2. Aims for today To carry out a belt transect To learn how to measure abiotic factors To assess percentage cover of plant species To present this data in an acceptable way To develop and awareness of how abiotic factors may influence plant distribution

3. We record data to: Find out about the conditions an organism needs Keep track of seasonal variations Record the effects of different treatments in different areas eg fertilisers

4. SAMPLING Can be systematic or random A transect is an example of systematic sampling It is a line through a habitat along which organisms are sampled It is useful for studying areas of gradual change

5. Describing Vegetation What can we measure Density Percentage Frequency Percentage Cover Subjective Objective Biomass Height Leaf Length, Width or Area Stomatal Density

6. Quadrats Quadrats can be used in a controlled way to provide information about the distribution of species. Results will need to be recorded from several quadrats in a sample area. They can be placed randomly to remove bias, using a gridded map and random numbers, or used systematically in a belt transect

7. Quadrats are useful for: Comparing species in one area with those in another (plants and stationary animals) Different sizes of quadrats can be used for different species Data can be recorded in a variety of ways (frequency, percentage cover)

9. Ecological Coursework Investigations Estimate the percentage cover

13. How close was your estimate?

14. Sampling

16. How wide is my transect?

19. How long should a transect be? Species ASpecies B Transect 1 Transect 2

20. Transects Species ASpecies B Transect 1 Transect 2 Transect 3

21. Doing a transect – safety points Always LOOK carefully where you are placing your quadrat/tape measure, there may be rubbish and/or animal waste in the undergrowth! Don’t go into the long grassy areas unless you’re wearing full shoes and trousers Treat the environment with respect Be careful of nettles and brambles, some people are also allergic to ivy

22. Doing the transect Place the 10 m tape across an area of change, 5 m in each area. Place a quadrat every 2m and record the % cover of species in that area Record the abiotic factors of temperature and light intensity at each 2m point Remove a SMALL soil sample into the sample bags at each point – we will measure the pH of these in the lab

25. Transects How do we record the data?