Abundance And Distribution

Question 1

What is Distribution?

Answer 1

Where a species of organisms is found in the environment and how it is arranged

Question 2

What is Abundance ?

Answer 2

The relative representation of species found in a habitat

Question 3

What are the three main types of distribution ? Explain

Answer 3

1. Uniform distribution - resources and thinly but evenly spread
2. Clumped distribution -animals have specific requirements and group together
3. Random Distribution- result of plentiful resources and no hostility

Question 4

What are the two main ways of sampling an area ?

Answer 4

1. Quadrats

2. Transects

Question 5

Quadrats is a method of quantitative sampling . What are the main types of Quadrats ?

Answer 5

1. Frame Quadrats
2. Point Quadrats
3. Permanent Quadrats

Question 6

Limitations of a frame Quadrat?

Answer 6

Limitations to the area you can sample

The randomness of the sampling sites

Question 7

Limitations of the ACFOR scale?

Answer 7

It’s subjective
No set definitions
Species can be rated according to how obvious they are and not how abundant

Question 8

You can use transects to investigate whether a change in distribution is linked to an abiotic factor. What are the two main types of transects ?

Answer 8

1. Line transects- stretch a tale between two points and record every individual plant or animal that touches the ground
2. Belt transects- stretch two tapes and the ground between them is surveyed ( can add frame quadrats for systematic sampling )

Question 9

Name some abiotic factors and how they are measured.

Answer 9

1. Temperature - temperature probe
2. Light intensity - light meter
3. Ph - ph meter
4. Wind speed - anemometer
5. Slope of an incline - clinometer
6. Oxygen levels - oxygen probe