Experiment 16

Title: Ecological study of terrestrial habitat.

Objective:
(a) To identify plant population in a terrestrial habitat.
(b) To study the biotic and abiotic factors in terrestrial habitat.
Learning Outcome
At the end of the experiment, student should be able:
(a) to use the correct technique of quadrat sampling;
(b) to estimate plant distribution in a terrestrial habitat;
(c) to relate soil pH and plant distribution in a terrestrial habitat.
Introduction
Plant and animals are biotic factors that play an important role in ecosystem. The
population of plants and animals in a particular habitat can be measured by methods of
quadrat and line transect. The samples obtained from quadrats are representative of the
habitat in general. Abiotic factors such as pH also play a big role in the distribution of
plant in a particular habitat. In this study your will learn a quadrat sampling technique for
estimation of plant population in a chosen terrestrial area.
Material and apparatus
1m x 1m quadrat
5 test-tube with stopper
Test-tube rack
Spatula
10cm
3
pipette
Universal indicator
Barium sulphate powder
pH chart
Soil borer
5 plastic bags
Marker pen

Procedure
A. Determination of plant population using a quadrat sampling technique
1. Identify 5 dominant plant species in the selected habitat.
2. Randomly throw in the quadrat.
3. For each quadrat:
(a) Identify the presence of the individual plant species. Record your data in
Table 1.
(b) Count the number of the individual plant species. Record your data in Table 2.
(c) Calculate the area of coverage of the individual plant species. Record your
data in Table 3.
4. Repeat the step 2 and 3 for the next 9 quadrats.
Formulas:
(a) Species x frequency = no of quadrat containing the species x
total number of quadrats X100

(b) Relative species x frequency = Species x frequency
Total frequency of all species X100

(c) Species x density = Total number of the species x
(Total number of quadrat x area of each quadrat) X100

(d) Relative species x density = Species x density
Total density of all species X100

(e) Species x coverage = Total area of coverage of species x
Total number of quadrat X100

(f) Relative species x coverage = Species x coverage
Total coverage of all species X100


A. Determination of soil pH
(Note: Soil sample are obtained from 5 quadrats above)

1. Collect the soil samples by pressing the soil borer into the soil.
2. Using the piston to remove the soil sample from the borer.
3. Put one full spatula of barium sulphate into a dry test tube.
4. Add one full spatula of soil into the test tube.
5. Fill the test tube with distilled water until 3 4 full.
6. Add 5-6 drops of Universal indicator.
7. Place a stopper and shake the tube well. Allow the tube to stand for short
while until a clear coloured liquid formed at the top.
8. Compare the colour of the liquid with the pH chart and record the pH.
9. Repeat step 3 to 8 for the next four soil samples.
10. Record all pH readings in Table 4.
Result

Table 1 : presence of plant species


Plant
species

Quadrat



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Total
number of
quadrat
containing
species x


Species
frequenc
y
(%)

Relative
species
frequency
(%)

A

B

C

D

E




Total







Table 2 : Number of plant species




Plant
species

Quadrat



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


Total
number
of
species x





Species
density
(m
2
)


Relative
species
density
(%)

A

B

C

D

E




Total




Table 3 :Area of coverage



Plant
species

Quadrat



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Total
area of
coverage
of
species x


Species
coverage
(%)

Relative
species
coverage
(%)

A

B

C

D

E




Total



Table 4 : Soil sample pH

Soil sample

Colour

pH

1



2



3



4



5


Average pH


Disscussion
1. State the purpose of using barium sulphate.


2. State the relationship between the soil pH and the most abundant plant in the
habitat.


Conclusion


THE END