3.1.2a - Classification Processes: Ecosystems

Question 1

What are the 3 types of sampling and what do they involve?

Answer 1

1. Random Sampling:
   - random allocation (random number generator)
   - may miss rare habitat
   - simple
   - quick
2. 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
3. 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

Question 2

what are the 5 points you must cover when asked about applying a sampling type to asses a site?

Answer 2

1. Purpose
2. Site selection
3. Choice of ecological surveying technique
4. Minimisng bias
5. Methods of data presentation
6. Analysis

Mneumonic:
Purpose = passing
Site selection = stops
Choice of ecological surveying technqiue = Can
Minimising bias = Make
Methods of data presentation = More
Analysis = Accident

Question 3

How do you answer Purpose?

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

How do you answer Site Selection?

Answer 4

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”

Question 5

How do you answer choice of ecological surveying technique?

Answer 5

choose either to use:
1. quadrats
2. transects

Question 6

what are the 3 things you need to consider when using quadrats?

Answer 6

1. size: determined by
   - the study area
   - the size of the organisms being sampled
   - personal preference
2. number of quadrats used:
   - more quadrats = more representative
3. how they are placed:
   - systematic: make a grid map or use a transect and sample at regular intervals
   - random: use a random number generator

Question 7

what are the 4 ways to collect quadrat data?

Answer 7

Through measuring:
1. density
2. frequency
3. percentage cover
4. scaling measure

Question 8

what are the 4 different types of transects?

Answer 8

1. line transect
2. belt transect
3. interrupted line transect
4. ladder belt transect

Question 9

when should you use a transect?

Answer 9

yes for:
1. along a gradient
2. plants/slow moving animals
no for:
1. density of individual species
2. strata

Question 10

How do you answer “minimising bias?”

Answer 10

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

Question 11

what sampling techniques are used for animals?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

how do you answer methods of data presentation?

Answer 12

can use:
1. table
2. graphs
3. transect profile diagram (map/drawing of gradient)
4. kite diagram (percentage cover plotted as line graph)

Question 13

How do you answer analysis?

Answer 13

by heart:
- “data will be analysed using standard error and standard deviation”

Question 14

why do we classify ecosystems?

Answer 14

1. aesthetic
2. protection of vulnerable species and habiats from extinction
3. develop effective management programs
4. money - tourism

Question 15

explain how the process of classifying ecosystems is an important step towards effective ecosystem management

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

what 4 services can be obatined by managing ecosystems?

Answer 16

1. provisioning services
   - the products obtained from ecosystems
   - e.g. food, medicines
2. regulating services
   - benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes
   - e.g. flood prevention, pest control
3. cultural services
   - nonmaterial benefits obtained from ecosystems
   - e.g. educational, recreational
4. supporting services
   - services neccessary for the production of all other ecosystem services
   - e.g. biodiversity, primary productivity

Question 17

what are the ecosystem services provided by old-growth forests?

Answer 17

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)

Question 18

what are some management strategy ideas for old-growth forests?

Answer 18

• prescribed burning
• conservation and recreational use policies
• removal of exotic species

Question 19

what are the ecosystem services provided by productive soils?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

what are some management strategy ideas for productive soils?

Answer 20

• reduce overgrazing
• select appropraite crops for soil type and climate to mainatin soil productivity
• select appropraite land preparation methods

Question 21

what are the ecosystem services provided by coral reefs?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

what are some management strategy ideas for coral reefs?

Answer 22

• zoning plans
• control and removal of exotic species
• conservation and recreational use policies

Question 23

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.

Answer 23

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