levo

Ecosystems

Choosing the right ecological technique

  • 2 things to know
  • Papers 2 and 3

Overview

Recall questions on transects and interrupted belt transects, random and systematic sampling, choosing quadrat size, comparing the reliability of methods, estimating population size, and the safe and ethical use of organisms and risk assessment in fieldwork.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

What is a transect, and how do line and belt transects differ?

Key term

How does an interrupted belt transect differ from a continuous belt transect?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a transect?

    Model answer

    A line along which samples are taken at intervals to study changes in species distribution across an environmental gradient.

  2. 2

    How does an interrupted belt transect differ from a continuous belt transect?

    Model answer

    Quadrats are placed at set intervals along the transect line rather than continuously.

  3. 3

    What technique should be used to avoid bias when placing quadrats in a population study?

    Model answer

    Random sampling techniques, such as using random number coordinates.

  4. 4

    When is systematic sampling along transects appropriate?

    Model answer

    When investigating changes across an environmental gradient, such as from shore to inland.

  5. 5

    How should quadrat size be chosen for a sampling study?

    Model answer

    Larger quadrats for larger or sparsely distributed organisms; smaller quadrats for dense populations.

  6. 6

    Why might different sampling methods give different estimates of population size?

    Model answer

    Spatial distribution patterns of organisms can cause variation in estimates depending on the sampling method used.

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

1Closed book
2Open book
3Closed book

The 3-step method, run for you

Answer cold, learn it, then prove it stuck. Levo tracks the jump between your first attempt and your last.

Biological Molecules
Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things
Classification and Biodiversity
Exchange and Transport

Cram a whole paper in one sitting

Sort every topic into what you know and what you do not, then drill only the weak ones.

A base.
nitrogenoussulfurphosphate

Blank Blitz makes facts automatic

Rapid timed gap-fills on the terms and numbers you need to recall without thinking.

ALag phase shows no increase.
BLog phase shows exponential increase.
CStationary phase shows a plateau.

Build It gets the exam shape right

Assemble a full-mark answer from its marking points, in the order an examiner wants them.

Oxidation means loss of electrons or hydrogen.
TrueFalse

Test It catches misconceptions

Spot the fault in a statement. The traps are the mistakes students actually make.

721941163128510

Brain Breaks between sessions

Short focus games to reset attention, so the next set lands better than the last.

Every question in Ecosystems, on a schedule.

Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.

Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.