Field techniques for Biologists Flashcards
What aspects can present a hazard?
Adverse weather conditions, difficult terrain, problems associated with isolation,
contact with harmful organisms.
How should sampling be carried out?
Sampling should be carried out in a manner that minimises impact on wild species and habitats.
What should consideration be given to?
Consideration must be given to rare and vulnerable species and habitats that are protected by legislation.
What must be appropriate to the species being sampled?
The chosen technique, point count, transect or remote detection must be appropriate to the species being sampled.
What is used for plants and other sessile or slow-moving organisms?
Quadrats of suitable size and shape, or transects are used for plants and other sessile or slow moving organisms.
What are used for mobile species?
Capture techniques, such as traps and nets, are used for mobile species.
How are elusive species sampled?
Elusive species can be sampled directly using camera traps or an indirect method such as scat sampling.
How can identification of an organism in a sample be made?
Identification of an organism in a sample can be made using classification guides, biological keys or analysis of DNA or protein.
How can organisms be classified?
Organisms can be classified by both taxonomy and phylogenetics.
What does taxonomy involve?
Taxonomy involves the identication and naming of organisms and their classification into groups based on shared characteristics.
What is phylogenetics?
Phylogenetics is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.
How has phylogenetics affected the classification of many organisms?
Phylogenetics is changing the traditional classification of many organisms.
What does familiarity with taxonomic grouplings allow?
Familiarity with taxonomic grouplings allows predictions and inferences to be made about the biology of an organism from better known orgamnisms.
What are model organisms?
Model organisms are those that are either easily studied or have been well studied.
What can information obtained from model organsisms be used for?
Information obtained from them can be applied to other species that are more difficult to study directly.
