Data Analysis (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management)

Analysing Data

Lincoln index

• The Lincoln index can be used to estimate the abundance or population size of a species in a given area

• First, the capture-mark-recapture technique is carried out

  • The first large sample is taken - as many individuals as possible are caught, counted and marked in a way that won’t significantly affect their survival e.g. if studying a species of beetle, a small amount of brightly coloured, non-toxic paint can be applied to their carapace (shell)

  • The marked individuals are returned to their habitat and allowed to randomly mix with the rest of the population

  • When a sufficient amount of time has passed another large sample is captured

  • The number of marked and unmarked individuals within the sample are counted

  • The proportion of marked to unmarked individuals is used to calculate an estimate of the population size (the Lincoln index, N)

• The formula for calculating the Lincoln index is:

N = (n₁ × n₂) ÷ m₂

• Where:

  • N = estimate of population size

  • n₁ = number of individuals caught in the first sample (i.e. number of marked individuals released)

  • n₂ = number of individuals caught in the second sample (marked and unmarked)

  • m₂ = number of marked individuals in the second sample

Simpson’s index

• Communities can be described and compared through the use of diversity indices, which are mathematical tools used to quantify the diversity of species within a community

  • These indices provide a measure of the variety of species present, as well as their relative abundances, and can be used to compare different communities or to track changes in diversity over time

  • By quantifying the diversity of species within a community, researchers can gain insight into the ecological processes that drive community structure

  • When comparing similar communities, a low diversity index may indicate that one of the communities has undergone some kind of disturbance (usually caused by some kind of damaging and detrimental human activity)

• Simpson’s index requires data that shows types of species, genera or families

  • This data can be obtained using quadrat and transect sampling techniques

• The formula for calculating Simpson’s index is:

D = 1 - ∑(n ÷ N)²

• Where:

  • D = diversity

  • ∑ = sum of (total)

  • n = number of individuals of each type present

  • N = total number of individuals of all types present in the sample

• To calculate Simpson’s index:

  • Step 1: First calculate n ÷ N for each species

  • Step 2: Square each of these values

  • Step 3: Add them together and subtract the total from 1

• Simpson’s index will give diversity values (D) ranging from 0 to 1

  • 0 represent zero diversity

  • 1 represents very high diversity

  • The closer the result is to 1, the higher the diversity

Estimating Frequency & Percentage Cover Using Quadrat Data

• Frequency and percentage frequency indicate the probability of a particular species being found in any one quadrat within a sample area

Frequency = number of quadrats in which species present ÷ total number of quadrats

% frequency = (number of quadrats in which species present ÷ total number of quadrats) × 100

• For example, if bluebells were found in 18 out of 50 quadrats (within an area of woodland) the percentage frequency would be:

  • (18 ÷ 50) × 100 = 36%

  • This means that there is a 36% probability that a random quadrat within this sample area of woodland will contain bluebells

• However, tt can sometimes be difficult to count individual plants or organisms

• If this is the case, percentage cover of the species within the quadrat can be estimated instead

  • The quadrat is divided into 100 smaller squares

  • The number of squares the species is found in is equivalent to its percentage cover in that quadrat

• For example, if grass is found in 89 out of 100 squares in the quadrat then it has a percentage cover of 89%

  • This process could be repeated for a series of quadrats within a given sample area

  • This information can then be used to calculate average percentage cover across all the sampled quadrats

Estimating Abundance Using Quadrat Data

• It is possible to estimate abundance using quadrat data and the ACFOR scale

  • ACFOR = Abundant, Common, Frequent, Occasional, Rare

• For example, if a meadow is sampled using a quadrat, each plant species present within each quadrat placed is allocated an abundance letter (A, C, F, O or R)

  • Although this method is more subjective than calculating percentage cover, it is quicker, providing environmental researchers with faster results and allowing them to sample larger areas within the same amount of time