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practical skills Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

why should you have a large sample size?

A

increased reliability of data + more representative

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2
Q

when should you use systematic sampling?

A

when about distance, samples are taken at (named) regular intervals

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3
Q

when should random sampling be used?

A

when the area is uniform, used for studying distribution (of plants or animals that don’t move much)

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4
Q

when should a transect be used?

A

if there is an environmental gradient

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5
Q

what’s the difference between a belt vs. line transect?

A

belt = with quadrat along the transect
- gives info on abundance but may be potentially more damaging
line = no quadrat, just whatever’s touching the transect directly
- quick + easy

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6
Q

why use random sampling?

A

-eliminates bias - data is representative
-allows use of stats test

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7
Q

what are some considerations when using quadrats?

A
  • the size of quadrat (based of size of species + distribution)
    -number of samples taken in an area - [min 10, until running mean levels out]
    -position of each quadrat - random no. generator + coordinates
    ^(calc. = Rnd#1-10) eg. 10Rnd#
    -type of quadrat eg. gridded
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8
Q

how many repeats should one do?

A

minimum 10 (more = better)
- large enough number to ensure reliable data
- enough to carry out a stats test
-until running mean levels off with little fluctuations
^any more = waste of time, not efficent

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9
Q

what’s the calculation for: population density

A

population density = number/area
(individuals m^2-1) (m^2)

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10
Q

how do you work out % cover?

A

estimate of area covered in quadrat

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11
Q

which area is more species diverse: index of 1.5 or 2.7

A

2.7! - higher no.= more diverse

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12
Q

when do you use %cover?

A

if species abundant is difficult to count individuals eg. moss
+ data collected very quickly

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13
Q

why calculate frequency?

A

gives an idea of what species are present eg. is 13/30 quadrats have species.. frequency =43%
dis = no info on pop. density

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14
Q

what is a representative sample?

A

a sample/ small portion of the total that accurately reflects the entire population

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15
Q

whats the ideal sample size?

A

samples until the running mean levels out

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16
Q

how does one ensure their results are representative?

A

standardize!!!!!!!
eg. what, where, when, how, how many etc..
^^keep all the same BUT the IV
+large enough sample size

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17
Q

describe the steps of mark recapture release

A

-capture no. of animals
-carefully mark them
-release them + allow time to re-integrate with pop.
-collect 2nd sample
-count + record no. of marked + unmarked
-use Lincoln index to estimate pop. size

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18
Q

what is Lincoln index + what is it and MRR used for?

A

estimating population size:

total pop. = number or organisms in sample 1 x
. number of organisms in sample 2
. —————————————————
. number of marked organism in sample 2

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19
Q

what does MRR assume?

A
  • no natural population change ie. no deaths, births, migration etc..
    -there is enough time/ the population is fully re-integrated/mixed
    -all organisms have an equal likelihood of getting caught
    -the marks are don’t rub off/ the individuals are identifiable
    -the sample size is large enough
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20
Q

how can data be made scientifically valid?

A

-do a large amount of samples
- collect samples at different times of day, season, and year etc..

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21
Q

what should you do if the question says “use the information”

A

quote data!!!!

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22
Q

what does -1 at the end of a unit mean?

A

per
ie. LU-1 = per livestock unit

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23
Q

what should be done if you don’t know the calculations for a maths question

A

multiply or divide and then pick the most reasonable answer

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24
Q

what is the structure for a practical question

A

technique, representative and data collected

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25
Q

what is meant by ‘representative’ in the structure of a practical question answer

A
  • location and timing - systematic or random (always say one!!)
  • number of repeats (for reliable data +/ carry out a stat test)
  • standardisation
  • sample size
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26
Q

name three factors for areas that should be standardised if they are not being investigated

A

climate, temperature, vegetation, time of year/ season etc..

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27
Q

name 10 lowkey sampling techniques

A
  • kick sampling
  • surber samplers
  • suction samplers/ pooters
  • pitfall traps
  • sweep nets
  • beating trays
  • transect lines
  • quadrats
  • light traps
  • tullgren funnel
  • collection of earthworms
  • indirect evidence
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28
Q

why use a beating tray

A

to sample populations of invertebrates attached to overhanging branches of shrubs or trees

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29
Q

describe how to use beating trays

A

a tray/ sheet is placed under a branch, the branch is hit repeatedly with a stick, invertebrates are dislodged and fall off

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30
Q

what are the limitations of beating trays

A
  • hard to standardise force of branched striking
  • some species are more easily dislodged than others
  • not all branches can be reached
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31
Q

name ways to standardise the use of beating trays

A
  • the size of the tray
  • the number of hits
  • weather conditions
  • time of day/ year
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32
Q

describe how to use transect Lines

A

-line placed along an environmental gradient
- samples taken at points along the line 9

33
Q

name a limitation of transect lines

A

only representative data if transect is typical of area of study

34
Q

name ways to standardise transect Lines

A

-distance between points
- weather conditions
- time of day/ year

35
Q

name an advantage of quadrats

A

can calculate frequency and percentage cover

36
Q

name a limitation of quadrats

A

-May involve selective judgement eg. percentage cover
-frame may flatten/ damage vegetation

37
Q

why use light traps

A

to sample populations of insects attracted to bright lights - usually night flying insects

38
Q

describe how to use a light trap

A

light trap is left overnight, bright light attracts flying insects into trap

39
Q

name a limitation of light traps

A

light may be more attractive to certain species

40
Q

name ways to standardise light traps

A
  • wavelength of light
  • power / brightness of light
  • size and type of trap
  • time left outside
  • weather conditions
  • time of year/ ear season
41
Q

why use a tullgren funnel

A

to sample populations of mobile invertebrates in soil/ Leaf litter

42
Q

describe how to use a tullgren funnel

A

soil/ Leaf litter placed on mesh tray with light above, invertebrates are repelled by light and move downwards into the pot

43
Q

name some limitations of tullgren funnels

A

-not all species are repelled by light/ heat
- some species are too large to pass through the mesh
- organisms may die due to heating

44
Q

why use photographic surveys

A

to sample large organisms or those that tend to be rarer with low population densities

45
Q

describe the use of photographic surveys

A

motion sensitive cameras are used to estimate abundance or aerial photographic surveys if there is open land

46
Q

name some limitations of using photographic surveys

A
  • some species are more likely to be spotted
  • some individuals may trigger the camera multiple times
47
Q

describe sampling by indirect methods for sampling

A

markers used to identify individuals that are exclusive or too rare to be seen normally
- markers can range from:
- droppings
- nests/ Burrows
- footprints/ tracks
- territorial marks
-(sometimes DNA analysis)

with these, population abundance can be determined

48
Q

name a limitation of using indirect evidence for sampling

A

-may require technology to analyse and determine different individuals
- organisms are not actually seen
- only impressions and opinions, not hard evidence

49
Q

why use the collection of earthworms

A

to sample earthworm population in soil

50
Q

describe using collection of earthworms

A

-area of soil is flooded with irritant solution (eg. dilute acid, mustard water etc..)
-area is marked out with quadrat
- soil is observed for set time
- worms may appear and be collected

51
Q

some limitations of using the collection of earthworms technique

A
  • differences in soil will influence results
  • some worms may escape by moving sideways
52
Q

name ways to standardise the collection of earthworms

A
  • time left waiting
  • volume of solution
  • size of quadrat/ area
  • weather conditions (ie. rainfall)
  • time of day/ year
53
Q

name six specialised sampling techniques

A
  • tagging
  • auditory monitoring
  • photographing
  • Trackers
  • satellite sensing
  • DNA databases
  • indirect evidence
54
Q

name an advantage of using indirect methods for sampling

A

easy to administer

55
Q

why use satellite sensing

A
  • for seeing what animals are present and where
    -weather monitoring
  • infrared admitted - shows vegetation density and temperature
  • reflected visible light - for creating maps and environmental changes
56
Q

name advantages of satellite sensing

A

large amounts of data
can see animal movement and activity

57
Q

name a disadvantage of satellite sensing

A

only shows one point at a time

58
Q

why use DNA databases

A

to identify individuals, Gene pools, and other genetic relationships ( genetic diversity) eg.eDNA shed in water

59
Q

what is eDNA

A

environmental DNA

60
Q

name the advantages of using DNA databases

A
  • very specific
  • DNA can be compared, can track back to find it origin
61
Q

name disadvantages for using DNA databases

A
  • have to get close up to the animal to extract DNA
  • DNA degrades quickly (in warm conditions)
62
Q

why use tagging

A

to identify already caught organisms for information on movement and life span eg. rings on bird legs

63
Q

name an advantage of tagging

A

clear to tell exactly which animal

64
Q

name a disadvantage of tiger

A
  • can be irritating to the animal
  • could be removed
65
Q

why use auditory monitoring

A

species that cannot be seen can be found by the sounds they produce eg. bats

66
Q

name an advantage of auditory monitoring

A

information can be gathered with interfering

67
Q

name a disadvantage of auditory monitoring

A

the animal is not actually seen

68
Q

why use photographing

A

using a range of technologies to monitor the presence and activity of individuals day and night/ behavioural habits eg. camera traps, radio, GPS, acoustic transmitters

69
Q

name an advantage of photographing

A

can be set up and left

70
Q

name a disadvantage of photographing

A

only sees one moment at a time

71
Q

why use trackers

A

trackers place on animals to track movements

72
Q

name an advantage of trackers

A

easy to gather data
can be reused

73
Q

name a disadvantage of tractors

A

battery can run out
can irritate the animal

74
Q

what does “used in preference” mean

A

why better than _______

75
Q

what is the structure of a 9 marker

A

3-4:
point - detail/ explanation - examples
eg. technology - data provided - conservation value

76
Q

what is needed for a 9 marker

A

B- breath
R- relevance
E- examples
A- accuracy
K- key terms

77
Q

what is Simpson’s diversity index

A

(sum of) n(n-1)

78
Q

what does N mean in Simpson’s diversity index

A

total number of all species

79
Q

what does n mean in Simpson’s diversity index

A

total number of each species

environmental science (4 decks)

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