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This page and activities relates to page 9 of the workbook
Quadrat Sampling
Quadrat Sampling
Quadrat sampling is a tool used for the study of ecology, especially biodiversity. In general, a series of squares (quadrats) of a set size are placed in a habitat of interest and the species within those quadrats are identified and recorded. Passive quadrat sampling is done without removing the organisms. Abundance of organisms found at the study site can be calculated using the number found per quadrat and the size of the quadrat area in relation to the area being surveyed.
Quadrat sampling is a tool used for the study of ecology, especially biodiversity. In general, a series of squares (quadrats) of a set size are placed in a habitat of interest and the species within those quadrats are identified and recorded. Passive quadrat sampling is done without removing the organisms. Abundance of organisms found at the study site can be calculated using the number found per quadrat and the size of the quadrat area in relation to the area being surveyed.
What is Littoral Rainforest?
What is Littoral Rainforest?
Littoral Rainforest is the term for a closed forest ecological community recognised by its close proximity to the ocean (generally <2km) and closed canopy (i.e. 70% of the sky obscured by tree leaves and limbs).
Littoral Rainforest is the term for a closed forest ecological community recognised by its close proximity to the ocean (generally <2km) and closed canopy (i.e. 70% of the sky obscured by tree leaves and limbs).
The Littoral Rainforests of New South Wales is a group of fragmented and *endangered ecological communities found by the coast in eastern Australia. Much of this seaside form has been destroyed by mining, tourist development or housing or increased severe weather events due to human induced climate change.
The Littoral Rainforests of New South Wales is a group of fragmented and *endangered ecological communities found by the coast in eastern Australia. Much of this seaside form has been destroyed by mining, tourist development or housing or increased severe weather events due to human induced climate change.
*An Endangered Ecological Community is an ecological community listed as facing very high rates of extinction in NSW under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
Vegetation structure can range from low thickets in wind exposed environments to tall forest in more protected sites. The sample we are looking at is the foredune. The sample here consists of pioneer plants such as Spinifex and Goats Foot which stabilise the dunes and set the conditions for a succession of plants to establish the thick healthy littoral rainforest we see on the belt transect closer to the river. Click here to go to Vegetation Transect
Vegetation structure can range from low thickets in wind exposed environments to tall forest in more protected sites. The sample we are looking at is the foredune. The sample here consists of pioneer plants such as Spinifex and Goats Foot which stabilise the dunes and set the conditions for a succession of plants to establish the thick healthy littoral rainforest we see on the belt transect closer to the river. Click here to go to Vegetation Transect
The plant species in this ecological community are predominantly rainforest species with moist, evergreen, leathery leaves and vines creating the major component of the canopy. Whilst dominated by rainforest species, scattered individuals of sclerophyllous (hard-leaved) plants, such as Smooth-barked Apple (Angophora costata), Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia), Bangalay (Eucalyptus botryoides) and Forest Red Gum (E. tereticornis) may also be present.
The plant species in this ecological community are predominantly rainforest species with moist, evergreen, leathery leaves and vines creating the major component of the canopy. Whilst dominated by rainforest species, scattered individuals of sclerophyllous (hard-leaved) plants, such as Smooth-barked Apple (Angophora costata), Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia), Bangalay (Eucalyptus botryoides) and Forest Red Gum (E. tereticornis) may also be present.
What is an Ecological Community?
What is an Ecological Community?
An ecological community is an assemblage of species which can include flora, fauna and other living organisms that occur together in a particular area. They are generally recognised by the trees, shrubs and groundcover plants that live there.
An ecological community is an assemblage of species which can include flora, fauna and other living organisms that occur together in a particular area. They are generally recognised by the trees, shrubs and groundcover plants that live there.
For more detailed information on the Littoral Rainforest found at Brunswick heads click on the following link:
These 5 plants are typically present in this quadrat site.
View the scene below and estimate the abundance of each of these species in the designated quadrat.
View the scene below and estimate the abundance of each of these species in the designated quadrat.
You are estimating the percentage of abundance/coverage of 5 specific vegetation species within the 20 m x 20 m quadrat.
The emphasis is on estimate. Your best is good enough. Have a go at using the tool to gauge the species cover. It is virtual and more tricky than if you were out in the field.
If there are no species within the quadrat you write 0%.
It is ok to have a combined percentage that exceeds 100%. For example it is feasible to have 60% ground cover AND 60% canopy cover in the same section.
The combined species % cover in each section does not need to be 100%.
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