Required Practical

Question 1

What are the 4 steps to estimate population size of small organisms using quadrats?

Answer 1

1) Place a 1m² quadrat at random in a field
2) Count all the daises within it
3) Repeat several times and work out the mean number of daises per quadrat.

Number of organisms
———————————
Number of quadrats

4) multiply the entire area by the number of organisms per m²

Question 2

What are the 3 steps to find how organisms are distributed across an area using transects?

E.g

Distribution of daises as you move away from the edge of a pond.

Answer 2

1) Mark out a line using a tape measure.
2) Count the daises in quadrats placed at regular intervals along the line.
3) Draw a graph to show how the daises are distributed.

x axis
- distance from pond (m)

y axis
- abundance (how many daises) per m²