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Difficulty: EasyPopulation Dynamics and Ecological Sampling

An biology student placed a 1 m21\text{ m}^2 quadrat 10 times randomly in a grassland plot within Yankari Game Reserve to estimate the population density of wild marigold (*Tithonia diversifolia*). A total of 150 wild marigold plants were counted across all 10 quadrat samples. What is the population density of the wild marigold plants in organisms per square metre?

Answer: 15 plants/m²

Answer

The population density of wild marigold plants is 15 plants/m215\text{ plants/m}^2.
Population density is calculated using the formula: Population Density=Total number of individuals countedTotal area sampled\text{Population Density} = \frac{\text{Total number of individuals counted}}{\text{Total area sampled}}. Since 10 quadrats of 1 m21\text{ m}^2 each were thrown, the total area sampled is 10 m210\text{ m}^2. Dividing 150 plants by 10 m210\text{ m}^2 yields 15 plants/m215\text{ plants/m}^2.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate total area sampled
Total area = 10 m210\text{ m}^2
The area of a single quadrat is 1 m21\text{ m}^2 and 10 quadrats were sampled in total.
2
Calculate population density
Density = 15 plants/m215\text{ plants/m}^2
Population density is determined by dividing the total count of organisms by the total sampled area.

Key Concept

Calculating population density using quadrat sampling data.
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Topics

Population Dynamics and Ecological Sampling

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