Ecology- Population Surveying

1
Ecology- Population Surveying

• Teaching transects and quadrats

2
Understanding

• Students need to understand what a transect is
  and how it is used.
• They also need to understand what a quadrat is
  and where to use it.

Students using a hoop as a quadrat to collect
data on the number of plant species in a heath
land area at Wilsons Prom
3
What is needed

• Where is it appropriate to use these tools?
• In an Intertidal zone
• A river environment
• What do you need?
• A quadrat (1m x 1m) or a hoop can be used
• A tape measure (30m or more) to measure the
  transect

4
Some questions for the students

• Why are transects important?
• What are some observations that you will be able
  to make using a quadrat?
• What is special about the intertidal zone?
• What types of plants and animals are you likely
  to find in the intertidal zone?

Transect line
Quadrat
5
What students need to know

• What do students need to know
• What a transect is
• What a quadrat is
• How to use both together
• Where to use them
• Resources
• http//www.rockyshores.auz.info/home.htm
• http//www.mesa.edu.au
• http//www.reefwatchvic.asn.au/Home.htm

6
Where is the best location

• The best place to use these tools is in an
  environment that is different from where the
  students are used to.
• Camp locations
• Queenscliff
• Wilsons Promontory