisms like animals. It involves capturing a sample, marking it, releasing it back into the environment, and then recapturing a later sample to see how many marked individuals are present

• must be done safeley and at specific times

satelite sensing

uses satellites equipped with sensors to capture images and environmental data from Earth's surface.

what does satelite sensing measure?

• vegetation cover

• land use change

• water availability

• climate data

• deforestation, desrtification and urbanisation

function of satelite sensing

• Allows tracking of habitat degradation and loss over time.

• Detects changes in ecosystem types, such as forest to grassland.

• Helps predict the impact of climate change on ecosystems.

Remote monitoring

involves the use of technological devices (cameras, sensors, tags, and acoustic devices) to observe and record biological and environmental information.

types of remote monitoring

• Camera traps – track animal movement in the wild.

• Acoustic sensors – monitor bird and bat calls.

• GPS tracking / Telemetry tags – used on animals (like sea turtles, sharks, elephants) to track migration and population dynamics.

• Drones (UAVs) – for real-time aerial data collection.

remote monitoring function

• Tracks population numbers, behaviours, and migration routes.

• Identifies changes in breeding patterns or habitat preferences.

• Non-invasive; less human interference in fragile ecosystems.

advantages of technologies

• Real-time, accurate, and frequent data.

• Covers inaccessible areas (e.g., rainforests, oceans, mountains).

• Reduces human error and observer bias.

• Enables long-term ecological studies (important for sustainability).

limitations of technology

• High cost of equipment and satellites.

• Requires technical expertise to interpret data.

• Can be affected by weather conditions (e.g., clouds in satellite imaging).

• May miss fine-scale changes (ground surveys still important).

primary succession

• when it begins in a virtually lifeless area where soil has not yet formed

• can occur after catastrophic events like volanoes, cyclones and tsunamis

steps of primary succession

1. pioneer plants colonose (usually autotrophs) such as lichens

2. soil formation - pioneer plants die and decompose a thin layer of soil is formed

3. early colonising plants (r-selected species) - increase but decline as more compettitive species move in

4. new community forms - w autotrophs herbivores willl come in.

5. biodiversity increases

secondary succession

• previously established community is taken over by a new group of organisms

• through a natural disturbance or human intervention

• begins at the second step

secondary susccession steps

1. natural/artificial disturbance occurs

2. new plants, such as fast-growing pioneer plants colonise the area

3. slower-growing trees begin to grow and stabilise the community

4. new community forms and eventually becomes a climax community

what is prescribes burning?

• process of planning and applying fire to a predetermined area

purpose of prescribed burning

• lower fuel loads

• reduce severeity and size of bushfirees

positive impacts of fire

• removes slow grpwing but dominant trees and shrubs

• returning nutrients to soil

• light availability

• new growth attracts mobile species

effects of fire on biodiversity

1. Promotes Regeneration:

2. Creates Habitat Diversity:

3. Population Control:
   

4. Threat to Biodiversity (especially

5. Species Dependence vs. Vulnerability: