9/26/2018 Random Sampling with Dandelions

Name:_____________________________________________________Date________

Data gathered are often ESTIMATES,

Random Sampling with as biologist accept that they can never
know and exact number for a
Dandelions population.

Field biologist often must determine the population size of a species in an Why would an exact number be so
area, such as the number of fish in a lake or the number of oak trees in a difficult to obtain?
forest. Such endeavors are not always easy, especially when the area to
be studied is large.

PRELAB:
Consider the following scenarios:

1. A certain bird of prey will only next in areas that have large oak trees.
As part of a reintroduction project, an environmental agency needs to
determine if Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois has enough oak
trees to support the birds. How would you determine this number?

2. Prairie dogs have been spotted throughout Northern Illinois in the

tallgrass prairies. These animals live in underground burrows, hunt small
game and avoid large birds of prey by running underground. The tall
grasses of the prairie can make them difficult to spot. How would you
determine the population size of the prairie dog in northern Illinois?

3. Fish biologists must strike a balance between allowing for recreatinal

fishing and maintaining a healthy fish population. How would you
determine the number of fish in Lake Rend?

4. A maintenance worker at your school is disgusted with the number of

dandelions on the field. The principal says that there's really not that many
and that it's not a big deal. How can you find out how many dandelions are
growing on the field?

ACTIVITY
Purpose: Given an area, field or other space, use random sampling to
estimate the population size of dandelions (Taraxacum officinale).

Equipment: 12 meters of string, spikes or similar to mark angles, meter

stick or tape measure, area map.

Procedure: Using the meter stick (or tape measure), string and spikes,
mark an area 3 meters by 3 meters. Count the dandelions in the area, be
sure to count even the ones that have not blossomed.

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9/26/2018 Random Sampling with Dandelions

Compile the data with other plots from other groups, to gather the number
of dandelions in a 9m2 area. Find the average population density for the
plants

Calculate the populations density of dandelions per m2

If the total area you sampled is 66,300 m2, how many dandelions would
you expect there to be overall?

ANALYSIS
Describe two factors that would result in errors with your estimate. What
could be changed to improve the accuracy?

Balance Sheet Sample

Sampling Methods

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