BIOLOGY PRACTICAL REPORTS FOR FORM 4

Activity 8.5 (practical textbook page 111)

Objective : To investigate the distribution of Mimosa pudica using the quadrat sampling
technique
Apparatus: a quadrat measuring 1m x 1m, pen, notebook, string, scissors, hammer, small nails
Technique: count the number of Mimosa pudica within the boundaries of the quadrat and also
the area covered by Mimosa pudica in each quadrat
1m

wood frame
nail

1m

string

1m x 1m quadrat
Procedure:
1. A suitable location in the school field is selected for this activity. The species of plant to be
investigated is identified as Mimosa pudica.
2. 1 quadrat of dimension 1m x 1m is set up randomly at the identified location.
3. By using a hammer, nail and string, each quadrat is divided into 100 squares. Each square is
0.1m x 0.1m. The area for each square is 0.01m2.
4. To calculate density, the number of Mimosa pudica within the boundaries of the quadrat is
counted.
5. To calculate percentage cover, the square where the species cover is more than half the
square is counted. If less than half the square, it is not counted. The aerial coverage of
Mimosa pudica in each quadrat is determined by multiplying the number of squares coverd
by Mimosa pudica and the area of a square (0.01m2)
6. Steps 4 and 5 are repeated for the other 9 quadrats and the data recorded in a table of results.
7. The above steps for the other quadrats is repeated and the data recorded in a table of results.
8. Safety precaution: More accurate data can be obtained if the number of quadrats used in the
sample is increased.
Results:
Quadrat number
Number of plants
(Mimosa pudica)
Area covered by
Mimosa pudica (m2)

1
2

2
0

3
2

4
1

5
3

6
1

7
0

8
2

9
3

10
1

0.19

0.17

0.02

0.26

0.13

0.53

0.63

0.09

From the results, it was calculated that:

Density = total number of individuals of a species in all quadrats

number of quadrats x area of each quadrat
= 15_
10 x 1
= 1.5
Frequency = number of quadrats containing the species x 100%
number of quadrats
= 8 x 100%
10
= 80%
Percentage cover = aerial coverage of all quadrats (m2) x 100%
number of quadrats x quadrat area
= 2.02 x 100%
10 x 1
= 20.2 %
Discussion:
1. How can a more accurate data be obtained?
By getting more samples..
2. Can the same procedure be used to estimate the number of rats in a paddy field? Explain.
No, rats are mobile and this method of sampling is only suitable for sedentary organisms.
Conclusion:
The hypothesis is accepted. The distribution of Mimosa pudica can be estimated by using the
quadrat sampling technique.