Unit 2-Field Techniques For Biologists Flashcards
What is a risk assessment?
document that
- identifies the potential hazards
- assesses the likelihood of them happening
- clearly describes the steps that can be taken to minimize their occurrence
What are two extra risks of fieldwork compared with lab-work?
terrain
weather
unpredictability, lack of control
What are the four hazards involved in field work?
Terrain
Weather Conditions
Isolation
Tides
What can you do to prepare for
- terrains
- tides
- appropriate footwear
- consult tide tables
how should sampling be carried out
manner that minimizes impact on wild species and habitats
What are the three main sampling techniques
Transect Surveys
Point count
Remote detection
Describe a transect study
- A transect is a line along which different samples can be taken
- set up in an area where abiotic factors are changing
- plant abundance/abundance of sessile organisms are sampled
- can use quadrats or meters
What is a point count? Give an example of a species that is sampled using a point count
- sampling technique where counting all the species seen/heard in a given area over a set period of time
- stationary point
- comparisons can be made throughout the year
Example - birds
Give a sampling technique that can be used for elusive species
remote detection
Give examples of remote detection
Scat sampling
Camera traps
What are the three types of sampling techniques?
Random
Stratified
Systematic
Describe random sampling
Individuals selected from the larger populations must be chosen completely at chance
What is this an example of?
10 people from each year were chosen to complete a health test
Stratified
What type of sampling are transect surveys?
Systematic
How can a species be identified?
Classification guides
Biological Keys
Lab Analysis of DNA
What is a benefit of being familiar with taxonomic groupings?
Allows predictions to be made about the biology of an unknown or lesser-known organism