Field techniques Flashcards
What does a risk assessment include? (4).
- identify foreseeable risks.
- Evaluate likely risks.
- Control measures.
- Record safe working practices.
Name types of hazards. (4).
- Terrain
- Isolation
- Weather
- Contact with harmful organisms
What must sampling be?
Data should be representative of the population.
How can researchers minimise their impact. (2).
- If sampling has a negative impact o on population number, research should not be carried out.
- Rare or vulnerable species may require a license.
Explain random sampling.
Each member of the population has an equal chance of inclusion.
Explain systematic sampling. (2).
- Members of a population are selected at random intervals.
- A transect can be used to systematically attain samples along an environmental gradient.
Explain stratified sampling. (2).
- Population are categorised.
- A proportionate number of observations are made of each group.
- In the enviroment a habitat may be split into zones and a proportional number of samples taken from each zone.
What sampling technique is used for slow moving or sessile creatures and to determine percent ground cover?
Quadrat.
What is the difference between a line transect and a belt transect?
- Line - Individuals touching the line at a station are counted.
- Belt - Used to sample a wider zone, can be used to study a community of plants or sessile animals. Use of quadrats at every station.
Describe three techniques for sampling mobile species? (3).
- Point count - All organisms observed from a fixed location are recorded.
- Camera trap - Used for elusive species and means an observer does not need to be present.
- Scat sampling - Involves counting droppings to determine dietary information and allow DNA analysis.
What are the three methods of identifying organisms?
- Classification of organisms - usually deals with a related group of species.
- Biological keys - Used to identify more difficult species and usually laid out as a series of questions and answers leading to identification.
- DNA or protein analysis.
Describe taxonomy.
Where organisms are identified and named by classification groups determined by characteristics. Based on morphology.
Describe phylogenetic.
Study of evolutionary history and relationships between groups or individuals and is changing the traditional classifications of many species. Uses heritable traits such as;
1. Morphology
2. DNA sequencing
2. Protein structure
What are the three phylums?
- Nematodes - Round worm invertebrates.
- Arthropods - Made of invertebrates with jointed legs and a hard exoskeleton.
- Chordates - Animals with a backbone.
Describe divergent evolution.
Occurs when two separate species evolve differently from a common ancestor.
