Spittal Pond Field Trip
Introduction & Hypothesis
One way of studying interactions between organisms of a community is by taking an inventory of species in that area, by a method called quadrat sampling. Quadrat sampling is when a person throws a transec at random within a certain perimeter and records the species inside the transec. We studied this at Spittal Pond. In doing these various random transec throws, we hypothesized that this year's quadrat sampling would differ from the previous years do to a change in the environment.
Materials & Methods
To study these interactions, a randomly selected area was chosen to conduct the transec study. A tape measure was used to measure out approximately a 10 meter by 10 meter area (100 square meters). The abiotic factors of the site was observed - such as whether the area is located in full sun or shade, or whether the soil is moist or dry. The transec was thrown randomly within the 100 square meter area and an inventory of the different kinds of plants and animals found in the site was recorded. Field guide books were used to aid in identification of the species observed. The number of organisms of each plant or animal species within the transec was recorded into a data table. The transec was thrown randomly two more times and an inventory was taken for each throw. The average population densities of each species were calculated and recorded by adding the number of organisms found in each transec and then divided it by three. The average population sizes were recorded in a seperate data table.
Results
Transec 1
Life Plant - 71
Large Marsh Fern - 25
Transec 2
Maidenhair Fern - 1
Large Marsh Fern - 13
Sword Fern - 3
Life Plant - 5
Transec 3
Life Plant - 46
Sword Fern - 3
Large Marsh Fern - 13
Maidenhair Fern - 14
Average Population Densities:
Life Plant: 41
Large Marsh Fern: 17
Sword Fern: 2
Maidenhair Fern: 6
Discussion & Analysis
Comparison to data obtained from previous semesters showed a variation in species types and quantities. This confirms our hypothesis and suggests that future studies are warranted. Close observation of the presence/absence of specific species and their quantities will continue to provide a reliable indicator of the biodiversity of Spittal Pond and its environmental health.
One way of studying interactions between organisms of a community is by taking an inventory of species in that area, by a method called quadrat sampling. Quadrat sampling is when a person throws a transec at random within a certain perimeter and records the species inside the transec. We studied this at Spittal Pond. In doing these various random transec throws, we hypothesized that this year's quadrat sampling would differ from the previous years do to a change in the environment.
Materials & Methods
To study these interactions, a randomly selected area was chosen to conduct the transec study. A tape measure was used to measure out approximately a 10 meter by 10 meter area (100 square meters). The abiotic factors of the site was observed - such as whether the area is located in full sun or shade, or whether the soil is moist or dry. The transec was thrown randomly within the 100 square meter area and an inventory of the different kinds of plants and animals found in the site was recorded. Field guide books were used to aid in identification of the species observed. The number of organisms of each plant or animal species within the transec was recorded into a data table. The transec was thrown randomly two more times and an inventory was taken for each throw. The average population densities of each species were calculated and recorded by adding the number of organisms found in each transec and then divided it by three. The average population sizes were recorded in a seperate data table.
Results
Transec 1
Life Plant - 71
Large Marsh Fern - 25
Transec 2
Maidenhair Fern - 1
Large Marsh Fern - 13
Sword Fern - 3
Life Plant - 5
Transec 3
Life Plant - 46
Sword Fern - 3
Large Marsh Fern - 13
Maidenhair Fern - 14
Average Population Densities:
Life Plant: 41
Large Marsh Fern: 17
Sword Fern: 2
Maidenhair Fern: 6
Discussion & Analysis
Comparison to data obtained from previous semesters showed a variation in species types and quantities. This confirms our hypothesis and suggests that future studies are warranted. Close observation of the presence/absence of specific species and their quantities will continue to provide a reliable indicator of the biodiversity of Spittal Pond and its environmental health.