Tabitha Darrell Form 5C

Date: 11/02/2020

Lab#1

Title: Ecology

Aim: To determine the density of plant species within a given study area.

Apparatus

Quadrat

Materials:

Pen

Note book

Diagram:

DIAGRAM SHOWING A QUADRAT

Procedure:

1. The quadrat was thrown randomly and then the number of plant species in each square
was counted.
2. Step 1 was repeated 2 more times at different locations.
3. All observations were recorded and the species density was calculated.

Results

TABLE SHOWING PLANT SPECIES FOUND IN EACH QUADRAT AFTER THE

FIRST THROW

Quadrat Plant Species

A B C D E F
1 8 1 6 0 0 0

2 3 2 5 0 0 0

3 7 1 7 0 0 0

4 0 0 11 0 0 0

5 0 3 0 0 0 0

6 10 0 8 0 0 0

7 0 1 6 0 0 0

8 5 1 11 0 0 0

9 0 1 4 0 0 0
TABLE SHOWING PLANT SPECIES FOUND IN EACH QUADRAT AFTER THE
SECOND THROW

Quadrat Plant Species

A B C D E F
1 0 0 21 0 0 0

2 0 0 11 0 0 0

3 0 0 8 0 0 0

4 0 0 29 0 0 0

5 0 0 17 0 0 0

6 0 0 16 0 0 0

7 0 0 0 0 0 0

8 0 0 0 0 0 0

9 0 0 15 4 0 0

TABLE SHOWING PLANT SPECIES FOUND IN EACH QUADRAT AFTER THE

THIRD THROW
 Quadrat Plant Species
A B C D E F
1 33 0 0 0 2 0

2 4 0 0 0 4 0

3 2 0 10 0 0 1

4 16 0 0 0 3 3

5 0 0 0 0 0 0

6 0 0 9 0 1 0

7 0 0 0 0 1 0

8 6 0 0 0 0 1

9 0 0 7 0 0 0

Species Density = Total no. of species

Total no. of quadrat
 94
Plant A = =3.48
27

10
Plant B = =0.37
27

201
Plant C = =7.44
27

4
Plant D = =0.14
27

11
Plant E = =0.4
27

5
Plant F = =0.18
27

Discussion:

Ecology is a branch of science, it is the study of the interactions of organisms with each other
and their environment. The main aim of ecology is to understand the distribution of biotic and
abiotic factors of living things in the environment. The importance of ecology can be explained
by four areas which are conservation of the environment, resource allocation, energy
conservation and eco- friendliness. In this investigation we determined the species density of
various areas in our school yard using a quadrat. It was noted that plant species C was denser
than plant species A, B, D, E and F in all three throws. Plant species D was the least dense
species. The density of these species depends on the habitat or that conditions they are in along
with the type of specie. Plant species C may be the densest species because that species produce
runners, which root at various locations. Each rooting position can be regarded as a new
individual, or the whole assemblage derived from a single seed may be regarded as an individual.
While on the other hand plant species D may be the least dense because it is not in a prostrate
habitat is not as moist as plant C. Also, it may be that the species of the plant may be naturally
less dense and the rooting position may not have an assemblage derived from a single seed.
Source of errors:

 The roots of species counted were not in the same quadrat, therefore counting incorrectly.

Limitations:

 As a result of freshly cut grass organisms died. Hence, making it difficult to count and
record organisms, making them inaccurate.

Precautions:

 The quadrat should be thrown randomly in the given area. It must also be thrown multiple
times.

Reflections

Ecology enriches our world and is essential for human wellbeing. It provides knowledge of the
relationship between people and nature that is vital for food production, maintaining clean air
and water, and sustaining biodiversity in a changing climate.

Conclusion

The quadrat was effectively used to determine density of plant species in various areas of our
school yard.
References:

Atwaroo-Ali, L 2014, Biology for CSEC Examinations, 3rd edition, Macmillan Education,
London

Ecology. (2020, November 29). BYJUS. https://byjus.com/biology/ecology/#what-is-ecology

Ecology is a science that matters. (2016, March 11). British Ecological Society.
https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/about/what-is-ecology/