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Practical 2

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32 views5 pages

Practical 2

Uploaded by

afeeqrashid
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA SHAH ALAM

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES


Bachelor of Science (Hons.) Biology
BIO464

Practical 2: Factors That Affect the Distribution and Abundance of Organisms

Prepared by:
Bil. Name ID Program & Group

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Prepared for:

DR. FAEZAH PARDI

1
PRACTICAL 2

FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF


ORGANISMS

The biotic factors of an environment are all organisms found within that environment. A
group of organisms of the same species found within the same environment is called a
population. Populations of different species sharing the same area and interacting with each
other make up a community. One way of studying the interactions of organisms in a
community is by taking an inventory of all the species in the area and comparing the sizes of
their populations. In this practical you will be exposed with a simple concept of quadrat.
Students also need to observe the abiotic factors of a study site and classify the species of
plants in that site.

The objectives of this practical are as follows:


i. To introduce the simple concept of quadrat
ii. To enhance the power of observation
iii. To record the difference in plant distribution within the quadrat
iv. To infer from natural observations the possible factors that affect distribution and
abundance of organisms

Materials:
1. raffia string
2. measurement tape
3. stick
4. scissor
5. note book

Method:
1. In your practical, different types of forest at ___________ will be the area under
study.
2. Make 1 quadrat of 5m x 5m at each forest type. Multiple quadrat samples will be
performed throughout the habitat at several random locations.
3. Observe and take note all tree stands that are found inside your quadrat.
(Note: To select which area to conduct your quadrats, select areas which have a
wide variety of plants)
4. Measure diameter of breast height (DBH) for each of the tree stand within your
quadrat.
5. Data will be used to estimate the population size and population density within the
entire habitat.

2
RESULTS

SITE 1: _________________________ (to be named)

Quadrat 1

Observation:

Total number
Plant Density D =
Species name Symbol of individuals
species (S/Q)
(S)
1.  2 2/25m2 =
Dryobalanops aromatica
2.

3.

4.

5.
6.

3
SITE 2: _________________________ (to be named)

Quadrat 2

Observation:

Total number
Plant Density D =
Species name Symbol of individuals
species (S/Q)
(S)
1.  1 1/25m2 =
Hopea odorata
2.

3.

4.

5.
6.

4
Post lab Questions:

1. Define the term quadrat in practice.


(3 marks)

2. What are the two basics requirements of all the quadrats techniques?
(2 marks)

3. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of using a larger / smaller quadrat to
survey the sedentary organism?
(2 marks)

4. Problems with spatial scale often make it difficult to directly estimate average
densities in habitats such as large forested area or in aquatic habitats where one cannot
directly see the animals or plants of interest. Explain the issues concerned ecologist in
conducting the sampling method.
(3 marks)

5. Why is there difference in the number of plant species in the quadrate? Hypothesize or
make your own assumption. Discuss the factors that would have caused this type of
distribution. (This will be part of your discussion).
(10 marks)

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