4.2

4.2 Recall the use of quadrats to estimate the population size of an organism in two different areas

Sand Dune Ecosystem made of population that forms the community and the habitat

Area divided into two: Grazed by cattle, Ungrazed areas

1)     Count the number of individuals in the population

2)     Technique used: Quadratting

Quadrates: Method of sampling different locations within an ecosystem, to compare respective population sizes. Quadrate squares are made out of wood / string / metal into grid e.g. (0.5 m x 0.5 m OR 1 m x 1 m)

The quadrate is used to sample the area. Count the number of individuals. This will be repeated a number of times to get an estimate of the population size.