Assessing Ecosystems
Science: KS3, topic 1.3.10
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 are quadrats used for in ecology?
A student wants to find out if soil moisture affects where moss grows across a garden. Which method should they use?