Biology: Ecology

Estimating Population Size using

QUADRAT SAMPLING
JOHN LEMUEL J. NOCHE

INTRODUCTION
A common sampling technique for
stationary or small organisms, such as plants or
insects, is to isolate a defined area and count
samples of one or more populations of
organisms within that area. A large area, such as
a tract of grassland or forest, can be sampled
using small selected plots in which a sampling
frame, or quadrat, is placed. The number of
individuals of one or more species can be
counted within each quadrat.
**Quadrat, can be real or virtual.
Population size and density can be estimated
through calculations based on counts within a representative area or all of the selected areas.
Average estimates of population size and density for the entire area can then be determined based
on these calculations. Quadrat sampling is most effective for stationary species, such as the
populations of different tree species in a forest. For the most valid and reliable information, the
sampling should be random and should make up about 10% of the total are being studied.
FORMULA:
Average sample density =

Total number of individuals

Total sample area

Estimated population size = (estimated population density) x (total area of the study site)
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

A student wants to estimate the population size and density of Almaciga trees in a woodlot
measuring 100m by 100m. On a diagram of the woodlot, he splits the area into a 10x10
grid and randomly selects 10 sample quadrats (0,0), (1,4), (2,6), (3,9), (4,3), (5,5), (6,1),
(7,8), (8,2), and (9,7). These areas of the woodlot are marked off, and the almaciga trees are
counted. He finds 15, 25, 40, 20, 10, 30, 25, 5, 15, and 35 trees in the ten quadrats. Estimate the
density and size of the Almaciga tree population in the woodlot.

Biology: Ecology
SOLUTION:
An estimate of the population density of the almaciga
trees may be obtained by calculating the average density of
the sampled quadrats. Each sample quadrat has an area of
100 m2.
Average sample density =

Total number of individuals

Total sample area

= 15+25+40+20+10+30+25+5+15+35 almaciga trees

100m x 100m
=

220 almaciga trees

1000m2

= 0.22 almaciga trees/m2

Grid representing a 100mx100m woodlot
showing 10 sample quadrats

Assuming that the sample area isrepresentative of the

total study area, the estimated population density is
0.22 trees/m2.

An estimate of the population size may be obtained by multiplying the estimated population density by
the total area of the study site.

Estimated population size = (estimated population density) x (total area of the study site)
= (0.22 trees/m2) X (10, 000m2)
Estimated population size = 2200 Almaciga Trees
PROBLEM 2
Total Area = 75mx100m
Sample Area = 10cmx10cm

Biology: Ecology

SOLUTION:

Average sample density =

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 +1 + 1 +1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 plant samples
10cm x 10cm

= 14 plant samples
100cm2
***Convert centimeters to meter
= 14 plant samples
100cm2

= 0.14 plant samples

cm2

Average sample density = 14 plant samples = 1400 plant samples

0.01m2
m2

Estimated population size = (estimated population density) x (total area of the study site)
= (1400 plant samples/m2) X (100m x 75m)
= (1400 plant samples/m2) X (7500m2)
Estimated population size = 10,500,000 Plant Samples