practical work

Question 1

What is the definition of Abundance?

Answer 1

• the number of individuals in a species in a given area or volume.

Question 2

What is the definition of distribution?

Answer 2

• the area or volume in which organisms of a species are found

Question 3

Explain the method for random sampling?

Answer 3

• set up a 10mx10m grids using measuring tapes at right angles from each other
• use a random number generator to select two coordinates
• inside the quadrat count how many individuals of each species are present
• use the data to calculate a s
  Simpson’s diversity index
• compare the species in the two areas surveyed

Question 4

What is an assumption for a random sampling method?

Answer 4

• there is a uniform distribution of species within each area sampled

Question 5

What is species diversity?

Answer 5

• number of different species
• how many individuals of that species there are

Question 6

what types of areas can you sample ?

Answer 6

• Sunny vs shady
• coppiced vs non coppiced
• cleared vs non cleared
• fertiliser added vs fertiliser not added

Question 7

What are some other methods of measuring biodiversity ?

Answer 7

• Pitfall trap = hole in the ground, any insects will fall in, covered to avoid filling up with water
• Bulb and funnel = collect soil and leaf litter and place into funnel over a beaker, any species will fall into the beaker where they cab be counted.

Question 8

What is the method for Kick sampling ?

Answer 8

• Stand in a river with net downstream
• kick the river bottom and collect animal species with the net
• repeat and collect at least 3 samples from each position in the river
• carefully fill white tray with contents gathered and identify each species present and the number of each species.

Question 9

What are some limitations to kick sampling ?

Answer 9

• Difficult to identify species as they may look similar
• numerous very small species are collected
• difficult to count the total number f each species
• my count each more than once as they will move in the tray
• will only give a snapshot of the population and will need to be repeated at different times of the year.

Question 10

What does the Simpsons diversity index tell us ?

Answer 10

• Species diversity

Question 11

What would a low level of diversity suggest ?

Answer 11

-Dominance of one or more species
- community is unstable and may not be able to withstand change
- a change in one species may have large impacts on the whole habitat.

Question 12

What is the range of the Simpsons diversity index?

Answer 12

• 0-1
• a value closer to one suggests a higher biodiversity