Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL - CARAGA REGION CAMPUS BIOLOGY 3

LABORATORY ACTIVITY 1
BASIC FIELDWORK METHODS
Adapted from MSUIIT Laboratory and Field Manual in Bio.107.2 General Ecology
(January 29, 2019)

Name:__________________________________ Score:__________________________________
Year and Section:_________________________ Date:___________________________________

To assess how organisms are affected by the different factors around them, one of the first things a
researcher/investigator should know is the quantitative information about the population. This includes
the density of a population or the number of individuals/colonies per unit area or volume, dispersal or
pattern of distribution in a given space, frequency and biomass. Surveying the whole population is possible
but it can only be applied to those with small numbers, distinct individuals and a well bounded area. For
Most natural populations, it is very hard and destructive to count and plot each individual. Thus, it would
be practical to employ ways of obtaining valid representation to assess these aspects. This can be made
possible through proper sampling. This laboratory activity will introduce basic sampling methods and
common tools to practice the techniques and analyze data. The general types of sampling methods include
plot sampling, transect sampling and plotless sampling techniques.
Normally, sampling should be done at random to obtain an unbiased estimate of the population.
Procedures of statistical inference have also been developed with the assumption that sampling has been
conducted in this manner. The sampling should be conducted in such a way that the probability of each
individual being selected in the sample is the same. Random numbers can be used to select sampling
positions (e.g. paces along a trail, GIS coordinates, termite holes in a wall that you numbered etc.). For
instance, one may construct a map of the area and then lay a numbered grid over the map. A random
number table (which can be computer-generated) will then be used to select which squares to sample in.
in some habitats where grids are difficult to set up, such as woodlands, a random walk, may be used. In this
method, each sample point is located by taking a random number between 0 and 360, to give a compass
bearing, followed by another random number which indicates the number of paces which should be taken
in that direction.
A single measurement is generally insufficient to draw conclusions. A series of replications should
be taken to ensure reliable judgement on the characteristic that has been estimated. However, it must be
noted that sampling should always be at least destructive as possible and one should try not to trample an
area too much when carrying out surveys.

A. Plot Sampling
A commonly used procedure, plot sampling is a basic method for obtaining samples of many types
of organisms both terrestrial and aquatic, such as plants and sessile or slow-moving organisms. In ecology,
it is a method of abundance estimation in which plots are selected from within a survey region and
sampled; population estimates can then be made using the Horvitz–Thompson estimator. A plot generally
is a rectangular or a square, but circles or other shapes can also be used. Generally plot sampling is a useful
method if it can be assumed that each survey will identify all of the animals in the sampled area, and that
the animals will be distributed uniformly and independently. If the entire survey region is covered in this
manner, rather than a subset of plots that are then used for extrapolation, this is considered a census
rather than a plot sampling approach. Choice of quadrat size depends to a large extent on the type of
survey being conducted. Smaller quadrats are suggested for smaller organisms. Quadrats ranging from 0.5
to 2.0 m2 are suggested for grassland vegetation.
B. Transect Sampling
Many ecological surveys are carried out over extended periods of time, with sampling taking place
at regular intervals within a particular habitat. In such cases, it is necessary to estimate the number of
samples which should be taken at each sampling period. The minimum number of samples which should
be taken to be truly representative of a particular habitat can be ascertained by graphing the number of
species recorded, as a function of the number of samples examined.
Transect sampling is most useful when the area o be sampled is zoned in some way, or has some
sort of gradients running through it. It is also applicable to both terrestrial and aquatic populations. This
normally involves setting a sampling line across areas where there are clear environmental gradients. This
includes the line-intercept, belt transects and line transects methods.

Line – Intercept Method

A transect is simply a line stretched over an area to be studied. The line must have a regular
measurements marked off. It may be 10, 25, 50 or 100 meters long, with longer transects used for more
widely spaced organisms. The position of the transect line is very important and it depends on the
direction of the environmental gradient one wishes to study. It should be thought about carefully before it
is placed. In a way, this introduces bias. However, it is intentionally introduced into the sampling scheme
since results can be interpreted only when this is taken into account. The species touching the line may be
recorded along the whole length of the line (continuous sampling). Alternatively, the presence, or absence
of species at each marked point or at randomly selected points is recorded.
Since a line is one dimensional, density cannot be directly determined just from transect line data.
Zonation patterns and relative abundances (species A is twice as common as species B), may be obtained.

Belt Transect Method

This is similar to the line – intercept method but gives information on abundance as well as
presence, or absence of species. It may be considered as a widening of the line transect to form a
continuous belt, or series of quadrats. In this method, the transect line is laid out across the area to be
surveyed and a quadrat is placed on the first marked point on the line. The plants and/or animals inside the
quadrat are then identified and their abundance estimated.
Quadrats are sampled all the way down the transect line, at each marked point on the line, or at some
other predetermined interval or even randomly. It is important that the same person should do the
estimations of cover in each quadrat, because the estimation is likely to vary from person to person. The
height of plants in the quadrat can be recorded and the biomass of plants can also be measured by
harvesting all the plants inside the quadrat and then weighing either fresh, or dry weight in the laboratory.
This is obviously a very destructive method of sampling which could not be used too often in the same
place.

Strip Census Method

Strip census or line transect (synonymously used with line-intercept but are actually different
techniques) is a sampling method widely used by terrestrial vertebrate ecologist. A strip census involves
walking a line established through an area and recording individual observed from that line. This method
can be quantified to yield density estimates. This includes number of individuals observed per unit distance
travelled, number per unit of observation time spent, or numbers caught per trap per unit time.

C. Plotless Sampling
The plotless technique is particularly useful in areas where carrying large quadrats would be difficult
to manage such as a dense forest. It is also most suited to habitats that are relatively uniform. Plotless
methods do not use a defined area (like a quadrat), nor are they arranged linearly as in transect methods,
rather, they use distances between a point and an individual, or between two individuals.

Point-Center Quarter Method

Plotless sampling have the advantage of not having to demarcate size or shape of sampling areas
and requires less time compared to plot methods. The most commonly used plotless sampling technique is
the point-centered quarter method (PCQM). However, it is advised that this method should be checked
first with the plot method method before using it in a given area, especially if clumping or uniformly of
distribution occurs.

D. Capture – Mark Recapture Sampling

The CMR Sampling, also known as Lincoln-Peterson method, is a common method useful for
estimating the population size of a single species of highly mobile animal, such as most vertebrates.
Suppose the population is of size N. M organisms were captured, marked (or tagged) and released
back into the population. After some time, sufficient for organisms to mix, n organisms were captured, and
R of these were marked (recaptured). The proportion of recaptured organsims is assumed to be the same
as the proportion of marked organisms. Population size can be computed as:

N= Mn/R
The following conditions should be met:
1. No immigration, emigration births or deaths between the release and recapture times.
2. The probabilities of being caught are equal for all individuals (including the marked ones).
3. Marks (or tags) are not lost and are always recognizable.

The first two conditions are often non-realistic, and thus, modifications of this method have been
developed that loosen conditions. Perhaps the most popular is the Jolly-Seber method which requires
recapturing and marking of animals at regular time intervals. Animals, marked and released each time,
should have different marks so that it is possible to distinguish between individuals marked on different
dates.
Another problem arises if the population has no boundaries. In this case, a grid or traps can be
established, and only the central portion of the grid is used for analysis (because traps near the edges may
be influenced by average distance of animal dispersal.
Because the biology of different species is variable, it may be necessary to modify the capture-
recapture model.

Objectives:
1. To learn the different basic sampling techniques in estimating population density and distribution.
2. To know the advantages and disadvantages of each of the basic sampling techniques.

Materials:
30 cm (1 foot) ruler
A small 3x3 cm square (quadrat)
1000 Monggo beans (Vigna radiata)
Spoon
Marker

Procedure:

A. Laying Transects and Quadrats

1. Spread the “population” of beans over the table or floor.
2. Use the ruler as a transect line. Lay out the transect in a location you think could be best
monitor the “bean species”.
3. Count the number of individuals intercepted by the transect.
4. Lay a quadrat at the end of each transect.
5. Count the number of individuals contained in the quadrat.

B. Random Sampling
1. Map the “sampling area” (table or floor) and lay a numbered grid over it. Use a random number
table to select which squares to sample in.
2. Repeat steps 2-5 in procedure A.
3. Compare your results with that obtained from procedure A.

C. Capture – Mask Recapture Sampling

1. Place the 1000 beans in a small container enough to allow scooping (“capturing”) of
“individuals”.
2. Scoop a sample with a spoon.
3. Mark all scooped beans. Use visible marker; count all marked beans before returning (M).
4. Return the marked beans to the “population”.
5. Mix and scoop again a sample of beans.
6. Count the number of marked and unmarked beans. Total is the (n); marked (R).
7. Compute for the population size.
8. Repeat 3 times, procedure #4-6.
RESULTS TABLE:

A.1 TRANSECT SAMPLING

Transect No. No. of Individuals

1 (your group)
2
3
4
5
6
7
Average

A.2 QUADRAT SAMPLING

Transect No. Quadrat No. of Individual

1 (your group) 1
2
2 1
2
3 1
2
4 1
2
5 1
2
6 1
2
7 1
2

B. RANDOM SAMPLING

Transect No. Quadrat No. of Individuals

1 1
2
2 1
2
3 1
2
4 1
2
5 1
2
6 1
2
7 1
2
Note: Data in this table should be obtains from the same group where the data in table A.2 was obtain.
 C. Capture – Mark Recapture Sampling

Trial Marked (R) Unmarked Total (n)

1
2
3
Average

SELF ASSESSMENT:

1. What is the importance of random sampling?

2. What data can be obtained in each of the different sampling methods?

3. Compare the results in table A.2 and B. Discuss the reason of the similarity/ies and difference/s.

Prepared by:

MARY ANN M. GANZON

SST II - Biology

Checked by:
ROTCHIE GLEN A. FRANCISCO
IS-BIO, Unit Head