Field Techniques for Biologists 2.1 Flashcards
what can aspects of fieldwork present?
a hazard
what do hazards in fieldwork include?
- adverse weather conditions
- difficult terrain
- problems associated with isolation
- contact with harmful organisms
how should sampling be carried out?
it should be carried out in a manner that minimises impact on wild species and habitats
what type of species must consideration be given to?
rare and vulnerable species and habitats that are protected by legislation
what must be appropriate to the species being sampled?
- chosen technique
- point count
- transect
- remote detection
what techniques are used for plants and other sessile or slow-moving organisms?
- quadrats (of suitable size and shape) - transects
what technique is used for mobile species?
Capture techniques such as traps and nets
how can elusive species be sampled?
they can be sampled directly using camera traps or an indirect method, such as scat sampling
how can the identification of an organism in a sample can be made?
- classification guides
- biological keys
- analysis of DNA or protein
how can organisms be classified?
by both taxonomy and phylogenetics
what does taxonomy involve?
the identification and naming of organisms and their classification into groups based on shared characteristics
what is phylogenetic the study of?
the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms
what is phylogenetic changing?
the traditional classification of many organisms
what does familiarity with taxonomic groupings allow?
predictions and inferences to be made about the biology of an organism from better-known (model) organisms
what are model organisms?
those that are either easily studied or have been well studied
