Required Practicals - Field investigations

Question 1

What is the goal of the field investigations practical?

Answer 1

To measure the population size of a common species in a habitat using varying sampling techniques to investigate the effect of a factor on its distribution.

Question 2

What is the apparatus for the random sampling field investigation practical?

Answer 2

A quadrat and a metre ruler.

Question 3

What is the method for the random sampling field investigation practical?

Answer 3

-Lay out a grid for the quadrats, numbering it.
-Then randomly select coordinates to position the quadrat
-For each measurement count the number of desired plant
-If a plant is more than half inside the quadrat, count it in your estimate.
-Repeat and calculate a mean
-Calculate the population size by counting the number of plantains counted multiplied by total area/area sampled.

Question 4

What is the apparatus for the transect sampling field investigation practical?

Answer 4

-a quadrat
-a 30m tape measure
-a light meter

Question 5

What is the goal of the transect sampling field investigation practical?

Answer 5

To investigate the effect of light intensity on plant distribution using a transect line.

Question 6

What is the method for the transect line field investigation practical?

Answer 6

-Put the 30m tape measure in a line from the base of a tree to an open area of ground
-Put the quadrat against the transect line. One corner of the quadrat should touch the 0m mark on the tape measure.
-Count the number of plants inside the quadrat.
-Use the light meter to measure the light intensity at this position.
-Record your results in a table.
-Move the quadrat 2m up the transect line and count the number of plants again and the light intensity at this position.
-Continue placing them at 2m intervals and record results in a table.