1. Studying a Habitat
Chapter 18

2. Studying a Habitat A Habitat Study involves the stages:
Make a map of the habitat.
Measure and record the environmental factors.
Collect samples of animals and plants present.
Identify and list the plants and animals present.
Estimate the numbers of plants and animals present.

3. Making a Map Map is birds eye view.
The map should include important features e.g. Walls, fences, ponds, large trees, hedges or paths.
Map should also include the scale and a legend.

4. Measuring the Environmental Factors
Feature
Device
Air Temperature
Thermometer
Water Temperature
Soil Temperature
Soil Thermometer
Light Intensity
Light Meter
Wind Direction
Piece of ribbon and Compass
Soil pH
pH Meter

5. Identify the Organisms
Identifying organisms using can be done using:
A simple Key.
Photographs in reference books.
Identify plants by size, leaves, seeds, fruit, Flower type and colour.

6. Collecting Organisms
Plants can be collected using a knife or a small trowel.
Plants should be collected in plastic bags.
Bags should be labelled and the location of the specimen collected marked on the map.

7. Collecting Organisms Collecting Animals.
Slow animals can be collected easily using a jar e.g. Slugs, snails and earthworms.
Special apparatus is used to collect fast moving animals.

8. Pooter

9. Pooter
A pooter collects small animals and insects.

10. Sweep Net

11. Sweep Net Swept through long grass or hedges.
Used to collect insects, caterpillars and beetles.

12. Beating Tray

13. Beating Tray
The beating tray is placed under a branch or tree which is shaken or hit with a stick. Insects and other small animals fall on to the tray.

14. Pitfall Trap

15. Pitfall Trap Placed in the ground overnight.
Collects small crawling animals e.g. Snail, woodlice, slug and beetles.

16. A Quadrat

17. Estimating the Number of Plants Present
Using a Quadrat?
Throw a small stone or pen over your shoulder.
Place the quadrat wherever the stone lands, this ensures the quadrat is placed at random in the habitat..
Record all the names of plants in each quadrat.

18. Estimating the Number of Plants Present
Repeat this 10 times
Record the results.
Draw table pg 108

19. Line transect

20. Line transect
A line transect is a piece of string marked at regular intervals.
The string is stretched out and pinned to the ground at both ends.
The names of plants under each knot is recorded.