Ecology Lab Report

Lab #1
Title: Ecology
Aim: To use a quadrat to determine species density and density in the school’s yard.
Apparatus/ Materials:
Quadrat
Note book
Ruler
Pencil
Method:
(i) The quadrant was thrown in an area in the school yard.
(ii) The number of plant species were counted in each square.
(iii) The species density and diversity were calculated.
Diagram
Results
Table showing results for each quadrat

Species Quadrat 1 Quadrat 2 Quadrat 3 Quadrat 4 Total Density (D= # of (n-1) n(n-1)
number of individuals/ total
each species # of quadrats)
(n)
A 12 0 8 4 24 24/4= 6 24-1= 23 24(23) =225
B 4 5 1 6 16 16/4=4 16-1=15 16(15) =240
C 1 0 0 0 1 ¼=0.25 1-1=0 1(0) =0
D 3 0 0 0 3 ¾=0.75 3-1=2 3(2) =6
E 0 0 0 1 1 ¼=0.25 1-1=0 1(0) =0
F 0 0 0 4 4 4/4=1 4-1=3 4(3) =12
Total N= 49 ∑n(n-1) = 483
The percentage frequency tells how often a species occur in a sample.
n= the number of individuals of each species that have been found

∑= sum of
N= total number of individuals sum up.
Simpson’s Diversity Index
SDI= 1- ∑n(n-1)
N(N-1)
= 1- 483
49(49-1)
= 1- 483
49(48)
= 1- 483
2352
= 1- 0.21
= 0.79 species diversity

Discussion
Ecology is a branch of science, including human science, population, community, ecosystem and biosphere. Ecology is the study of
organisms, the environment and how the organisms interact with each other and their environment. In the experiment Simpson's
Diversity Index was used as an ecological measure to quantify the biodiversity of the habitat. It took into account the number of
species present, as well as the abundance of each species. With the data collected it was used to as an approach to quantify
biodiversity in the area. The species diversity was 0.79 so diversity index tells us that there is a 79% chance that two individuals
selected at random from this community would be of different species. When the species diversity was subtracted by one the value
was 0.21. This means that there is a 21% chance that those two individuals selected at random would be from the same species . these
calculations help us to find relevant data on the state of the ecosystem’s population. The data presented reveals that there was
instability with the community under investigation and due to this inconsistency with the data it is important that the factors affecting
such be investigated to fix imbalance in the ecosystem.
Precautions
- Throw randomly
- Multiple throws for accuracy
Limitations
- Errors could have occurred based on the location thrown which may have caused a result in under-representative estimates of
population size.
- Quadrats that are too large, too small or spaced inappropriately often result in errors. For example, larger species require larger
plots. Randomly spaced quadrats that are too small may have miss too many individuals.
Reflection
This Experiment was effective as it helped in the exploration of the external environment to see the biodiversity that exist in it. Due to
the circumstance of the varying populations, it allowed me to draw conclusions from the habitat they occupy on elements such as
humidity, sunlight, dryness and wetness and even protection. In quantifying the level of diversity in a community’s population it gave
more insight into the rarity and popularity of organisms. In doing so there was a fascination with how even organisms with different
features such as size and species could coexist without implications aside from the various symbiotic relationships. It was a harmony
that even in the least populated area one would find.
Conclusion
In conclusion, species A had the highest density and upon analysis the species diversity is 0.79,79%.
References
byju-Biology-Ecology . (2020, January). Retrieved from byjus.com: https://byjus.com/biology/ecology/
Horton, M. (2021, 17th May). Simple Random Sample: Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved from investopedia.com:
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042815/what-are-disadvantages-using-simple-random-sample-approximate-larger-
population.asp
Science laboratpry manuals. (2018, April 21). Retrieved from https://ncert.nic.in/pdf/publication/sciencelaboratorymanuals/classXII/
biology/lelm214.pdf

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Lab #1

Table showing results for each quadrat

The percentage frequency tells how often a species occur in a sample.

n= the number of individuals of each species that have been found

= 0.79 species diversity

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