Environmental Science: Wildfires and Sampling Techniques
Question 1
1.
Name two natural and two man-made contributing factors for the increase in wildfires in California in the last two decades.
Question 2
2.
Explain two ways in which climate change is contributing to the increase in wildfires in the Arctic tundra, and then describe two potential ecological consequences of increased wildfires in the Arctic tundra.
Question 3
3.
Mangrove crabs live in estuaries (a partially enclosed body of water where rivers and streams meet the ocean, creating brackish water) that support specially adapted mangrove plants. Mangrove crabs are omnivorous, eating both mangrove plants, detritus (dead/decaying matter) and small mud invertebrates, sheltering in burrows to avoid predators.
Abundance of both mangrove and crab populations can be estimated by sampling. Why do scientists sample?
Quadrat sampling of mangrove seedlings and crab holes.
Question 4
4.
Quadrat sampling by students (above) was used to estimate abundance. Describe this sampling method.
Question 5
5.
Both direct and indirect sampling were used for the mangrove seedlings and crab holes. Distinguish between the types, referring to the data given in the graph above.
Question 6
6.
Different plant species are found further away from the creek. Describe the type of sampling that would be suitable for collecting this data, and how it differs from quadrat sampling.
Question 7
7.
Students used the Lincoln Index to estimate population size of the mangrove mud crabs. Describe and explain the type of sampling that was required to collect the data for this statistical tool.
Question 8
8.
The investigation of the estuary includes a species of migratory seabird that visits the rockpools. Explain a method that could be used to track the bird during its migration, providing reasons for your choice.
