11.3 Sampling Techniques

Question 1

Pooter

Answer 1

Used to catch small insects. Sucking on the mouthpiece produces suction via the inlet tube. Insects are drawn into the holding chamber

Question 2

Sweep nets

Answer 2

Used to catch insects in areas of long grass

Question 3

Pitfall trap

Answer 3

Used to catch small crawling invertebrates. Hole is dug which insects fall into. Roof placed on top so does not fill with water or get eaten by predators

Question 4

Tree beating

Answer 4

Large cloth stretched underneath tree. Tree is shaken. Animals fall onto cloth, collected and studied.

Question 5

Kick sampling

Answer 5

Used in rivers. River Bank is ‘kicked’ for period of time. Net held downstream. Captures organisms released into flowing water

Question 6

Point quadrat.

Answer 6

Frame with horizontal bar. Pin is pushed through holes in the bar, whatever it touches is recorded

Question 7

Frame quadrat frequency

Answer 7

How often a species is found, calculated in percentages of squares on the grid

Question 8

Capture-mark-release-recapture

Answer 8

Involves capturing as many individuals as possible in an area. Organisms are marked then released. Time is given for redistribution. Recapture. Compare individuals who are marked vs who aren’t. Greater number of individuals who are marked, the smaller the population

Question 9

Abiotic factor

Answer 9

Non-living conditions in a habitat. Direct effect on living organisms in the area.