3.1.2a - Classification Processes: Ecosystems Flashcards
What are the 3 types of sampling and what do they involve?
- Random Sampling:
- random allocation (random number generator)
- may miss rare habitat
- simple
- quick - Systematic sampling:
- orderly sampling (grid like approach)
- most representative
- simple but usually longer than random
- used when there is an environmental gradient.
- a transect is used to sample systematically along the enviornmental gradient - Stratified Sampling
- multiple zones/habitats identified must sample within each zone
- then use either random or systematic to sample within each zone
- each individual area separately sampled within the habitat is called a stratum - don’t use startum if habitat is uniform
what are the 5 points you must cover when asked about applying a sampling type to asses a site?
- Purpose
- Site selection
- Choice of ecological surveying technique
- Minimisng bias
- Methods of data presentation
- Analysis
Mneumonic:
Purpose = passing
Site selection = stops
Choice of ecological surveying technqiue = Can
Minimising bias = Make
Methods of data presentation = More
Analysis = Accident
How do you answer Purpose?
- need to find something that could be measured in the habitat
1. estimating population
2. density
3. distribution
4. environmental gradients and profiles
5. zonation
6. stratification
For example: - investigate insect richness between locations
- measure how SDI changes with water levels
- how wind speed affects growth of grass in different strata
How do you answer Site Selection?
simply say:
- “When choosing any site, it’s important that it is clearly marked out and the location is accurately recorded”
- “This means that further surveys (ie. looking at temporal changes) can be carried out”
How do you answer choice of ecological surveying technique?
choose either to use:
1. quadrats
2. transects
what are the 3 things you need to consider when using quadrats?
- size: determined by
- the study area
- the size of the organisms being sampled
- personal preference - number of quadrats used:
- more quadrats = more representative - how they are placed:
- systematic: make a grid map or use a transect and sample at regular intervals
- random: use a random number generator
what are the 4 ways to collect quadrat data?
Through measuring:
1. density
2. frequency
3. percentage cover
4. scaling measure
what are the 4 different types of transects?
- line transect
- belt transect
- interrupted line transect
- ladder belt transect
when should you use a transect?
yes for:
1. along a gradient
2. plants/slow moving animals
no for:
1. density of individual species
2. strata
How do you answer “minimising bias?”
learn by heart: only select ones relevent to purpose
1. size and number of samples:
- more samples = greater representation of community
- size of quadrant should also be appropraite
2. random number generators:
- minimise human bias
3. counting criteria:
- ensure firm and consistent counting criteria are used throughout sampling process
4. equipment calibration:
- ensure all equipment is cleaned and checked for accuracy before any sampling occurs
what sampling techniques are used for animals?
- soil insects = funnel
- tall grass insects = sweep net
- fish/water animals = drift net
- birds = mist net
- tree insects = beating trays
- soil/ground level insects = pitfall trap
- mobile organisms (butterfly/crab) = mark-release-recapture
how do you answer methods of data presentation?
can use:
1. table
2. graphs
3. transect profile diagram (map/drawing of gradient)
4. kite diagram (percentage cover plotted as line graph)
How do you answer analysis?
by heart:
- “data will be analysed using standard error and standard deviation”
why do we classify ecosystems?
- aesthetic
- protection of vulnerable species and habiats from extinction
- develop effective management programs
- money - tourism
explain how the process of classifying ecosystems is an important step towards effective ecosystem management
learn by heart:
- the process of classifying any ecosystem enables maagers/decision makers to make decisions about its management
- when there is agreement about the classification, this allows stakeholders to make decisions to serve a wide range of values
- classification helps to support effective management of activities
- classification of ecosystems helps to support understanding of their unique interactions and therefore the effect of specific human impacts. This can lead to longer term resilience.
what 4 services can be obatined by managing ecosystems?
- provisioning services
- the products obtained from ecosystems
- e.g. food, medicines - regulating services
- benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes
- e.g. flood prevention, pest control - cultural services
- nonmaterial benefits obtained from ecosystems
- e.g. educational, recreational - supporting services
- services neccessary for the production of all other ecosystem services
- e.g. biodiversity, primary productivity
what are the ecosystem services provided by old-growth forests?
what are they?
- mature forests where the overstory is in the late mature to over mature growth stage and contains hollows, dead branches and fallen trees
why are they important?
- high aesthetic, cultural and nature conservation values
- protection and management is important to maintain biodiversity (insect & flora diversity) and ecological functions (water cycles)
- used by native animals (foraging, nesting)
what are some management strategy ideas for old-growth forests?
- prescribed burning
- conservation and recreational use policies
- removal of exotic species
what are the ecosystem services provided by productive soils?
what are they?
- grains, minerals and decayed organic materials (worms, sticks, leaves) that support healthy plant growth
why are they important?
- farm profitability - money
- promote health of plants, animals and humans (aoreated soil, nutrients, microbes)
- aids recovery from environmental stress
- supports plant growth
what are some management strategy ideas for productive soils?
- reduce overgrazing
- select appropraite crops for soil type and climate to mainatin soil productivity
- select appropraite land preparation methods
what are the ecosystem services provided by coral reefs?
what are they?
- contain the most diverse ecosystems on the planet
why are they important?
- protect coastlines from wave action and storms
- provide habitats for marine animals
- support fishing industry as spawning ground for more fish
- money for economy from tourism and fishing
what are some management strategy ideas for coral reefs?
- zoning plans
- control and removal of exotic species
- conservation and recreational use policies
Exam Question:
- explain how the process of classifying ecosystems is an important step towards effective ecosystem mangement of an old-growth forest/coral reef/producive soils.
approaching this question:
1. identify that classification enables decision making
2. identify that decisons serve a range of values, such as cultural, recreational, economic, etc
3. identify any effective management technique
4. identify that classification supports long-term ecosystem resilence
