marine and terrestrial ecosystems

Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystem

Group 2

4Bio-6

Gerardo, Mary Antonette O. Maguslog, Justine P., Salumbre, Renz L.,

Surquia, Joseph Michael S.

I. INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity means the number and variety of living organisms that are found in an area.

Generally, the higher the degree of biodiversity, the healthier an ecosystem tends to be. The

healthier the soil, the more life that ecosystem can support, resulting in a greater degree of

biodiversity.

Plants and animals contribute for a better ecosystem of a certain habitat. They are

essential to the whole terrestrial ecosystems. Measuring its biodiversity determines the whole

living components of the terrestrial ecosystem itself. It takes into account of whether the number

of species present, as well as the abundance of each species is in good condition. Application of

the skills needed for this is very vital for conservation biology.

Not only the number of species within a biological community determines species

diversity but also by the relative abundance of individuals in that community. Relative

abundance refers to the evenness of distribution of individuals among species in a community.

A rank abundance curve is a chart used to display indicators of biodiversity. This is

achieved using the relative abundances of different species in a sample. Rank abundance curves

are useful as they provide a simple way to represent both species richness and evenness, which

are important measures of biodiversity. It overcomes the shortcomings of the biodiversity index

that cannot display the relative role different variables played in its calculation.

The objectives of the study are to assess the biotic components of the terrestrial and

marine ecosystems in Nasugbu, Batangas through the utilization of the transect method, quadrant

method and point quarter method. Also, he relative abundance of species was computed.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

To begin with the experiment, the following materials were required:

For terrestrial activity, barbeque sticks, straw (20 m) and scissors while for the aquatic activity,

the group used plankton net, pail, shovel, nylon string and zip lock plastic bags.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity

A. Terrestrial Sampling

The group was assigned to conduct the activity in the forest area. The following methods

were performed:

1. Line Transect

For the forest area, ten 10 m line (transect) were established. The species of plants and

animals that only passed through the transect line were collected and counted.

2. Quadrant Method

Quadrant Method was used only in sampling of the forest area. Each transect line

measuring 10 m was divided into 5 quadrants making each quadrant 2m x 2m. Macro organisms

(plants and animals) within each quadrant were only counted and collected for identification.

3. Point Quarter Method

Each quadrant measuring 2m x 2m was divided into 4 equal parts having each quadrat

measuring 1m x 1m. Species within and in line with the boundaries were counted.

Fig. 1 Quadrant Method Fig. 2 Point Quarter Method

The data gathered were subjected to the relative abundance calculation. The relative

abundance of the species was then calculated by dividing the total number of individuals of each

species by the total number of all species multiplied by 100. The treated data were then recorded

and paper documented. The plant species were photo documented and samples were gathered for

identification purposes.

B. Marine Sampling

In this fieldwork, the distance sampling method employed was the strip-transect. Two

strip-transect lines were constructed. The first transect line is 30 meters away from the shoreline

and is 10 meters wide. The second transect line was constructed on the shoreline and is also 10

meters wide.

For the detection of species, an opportunistic search and visual encounter survey were

performed. A representative species were then taken for the photograph documentation and the

occurrence of individual species were tallied and recorded in a field notebook.

Results and Discussion

1. Transect MethodLine transect sampling is a popular method used to estimate population density. The

probability density of perpendicular sighting distances from randomly placed transect lines are

modeled to derive an estimate of population density.

After conducting a 10 m transect, the following were the results recorded:

Transect 1

Transect 2 Family Frequency RDen

Bombacaceae 9 52.94%Fabaceae 3 17.64%Rubiaceae 1 5.89%Rubiaceae 1 5.89%

Zingiberaceae 2 11.76%Fabaceae 1 5.89%TOTAL 17 5.89%

Plant Family Frequency RDenBombacaceae 7 22.58%

Rubiaceae 2 6.45%Fabaceae 7 22.58%

Basellaceae 2 6.45%Menispermaceae 1 3.23%

Leguminosae 1 3.23%Betulaceae 8 25.81%

Euphorbiaceae 2 6.45%Euphorbiaceae 1 3.23%

Total 31 100

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabaceae

Transect 3 Family Frequency RDen

Fabaceae 1 5.26%Menispermaceae 3 15.79%Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%

Fabaceae 4 21.05%Bombacaceae 5 26.32%Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%

Ceasalpinioideae 3 15.79%TOTAL 19 100

Transect 4Family Frequency RDen

Bombacaceae 4 22.22%Euphorbiaceae 5 27.78%Euphorbiaceae 2 11.11%

Ceasalpinioideae 7 38.89%TOTAL 18 100

Transect 5Family Frequency RDen

Bombacaceae 3 12.5%Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%Euphorbiaceae 6 25%

Palmae 2 8.33%Rubiaceae 2 20.83%Fabaceae 1 4.17%TOTAL 24 100

Transect 6 Table 6. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area

Family Frequency RDenBombacaceae 3 12.5%Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%Euphorbiaceae 6 25%



Family Frequency RDen



Bombacaceae 3 12.5%Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%Euphorbiaceae 6 25%











2. Quadrat Method

A quadrat refers to a frame of any shape that can be placed over vegetation so that cover

can be estimated, plant counted or species listed.

The quadrat method allows the user to define a fixed area, called a plot, within which

plant characters can be measured. Although the exact experimental design will determine where

and how many samples are taken, the procedure always involves measuring plant characters of

only those plants inside the quadrat. Quadrat sampling usually attempts to define plant

community characteristics for an area much larger than the actual area sampled. The purpose of

using a quadrat is to enable comparable samples to be obtained from areas of consistent size and

shape.

For this exercise, five quadrats were surveyed and the following results were obtained:

Species 3 belonging to the family Boraginaceae was dominant to all quadrants.

Table 2. Summary of Data for the Quadrant Method

Quadrant 1

Species Ni RDi (1)Lamiaceae 3 5.00(2)Leguminaceae 1 2.00(3)Boraginaceae 49 84.48(4)Rutaceae 2 3.44(5) Commelinaceae 1 2.00(6) Mimosaceae 1 2.00(7)Rubiaceae 1 2.00(8)Euphorbiaceae 0 0.00

Total: 58Quadrant 2

Species Ni RDiLamiaceae 1 1.75Leguminaceae 0 0.00Boraginaceae 37 64.91Rutaceae 8 14.04Commelinaceae 0 0.00Mimosaceae 9 15.79Rubiaceae 0 0.00Euphorbiaceae 2 3.50

Total: 57

Quadrant 3


Total: 53Quadrant 4


Total: 39Quadrant 5

Species Ni RDiLamiaceae 1 11.11Leguminaceae 0 0.00

Boraginaceae 4 44.44Rutaceae 1 11.11Commelinaceae 0 0.00

Mimosaceae 2 22.22Rubiaceae 0 0.00Euphorbiaceae 1 11.11

Total: 9

The species under the family Boraginaceae are mainly herbs but shrubs or trees, usually

multi-stemmed, also occur. Their life cycles may be annual, multiseasonal or perennial. The

stems of the herbaceous species are erect, procumbent (lying on the ground without rooting at the

nodes) or decumbent (spreading horizontally at first but then growing upwards). The plants are

variously hairy. Setae with 1- or 2- or 3-layered, multicellular bases, unbranched or branched

hairs and unbranched multicellular glandular hairs occur. The leaves are simple, with or without

a leaf stalk. The inflorescences are often coiled at the apex, uncoiling as the flowers open. The

corolla is sympetalous (having petals which are partly fused); the throat may be naked, hairy,

with pouch-like swellings (gibbosities) or has fornices (small scales) present. The colour of the

corolla varies from white, yellow, shades of blue and purple to brownish red or pink. The

stamens are exserted or included, borne on the corolla. Pollen grains of different types are

produced in the anthers. The fruit is a capsule or drupe of four 1-seeded nutlets, the nutlets are

glabrous or variously ornamented.

Table 3. Summary of Data for the Point Quarter MethodFor the point quarter method, 4 quadrats were made in each quadrant.

Quadrant 1

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/plimagesab/boragpollen.jpg

Quadrat 1 (Q1)Species Ni RDi

1 2 13.332 1 6.673 10 66.674 2 13.335 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 15(Q3)

Species Ni RDi 1 0 0.002 0 0.003 13 81.254 0 0.005 1 6.256 1 6.257 1 6.258 0 0.00

Total: 16

(Q2)Species Ni RDi

1 1 8.332 0 0.003 11 91.674 0 0.005 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 12(Q4)

Species Ni RDi 1 0 0.002 0 0.003 15 100.004 0 0.005 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 15

Quadrant 2

(Q1)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 10 71.434 3 21.435 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 1 7.14

Total: 14

(Q3)Species Ni RDi

1 1 9.012 0 0.003 7 63.644 1 9.015 0 0.006 2 18.187 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 11

(Q2)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 15 83.334 2 11.115 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 1 5.56

Total: 18

(Q4)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 5 35.714 2 14.295 0 0.006 7 50.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 14 Quadrant 3

(Q1)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 6 60.004 1 10.005 0 0.006 3 30.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 10

(Q3)Species Ni RDi

1 3 25.002 0 0.003 4 33.334 1 8.335 0 0.006 0 0.007 3 25.008 1 8.33

Total: 12

(Q2)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 13 72.224 4 30.775 0 0.006 1 5.567 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 18

(Q4)Species Ni RDi

1 1 7.692 0 0.003 9 69.234 0 0.005 0 0.006 3 23.087 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 13

Quadrant 4

(Q1)Species Ni RDi

1 1 6.252 0 0.003 12 75.004 2 12.505 1 6.256 0 0.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 16

(Q3)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 2 100.004 0 0.005 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 2

(Q2)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 6 66.674 0 0.005 2 22.226 0 0.007 1 11.118 0 0.00

Total: 9

(Q4)Species Ni RDi

1 1 8.332 0 0.003 2 16.674 2 16.675 0 0.006 7 58.337 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 12

Quadrant 5

(Q1)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 1 100.004 0 0.005 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 1

(Q3)Species Ni RDi

1 1 33.332 0 0.003 1 33.334 1 33.335 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 3

(Q2)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 0 0.004 0 0.005 0 0.006 2 100.007 0 0.008 0 0.00

Total: 2

(Q4)Species Ni RDi

1 0 0.002 0 0.003 2 66.674 0 0.005 0 0.006 0 0.007 0 0.008 1 33.33

Total: 3

Based on the data, majority of the quadrats were occupied by the representative species

of the family Boraginaceae followed by the species from the family Rutaceae. Species of

the family Rutaceae generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually

with strong scents. They range in form and size from herbs to shrubs and small trees.

Most species are trees or shrubs, a few are herbs, frequently aromatic with glands on the

leaves, sometimes with thorns. The leaves are usually opposed and compound, and

without stipules.

In the marine fieldowrk, a total of 26 individuals were collected in the first strip-

transect i.e. 30 m away from the shoreline. Whereas, 48 individuals were collected on the

second strip-transect i.e. shoreline. Most of the species in the first transect were collected

during the opportunistic search employed by the group. Conversely, visual encounter

survey was employed in the shore transect.

On the surface, it appears to be that the shore transect has richer marine life. Or at

the very least, exhibits the most number of species. The shoreline at the island is more of

“rocky” composition rather than a sandy one. Therefore, non-burrowing species such as

shells, algae are more prevalent. However, those species that were detected in the shore

transect are either empty shells or algae that were broken off from their thalli. Another

reason for such a great number of species detected might be explained by the

convenience of doing such an activity, many of those species might have been washed

away to the shore. This is a significant point in comparing the two sites in the marine

fieldwork. Thirty meters away from the shore, the 26 individuals that were detected and

collected are mostly algae but a variety of echinoderms were also observed such as sea

cucumbers, sea stars and bristle stars.

One thing that characterizes the location of the second transect is the prevalence of

corals in the area. This characteristic might explain the low turnout of species detection

owing to the fact that these corals inhibit maximal observation. Since the group has not

employed any specialized method for maximal species detection, only a few species were

detected. This can also be explained by the prevalence of algae detected. Most of the

algae that were observed were easily identifiable in their original habitat thus the reason

for their numerous presences. However, qualitatively speaking, the second transect

exhibited a richer marine life and diversity. Aside from algae and corals, a number of

echinoderms thrive in the area.

Table 1. Frequency and Relative Abundance of Species in the First Transect

Species Frequency Relative AbundanceLinckia laevigata 1 4Padina minor 1 4Class Phaeophycaea 1 2 8Ulva lactuca 5 20Class Phaeophyceae 2 3 12Sargassum cristaefolium 2 8Leagora ceranoides 3 12Caulerpa racemosa 2 8Valonia ventricosa 1 4Class Phaeophycaea 1 4Hypnea pannosa 1 4Holothuria atra 1 4Ophiothrix purpurea 1 4“Higad-Dagat” 1 4

Table 2. Frequency and Relative Abundance of Species in the Second TransectSpecies Frequency Relative Abundance

Hypnea pannosa 14 19.17Boodlea composita 5 6.85Sargassum cristaefolium 5 6.85Class Chlorophycaea 1 1.37Padina minor 5 2.74Ulva lactuca 24 32.88Valonia ventricosa 1 1.37Univalve 1 1 1.37Univalve 2 1 1.37Univalve 3 1 1.37Univalve 4 2 2.74Univalve 5 2 2.74Univalve 6 5 6.85Univalve 7 1 1.37Univalve 8 1 1.37Univalve 9 2 2.74Univalve 10 1 1.37Univalve 11 1 1.37

Conclusion

The transect method simply refers to the establishment of a baseline along which

sampling is conducted. There are factors to be considered in relation to the use of

quadrats and these are the distribution of plants, the shape and size of the quadrat and the

number of observations needed to obtain an adequate estimate of density.

Different vegetation types requires different quadrat sizes. Vegetation with

smaller plants, greater plant density or greater species diversity need smaller quadrats.

The point-quarter method relies upon a random distribution of the organisms in

the area to be sampled. Uniform or clumped distributions will yield erroneous results.

However, this method is one of the most favored for sampling in several habitats

including intertidal and coastal scrub.

The marine ecosystem is very diverse in terms of species composition. It is

characterized by corals, algae, echinoderms etc. The variation of species composition is

due to depth or zonation where in the shoreline a variety of empty univalve shells and

broken algae can be found whereas in deep waters echinoderms can also be found.

References:

http://www.psychology.ex.ac.uk/lundy/quadrat.htm

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/mathematics/Departmental%20Seminars/Statistics/gerard.pdf

September 26, 2003

http://www.tamug.edu/seacamp/virtual/methods.htm

http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/howto.htm

http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/howto.htm

http://www.tamug.edu/seacamp/virtual/methods.htm

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/mathematics/Departmental%20Seminars/Statistics/gerard.pdf

marine and terrestrial ecosystems

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