Unit 2: Ecology

Lesson #3: Sampling Techniques

Please take out your composition notebook

“No Bags About It”

Objective: Explain how ecologists use mark and recapture to estimate

population size.

I. Sampling Techniques NotesA. Ecologists study relationships

B. Ecological research methods include observation, and experimentation.

1. Observation is the act of carefully watching something over time.

2. Experiments a. Lab Experiments: more control,

but are not reflective of the complex interactions in nature.

b. Field experiments: more accurate, but cannot be manipulated to test certain variables.

C. Sampling Techniques1. Mark-and-Recapture

a. Used to estimate the size of a population.

b. Capturing individuals, tag, release.c. Can be captured again.

2. Quadrant Sampling: a. Place a quadrant in an areab. Count the population several areas,

then calculate the total population.

3. Core Samplinga. obtained by drilling into

sediment, trees, or ice.b. Used to infer the history of

area.