Lesson Title: Distribution & Abundance
Connector: Questions on prior Answers:
learning linked to todays
lesson: 1. Population: is the number of a particular
1. Define the terms: population,
distribution and abundance.
2. How might abiotic factors be
measured?
3. What do the words: range, mean,
median and mode mean?
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species living in a habitat
Abundance: is the measure of how common or
rare a particular type of organism is in a given
environment
Distribution is where particular types of
organisms are found within an environment
2. thermometer, temperature/pH probe, light
meter, satellites
3. Range is the maximum and minimum values
for the independent or dependent variables.
Mean is the arithmetical average of a series of
numbers
Median is the middle value in a list of numbers
Mode is the value which occurs most often in a
set of data
 Learning Outcomes
Aiming for Grade 8
• discuss what factors determine the size of the quadrat used.
• design independently an investigation based around a question or
hypothesis.
• evaluate in detail the use of sampling to estimate population size.

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The section of your Checklist we are
covering today

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 Key Distribution and Abundance
Facts
• A range of experimental methods using transects and
quadrats are used by ecologists to determine the
distribution and abundance of species in an ecosystem.
 RECA P Mean, Mode, Median
and Range

• A student takes 10 random 1m2 quadrat readings

looking at the number of snails in a garden. The results
are:

3 4 3 4 5 2 6 7 3 3

• What is the range?

• What is the mode?
• What is the median?
• What is the mean?
 RECA P Mean, Mode, Median
and Range

• Range = between the minimum and maximum values =

2 – 7 snails per m2
• Mean = an average, add all the readings and divide by
how many there are = 4 snails per m2
• Median = middle value when numbers are in order = 3
snails per m2
• Mode = most frequently occurring value = 3 snails per
m2
Count how many armadillos there are 10 seconds.
100 m

50 m
SH AR E What is a Sample?

• Scientists take a small

sample of the population in
an ecosystem, rather than
studying every organisms
everywhere, which would
be impossible.

• You must have at least 3-5

samples, more depending
on the size of the whole
area
 SH AR E Distribution and
Abundance
• Ecologists study the make-up of biological
communities.
• They look at how living (biotic) and non living
(abiotic) factors affect the abundance and
distribution of organisms.

• Quadrats are used to count the abundance

(number of organisms) in a sample area.
• Sampling along a transect can also be used to
examine the distribution of organisms in a
specific area.
 SH AR E Quadrats
• A quadrat is a square frame laid on the ground
m
– it is used to count the number of organisms 0.5 0.
5m
in a sample area.

• A quadrat with sides 0.5m long gives you a

0.25m2 sample area.

• Samples must be random to ensure a true

reflection of the distribution of the sample
area.

• Several random readings need to be taken and

then the mean number of organisms per m2
can be found.
SH AR E Sampling

Two types of sampling

Random Systematic
•Using random • Using a transect line
coordinates • Allows to investigate
the effect of a variable
•Remove bias on distribution of an
•Allows for valid organism
results
SH AR E Random Sampling

Clissold Park
SH AR E Random Sampling
SH AR E Random Sampling

4. The mean number of

organisms per square
meters is calculated, and
then scaled up to the
actual size of the area.
 SH AR E Transects
• Sampling along a transect line is
another way of measuring the
distribution of organisms.

• Transects are not random – tape is

stretched between two points. This
is often done when a change is
suspected due to an abiotic factor.

• The organisms are sampled along

the line at regular intervals using a
quadrat – this shows how an
organisms changes along the line.
SH AR E Transects

• A line transect can be used to measure the

distribution of species in an ecosystem.
• They are especially helpful where we see
environmental gradients- gradual changes
in an ecosystem. Also called zonations
 TA S K Measuring Abiotic
factors
Abiotic factors include light intensity, temperature, pH and soil
moisture. These are easy to measure using simple equipment.

Link the abiotic factor with the equipment used to measure it?

Light intensity moisture meter

Temperature pH probe or meter

pH thermometer

Soil moisture light meter (LUX meter)

 CUL ATE Estimating Population
CAL
size
• First you will need to find the mean average number of
daisies/smiley in the quadrats
• Second you need to divide these by the area of the
quadrat
• Thirdly you multiply your result by the area that you are
studying.
NOTE: The more times you repeat the more reliable
Sample Number
Number of 
1 6 Estimate the
2 6 number of  living
3 4 in the habitat 4 quadrats are used here
4 4 Area of land = 750m2
Area of Quadrat =
Total number of smiles in the quadrats sampled Total Area of
X the Zone 0.5m2
Area of the Quadrat
studied
SH AR E Transects
GRA PH S Transects
GRA PH S Transects

Why are there more sand fescue further away

from the water?
I would argue they need salty water to grow?
Discuss
Lets apply what you have learnt to some past
exam paper questions
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 EXA M Q Distribution and
Abundance
• Complete the practice exam question on distribution and abundance.

6 marks
 AC TI C A L Distribution and
PR
Abundance
• Investigate the population size of daisies
in trampled and un-trampled parts of a
school field.

• You will use both a transect line and a

quadrat as part of your sampling
technique.

• Read your practical instructions and take

them outside on your clipboard.

• Complete the table.

 I C A L
AC T
PR
REV I E W Distribution and
Abundance
•         use of tape measure to produce transect
•         placing of quadrats
•         transect placed across stream
•         score presence of each plant species
•         use quadrat at regular intervals along tape
•         repeat transect several times (≥ 3)
•         along stream
•         at random or regular intervals
 CUL ATE Distribution and
CAL
Abundance
• Students are estimating the number of
dandelions on a 20m x 20m field. They are
using 50 x 50cm quadrats.

1. How many quadrats would cover the whole

area?
2. If they wanted to cover 2%, how many
samples they would need to take?
3. The mean number of dandelions in a quadrat
is 2.2. Estimate the number in the whole
field?