EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION 9.2 How can we calculate the percentage frequency of a plant in a local habitat?
Equipment Pen
Quadrat Paper
SAFETY • Do not throw the quadrat.
Method 1. Select a suitable area of a habitat to survey for a named plant. 2. Working in pairs, one member of the pair carefully throws a pen over their shoulder.
3. The other member of the pair carefully positions the quadrat over the ground where the pen has landed.
4. Record with a tick () if the named plant is present, or with a cross () if the named plant is absent.
5. Repeat steps 1–4 at least four times.
6. Calculate the percentage frequency using the formula provided in your Experimental Investigations Log.
j Go to page 18 of your Experimental Investigations Log to write up this investigation.
Step 4: Measure the non-living factors in the habitat Non-living (or abiotic) factors in a habitat include: • soil temperature
• soil pH Soil pH
• light intensity
The following table describes instruments that can be used to measure these factors: Non-living factor Soil temperature
Soil thermometer Digital pH meter
Light intensity Light meter
Instrument
How to use ?
Push into the soil. Record the temperature at the same time each day.
TEST TUBE
17. List three other non-living factors in a habitat that may affect plants and animals. 18. It is important to survey a habitat at different times of the year. Explain why.
86 Elements of Science
Take a sample of soil from the ground. Add distilled water and stir. Once settled, place the pH probe in and record reading.
Place light meter on ground. Be careful not to cast a shadow over it. Record reading.