2.5 Investigating ecosystems Flashcards
What are the three types of sampling?
- Random sampling
- Systemic samplig
- Stratified sampling
Random sampling- how biased is it? + outline methodology
- This technique does not involve any subjectivity and is thus theleast biased method
- Random sampling of an area: make a grid to identify sampling locations, must be chosen randomly
Advantages and disadvantages of random sampling?
Advantages:
- Unbiased
- Suitable for large populations
Disadvantages:
- You may not have access to some of the sample points.
- In large study areas the sample points may miss some places
Explain a bit systematic sampling
- Often referred to as the nth method:
- Every 5thperson that passes you
- Every meter along a transect line
- Samples every 30 minutes through the day
(Fatima lo usaste para tu IA acuerdate csm)
Advantages and disadvantages of systematic sampling
Advantages:
- Easier to apply that random sampling –> No need to use a grid
- Coverage of the whole study area can be achieved (random sampling does not do this)
Disadvantages:
- May be biased because places have a different chance of selection.
- Patterns may be missed or areas exaggerated.
When is stratified sampling used?
This technique is used when the population is known to contain subsets.
What are the types of stratified sampling? (HINT: Se mix con los otros dos types de sampling)
- Stratified systematic sampling: every 5th student of every year group (strata)
- Stratified random sampling: random students from every year group
Advantages and disadvantages of stratified sampling
Advantages:
- Flexible – can be used in many situations as it combines with random and systematic.
- Good for comparing subsets
Disadvantages:
- You must know the size of the subsets to get an accurate picture.
When are quadrats used? (for what type of organism) (Hint 3 points)
- To study plants and non-motile animals or ones that do not move very much
- To see percentage frequency: how often a particular species appears in an area
- To see population density
Advantages and disadvantages of quadrats (Hint: 3 each)
Advantages:
- Quick easy method to apply.
- Accurate with large species
- Good for comparisons over time or space.
Disadvantages:
- Very difficult with small species
- May miss some species in layered vegetation.
- Species may look different in different life stages
Advantages and disadvantages of quadrats SPECIFICALLY for assessing percentage cover
Adavantages:
- Avoids some of the problems of counting individuals
- Good for comparisons over time or space
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to assess accurately in layered vegetation
- Must be able to identify species accurately
- Coverage can exceed 100% if the vegetation is layered
What are the 3 methods to evaluate abiotic factors?
- Probes
- Sechi disk
- Anemometer
Probes— what abiotic factor(s) can they measure
Salinity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, light intensity and soil moisture and mineral content
Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of PRObes
Advantages:
- Quick, easy to use, accurrate
- When attached to a datalogger they can take continuous readings over a period of time
Disadvantages:
- May be expensive
- May not be available in all countries
secchi disk— what abioitic factor does it measure, how do you use it
- turbidity
- It is lowered into the water of a lake until it can no longer be seen by the observer. This depth of disappearance, called the Secchi depth, is a measure of the transparency of the water.