Simpsons Diversity Index

Question 1

Explain the importance of taking a large number of samples at each site

Answer 1

Produces a more reliable mean - makes sure the sample is representative - allows anomalies to be more easily identified

Question 2

What is ‘Simpson’s Diversity index’

Answer 2

used as a measure of biodiversity all sources scored between 0-1 all scores between 0-1

Question 3

Explain the importance of taking samples at random

Answer 3

Removes bias

Question 4

What is ‘Capture, Mark and recapture’

Answer 4

Technique used to estimate the size of a population of animals that moves around

Question 5

What does ‘Capture, Mark and recapture’ assume?

Answer 5

all individuals are equally likely to be caught & there is no immigration/emigration births/deaths between the two visits to the site. Marks are not lost between samples. Mark doesn’t harm the animal, mark doesn’t affect the chances of recapture

Question 6

Suggest how they decided where to take their samples?

Answer 6

create a grid, use a random number number generator to generate random coordinates

Question 7

Suggest the advantage of using fluorescent powder in this experiment (can only be seen with UV light

Answer 7

doesn’t affect the survival of the species or predation