Jove Lab Bio

Measuring Biodiversity — Lab Prep

1. Quadrats and Transects Preparation Expand
   • Start by tying a knot at the beginning, end and every 5 feet of six 20-foot pieces of rope.
   • Then, identify three outdoor areas near the classroom, each containing a variety of at least four plant species. NOTE: Surprisingly, grassy areas often contain at least four plant species. Although most plants in these areas will be of a single grass species, there are usually many weeds, such as clovers or dandelions mixed in. Therefore, a well-kept grassy area without shade, a well-kept grassy area with shade, for example under a tree, and a weedy field could be used for the three different habitats that they students will be moving between.
   • Place two ropes parallel to each other within each of the habitats. It does not matter which direction the ropes face as long as the entire length of rope is within each area and a hula hoop can be placed on either side of the ropes within the habitat.
   • Finally, back in the lab set out enough plant identification guides for each student group to have at least one.
   • Also set out enough hula hoops so that each group has one to use as a sampling quadrat.
2. Diversity Lab Simulation Preparation Expand
   • Before beginning the species accumulation curves and richness evenness activity, place 50 colored beads into one paper bag. The bag should contain 15 black beads, 10 purple beads, 8 red beads, 5 green beads, 3 blue beads, 3 yellow beads, 2 pink beads, 2 brown beads, 1 orange bead and 1 white bead.
   • Label this bag Community A.
   • Then, add five beads of each color to the second bag and mark this bag Community B.