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Edexcel IGCSE Biology 4.4B Quadrat sampling practical

Practise quadrat sampling questions on unbiased placement, repeat measurements, percentage cover, biodiversity comparisons and calculations from field tables.

Syllabus
First assessment 2019
Course
Biology 4BI1

Exam points

  • describe random quadrat placement with coordinates to obtain unbiased species numbers
  • calculate density or percentage cover from quadrat totals, area and repeated measurements
  • explain valid comparisons by keeping timing, method and sampling area consistent between sites

4.4B Quadrat sampling practical question 1

[Maximum number: 6]

A group of students investigate the biodiversity in two fields, A and B.
Field A is grazed by cattle and field B has no cattle.

Question (a)

(a)

The students investigate the plant species in each field.

They counted the number of each species in five 0.5 m×0.5 m0.5 \mathrm{~m} \times 0.5 \mathrm{~m} quadrats.
They repeated this for each field.
Table 1 shows their results.

Table 1

Table 1

[ 6 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Describe how the quadrats should be placed to obtain unbiased species numbers for each field.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

For the most frequently occurring plant species in field B, calculate the number of plants in one square metre.
number of plants =……

[ 3 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

Name the species with the greatest variation in number of plants recorded in quadrats for field B.

Table 1 is repeated here.

Table 1

Table 1

[ 1 ]
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