Assessing Ecosystems
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 7.2.5
Assessing Ecosystems
Population sizes are interesting to ecologists. Experimental tools for looking at ecosystems and their populations include:
Quadrats
- Quadrats are square frames that can be used to estimate population sizes.
Transects
- Transects can be used to investigate the effect of a factor on the distribution of a species.
- A transect line is a piece of tape that is stretched across the habitat of interest.
- Quadrats are placed at regular intervals along the transect line.
Test yourself on Assessing Ecosystems
What should a student use to find out how distance from a hedge affects the number of daisies growing in a field?
What should a scientist use to estimate how many dandelions are growing in a playing field?