Name: ______Block: ______Date: ______
Biodiversity Activity: Quadrat Sampling
Background: In this lab you will be performing quadrat sampling to determine the biodiversity and ecosystem health of different components of the same habitat. Biodiversity is the variety (types) of life that live in a specific habitat. In general, the more species that live in a habitat, the healthier the habitat. “Quadrat sampling” is a term for sampling portions of an ecosystem to indicate the health of the overall habitat. To perform this procedure, a series of squares (quadrats) of a set size (in our case, 16 squares) are placedat random in a habitat. The species within those quadrats are identified, counted, and recorded.
- What is biodiversity? ______
- What are quadrats? ______
- Why do we conduct quadrat sampling? ______
______ - What size quadrats are we using? ______x ______(Note they are squares!)
Overview: You will choose two locations toss your quadrat. To conduct the sampling within your quadrat, simply count the number of species and the number of individual organisms in each square. Our basic biodiversity score is calculated by dividing the number of species found by the number of individuals found. These scores can then be compared between the two locations.
- What are we counting within each quadrat? ______
- How do you calculate biodiversity score? ______
- How many samples (locations) will you test? ______
Experimental Design: When walking around the lawn surrounding the school, you may notice that trees line the perimeter. But have you ever looked underneath the trees? How does life beneath the trees compare to the life surrounding the trees? How might shade, root growth, or falling leaves impact biodiversity? Today you will draw conclusions about Eastie’s tree biodiversity by answering the question…
My testable question: “How does distance from the base of a tree impact biodiversity?”
Before beginning, what do you think is the answer to this question?
My hypothesis: ______
Procedure:
- Choose a tree that you want to use for testing.
- Toss the quadrat right under the tree so that it is near the trunk. Assign squares to each group member to count the organisms.
- For each square, begin counting and recording the number and type of different species within each of your assigned squares. Even if you don’t know the species’ name, just label them “Grass Type 1, Grass Type 2, etc.”. Record information on the chart on the next page.
- Within each of the species you listed, count how many individuals there are per species. Record information on the chart on the next page.
- Ask your group members for their data, and add to your data chart. Then add up all the species/individuals for your entire quadrat and calculate the biodiversity score.
- Complete this same procedure for your 2nd location- 10 paces from the tree trunk.
An example quadrat square is shown below.
Upper left square (1st square):
# species = 2 species (grass, clover)
# individual organisms = 70 grass blades + 1 clover = 71 individuals
**complete counting for each square**
Biodiversity score = ______TOTAL species / ______TOTAL individuals = ______
Data:
LOCATION #1: Base of tree
# Species:# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals:
# Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals:
# Species:
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# Species:
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# Individuals:
List types of different species seen in your squares: ______
______
Write down any additional species from other group members: ______
______
Calculations:
1. Count total number of different species, based on the types you wrote down for the whole group above.
Total # species for Location #1 = ______
2. Count the total number of individual organisms, by adding up the numbers from each of your sixteen squares.
Total # individuals for Location #1 = ______
3. Calculate the Biodiversity score by dividing the number of species found by the number of individuals found.
______species / ______individuals = ______ Biodiversity Score for Location #1
LOCATION #2: 10 paces from base of tree
# Species:# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals:
# Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals:
# Species:
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# Individuals:
# Species:
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# Individuals: / # Species:
# Individuals:
List types of different species seen in your squares: ______
______
Write down any additional species from other group members: ______
______
Calculations:
1. Count total number of different species, based on the types you wrote down for the whole group above.
Total # species for Location #2 = ______
2. Count the total number of individual organisms, by adding up the numbers from each of your sixteen squares.
Total # individuals for Location #2 = ______
3. Calculate the Biodiversity score by dividing the number of species found by the number of individuals found.
______species / ______individuals = ______ Biodiversity Score for Location #2
Analysis:
1. What does it mean scientifically if one location has a higher biodiversity score than another location? ______
______
______
2. Based on the biodiversity score for your two locations…
A) What can you conclude about the answer to your testable question? (Provide evidence from today!)
B) Why do you think that is the case? (Use your person experience to answer this.)
______
3. How did your results compare with your hypothesis? ______
______
4. What factors could have impacted your results and caused the data to be off? List and explain at least three possible factors. ______
______
______
______
5. What is something new that you learned today? ______
______
______