To date we have been introduced to four different
sampling techniques. We were sent into the field with appropriate equipment for
about an hour to complete each exercise. On July 1, 2015 our seven student
group completed the point quarter transect and the regular transect on two separate
expeditions. The point quarter transect
involved choosing and marking ten points two meters apart from one another.
After the points had been flagged, photos were to be taken in four quadrants
around each point one meter from the flag. In the regular transect at least
five points were to be marked one meter apart in a straight line. In both
transect exercises photos were taken of the points and students were to
identify the species of coral in the area. The data was later transferred to an
excel spread sheet and the percent coverage of coral was analyzed. On July 4,
2015 we worked on another type of sampling called grid sampling. This time we
were to flag off a 5 meter by 5 meter square in the same location we did the
transect. We were to visualize this sectioned off square as a grid with 1 meter
by 1 meter sections. To start the sampling we were to pick three coordinates
and take a photo in each of the sections. Our group chose (1,1), (3,3) and
(5,5). This information was transferred to an excel spread sheet and the
percent coverage of coral was analyzed. On July 5, 2015 we conducted focal area
and focal animal sampling. Our three person group worked on the focal area
sampling first. In this type of sampling researchers are to watch a single area
1 meter by 1 meter and observe the organisms that come in and out of the area.
The species name, movement, and behavior was recorded for later analysis. To
conduct the focal animal sampling a single animal is monitored and its behavior
is recorded. Both samplings were conducted for a predetermined period of ten
minutes. The information observed was used to create a poster that will be
presented later on today.
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