An ecologist conducted a survey in an abandoned oil palm plantation in Edo State to determ… — JAMB UTME

An ecologist conducted a survey in an abandoned oil palm plantation in Edo State to determine the density of Siam weed (*Chromolaena odorata*). Using a $1\text{ m} \times 1\text{ m}$ quadrat frame thrown randomly 20 times across the field, a total of 160 Siam weed plants were counted. What is the estimated population density of Siam weed in this plantation?

A
$160\text{ plants/m}^2$
B
$16\text{ plants/m}^2$
$8\text{ plants/m}^2$ Answer
D
$3200\text{ plants/m}^2$

Answer

The estimated population density of Siam weed is

8\text{ plants/m}^2

Population density is defined as the number of individuals of a species per unit area. To calculate this accurately using quadrats, the total number of organisms counted (160 plants) must be divided by the total area sampled. Since 20 quadrats of

1\text{ m}^2

each were sampled, the total sampled area is

20\text{ m}^2

. Thus,

\frac{160}{20} = 8\text{ plants/m}^2

Step-by-Step Solution

Calculate the area of a single quadrat frame

\text{Area of 1 quadrat} = 1\text{ m} \times 1\text{ m} = 1\text{ m}^2

Determines the sampling area covered by one throw of the frame.

Calculate the total area sampled across all quadat throws

\text{Total sampled area} = 20 \times 1\text{ m}^2 = 20\text{ m}^2

Finds the combined area evaluated in the 20 random quadrat throws.

Calculate the population density per square metre

\text{Population Density} = \frac{\text{Total number of individuals}}{\text{Total sampled area}} = \frac{160\text{ plants}}{20\text{ m}^2} = 8\text{ plants/m}^2

Applies the standard ecological formula for population density using quadrat data.

Key Concept

Population Density Calculation using Quadrats

Estimated Time:1m 0s

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