Q8 Ecology Flashcards
Identify any 5 fauna and any 5 flora using simple keys
Flora: Dandelion, Grass, Clover, Nettles, Daisies, Dock leaves, Buttercup
Fauna: Ladybirds, Caterpillars, Butterflies, Spiders, Slugs, Beetles, Snails
What is a key (for flora and fauna)?
A key is a means of naming organisms by answering a series of questions with alternative answers.
Identify and use various apparatus required for collection methods
• Pooter: Suck through mesh tube – Insects, spiders
• Beating tray: Hit branches, insects fall onto white sheet – Insects, caterpillars, spiders
• Pitfall trap: Sink into soil – Crawling insects, spiders
• Sweep net: Sweep through grass – Insects
• Tullgren funnel: Heat soil sample, insects fall into alcohol – Insects
To carry out a QUANTITATIVE survey of plants (% Frequency)
Method:
• Throw a pen over your shoulder (random, reduces bias, safety).
• Place quadrat over pen.
• Note presence/absence of two plants.
• Repeat 10 times.
• Calculate % Frequency = (No. of quadrats with organism ÷ Total quadrats) × 100.
• Record in table and plot graph.
Disadvantages of % Frequency method
• Dependent on organism and quadrat size
• Assumes organisms are evenly distributed
To carry out a QUANTITATIVE study of plants (% Cover)
Method:
• Throw a pen over shoulder (random).
• Place quadrat over pen.
• Push pencil at grid points; record plant if touched.
• Repeat 10 times.
• Calculate % Cover = (Number of hits ÷ Total points) × 100.
• Record results and plot graph.
To carry out a QUANTITATIVE survey of animals (Capture-recapture)
Method:
• 1st visit: mark and release snails.
• 2nd visit: recapture, count marked and unmarked snails.
• Population Size = (No. caught on Day 1 × No. caught on Day 2) ÷ No. marked recaptured
What are four abiotic factors present in the ecosystem
Ground Temperature
Air temperature
Soil PH
Light intensity
How is ground temperature measured and what does it influence?
Directly affects the metabolic rate in organisms. High temp in summer = rapid plant growth + high level animal activity.
Low in winter = hibernation and death
How is air temperature measured and what does it influence?
Directly affects the metabolic rate in organisms. High temp in summer = rapid plant growth + high level animal activity.
Low in winter = hibernation and death
How is soil PH measured
PH probe **
How does soil pH influence plant growth?
Soil pH determines which plants can grow successfully in an area.
How is light intensity measured
Light meter measured in LUX
What is a tullgren funnel as a collection method
Place soil sample on the gauze, turn on the light, the heat front he light forces insects to burrow into the soil and drop in the alcohol underneath
