sampling biodiversity in tropical forests (lecture 2)

Question 1

What are the problems of sampling in tropics?

Answer 1

• double counting due to overlap of sampling area or missing out individuals to avoid this
• difficulties in identification: counting many species as one or vice versa
• difficult to spot things/hear things
• was enough sampled to get a picture of species richness?

Question 2

How to design a point-count study in the tropics?

Answer 2

• sample at least two widely spaced sample landscapes
• too close = not independent
• effective sample zone must be unique community
• visit point counts early for birds & mammals
• change order that you visit a set of counts
• cumulative species/individuals
• curve should reach asymptote if sampled enough

Question 3

What are pros of sampling for species richness in the tropics?

Answer 3

pros

• shows that you have sampled effectively when your accumulation levels curve off
• good at showing big differences in numbers of species between groups/habitats

Question 4

What are cons of sampling for species richness in the tropics?

Answer 4

cons

• doesn’t show how abundance changes within a species
• doesn’t show if species present are same or different at different sites
• total species richness is misleading if sample effort isn’t equal between groups
• use in conjunction with species composition