2.1 Field techniques for biologists Flashcards
(46 cards)
What does a risk assessment do?
Identifies potential sources of harm and controls measures
What are some aspects of fieldwork which can present a hazard?
Adverse weather conditions, difficult terrain, isolation, contact with harmful organisms
What is terrain?
The type of ground where fieldwork will occur
Why is it important to sample?
To know what kind of plants and animals are in a particular habitat and how many there are of each species
How should sampling be carried out?
In a manner which minimises impact on wild species and habitats
What is point-count sampling?
Observer recording all individuals seen from a fixed point count location.
When are Quadrats and Transects used?
When sampling plants and slow moving organisms
What is a transect?
A straight line across a large area which measurements are taken at regular intervals
What can be used to capture mobile species?
Traps and nets
What can be used to sample elusive species?
Camera traps and scat sampling
How can identification of a sample be made?
Classification guides, biological keys, analysis of DNA or proteins
What are classification guides?
Often focus on one class of organisms from one geographical location, allows separation of similar species using descriptions of key features, habitat preferences and illustrations
What are biological keys?
Use more specialist identification information, the features which allow species level identification are the focus
What is DNA or protein analysis?
Useful technique to identify visually similar species, also allows identification from remains
How can organisms be classes?
Taxonomy and phylogenetics
What is Taxonomy?
The science of classifying living things (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, CLass, Order, Family, Genus, Species)
What is Phylogenetics?
The study of evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms
What traits do phylogenetics use?
Heritable traits such as morphology, DNA sequences and protein structure to make inferences about an organisms evoluationary history
What is a phylogeny/phylogenetic tree?
A diagrammatic hypothesis of an organisms relationships to other organisms
What can genetic evidence reveal?
Relatedness obscured by divergent or convergent evolution
What is divergent evolution?
Groups from the same common ancestor evolve and accumulate differences resulting in the formation of new species
What is convergent evolution?
The independent evolution of similar features in different species
What is a model organism?
Non-human species which is extensively studied to understand certain biological phenomena, findings can be applied to species which are harder to study directly
What are examples of taxonomic groups?
Nematodes, Arthropods, Chordates