Ecological & Behavioural Sampling Flashcards
measuring biodiversity
total species list
most useful for well-studied groups such as birds and large mammals
2 communities in which total counts are not feasibile
soil microbes + coral reefs
too diverse to count
measuring biodiversity
subsample using quadrats or transects
count all species on several quadrats or transects of known size and extrapolate the average to the whole area
reliability of quadrats depends on (3)
1- # of species in each quadrat must be determines exactly
2- area of quadrat known
3- quadrat counted must be reprsentative of the the whole area
some form of random sampling
Quadrat sampling can ___
random, systematic, stratified random or snowball sampling
measuring biodiversity
time-restricted search // rapid biodiversity assessment
habitat is searched for a set period of time & species recorded
measuring biodiversity
species discovery curves
construct a species accumulation curve
highly depedent on sampling effort ( time invested + ground covered)
Quantifying density across transects
-relative density
-camera traps
-tracking stations
capture-recapture methods
capture,mark, release
- in subsequent samples, the portion marked should be representative of proportion marked in whole population
biodiversity indicators
an indicator species’status reflects the status of other species in a community
ex: taxon based indicator species
woodpeckers are indicators of forest bird diversity
rapid inventories for conservation
conservation tool designed to assess the biological importance of priority sites for conservation
conservation priority sites
plants, birds, mammals, fishes, frogs, geology, soil diversity, water characteristics
HUMAN DIMENSIONS
observational methods for behaviour sampling
ad lib
focal animal
scan sample
one-zero sampling
method descriptions
focal animal (pair or group)
restricts data recording during sample period to one animal, pair, or group
method descriptions
ad-lib
opportunistic sampling with no constraints
method descriptions
one-zero
record the occurence (1) or nonoccurence (0) of selected behaviours during sequential sample intervals
method descriptions
instantaneous or scan
record behaviour of an individual (instantaneous) or group (scan) at sequential, predetermined points in time
selection of animal
- random
- systematic
- stratified
indirect measures
- stress hormones
- ketones
- c-peptide
habitat selection
how organisms evaluate + select an environment from the different alternatives available
non-random distribution
behavioural component (choice)
how to determine habitats
correlative studies
- assume species density is proportional to the quality of habitat
Problem!!! Source - Sinks
ideal free distribution theory
competing individuals distribute themselves between reosurce patches in such a way that each individual receives the same payoffs
ideal free distribution theory assumptions
equality
- first animals use the best patch
- no difference in competitive ability
- no territoriality