Ecological Sampling

Ecological Sampling - Quadrats

Ecologists may have to sample large areas. Ecologist's reports are important. Ecologist's reports may lead to conclusions that can make the area more sustainable and help to conserve it.

Ecological sampling

Sampling by ecologists may take place over very large areas.
For example, an ecologist may want to sample a plant population.
- It would take too long to count all the plants.
- Some of the plants might be missed.
- Counting all the plants would be like counting the blades of grass on your school field.

Sampling large areas

Sampling large areas would take too long and could be very expensive.
- It is important to create a report that is accurate and represents the sampled area.

Quadrats

Quadrats are a good tool to sample organisms in the field.
- Quadrats are used to study sessile organisms.
- Sessile organisms do not move.
- Plants are sessile organisms.
Animals are harder to sample because they move.
Quadrats are normally a 1x1 square frame with netting inside.
- Netting turns the frame into a grid.

Measuring with quadrats

Quadrats can be used to measure biodiversity in terms of:
- The population size of a species
- Species richness – how many of each species are present in a given area
- The distribution of a species – how and where a species is present in a habitat

Ecological Sampling

There are many kinds of sampling. Random sampling and line transects are forms of sampling.

Random sampling

The sampling area needs to be mapped out for random sampling.
- The area should be mapped out with coordinates.
- Coordinates should then be chosen at random.
Coordinate numbers should be chosen with a random number generator.
- This prevents bias.
- Bias can lead you to select areas with high or low organism numbers.

Random sampling results

Once you have placed your quadrat, count the number of species present in the quadrat grid.
You can also record the % coverage of the species.
- The % coverage is sometimes difficult to calculate.

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ACFOR

A range scale can be used instead of % coverage sums.
- ACFOR is a range scale.
ACFOR stands for:
- A – Abundant 90-100%
- C – Common – 50 – 90%
- F – Frequent – 20 -50%
- O – Occasional 5 – 20%
- R – Rare – up to 5%

Line transect

Line transect sampling uses a quadrat.
- Instead of random sampling, the quadrat is placed at regular intervals.
- The number of species can be recorded at regular intervals.

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.2.1Reproduction in Humans

1.2.2Male Reproductive System

1.2.3Female Reproductive System

1.2.4Gestation

1.2.5Pregnancy

1.2.6Puberty

1.2.7The Menstrual Cycle

1.2.8Reproduction in Plants

1.2.9Pollination

1.2.10Dispersal Method

1.2.11Variation

1.2.12Causes of Variation

1.2.13Inheritance

1.2.14Adaptations and Evolution

1.2.15Species & Selective Breeding

1.2.16Genetic Conditions

1.2.17End of Topic Test - Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.4.1Balanced Diets

1.4.2Vitamins & Minerals

1.4.3Protein

1.4.4Lipids, Oils and Fats

1.4.5Carbohydrates

1.4.6Starch

1.4.7Energy Needs

1.4.8Dietary Fibre

1.4.9Diseases Caused by Nutritional Deficiencies

1.4.10Digestion

1.4.11Plant Nutrition

1.4.12Enzymes in Digestion

1.4.13Required Practical - Enzymes in Digestion

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.5.1Roots

1.5.2Photosynthesis

1.5.3Leaves

1.5.4Rate of Photosynthesis

1.5.5Testing the Rate of Photosynthesis

1.5.6Water Transport in Plants

1.5.7Translocation

1.5.8The Carbon Cycle

1.5.9Human Activities & Carbon Dioxide

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.1.1Particles

2.1.2States of Matter

2.1.3Changes of State

2.1.4Properties of States of Matter

2.1.5Diffusion

2.1.6Changing State

2.1.7Pressure

2.1.8Temperature Increase in a Gas

2.1.9Conservation of Mass

2.1.10Purity of Substances

2.1.11Pure Substances

2.1.12Evaporation

2.1.13Mixtures

2.1.14Separating Mixtures

2.1.15Distillation

2.1.16Chromatography

2.1.17Solubility

2.1.18Investigating Solubility

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.2.1Chemical Reactions

2.2.2Common Reactions

2.2.3Acids & Alkalis

2.2.4Reactions of Acids

2.2.5Testing for Hydrogen

2.2.6The pH Scale

2.2.7Titration

2.2.8End of Topic Test - Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.3.1Atoms

2.3.2Elements

2.3.3Compounds & Mixtures

2.3.4Electron Configuration

2.3.5Chemical Symbols

2.3.6Chemical Formulae

2.3.7Conservation of Mass

2.3.8Vacuums

2.3.9Molecules

2.3.10End of Topic Test - Particles & Atoms

2.4The Periodic Table

2.4.1Physical Properties

2.4.2Chemical Properties

2.4.3The Periodic Table

2.4.4Metals

2.4.5Non-Metals

2.4.6Alkali Metals

2.4.7Halogens

2.4.8Oxides

2.4.9End of Topic Test - The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.6.1Ions

2.6.2Ionic Bonding

2.6.3State Symbols

2.6.4Balancing Chemical Equations

2.6.5Relative Formula Mass

2.6.6Calculating the Relative Formula Mass

2.6.7The Reactivity Series

2.6.8Carbon & The Reactivity Series

2.6.9Displacement Reactions

2.6.10Displacement Reactions - Halogens

2.6.11Alloys

2.6.12Metal Alloys

2.7Energetics

2.7.1Measuring Gas Production

2.7.2Observing a Colour Change

2.7.3Analysing Reaction Rates

2.7.4Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction

2.7.5Catalysts

2.7.6Testing for Oxygen

2.7.7Energy Changes During Reactions

2.8Properties of Materials

2.8.1Testing for Gases

2.8.2Alloys

2.8.3Density

2.8.4Density of Solids, Liquids & Gases HyperLearning

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.4.1Circuit Symbols

3.4.2Resistors & Diodes

3.4.3Electric Current

3.4.4Measuring Current

3.4.5Potential Difference

3.4.6Series Circuits

3.4.7Parallel Circuits

3.4.8Resistance

3.4.9Charges

3.4.10Static Electricity

3.4.11Magnets

3.4.12Magnetic Fields

3.4.13The Earth's Field

3.4.14Electromagnetism

3.4.15Uses of Electromagnets

3.4.16Strength of Magnetic Fields

3.4.17Circuit Symbols HyperLearning

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

3.6.1The Sun

3.6.2The Planets

3.6.3Other Astronomical Bodies

3.6.4The Milky Way

3.6.5Beyond The Milky Way

3.6.6The Seasons

3.6.7Days, Months & Years

3.6.8The Moon

3.6.9Light Years

3.6.10End of Topic Test - Space

4Thinking Scientifically

4.1Models & Representations

4.1.1Strengths & Limitations of Models

4.1.2Symbols & Formulae to Represent Scientific Ideas

4.1.3Analogies in Science

4.1.4Changing Models – Atomic Theory

4.1.5Working Safely in the Lab

4.1.6Variables

4.1.7Writing a Hypothesis & Prediction

4.1.8Planning an Experiment

4.1.9Maths Skills for Science

4.1.10Drawing Scientific Apparatus

4.1.11Observation & Measurement Skills

4.1.12Types of Data

4.1.13Graphs & Charts

4.1.14Bias in Science

4.1.15Conclude & Evaluate

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