Name:
Teacher Name:
Habitat Loss and Transformation
Prelab
1. What did E. O. Wilson set out to study in the South Pacific in 1953, and what questions
arose during his time there?
He studied biodiversity on islands and wondered how island size and isolation
affect species.
2. Why is the study of islands relevant beyond actual islands in our world’s contemporary
landscape?
It helps us understand habitat fragmentation, like forests or parks cut off by cities.
3. Identify and categorize the variables that E. O. Wilson graphed during his initial studies, as
indicated in the graph presented at the 3:55 timestamp in the video
Independent Variable: Island size
Dependent Variable: Number of species
4. Describe the patterns or trends occurring in that graph.
Larger islands had more species, but the increase slowed as islands got bigger.
5. Describe the relationship that E. O. Wilson observed between the variables in that graph.
Hint: Review the video from 8:12-9:30.
Bigger islands = more species, due to more space and resources.
Experimental Design
My location choice was
For my hypothesis, I chose
If habitat size increases, then biodiversity will increase because larger areas
provide more space and resources for plant species to thrive.
The independent variable is Habitat size
The dependent variable is Biodiversity
Briefly describe how you would use the materials listed to design an experiment analyzing how
changes in habitat size impact biodiversity in
Use the nylon rope and stakes to divide the 16 m x 16 m area into quadrats of different
sizes (1 m², 4 m², 16 m², 64 m², and 256 m²).
Survey each quadrat by identifying all plant species present within it using visual
inspection and recording data.
Use the measuring tape to ensure the accuracy of quadrat dimensions.
After completing the survey, record the number of species observed in each quadrat size
and analyze the relationship between habitat size and biodiversity.
Procedure
1. Measure, mark, and lay out the survey area. Utilize the diagram provided to divide the area
into the 13 numbered quadrats.
2. Create a data table to track which species are present in each quadrat.
3. Working in each quadrant identify all living plant species (no insects, mushrooms, or fallen
leaves). The species can be identified by either common or scientific names.
4. Next, examine and identify each species, then record the quadrat in which it was found by
marking the appropriate box in the data table. If a sample does not match any of the species
in the table, name the new species and mark its location in the data table. Again, it is not
necessary to determine how many individuals of a species are present in a quadrat; simply
mark whether a specimen is present, at all.
5. After the survey is complete, retrieve the string and stakes from each quadrat when the data
collection there is completed.
Analysis
1. Record the data that the identifiers collected in the data table. What observations can you
make about the data collected?
As quadrat size increased, more plant species were observed.
Smaller quadrats showed repeated species, while larger ones captured greater
diversity, suggesting habitat size directly influences biodiversity.
2. Calculate the average number of species present in the five different sizes of quadrat: 1 m2,
4 m2, 16 m2, 64 m2, and 256 m2. These numbers will become your data points.
Note that there will be four of each size of quadrat (other than the single 256 m2 quadrat),
because smaller quadrats can be viewed as a single, larger quadrat.
For example, there are four 4 m2: quadrats: #5, #6, #7, and the area formed by combining
quadrats #1-4.
Quadrat Size (m²)|Total Species (Hypothetical Data) |Average Species
1 | 12 | 3
4 | 20 | 5
16 | 36 | 9
64 | 60 | 15
256 | 22 (single quadrat) | 22
3. Identify the independent and dependent variables from your data points, and then graph
those data points, drawing a smooth curve through them.
Describe what the graph is showing. How does this compare to the observations you made
based on just the data table?
REMEMBER: You will submit your graph at the end of this lab.
Independent variable: Quadrat size
Dependent variable: Average number of species
4. Use your graph to estimate how many species would be lost if 25 percent of the surveyed
habitat is transformed, lost, or destroyed. Show your work.
The graph shows a curve where species richness increases with quadrat size.
The increase slows for larger quadrats, forming a saturation curve.
Discussion
1. To what extent did your analysis provide confirmation of your hypothesis or answer the
question you posed in the Prelab?
The results support the hypothesis that biodiversity increases with habitat size.
The relationship between quadrat size and species richness is evident in the
graph and data.
2. How might the results of your investigation change with the following alterations?
a. You conduct the investigation again in the same area.
b. You conduct the investigation again in a grassy field with a smaller area. What does this
mean in terms of biodiversity?
Same area: Results would likely be similar but could vary due to seasonal or
environmental changes.
Smaller grassy field: Fewer species would likely be observed, as smaller areas
and simpler habitats support less biodiversity.
3. How do you think the results of your investigation would change if you were able to survey:
a. A larger area
b. The entire school grounds
c. Your entire city
d. Your entire state
a. Larger area: More species would be found, as larger areas capture more
habitat diversity.
b. Entire school grounds: A broader range of species due to varied
environments.
c. Entire city: High species diversity but biased toward urban-tolerant plants.
d. Entire state: Extremely high diversity, covering many ecosystems and habitats.
4. What do you think would happen to the biodiversity of the area if permanent barriers were
placed around each of the quadrats? How would you test your hypothesis?
Isolation would lead to reduced biodiversity over time as species lose access to
other populations and resources.
To test the hypothesis I would set up two groups of quadrats: one with barriers
and one without. Monitor species richness in both groups over time to compare
the effects of isolation.
