Ecology Required Practicals

Field Investigations Practicals

Preparing microscope slide with onion skin
Investigation 1. Population size
  1. Using two tape measures, create a 20m x 20m square in a field.
  2. Use a random number generator to obtain two random numbers between 0 and 20. Use the numbers as coordinatesa long the tape measures.
  3. Set down a quadrat at the coordinates.
  4. Count and record the number of Daisies inside the quadrat.
  5. Repeat steps 2 - 4 nine more times to have a total of ten measurements.
  6. Add up the number of Daisies recorded inside all ten quadrats.
  7. Estimate the total number of Daisies in the 20x20m field using the equation:
    Total population size=Total AreaArea sampled×Number of Daisies recorded in sampled areas
Setting up the microscope with prepared slide
Investigation 2. Effect of variation in a factor
  1. Lay a tape measure from the base of a tree to an open area of ground.
  2. Place a quadrat touching the 0m mark on the tape measure.
  3. Count and record the number of daisies in the quadrat.
  4. Repeat step 3, placing a quadrat at 5m intervals along the tape measure until the end of the transect line.
  5. Plot a graph of the number of daisies against the distance from the 0m mark.