Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Ecological sampling and population density estimation

Introduction
The dynamics of any population is strongly influenced by factors within the ecosystem. This
includes the interaction between different populations, and within populations as well as with
abiotic factors.
Example:
Monkeys are dependent on trees for food and protection so their population
numbers will be greater in jungles rather than in grassland plains.
Monkeys of the same species may live in different family units and are extremely
territorial so each family unit may be clustered in a particular area in the jungle
rather than randomly distributed (as might be seen in solitary animals like tigers or
foxes).
Since ecological niches can be varied and populations can reach huge numbers, it becomes
necessary to estimate the population size based on samples collected. These samples will be used
to represent the true population numbers of an organism in an ecological niche.
Sampling techniques will vary depending on the type of organism. For example using the
quadrat method may be effective for small shrubs and grasses but are not useful in sampling fast
moving animals as animals will escape from the area once the quadrat was thrown. It is usually
up to the sampler to decide the best way in sampling and analysis of data, depending on the type
of data required and type of organisms of interest. Some examples of sampling methods use
quadrats (random sampling) or transect lines (systematic sampling).
Quadrats or line transects can be used to estimate population density(no. per unit area) or
percentage cover of a particular species. The use of percentage cover is more useful for
organisms that grow and spread from an original population which makes it difficult to estimate
individual numbers. Fig.1 shows a summary of different sampling strategies.Table 1 shows
examples on how to use quadrats and point frames to estimate number of individuals or
percentage cover.

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Population
sampling.

Highly mobile
species

Slow moving/
immobile
species

Capturerecapture
method

Random
sampling:
Using quadrats

Systematic
sampling:
Using line transects

Quadrats

Evaluate
percentage
cover/ spread?

Evaluate
numbers?

Point-frame

Systematic
sampling:
Using line transects

Quadrats

Random
sampling:
Using quadrats

Point-frame

Fig.1: Summary of different sampling methods

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Table 1: Using different sampling methods to estimate number of individuals or percentage

cover

Estimating percentage cover

In the quadrat above, there are 6 flowers in

the 8x8 area.

When using percentage cover we count the

number of the 1X1 boxes which is covered
by the flowers. 19 boxes/64 total boxes
X100= 29.7%.

Regularly spaced pins are stuck straight

into the ground.
The numbers of individual plants touching
the pins are counted.

To calculate percentage cover the numbers

of pins touching the plants are counted
instead.
In this case only two pins are touching the
plant species of interest, therefore
percentage cover is:

Point frames

Quadrats

Estimating individual numbers

In the example above three plants are in

contact with the pins so in that area there
are 3 plants.

X100%=40%

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Aim:
Students will be using random sampling method (experiment 1) and transect sampling method
(experiment 2) to determine the distribution of different species of in a particular area.
Method
Work in groups of 3-4 students.
Each group will be given a piece of cardboard representing a particular ecological area.
On each cardboard there will be three different colour stickers, each colour represents one
particular type of plant species
Experiment 1 - Random Sampling method to estimate percentage cover

Without looking at the cardboard sheet, throw the plastic quadrat onto the cardboard
piece.
Ensure that the whole quadrat falls within the area of interest (i.e. the cardboard) (refer to
Fig. 2 for example)
Calculate the percentage cover for each colour sticker and fill in your results in Table 2.
Do this 4 more times until you have five separate values for each colour.
Obtain the mean % cover for each of the different species as well as the standard
deviation(s) values.

Quadrat2
Quadrat3

Quadrat
1
Quadrat5

Quadrat4

Fig.2

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Table 2
Percentage cover / %
Species A

Species B

SpeciesC

Quadrat 1
Quadrat 2
Quadrat 3
Quadrat 4
Quadrat 5
Mean percentage
cover
Standard deviation

1. Explain why we sample populations.

Difficult to count every individual in an area.

Samples obtained to represent the population as a whole.

..[1]

2. Compare the mean coverage of species A and B. State what would be the null hypothesis
when comparing the percentage cover between these two species.

Mean percentage cover for species A is not significantly different from

Null hypothesis:[1]
mean percentage cover of species B

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Table 3: Table of critical t-values

d.f
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Probability of exceeding the critical value

0.10
0.05
0.025
0.01

1.638
1.533
1.476
1.440
1.415
1.397
1.383

2.353
2.132
2.015
1.943
1.895
1.860
1.833

3.182
2.776
2.571
2.447
2.365
2.306
2.262

4.541
3.747
3.365
3.143
2.998
2.896
2.821

0.001

10.215
7.173
5.893
5.208
4.782
4.499
4.296

a. Use a t-test to determine whether there is a significant difference between the

percentage cover of species A and B. Show your working & state your
conclusion.

b. Why a t-test was more appropriate compared to the 2 test to use when evaluating
the null hypothesis?
6

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

..[2]
3. Plot a graph of mean coverage area showing the percentage cover of species A, B and
C.Include the standard error bars (Sm) for each species.

4. Besides the method of randomly throwing quadrats, describe another method how you
would measure a representative sample of each species.

set out a grid in each area or site / description of how the grid is established ;
use random numbers ;

Description of how random numbers generated ; e.g. random number tables , use of

separate jars containing row and column labels to give co-ordinates ;

at that point / co-ordinate,

Place quadrat in area and obtain numbers by counting / Description excluding certain
plants which >50% falls outside of quadrat ;

repeat at least 4 more times and obtain mean;

.....[5]
7

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

5. Population distribution patterns can normally be described as uniform, clumped or

random. Population distribution patterns are shown in Figure 3.

Uniform

Random
Fig.3

Clumped

Describe what you would expect to observe about the individuals in each quadrat during
sampling if the population was distributed:
Each quadrat used to sample this population would have same numbers.
Standard error values will be small /mean value will be reliable.
Uniform:
Individuals in quadrat are almost evenly spaced apart

Each quadrat have different numbers of individuals/ very extreme differences in no. of individuals
Some quadrats may have no organisms at all.
.
Mean value not very reliable, Standard error bars can be relatively widespread.

Clumped:

Random:
Individuals not spaced evenly from one another
.[3]
Numbers of individuals in each quadrat will vary

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Experiment 2 Systematic Sampling method to estimate percentage cover

Stretch a string across the cardboard from one corner to the furthest corner.
Sample the area using the plastic quadrat along the string by placing the quadrat at
regularly spaced intervals. Refer to Fig. 4 for guidance.
Quadrat1

Quadrat2

Quadrat3

Quadrat4

Quadrat5

Fig.4

Repeat this until you have at least five samples.

Count the number of individuals of speciesA, B andC by using this method.
Record your observations in Table 3.

6. Based on the data collected, complete Table 3 and estimate the total population of each
species in the entire area.
Size of quadrat

: cm Xcm =.cm2

Size of cardboard:..cm Xcm=.cm2

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

Table 3
No.of individuals
Species A

Species B

Species C

Quadrat 1
Quadrat 2
Quadrat 3
Quadrat 4
Quadrat 5
Mean number in each quadrat
Number of individuals per cm2
Estimated number of
individuals in the whole
cardboard

7. A student wants to test if there is a significant difference between the populationsdensity

of species A, B and C.
a. Name the statistical test that can be used.
Chi squared test
...[1]

b. Suggest a hypothesis for this test.

The total no. of individuals in the area for species A, B and C are the same.

...[1]

c. Evaluate the students hypothesis whether this is true using a 2 test by

completing Table 4.

0.10
d.f
1

2.706

Probability of exceeding the critical value

0.05
0.025
0.01
3.841

5.024

6.635

0.001
10.828
10

Paper 5 Revision Practical

Ecological Sampling 2

4.605
6.251
7.779
9.236

2
3
4
5

5.991
7.815
9.488
11.070

Quadrat & Line Transect

t-test&2 test

7.378
9.348
11.143
12.833

9.210
11.345
13.277
15.086

13.816
16.266
18.467
20.515

Table 4
Species

Observed

Expected

numbers (O)

numbers (E)

A
B
C
2 =
Conclusion:

...[3]
8. List one advantage and one disadvantage of sampling using random sampling and a line
transect method.
Random sampling:

Can sample a wide area

Can give an accurate representation of population distribution and numbers/ not
Advantage......
biased

Time consuming
Disadvantage..
Risk of an area sampled twice

..
Line Transect:
Can measure changes along an ecological gradient.

Advantages.
Can be set up relatively quickly

May be difficult to set up as obstacles may get in the way of the line/ useful for short
Disadvantages
distances only

....[4]
May be tedious to do when separating different species along the line as some
organisms can cover a wide area.

11