Life on Earth - Sampling (+Indicator Species and Keys)

Question 1

Describe how to measure light (equipment used, mistakes, how to avoid)

Answer 1

Equipment used: Light meter
Mistakes that can be made:
- User creates shadow over the light detecting part.
- Light meter is not kept at a consistent height throughout the experiment.
How to avoid mistakes:
- Ensure shade isn’t being casted
- Keeping the meter at a consistent height throughout the experiment

Question 2

Describe how to measure temperature (equipment used, mistakes, how to avoid)

Answer 2

Equipment used: Thermometer
Mistakes that can be made:
* Not leaving enough time for the reading to adjust.
* Touching the thermometer when it is in use (human hands are warm)
How to avoid mistakes:
* Leaving enough time for the reading to adjust
* Only touching the thermometer if there is an insulating grip on it

Question 3

Describe how to measure soil pH (equipment used, mistakes, how to avoid)

Answer 3

Equipment used: soil pH meter
Mistake that can be made:
* Metal probe is not cleaned and dried, reducing the accuracy of the next reading due to contamination
How to avoid mistake:
* Making sure the metal probe is cleaned and dried between each measurement.

Question 4

Describe how to measure soil moisture (equipment used, mistakes, how to avoid)

Answer 4

Equipment used: soil moisture meter
Mistake that can be made:
* Metal probe is not cleaned and dried, reducing the accuracy of the next sample due to contamination
How to avoid mistake:
* Making sure the metal probe is cleaned and dried between each sample.

Question 5

What is an indicator species?

Answer 5

Species that by their presence or absence indicate environmental quality/levels of pollution.

Question 6

What is a key used for?

Answer 6

Used to identify sampled organisms. It is a series of discriminating questions, each of which has two answers.