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Collection Method in Ecology (Types of data survey (Qualitative (Quality…
Collection Method
in Ecology
Ecology
To study how organisms interact with their environment and others
Examines species interactions, population size, ecological niches, food webs, energy flow, and environmental factors.
Collect data then analyze for research.
The information gained can help ecologists find caused by humans or natural factors and to manage also conserve impacted areas or species.
Modelling
Another way to decipher ecological information when fieldwork is not practical.
A method to streamline information in a more efficient manner.
Examples of modeling: equations, simulations, graphs, and statistical analyses.
Producing helpful maps as well.
Allows for calculations of data to fill in gaps from sampling.
Computer modelling allows for comparatively rapid analysis of data.
Help to predict patterns for crucial planning purposes, such as for climate change.
Experiment
Ecological Experiment
-With a hypothesis or scientific question
Natural Experiment
Not direct by a human.
It is the manipulation of an ecosystem caused by nature.
For example, a natural disaster, climate change or invasive species introduction, the ecosystem itself represents an experiment.
Provide opportunities to study the effects natural events have on species in an ecosystem.
Manipulative Experiment
Alters a factor to see how it affects an ecosystem.
Provide interference in a controlled manner
might not reveal the mechanism behind any patterns observed
Observation Experiment
Require adequate replications for high-quality data.
The "rule of 10", researchers should collect 10 observations for each category required.
Helpful for obtaining statistically significant data.
Randomization and replication should be used together to be effective.
Sites, samples, and treatments should be randomly assigned to avoid confounded results.
Types of data survey
Qualitative
Quality of the subject or conditions
Collected by observation
Qualitative data is descriptive
Include aspects such as color, shape or other aspects for how an observation site looks.
Qualitative data is not numerical
Quantitative
Refers to numerical values or data quantities
Include pH levels in soil, the number of mice in a field site, sample data, salinity level and other information in numeric form.
Ecologist use statistic to analyze quantitative data
More reliable form of data than qualitative data
Types of field work survey
Direct
Directly observe animals and plants in their environment.
Photographing or filming
Bucket device used to collect samples.
The Hamon Grab is a method of collecting sediment from the seafloor and the sediment taken.
will be identified in a laboratory
Indirect
not always practical or desirable
to traces animal scat, dung, footprints and other indicators of their presence.
Observation
Observe the environment, the species within it and how species interact, grow and change.
The different research project requires different types of assessments and observations.
Ecologists rely on observation and fieldwork.
The habitat of the subject of interest to observe it in its natural state.
Can track population growth of species, observe community ecology in action and study.