Edexcel IGCSE Biology 4.2 comparing population size
Practise population-size sampling by planning quadrat methods, controlling variables and calculating means or densities from field data.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2019
- Course
- Biology 4BI1
Practise population-size sampling by planning quadrat methods, controlling variables and calculating means or densities from field data.
Limpets are marine animals that attach to rocks on coastal shores.
The diagram shows a food web that contains limpets.

Some scientists think that food webs on rocky shores are at risk from an increase in greenhouse gases.
The scientists record these two factors during August every year for 17 years.
- the number of limpets per m2 on a rocky shore
- the mean temperature at the same rocky shore
The graph shows the scientists' results.

Describe how the scientists could determine the number of limpets on the rocky shore.
A description that makes reference to three of the following:
- quadrat / square in gridded area
- place randomly / choose random coordinates / eq
- repeats / eq
- count limpets (in quadrat / square) / eq
- scale up for whole area multiply by area / eq
Ignore quadrant
quadrats = 2 marks (mp1 and mp3)
Give one factor the scientists should control when comparing the number of limpets per m2 each year.
time of day / location / area / position on shore / species of limpet / same day in August / eq
Accept (day with same) weather
Accept same type of limpet
Accept same place
Ignore season / time of year