4.2.2- Sampling Plants

Question 1

When visiting a habitat, it may be best to use…

Answer 1

A range of sampling techniques

Question 2

When may it be helpful to modify the sampling technique you’re using when sampling plants, from random sampling?

Answer 2

When the habitat isn’t homogenous (even).

Question 3

How can large plants like trees be sampled?

Answer 3

By simply being counted individually.

Question 4

How are very small plants sampled normally and why?

Answer 4

By taking a percentage ground cover measurement to make collecting the sample data more manageable as they may be too small or numerous to count.

Question 5

What is a quadrat?

Answer 5

A square frame that’s used to define the size of a sample area. Normally 50cm^2 or 1m^2.

Question 6

Quadrats are used to measure the __________ ________ of plants in a sample area.

Answer 6

Percentage cover.

Question 7

How can estimates of percentage cover within a quadrat be made more accurate?

Answer 7

Using a grid of sting that divides the quadrat into a number of smaller squares.

Question 8

Explain how percentage cover within a quadrat can be measures using a point frame.

Answer 8

It is a frame that holds a number of long needles or pointers. It’s lowered onto the quadrat and done ten times as each frame has ten needles- each plant touching the needles are recorded and each one is worth 1%.

Question 9

What is a transect?

Answer 9

A like that’s taken across a habitat and used for sampling plants. Made of string or a tape measure

Question 10

What is a like transect and how would one be used.

Answer 10

A line is set throughout a habitat and all plants touching the line at set intervals along it are recorded.

Question 11

Explain what an interrupted belt transect is and how one can be used.

Answer 11

A quadrat is used at set intervals along the transect to provide quantitative data at intervals along the habitat.

Question 12

Explain what a continuous belt transect is and how one can be used.

Answer 12

A quadrat is placed beside the like and moved along the line to study it in detail to provide quantitative data.

Question 13

What are the three different ways a transect can be used to sample plants?

Answer 13

Line transect
Interrupted belt transect
Continuous belt transect

Question 14

List the six things you should do when planning and preparing to do your sampling.

Answer 14

• wear suitable clothing, will range depending on sample site
• suitable footwear
• clipboard, pen and paper to record observations
• appropriate keys to identify plants
• camera/ smartphone to record specimens and grid location
• any apparatus needed- eg pooter