Field work for Dummies

Here is some equipment that biologists may use to measure the abiotic environment A light meter to measure light intensity Measures in Lux

A pH meter to measure acidity/alkalinity Thermometer to measure temperature

Secchi disc to measure water clarity Oxygen meter to measure dissolved oxygen.

Tape measures and trundle wheels to measure distances

Animals and plants can be sampled as part of the biotic environment a pooter is used to suck up small bugs

Small animals can be trapped or their feet prints recorded in an ink trap A beating tray will collect small bugs on vegetation

Kick sampling collects river organisms

A Tullgren funnel finds small animals in soil or leaf litter A pitfall trap collects crawling insects

Capture recapture sampling allows an estimate of a population when there are too many to count

Quadrats are used to count a few organisms in a large area to make estimates or get a snapshot of what is in an environment.

Using a quadrat to estimate a population Count the population in randomly placed quadrats. Do lots of quadrats Work out population density. Density= Total no in all quadrats No of quads X area of the Sampled Quadrat 4. Measure the area and work out the total population

Transects are used to map out changing environments Transects are used to map out changing environments. There are 2 types:- line and belt transects

In a line transect you count everything along a single transect line In a line transect you count everything along a single transect line. They allow you to draw a profile

Belt transects count organisms in an area. They often use quadrats

A kite diagram can be drawn of organisms counted in a belt transect

For you to do Work out the estimated population of your chosen plant (Daisies)in the garden In the class estimate the populations of the different organisms (worksheet) Complete a line or belt transect in the hort. Garden Do a capture recapture exercise ( worksheet) Draw a stream profile Draw a kite diagram.