Read Lab Exercise 5B. (Review your previous handouts for Ex. 1B, Ex. 2A, 2B, and Ex. 3A (quadrat sampling)).
Plant community species diversity can vary due to many factors.
Research your textbook and library books to understand how climate and habitat microclimate differences contribute to plant species diversity differences. You will be counting species abundance (species density per quadrat, 0.1 m²) for different species of plants in two different habitats.
One habitat is a Canadian boreal forest, which has more shade and moisture due to its microclimate. (Use boreal forest websites and the Whittaker library for specific background.)
The second habitat, Arctic tundra, is a seasonally frozen grassland with low vegetation, high wind, and no trees. It experiences larger seasonal changes in day lengths, precipitation, and wind compared to the Canadian boreal forest. (See websites and the Whittaker library for additional background.) Be sure to record your observations for each separate habitat, noting the diversity counts, the date, geographical location, and habitat conditions. Research the Whittaker library and Google Scholar for books and articles about how habitat differences between boreal forests and tundras affect plant biodiversity.
Habitat Starting Location:
Your habitat starting location will be determined using a randomized transect method with a randomized starting point. Your starting grid coordinates are listed for each quadrat in the Excel handout. In class, you will learn how to find your transect and starting point. You must count the number of individuals for each species within each quadrat and compile the data in the raw table below. Hint: Use species codes for this.
Quadrat Sampling:
You must count all individuals for each species in three quadrats from each of the habitat types, yielding a total of six quadrats. The quadrats are randomly located in each habitat. Flip your square over for each new quadrat, totaling three quadrats in the Canadian boreal forest and three quadrats in the Arctic tundra, as shown in the video.
For each quadrat sample:
Data Recording:
Record your data on the raw data chart below.
Diversity Calculation:
Use your data to calculate the modified Simpson’s Diversity Index (ds) for each quadrat in each habitat using Equation (7) on page 179 of the lab book. (The equation is also shown below.) Compute the diversity for each quadrat to enter into your Quadrat Diversity table on the next page, which you will use in your graph and discussion.
