Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
Group 2
4Bio-6
Biodiversity means the number and variety of living organisms that are found in an area.
Generally, the higher the degree of biodiversity, the healthier an ecosystem tends to be. The
healthier the soil, the more life that ecosystem can support, resulting in a greater degree of
biodiversity.
Plants and animals contribute for a better ecosystem of a certain habitat. They are
essential to the whole terrestrial ecosystems. Measuring its biodiversity determines the whole
living components of the terrestrial ecosystem itself. It takes into account of whether the number
of species present, as well as the abundance of each species is in good condition. Application of
the skills needed for this is very vital for conservation biology.
Not only the number of species within a biological community determines species
diversity but also by the relative abundance of individuals in that community. Relative
abundance refers to the evenness of distribution of individuals among species in a community.
The objectives of the study are to assess the biotic components of the terrestrial and
marine ecosystems in Nasugbu, Batangas through the utilization of the transect method, quadrant
method and point quarter method. Also, he relative abundance of species was computed.
2. Quadrant Method
Quadrant Method was used only in sampling of the forest area. Each transect line
measuring 10 m was divided into 5 quadrants making each quadrant 2m x 2m. Macro organisms
(plants and animals) within each quadrant were only counted and collected for identification.
Transect 2
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 9 52.94%
Fabaceae 3 17.64%
Rubiaceae 1 5.89%
Rubiaceae 1 5.89%
Zingiberaceae 2 11.76%
Fabaceae 1 5.89%
TOTAL 17 5.89%
Transect 3
Family Frequency RDen
Fabaceae 1 5.26%
Menispermaceae 3 15.79%
Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%
Fabaceae 4 21.05%
Bombacaceae 5 26.32%
Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%
Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%
Ceasalpinioideae 3 15.79%
TOTAL 19 100
Transect 4
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 4 22.22%
Euphorbiaceae 5 27.78%
Euphorbiaceae 2 11.11%
Ceasalpinioideae 7 38.89%
TOTAL 18 100
Transect 5
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 6
Table 6. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 7
Table 7. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 8
Table 8. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 9
Table 9. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 10
Table 10. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
2. Quadrat Method
A quadrat refers to a frame of any shape that can be placed over vegetation so that cover
can be estimated, plant counted or species listed.
The quadrat method allows the user to define a fixed area, called a plot, within which
plant characters can be measured. Although the exact experimental design will determine where
and how many samples are taken, the procedure always involves measuring plant characters of
only those plants inside the quadrat. Quadrat sampling usually attempts to define plant
community characteristics for an area much larger than the actual area sampled. The purpose of
using a quadrat is to enable comparable samples to be obtained from areas of consistent size and
shape.
For this exercise, five quadrats were surveyed and the following results were obtained:
Species 3 belonging to the family Boraginaceae was dominant to all quadrants.
The species under the family Boraginaceae are mainly herbs but shrubs or trees, usually
multi-stemmed, also occur. Their life cycles may be annual, multiseasonal or perennial. The
stems of the herbaceous species are erect, procumbent (lying on the ground without rooting at the
nodes) or decumbent (spreading horizontally at first but then growing upwards). The plants are
variously hairy. Setae with 1- or 2- or 3-layered, multicellular bases, unbranched or branched
hairs and unbranched multicellular glandular hairs occur. The leaves are simple, with or without
a leaf stalk. The inflorescences are often coiled at the apex, uncoiling as the flowers open. The
corolla is sympetalous (having petals which are partly fused); the throat may be naked, hairy,
with pouch-like swellings (gibbosities) or has fornices (small scales) present. The colour of the
corolla varies from white, yellow, shades of blue and purple to brownish red or pink. The
stamens are exserted or included, borne on the corolla. Pollen grains of different types are
produced in the anthers. The fruit is a capsule or drupe of four 1-seeded nutlets, the nutlets are
glabrous or variously ornamented.
(Q3) (Q4)
Species Ni RDi Species Ni RDi
1 1 9.01 1 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
3 7 63.64 3 5 35.71
4 1 9.01 4 2 14.29
5 0 0.00 5 0 0.00
6 2 18.18 6 7 50.00
7 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
8 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
Total: 11 Total: 14
Quadrant 3
(Q1) 6 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 7 3 25.00
1 0 0.00 8 1 8.33
2 0 0.00 Total: 12
3 6 60.00
4 1 10.00 (Q2)
5 0 0.00 Species Ni RDi
6 3 30.00 1 0 0.00
7 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
8 0 0.00 3 13 72.22
Total: 10 4 4 30.77
5 0 0.00
(Q3) 6 1 5.56
Species Ni RDi 7 0 0.00
1 3 25.00 8 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 Total: 18
3 4 33.33
4 1 8.33 (Q4)
5 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 5 0 0.00
1 1 7.69 6 3 23.08
2 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
3 9 69.23 8 0 0.00
4 0 0.00 Total: 13
Quadrant 4
(Q1) (Q2)
Species Ni RDi Species Ni RDi
1 1 6.25 1 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
3 12 75.00 3 6 66.67
4 2 12.50 4 0 0.00
5 1 6.25 5 2 22.22
6 0 0.00 6 0 0.00
7 0 0.00 7 1 11.11
8 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
Total: 16 Total: 9
(Q3) (Q4)
Species Ni RDi Species Ni RDi
1 0 0.00 1 1 8.33
2 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
3 2 100.00 3 2 16.67
4 0 0.00 4 2 16.67
5 0 0.00 5 0 0.00
6 0 0.00 6 7 58.33
7 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
8 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
Total: 2 Total: 12
Quadrant 5
(Q1) 5 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 6 0 0.00
1 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
3 1 100.00 Total: 3
4 0 0.00
5 0 0.00
6 0 0.00 (Q2)
7 0 0.00 Species Ni RDi
8 0 0.00 1 0 0.00
Total: 1 2 0 0.00
3 0 0.00
(Q3) 4 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 5 0 0.00
1 1 33.33 6 2 100.00
2 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
3 1 33.33 8 0 0.00
4 1 33.33 Total: 2
(Q4)
Species Ni RDi
1 0 0.00
2 0 0.00
3 2 66.67
4 0 0.00
5 0 0.00
6 0 0.00
7 0 0.00
8 1 33.33
Total: 3
Based on the data, majority of the quadrats were occupied by the representative species
of the family Boraginaceae followed by the species from the family Rutaceae. Species of
the family Rutaceae generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually
with strong scents. They range in form and size from herbs to shrubs and small trees.
Most species are trees or shrubs, a few are herbs, frequently aromatic with glands on the
leaves, sometimes with thorns. The leaves are usually opposed and compound, and
without stipules.
In the marine fieldowrk, a total of 26 individuals were collected in the first strip-
transect i.e. 30 m away from the shoreline. Whereas, 48 individuals were collected on the
second strip-transect i.e. shoreline. Most of the species in the first transect were collected
during the opportunistic search employed by the group. Conversely, visual encounter
survey was employed in the shore transect.
On the surface, it appears to be that the shore transect has richer marine life. Or at
the very least, exhibits the most number of species. The shoreline at the island is more of
“rocky” composition rather than a sandy one. Therefore, non-burrowing species such as
shells, algae are more prevalent. However, those species that were detected in the shore
transect are either empty shells or algae that were broken off from their thalli. Another
reason for such a great number of species detected might be explained by the
convenience of doing such an activity, many of those species might have been washed
away to the shore. This is a significant point in comparing the two sites in the marine
fieldwork. Thirty meters away from the shore, the 26 individuals that were detected and
collected are mostly algae but a variety of echinoderms were also observed such as sea
cucumbers, sea stars and bristle stars.
One thing that characterizes the location of the second transect is the prevalence of
corals in the area. This characteristic might explain the low turnout of species detection
owing to the fact that these corals inhibit maximal observation. Since the group has not
employed any specialized method for maximal species detection, only a few species were
detected. This can also be explained by the prevalence of algae detected. Most of the
algae that were observed were easily identifiable in their original habitat thus the reason
for their numerous presences. However, qualitatively speaking, the second transect
exhibited a richer marine life and diversity. Aside from algae and corals, a number of
echinoderms thrive in the area.
References:
http://www.psychology.ex.ac.uk/lundy/quadrat.htm
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/mathematics/Departmental%20Seminars/Statistics/gerard.pdf
September 26, 2003
http://www.tamug.edu/seacamp/virtual/methods.htm
http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/howto.htm