Background information:

During ecological studies an estimate of population size, biodiversity, abundance and

distribution of species is normally of significance. However, it is not rational to attempt to count all the
organisms in a given ecosystem at any point in time. Therefore, samples are taken as representative of
the different populations using a quadrat as the sampling unit. Quadrats are often used in conjunction
with transects to do systematic rather than random sampling.

Abundance is an ecological concept referring to the relative representation of a species in a

particular ecosystem. A common sampling method used to measure abundance is species frequency. This
is the number of grids occupied as a percentage of area (total number of grids) within a gridded quadrat.
Percentage frequency is a good estimate of how well an organism dominates an ecosystem.

The mangrove wetland in Caman Bay, Grand Cayman is a vital part of the island’s water flow
system, filtering and conditioning surface water and shallow ground water. It provides a constant flow of
nutrients, which form the base of a complex food chain from turtle grass and shrimp mounds in Little
Sound to snappers and lobsters moving from the mangroves to the reef. The entire living system of the
island is inextricably linked to the mangroves, and their destruction would be detrimental to preserving the
coastline. The wetland is home to native birds like Whistling Duck, Grand Cayman Parrots, and Snowy
Egrets, as well as crab, smaller crustaceans, insects, fish, Hickatees, and Agoutis. The Red, Black, and
White Mangroves, Buttonwoods, and dry land trees also contribute to the wetland's biodiversity. Rising sea
levels submerge mangrove wetlands, forming peat, which builds up over time. Approximately 1,500 acres
of the wetland is protected through the Marine Parks Law, but efforts are underway to increase its area
through conservation land purchase.

Skill Assessed: ORR

GROUP MEMBERS: Roh’nae Gidarisingh, Kenna Robinsson, Mattias, Shaelom Mason TEACHER: Mrs. Pinnock

SUBJECT: ORR
DATE: November 15, 2023
PRACTICAL #: 1
TITLE: ECOLOGY (MANGROVE SWAMP ECOSYSTEM)
AIM: To observe the flora and fauna of the Central Mangrove Wetland in Camana Bay,
Grand Cayman.
APPARATUS: metre rules, wooden pegs & rope for transect, gridded quadrat,
measuring tape, thermometer, sampling bottles, pooters, sweep nets, pH meters (or
data loggers or litmus paper)
METHOD:
1. The area which was visited for this ecological study was noted (and shaded onto a map
provided).
2. The time of arrival, location, temperature and weather conditions were recorded.
3. Each group will identify five different plant species on the grassy area just outside of the
mangrove trails.
4. Note the features of each plant species and use the letters A, B, C, D and E to label them,
until further research can allow them to be named.
5. Pictures of each plant will be taken to be added to the lab report.
6. Randomly toss a gridded quadrat on the grassy area and count the grids occupied by each
of group’s chosen plant species.
7. Write the information in the table below.
8. Repeat steps 5 and 6 nine more times and complete the data in the table.
9. Along the mangrove walk, note five interesting / important facts about mangroves
mentioned by the Mangrove Ranger.
 10.Along the walk, take pictures of at least five different plants and at least three different
animals; name these species through research after the field trip.
11.Carefully take a sample of the swamp water to test for pH and salinity; note the features
of the water that prompted this particular sample to be taken.
12. If possible or allowed use the measuring tape, mallet, rope and pegs to lay out a 50m line
transect from the water’s edge to where the tape stops.
13.Note the succession of the plant-life, especially the types of mangroves along the transect.
14.Chose one of the plant species from the grassy area and represent the data in a bar
graph.
15.Include a food chain from the area with 3 to 4 trophic levels.

OBSERVATIONS

Time of arrival 9:05 Location Camana bay mangrove

Temperature 83 ºC Weather conditions Humid and Hot

Water salinity Brackish and (Slightly salty) pH of water 5.8-7.4 Motion of water: It was still.

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE AREA VISITED FOR STUDY

DIAGRAM SHOWING A FOOD CHAIN TYPICAL OF THE AREA

Grass Butterfly Slug Frog

FIVE INTERESTING / IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE MANGROVE SWAMP

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TABLE SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE SPECIES FREQUENCY OF PLANTS ON GRASSY AREA

Plant Number of individual plants of chosen species in each quadrat Total Total # Specie
Specie # of of s
s Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 plant quadrat Densit
s (P) s y (S =
observe P/Q)
d (Q)

A 95 54 13 26 6 2 63 73 16 62 410 10 41%

B 0 0 3 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 9 10 0.9%

C 10 100 0 0 16 0 0 15 53 7 201 10 20.1%

D 3 0 28 10 1 13 6 0 18 7 86 10 8.6%

E 7 22 4 18 49 4 39 4 0 21 165 10 16.8%

TABLE OF ANIMAL SPECIES OBSERVED IN AND AROUND THE MANGROVE TRAIL

Name of Animal Brief description of features / type of animal Location Animal Found (e.g. air,
water, soil, grass)

Snail It was small, and it has a gold color shell It was located in the grass

Slug Its looked slimy, small, and had a dark It was located in the soil
green color shade

Frog Its camouflage, small, and looked ,like it It was located in the grass
 had a rough texture skin

Butterfly It was tiny, and white It was located in the grass and air

TABLE OF PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED IN AND AROUND THE MANGROVE TRAIL

Name of Plant Distinctive feature Location found

Turf grass

Crab grass

Bog buttons

Duppy gun

Sand spurge

Creeping
buttercup

DISCUSSION

1. State and briefly outline five adaptations of mangrove trees in a typical mangrove swamp
ecosystem.
2. What role do mangroves play in protecting the coastline from storm and wave damage.
3. What role do mangroves play in nutrient cycling and in preventing soil erosion.
4. What roles do mangrove swamps play in providing habitats and nurseries for various
marine species?
5. What roles do mangrove swamps play in cleaning the air and in water filtration.
6. There are many different types of root system of mangrove trees. Name any three types
and briefly describe their structure and function.
7. Describe the features of the soil and water found in the mangrove ecosystem.
8. Outline two ways in which human activities may be negatively affecting the health and
sustainability of mangrove ecosystems and what conservation methods can be
implemented to reduce these issues.
9. Reflect on the field trip experience and discuss any unexpected findings, challenges faced,
and how the trip enhanced your understanding of mangrove ecosystems.

CONCLUSION

What are the three major important roles of the mangrove ecosystem in Grand Cayman?

Three roles of the mangroves ecosystem in Grand Cayman are to shelter communities from tropical
storms, help put a stop to erosion, and it supplies carbon.

LIMITATIONS

1.Weather, because it could’ve rained and affected the number of species on the fields.

2. There could
PRECAUTIONS

1.

2.

Practical #1

Topic: Ecology (Mangrove Swamp Ecosystem)

Skill Assessed: Observation/Recording/Reporting

CRITERIA Mark Score

Correct format
Aim, apparatus and materials, method, results/observation, discussion and
conclusion. 1

Correct content under each heading 1

Appropriate method
Method clearly stated with logical sequence of activities 1

Tables and Graph

Adequate and appropriate details in names of Animals table; neat ; correct
headings , title 2
Adequate and appropriate details in names of Plants table; neat ; correct
headings , title 2
Adequate and appropriate details in percentage frequency of plants in grassy area
table; neat ; correct headings , title 4
Adequate details in bar graph appropriate; neat ; correct units, correct headings,
title 4

Accurate observations/recordings
Adequate descriptions of location’s environment upon arrival 2

Accurate indication of location on map 1

Brief notes on five interesting / important features of the mangrove ecosystem 3

Adequate food chain 2

Photographs 2

Total marks 25

Prorated marks 10