Investigating Distribution and Abundance Flashcards

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In ecology, what does the distribution of a species mean?

It means where the organisms of that species are found in a habitat.

It means how many organisms of that species live in a given area.

Because counting every organism would take too long and may damage the habitat.

A quadrat is a square frame of known area used to sample organisms in a habitat.

Mark out a grid, use random numbers to choose points, place the quadrat there, then count the organisms inside.

A transect is a line across a habitat where you record organisms at regular points to see how their distribution changes.

Random sampling uses chance to choose sample sites, while systematic sampling uses a fixed pattern, such as every metre along a transect.

Add up the numbers of organisms in all quadrats, then divide by the number of quadrats.

Find the mean per quadrat, then multiply by how many quadrats would fit into the whole area.

It is an estimate of how much of the quadrat area is covered by a plant species, written as a percent.

So the data are fair and valid, and any differences are due to the habitat, not the way you sampled.