sampling organisms

• random sampling is used to compare the numbers of organisms in different areas
• quadrats are squares as you place it on the ground and count the number of organisms to count plants or slow moving animals
• we use quadrats for hypothesis
• 3 uses of quadrats to record


  • count number of individuals
  • percentage cover
  • biodiversity of species
• ways of transect sampling..

  • a line across a habitat
  • can be one line or many which divide the habitat in a grid
  • quadrats are placed along the transect and intervals are recorded
• a transect is simply a line or a tape measure
• method of transect sampling..


  • place transect marked at intervals across
  • place a quadrat at each interval
  • count or calculate the percentage cover of organisms in each quadrat
  • repeat with more transects and calculate avg number of organisms at each distance