Exercise 4: Terrestrial Sampling Techniques

Agoncillo, M.P.C., Cano, E.J.C., Del Rosario, B.C.G.

Group 4 4BIO2

Abstract (Bea)
Introduction (Emil)
Methodology

This exercise required the groups to utilize two terrestrial sampling

techniques, the 1) line intercept transect method and the 2) quadrat
method. For immediate and uncomplicated results, field procedures of
said terrestrial sampling techniques were improvised for adjustment in
a 3-hour laboratory class.
Line Transect Method. A measured 257cm-long table was labeled
with a mark for every 50cm. Five different pseudo-substrates were
randomly scattered on the table. A number of ten different items,
considered as pseudo-species, with a quantity of at least 20 pieces
each were randomly placed by each member of the group on the same
table with pseudo-substrates. A long yarn was extended across the
center of the table. Each pseudo-species that was seen below the line
(yarn) was quantified and recorded on a line transect data table. In
addition, each pseudo-substrate that was also seen below the line was
measured and recorded.
Quadrat Method. The same set-up of scattered pseudo-species from
the Transect method was used. A square that measured 20x20 cm was
used as a grid. The grid was dropped on the set-up in five different
locations. All the pseudo-species that were present inside the grid were
quantified and recorded on a table. This was repeated for the
succeeding four grids.
As the laboratory manual suggests, each member of the group was
assigned to the task of being a recorder and a sampler. A system was
established to ensure accuracy in delivering information.

Results and Discussion

Line Transect Method. Data presented on Table 1 shows every
individual that touched the line for every interval of 0-50cm, 51100cm, 101-150cm, 151-200cm and 201-250cm. This method is an

effective tool in clearly visualizing the changes in the pseudo-substrate

(Fig 1) and the pseudo-species taking place along the line. This allows
the researcher to understand the patterns in the zones and regions of
each species and substrate. As the pseudo-species are depicted in
Table 1, it can be inferred that the Pencil is the most dominant pseudospecies followed by the Paper clip. There is a notable presence of the
Pencil and Blue chip in each zone of the sampled area. This may be
interpreted as that the pseudo-species Pencil and Blue chip thrives
regardless of area in the sampled space. In contrast to this, the least
occurring pseudo-species are the Mentos and Coin.
Table 1. Line Transect Data of the pseudo-species.
AREA (cm)
ITEM
0-50
51-100
101-150
151-200
Yellow Halls
0
2
2
1
Blue Halls
1
1
0
2
Mentos
1
0
1
1
Rocks
0
0
1
2
Straw
1
0
1
3
Pencil
2
4
3
3
Coin
1
0
1
0
Blue Chips
1
2
1
2
Red Chips
2
2
0
1
Paper Clip
5
0
1
5

201-250
0
0
0
2
1
4
1
1
1
2

Figure 1 shows the zonation patterns of the pseudo-substrate. It can be

inferred from the data (Fig 1) that the zones of the five different
substrates overlap from the interval of one area to another. There is no
presence of a distinct substrate boundary. However, there is high
presence of the plain substrate all throughout the sampled area.
Figure 1. Line Transect Data distribution of the pseudo-substrates.

With these data presented, it confirms that the line transect method for
terrestrial sampling reveals what is present in the field but offers
limited information on the quantity of each species. Quantity in terms
of the relative density of each species cannot be computed with the
inadequate data that a line transect provides. If a detailed study on the
density of species is needed, then the belt transect method is a much
better option for terrestrial sampling technique.
Quadrat Method. The Quadrat method is known to be used for
estimating the abundance of plants and sedentary organisms,
specifically the relative density of each species. This method is based
on quantifying replicated sample units referred to as grids. Table 2
shows the five grids randomly placed in different areas of the set-up. It
portrays the number of species present in each grid. In terrestrial
sampling with the use of the Quadrat method, two ideas affect the
results for the estimate in species density accuracy and precision.
Accuracy can be improved if bias is avoided in quantifying the data.
Through the means of random sampling, bias is reduced. As for
precision, the researcher must avoid measurement errors. The more
grids or sampled units, the more precise density estimates would be
obtained. Furthermore, sample plots or grids used must be of the same
size and shape for a more precise outcome.
Table 2. Quadrat Data from sampling of five grids.
GRID
Actual
ITEM
Count
1
2
3
Yellow
25
0
2
1
Halls
Blue Halls
25
4
3
1
Mentos
25
1
2
1

4
2

5
1

1
0

0
3

Rock
Straw
Pencil
Coin
Blue Chips
Red Chips
Paper Clip

30
20
24
25
25
25
69

2
2
0
2
2
5
1

1
2
1
0
5
3
2

1
2
3
1
2
0
3

2
3
2
2
1
1
10

2
1
3
2
2
1
6

The obtained data (Table 2) are processed to be able to estimate the

population mean from the sample. The two important components in
estimating the mean are the 1) estimate itself and the 2) variability
associated with the estimate. The first part is simply the average of
each species. The second column (Table 3) labeled Average Density is
the sum of all individuals found in each grid divided by the number of
grids. This is also considered as the absolute density and represents as
the estimate of the true population. The values (Table 3) found on the
third, fourth and fifth columns all represent the variability among the
population grids in the sampled area. On the last column of Table 3, the
Spatial Dispersion of the population is the variance (SD 2) divided by the
mean of the average density. To interpret the results, a spatial
dispersion with a value greater than 1 indicate aggregation, while
values that are less than 1 indicate a uniform dispersion. Those that
are exactly 1 indicate random dispersion.
Table 3. Processed values of the Quadrat Data. Shows the values of
the average density, standard deviation (SD), standard error (SE),
spatial dispersion and interpretation of the species Dispersion.
Equations are shown in the Appendix.
ITEM
Yellow Halls
Blue Halls
Mentos
Rock
Straw
Pencil
Coin
Blue Chips
Red Chips
Paper Clip

Average
Density

SD

SE

SD2

Spatial
Dispersion

Dispersion

1.2
1.8
1.4
1.6
2.0
1.8
1.4
2.4
2.0
4.4

0.8
1.6
1.1
0.5
0.7
1.3
0.9
1.5
2.0
3.6

0.2
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.4

0.7
2.7
1.3
0.3
0.5
1.7
0.8
2.3
4.0
13.3

0.6
1.5
0.9
0.2
0.3
0.9
0.6
1.0
2.0
3.0

Uniform
Aggregated
Uniform
Uniform
Uniform
Uniform
Uniform
Random
Aggregated
Aggregated

The pseudo-species show that there is a Uniform dispersion for the

Yellow halls, Mentos, Rock, Straw, Pencil and Coin. On the other hand,
the pseudo-species Blue halls, Red chips and Paper clip exhibit

aggregated dispersion while only the Blue chips exhibit Random

dispersion.
**Emil can probably include the photos he took from the experiment
last week

Conclusion (Bea)

References
Lyons, D.J., Dunworth P.M., Tillbury D.W., & Johnston L. (n.d.). Ecological
Sampling Methods. The Offwell Woodland & Wildlife Trust. 01 Mar
2016. Retrieved from http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/3howto.htm
(n.d.) Quadrat Sampling in Population Ecology. 01 Mar 2016. Retrieved
from
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~bio21/exercises/Sampling.handout.pdf

Appendix **(My MS Word doesnt have the symbols

for the equation, if you guys have it, please change
the screenshot equation to typed equations. Thanks
guys)