UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UiTM)

BIO330 Introduction To Ecology

Title Determination of the density of plant

species in a habitat
Group Leader NUR AQILAH AINA BINTI ZAID
(2021872798)
Group Members 1.ANIS HANNANI BINTI ABDUL JALIL
(2021455422)
2. IFFAH FASIHAH BINTI ALI
MUHAMMED (2021605604)
3. NUR AIN ARINA BINTI MOHD
NADZRI (2021211612)
4. NUR KHAIRUNNISHA SYUHADA
BINTI MOHAMMAD (2021814866)
5.NUR SHAQEENA AINA BINTI
SHAKRY (2021212034)
Lecturer DR. HAMZAH BIN ABDUL AZIZ

Scoring Template (For Lecturer Use Only)

Sub-atribute Marks
Objective (5 marks)
Introduction (20 marks)
Procedure (5 marks)
Data/Results (15 marks)
Discussion (20 marks)
Conclusion and future recommendation (20 marks)
Report quality (15 marks)
Full marks (100 marks)

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Objective
1. To determine the density of plant species in a habitat using a quadrat sampling technique.
2. To determine the density of plant species in a habitat using a sampling technique by line
transect.

Introduction
The quantity of an object per unit measure, length, area, or volume is known as an item's density. In
plant ecology, density is the number of individuals of a specific species that are present inside a
certain sample unit or research area. This means that the phrase ultimately relates to how close
together certain plants are. When attempting to monitor long-term changes in a certain plant species,
the metric of density is frequently used. In management areas, density may also be used to calculate
the growth or loss of seedlings. Estimation, abundance, and density of plant population are essential
for the conservation and management of ecology. There are sampling techniques suitable for
estimating plant population; the quadrat sapling and line transect sampling; unlike moving animals,
both are more suitable since plants are non-moving species. When studying the distribution of an
object over a large area, a quadrat is a frame that is used in ecology and biology to isolate a standard
unit of an area. The quadrat sampling method is a well-known instrument for ecological research.
This method involves placing several squares (quadrats) in a habitat of interest, identifying, and
recording the species within each quadrat, and then removing the quadrats. The quadrat location is
either picked at random or along a transect. Instead of a grid, distribution, and abundance of plant
population with respect to distance from any places that are chosen for the samplings will be
preferable to use line transect sampling. Perpendicular distances detected objects such as vibrant
rope perhaps are used to estimate the density and abundance of plants population. This method
describes randomly setting single and multiple transect lines on the study region and the detection
function introduced to determine the plant species that can be detected based on the detection
function. Both are useful techniques for the estimation of plant population. However, the only
difference between these techniques is the placement of items used for plant detection; one can be
placed without a perpendicular requirement, and one needs to be placed perpendicular to the other.
Hence, depending on the objectives of the study and the aim of the outcome result; either one of the
techniques can be used in the estimation of plant population.

Procedure
QUADRAT SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
1. Systematic sampling procedure-quadrats are placed at the same intervals along
transects that run across the investigated area at the same intervals.

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 2. Random sampling procedure using a random number table.

LINE TRANSECT SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

1. A baseline along the border of the area under investigation was determined.
2. A series of points along this baseline was chosen either randomly or systematically. These
points are used as the starting points for the transects to run across the area being
investigated.
3. The plants which only touch the line as seen vertically above or below the transect line were
recorded.
4. 10—20 lines are placed randomly in the area to provide enough samples to investigate the
community.

Results
Table 5.1: Tabulation of data for the measurement of each species cover in quadrant sampling

NO. Species cover (base/air) in quadrant Total Percentage

species cover (%)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cover for
10
quadrants
1
(Cynodon 13 12 18 19 6 39 20 35 9 27 198 14.337
dactylon)

2
(Digitaria 46 43 20 19 21 32 58 66 34 48 387 28.023
ischaemum)

3
 3
(Gomphren 17 10 9 3 4 6 2 5 11 4 71 5.141
a
celosioides)

4
(Axonopus 64 63 79 66 16 29 76 54 58 44 549 39.754
compressus)

5
(Lindernia 7 9 14 45 35 10 5 12 23 16 176 12.744
crustaces)

Total
number of
plants 147 137 140 152 82 116 161 172 135 139 1381 -
sample for
each
quadrant

Cynodon dactylon Digitaria ischaemum Gomphrena celosioides

Lindernia crustaces Axonopus compressus

Table 5.2: Tabulation of data for the measurement of each plant species covered in sampling
technique using line transect.

Sampling Numbers of plant species touched the transect line Total number
sites Plant Plant Plant sample Plant Plant of plant
sample no. sample no. 2 no. 3 sample no. sample no. 5 samples
1 (Digitaria (Gomphrena 4 (Axonopus touched the
(Cynodon ischaemum) celosioides) (Lindernia compressus) line for each
crustacea) sampling site
dactylon)
1 0 4 1 1 17 23
2 1 2 2 1 15 21
3 0 2 1 2 18 23
4 2 4 0 1 17 24
5 0 1 0 2 14 17
6 2 2 2 1 20 27
7 0 3 0 1 12 16
8 1 0 0 2 13 16

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 9 0 3 0 0 16 19
10 2 4 1 2 19 28
Total 8 25 7 13 161 Total number
numbers of plant
of each samples in 10
plant sampling sites
sample = 214____
from 10
sampling
sites
Percentage 3.738% 11.682% 3.271% 6.075% 75.234% Total
cover (%) percentage
for each cover =
plant _100%_
sample in (must be
10 100%)
sampling
sites

Discussion

In this experiment, sampling techniques were conducted to determine the density of plant species in
a habitat. The sampling techniques involved were quadrat sampling and line transect. The results
obtained suggested that 5 species of grass have been discovered. The 5 species were labelled as
species A, B, C, D, and E. These 5 species of grass are commonly found on the land. The following
are the scientific names of the species:
Species Scientific names
A Cynodon dactylon
B Digitaria ischaemum
C Gomphrena celosioides
D Lindernia crustaces
E Axonopus compressus

Growth rate populates with different amounts in different areas. Plant growth can be defined as the
increase in volume and possibly mass of a plant, with or without the formation of new structures
such as organs, tissues, cells, or cell organelles. Growth is commonly associated with development
(specialization of cells and tissues) and reproduction (the production of new individuals). When two
organisms in an ecosystem attempt to use the same resource and the resource is scarce, this results
in competition.
Researchers can use quadrats to study plant and animal populations that are spread out over large
areas. They are inexpensive, relatively simple to design, and adaptable for studying populations

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with uneven distributions. Quadrats are useful for tracking changes in entire populations over time,
such as distribution patterns, nesting, and overall health.
Despite the ease with which quadrat studies can be created, errors can creep into the experiment.
Errors frequently occur when quadrats are too large, too small, or improperly. 1m x 1m quadrat size
was used. Inadequately spaced random quadrats can be caused miscounted on the population which
also may miss too many individuals, resulting in under-representative estimates of population size.
Therefore, inconsistent counting or who exclude species that are only partially within the
boundaries may introduce errors as well.

Calculations
a) Calculate the % surface cover of each species.
% species cover = Total cross-sectional length of a species X 100%
The total length of the transect

Line transect technique

Plant sample No. 1 = 8 X 100%
(Cynodon dactylon) 1000
% species cover = 0.8%

Plant sample No. 2 = 25 X 100%

(Digitaria ischaemum) 1000
% species cover = 2.5%

Plant sample No. 3 = 7 X 100%

(Gomphrena celosioides) 1000
% species cover = 0.7%

Plant sample No. 4 = 13 X 100%

(Lindernia crustacea) 1000
% species cover = 1.3%

Plant sample No. 5 = 161 X 100%

(Axonopus compressus) 1000
% species cover =16.1%

Conclusion and future recommendation

In conclusion, quadrat sampling and line transect sampling are used to determine the number of
individuals of a given species found within the study area. To conclude the most population of
plants in a chosen area of study is plant sample no.5 which is Axonopus compressus with a %
species cover of 16.1%. A further recommendation would be a change in the area of the study
conducted; it is recommended to have a wider plant species varied from its characteristics widely
for easier identification and places with abundant plant species.

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References
1. Glass, M. (2019, March 2). Advantages and disadvantages of Quadrat use. Sciencing.
Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://sciencing.com/advantages-disadvantages-quadrat-use-
8713298.html
2. OWUSU, B.R.I.G.H.T. (2019) AN INTRODUCTION TO LINE TRANSECT SAMPLING
AND ITS APPLICATIONS, Montana State University. Available at:
https://www.math.montana.edu/grad_students/writing-projects/2019/Owusu2019.pdf
(Accessed: 2023).
3. Plant Growth and development - basic knowledge and current views. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2023,
from https://www.mmnp-journal.org/articles/mmnp/pdf/2011/02/mmnp201162p1.pdf