IB ESS HL 2.1.16 Quadrat Sampling Questions
Practise IB ESS HL 2.1.16 by planning quadrat surveys, measuring vegetation cover and comparing abundance along ecological gradients.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- plan representative quadrat surveys for non-mobile organisms using random or systematic site selection
- measure percentage cover, frequency, abundance or density in quadrats and compare estimates
- strengthen quadrat reliability through replication, standardised measurements and adequate sample size
- use quadrat data to assess invasive-species effects or vegetation change along an environmental gradient
Learn this topic
IB ESS HL 2.1.16 Quadrat Sampling Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 3]
Describe a method used to collect the data on percent cover vegetation shown in Figure: Vegetation cover near a glacier.
a. Decide on the location of a transect using an air photo/map/ create a transect from the end of the glacier, moving away in a straight line;
b. Conduct systematic sampling to determine the change along the environmental gradient / sample at (regular) intervals with increasing distance away from the glacier;
c. use quadrat sampling;
d. (visually) estimate/calculate/determine percent cover (at each site/sampling location) / count how many squares have vegetation and add them up;
e. Random sampling at each location for quadrat measurements (to avoid bias in site selection);
f. Repeat measurements (to get average/standard deviation) at each site;
Note to examiners: Do not accept only 'systematic sampling/sampling at intervals'.
All question bank results loaded