Quadrat Sampling

QUADRAT SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION The biotic factors of an environment are all organisms found within that environment. Organisms are divided into five kingdoms: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. A group of organisms of the same species found within the same environment is called a population. Populations of different species sharing the same area and interacting with each other make up a community. One way of studying the interactions of organisms in a community is by taking an inventory of all the species in the area and comparing the sizes of their populations. In this investigation, you will observe the abiotic factors of a study site and classify the species of plants and animals in that site. You will then measure randomly chosen quadrats within the site and count the individuals of each poulation located within each quadrat. With this data, you will estimate the sizes of plant and animal populations within the community. Before scientists can design an experiment, they must first make observations on which to base their hypotheses. Scientists have many different methods of collecting this data. The task of taking an inventory of the different kinds of organisms and their population sizes in an environmental site can be very difficult, especially if the area is teeming with life. Since it would be impractical, if not impossible, to count each individual organism in a large area, ecologists randomly choose small portions of the whole area and classify and count the organisms in each small portion. They can then estimate the size of each population in the larger community. This process is called the quadrat method. The goal of the quadrat method is to estimate the population density of each species in a given community. Population density is the number of individuals of each species per unit area. Small square areas, called quadrats, are randomly selected to avoid choosing unrepresentative samples. Once the population densities for all quadrats are determined, the population size within the larger area can be estimated. For example, if a 10 m x 10 m (100 m2) site is being surveyed, three quadrats of a smaller size, perhaps 1 m x 1 m (1 m2), might be selected at random. If the population densities of a particular species at the three quadrats are 10, 12, and 14 individuals per m2, an average is taken [(10 + 12 + 14/3 = 12 individuals per m2]. That number is multiplied by the ratio of the larger area to the area of each quadrat (100 m2/1 m2) to calculate the estimated population size within the site (12 x 100 = 1200 individuals). This process is repeated for all species in the community.
You all should already be familiar with how to keep records of an experiment in a databook. For review, see the Lab Investigation Handout that I have given you. Of particular note - when making entries in a databook, remember that this information is not just for you, but for anyone else who may need to use it. All material should be presented in a clear and concise manner that can be understood even by those who are not in the class. PURPOSE: To estimate the population sizes of various species of organisms using the quadrat method. HYPOTHESIS: If the quadrat method is used, then the population sizes of various species of organisms can be estimated. MATERIALS: tape measure (optional), meter stick, 16 stakes per group, string, scissors, field guides, data book PROCEDURE: 1) Using the tape measure, mark off a square 10 m on each side and drive a stake into the ground at each corner. If no tape measure is available, pace off this distance. Use the corner of your notebook as a right triangle to make the square as precise as possible. 2) Loop the string around each of the four stakes to mark the boundaries of the study site, then cut the string and tie the ends. Be sure the string is taut. 3) Describe the location of your site as completely as possible (enough so that another person can find it without your help). Also draw a map of the quadrat, indicating the 4 compass points. Observe the abiotic factors of your site, such as whether the area is located in full sun or shade, or whether the soil is moist or dry. Record your observations in your databook. 4) Take an inventory of the different kinds of plants and animals found in your site. Use field guide books or other references to identify the species you observe. When surveying animals such as insects or worms, look under rocks, on branches, and in the soil, trying your best not to disturb them. 5) Select at random an area within the site to be your first quadrat. To do this, close your eyes and toss a small object (rock, coin, etc.) into the square. Measure off a square 1 m x 1 m, making the point where the object landed the center of the square and making the sides of the quadrat parallel to the sides of the larger square. Use the stakes and string to make the quadrat. Again use your notebook to make the square exact. 6) Record in your databook the number of organisms of each plant or animal species within the quadrat. To count grass or very small insects, select three smaller (10 cm x 10
cm) squares at random, count the number of individual plants or insects in each smaller square, average the numbers, and multiply by 100 to get an estimate for the full quadrat. 7) Repeat steps 5 and 6 twice more to obtain data for two other quadrats within the site. 8) For each species, add the number of organisms found in all three quadrats and divide by three to calculate the average population density per square meter. Record the average population densities in your databook. 9) For each species, multiply the population density by 100 to estimate the total number of organisms in the larger site. Record the estimated population sizes in your databook. DATA: You should have all the observations and measurements requested in the procedure. A convenient way to present some of your data would be as follows: SPECIES NO. IN NO. IN NO. IN AVERAGE EST. QUAD 1 QUAD 2 QUAD 3 POP. POP. DENSITY SIZE IN SITE
CONCLUSION: Answer the following questions 1) Why was it necessary to close your eyes before choosing the quadrat? 2) Which was the dominant plant species within the site? The dominant animal species?
3) How do your averages compare to the population densities of the individual quadrats? Were the populations spread out evenly over the site? 4) Did you observe any unusual features in one quadrat that were not found elsewhere on the site, such as an ant hill? 5) Compare your results with those of other groups. Did any abiotic factors contribute to similarities or differences in your population sizes? Explain. 6) Using the quadrat method, how could you better estimate the actual population sizes of species within the site? 7) How is the sampling of animal populations more difficult than that of plant populations? 8) Predict how the removal of the dominant plant species from the site would affect the population sizes of the other organisms. Explain. *Adapted from Environmental Science Laboratory Manual, Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 1995.

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What is the goal of the quadrat method?

How do scientists estimate population sizes using the quadrat method?

QUADRAT SAMPLING

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