Organisms population analysis

Method 1: Point Sampling

1.)    39 organisms were found within intersections of 1 cm. As we sampled 4% of the original number, then 39*25 = 936 organisms (100%) is the estimated population.

2.)    Percent error: [(193-936)/193]*100% = 385%

Method 2: Quadrant sampling

The numbers found were: H7=0, C2=3, F1=2, A7=0, G4=1, F10=4, B5=3, B9=3, C8=2, A6=2

3.)    Average population for a quadrant is 2.

4.)    Estimated population is 2(population in each quadrant) * 100(quadrants) = 200 organisms.

5.)    Actual population of organism are 193. Percent error: [(193-200)/193]*100% = 3.63 %

6.)    I drew paper slips rather than just choosing 10 grid segments for this method because it would be a complete overall prediction from different locations of the grid. This way, there is a variety in the data we have and not

Method 3: Transect Sampling

A&B=9, B&C=14, C&D=11, D&E=6, E&F=3, F&G=3,G&H=8, H&I=10, I&J=12. Total=71.

7.)    Total organisms found within 1cm of a line were 71. Estimated population would be 71*5=355 organisms (because 20%*5=100%)

8.)    Total number of beans is 193. Percent error =[(193-355)/193]*100% = 83.9%

Method 4: Mark-Recapture Sampling

9.)    In my experiment I got: N=(19*7)/1 = 133/1 = 133

10.)      Percent error = [(193-133)/193]*100% = 31.1%

OVERALL ANALYSIS

11.)      Method 2 was the most accurate way of predicting the population because I calculated the average number of organisms in each quadrant and multiplied it by 100 leading to the closest number because it has a low percent error.

12.)      In methods 1 and 3, I could increase the number of sampled organisms of the total populations. For e.g. 4% to 20% and 20% to 25%.

13.)      The best analysis for sampling plant populations would be Method 3, because the person could be able to divide the rich land into lines/columns. He would have to calculate the number of plants within 1cm of the line, and would have to multiply the number by 5. This would be much easier than Method 1, but Method 2 would also be hard because the person would have to divide the land into equal 100 quadrants.

14.)      The best analysis for sampling animal populations would be the Lincoln-Peterson index because it involves capturing individuals from a population of interest, marking them, releasing them for a relatively short period of time, and then later recapturing individuals from the same population and counting the number of marked and unmarked individuals. The size of the entire population can be accurately estimated from the proportion of marked and unmarked animals. This would not work for plants because plants aren’t capable of moving and it will depend on the person who collects the data. 

Role of Invasive Species in Survival of the Fittest

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        From an evolutionary perspective states that the most fit organisms adapt to the habitat and survive, as humans we should completely be concerned about invasive species. An invasive species is a non native species that is displacing a native species. The specie that enter an ecosystem and competes the native species, which can cause many types to become extinct and can destroy an ecosystem. We are concerned with these species because they compete other native plants which cause one of them to die off. We should definitely be concerned about invasive species because they act as intruders to the ecosystem which may affect the food chains and/ or food webs. According to natural selection only the survival of the fittest survive while if non-native species attack the habitat of the ecosystem, a competition will take place which will lead to depletion in one of the species, one can predict that there is a possibility that the alien species may be the survival of the fittest or that the survival of the fittest organism may have been once the fit organism but may not be able to adapt to the new environment, and may lead to it’s depletion. But some invasive species might be harmful to the survival of the fittest while on the other hand they can be helpful to the survival of the fittest too.