Chapter 2 Flashcards
Explain how climate change data can lead to false reporting, greenwashing, or misuse by specific groups.
*Greenwashing: Selective reporting or manipulation to create a false narrative (e.g., companies highlighting minor eco-friendly practices while downplaying overall harm).
*Misuse by groups: Data may be cherry-picked to support political/economic agendas, misleading policymakers and the public, hindering climate action.
State how to calculate a sample size and interpret results
Minimum size is 100. If less than 100 must include all individuals.
Maximus sample size is 10% don’t exceed 1000.
ex- 2750/10= 250 is sample size
Quadrats: When to use, benefits, limitations?
When to use: Sedentary/slow-moving organisms (plants, insects).
Benefits: Low cost, standardized data.
Limitations: Less effective for mobile species, may miss rare organisms.
Pitfall traps: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Ground insects (e.g., beetles).
Benefits: Passive, simple.
Limitations: Bias toward active species, weather affects results.
Sweep nets: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Flying insects (e.g., grasshoppers).
Benefits: Quick, covers large areas.
Limitations: Disturbs habitat, may kill delicate species.
Beating trays: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Arboreal insects (e.g., caterpillars).
Benefits: Effective for canopy species.
Limitations: Labor-intensive, seasonal bias.
Kick sampling: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Aquatic invertebrates.
Benefits: Simple, effective in streams.
Limitations: Disturbs sediment, misses deep-water species.
Light traps: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Nocturnal insects (e.g., moths).
Benefits: Targets specific groups.
Limitations: Weather-dependent, attracts non-target species.
Capture-mark-recapture: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Mobile animals (e.g., fish).
Benefits: Estimates population size.
Limitations: Assumes closed population, marking may harm animals.
Water turbidity: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Measures sediment in water.
Benefits: Indicates pollution.
Limitations: Doesn’t identify pollutant type.
Questionnaires: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Human attitudes/behavior (e.g., recycling habits).
Benefits: Cheap, large sample size.
Limitations: Response bias, low depth.
Interviews: When to use, benefits, limitations?
Use: Detailed human perspectives.
Benefits: Rich qualitative data.
Limitations: Time-consuming, small sample size.
Calculate population size using the Lincoln Index.
N = (n₁ × n₂) / m
N = estimated population size
n₁ = number of individuals captured and marked in the first sample
n₂ = total number of individuals captured in the second sample
m = number of marked individuals recaptured in the second sample
Calculate Simpson’s Index of Diversity. What do high/low values mean?
D=1−∑( N/n) ^2
n = number of individuals of a species
N = total number of individuals in the community
High D (close to 1): High biodiversity (stable ecosystem).
Low D (close to 0): Low biodiversity (dominant species, unstable).
Calculate percentage cover and frequency using quadrats. Define ACFOR.
% Cover: (Squares occupied by species / Total squares) × 100.
Frequency: (Quadrats with species / Total quadrats) × 100.
ACFOR: Abundance categories (Abundant, Common, Frequent, Occasional, Rare).
Describe geospatial tools (table).
Tool:Use
Satellite sensors: Monitor, deforestation, climate
Radio tracking:Track animal migration
Computer modeling: Predict climate change impacts
Crowdsourcing: Collect data from public (e.g., iNaturalist)
What is ‘big data’? Benefits/limitations?
Definition: Extremely large datasets analyzed computationally.
Benefits: Identifies trends, informs policy.
Limitations: Privacy concerns, data bias, requires expertise.
