UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA SHAH ALAM

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

Bachelor of Science (Hons.) Biology
BIO510

Practical 2: Factors That Affect The Distribution And Abundance Of Organisms

Prepared by:
Bil.

Name

ID

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Prepared for:
DR. ASMIDA ISMAIL

Program & Group

PRACTICAL 2
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF
ORGANISMS
Thebiotic factorsofanenvironment areallorganisms foundwithinthatenvironment. A
group of organisms of the same species found within the same environment is called a
population.Populationsofdifferentspeciessharingthesameareaandinteractingwitheach
other make up a community. One way of studying the interactions of organisms in a
communityisbytakinganinventoryofallthespeciesintheareaandcomparingthesizesof
theirpopulations. In this practical you will be exposed with a simple concept of line transect
and quadrat.Studentsalsoneedtoobservetheabioticfactorsofastudysiteandclassifythe
speciesofplantsinthatsite.
The objectives of this practical are as follows:
i.
To introduce the simple concept of line transect and quadrat
ii.
To enhance the power of observation
iii.
To record the difference in plant distribution on slopes
iv.
To infer from natural observations the possible factors that affect distribution and
abundance of organisms
Material:
1. raffia string
2. measurement tape
3. metal stake/ stick
4. scissor
5. note book
1. In your practical, slopes between a concrete staircase at block A and block B FSG will
be the area under study.
(Notice that there is an uneven distribution of floras such as the grasses, plants
and ferns on the slopes)
2. Make a line transect of 6m.
3. Then, make 2 quadrats of 1m x 1m on the right of the line transect and another 2
quadrats of 1m x 1m on the left of the line transect.
4. Make recordings of the angle of slope (estimate) and the plant types that are found on
the slopes inside your quadrat.
(Note: To select which area to conduct your line transect and quadrats, select
areas which have a wide variety of plants)

Example of line transect

1m

1m

Quadrat 1

Quadrat 2

Quadrat 3

Quadrat 4

B
Point A to Point B = 6m (approximately)

RESULTS
Quadrat 1

Name of species:
Bil.

Species name

Symbol

Quadrat 2

Name of species:
Bil.

Species name

Symbol

Quadrat 3

Name of species:
Bil.

Species name

Symbol

Quadrat 4

Name of species:
Bil.

Species name

Symbol

Post lab Questions:

1.

Define the term quadrat in practice.

(3 marks)

2.

What are the two basics requirements of all the quadrats techniques?
(2 marks)

3.

What would be the advantages and disadvantages of using a larger / smaller quadrat to
survey the sedentary organism?
(2 marks)

4.

Problems with spatial scale often make it difficult to directly estimate average
densities in habitats such as large forested area or in aquatic habitats where one cannot
directly see the animals or plants of interest. Explain the issues concerned ecologist in
conducting the sampling method.
(3 marks)

5.

Why is there difference in the number of plant species in the slopes? Hypothesize or
make your own assumption. Discuss the factors that would have caused this type of
distribution. (This will be part of your discussion).
(10 marks)