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Summary of 6 pages for the course Unit 3 - Practical Biology and Research Skills at PEARSON (STATS CPAC)
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Statistical CPAC Topic-5 OLIVIA BENNYScientific introduction:
Within various different habitats there are a number of different species that you can find which is also
dependant on the conditions provided by the habitats. For this practical the common species found in
the grasslands included e.g., Daisies, dandelion, groundsel, greater plantain, buttercups, germander
speedwell and Dove’s food crane’s bill. Each different species is found in different areas depending
on the conditions e.g., some species may grow in lighter conditions or colder conditions. Here is a full
run down of the abiotic and biotic affecting each distribution of species.
The first species is called Daisies, also known as Bellis perennis [1] can be seen flowering almost all
year round, they can be identified by a spoon shaped leave that forms a rosette at the base of the
plant. A single stem can also be seen carrying the flower head consisting of a number of tiny flowers
that make up the yellow disc in the middle also known as disc florets and the surrounding white which
are called ray florets. The abiotic factors in a daisy’s habitat are water, sunlight and soil & the biotic
factors include plants, animals and fungi (could also be bacteria) [2]. There are also anthropogenic
factors which includes pollution which can move into the daisy’s habitat. Pollution has a negative
effect as the plants may absorb this through their soil and therefore their soil becomes contaminated
and is moved up the food chain. Normal daisies grow best in full sun although they can tolerate part-
shade conditions but the flowering may be reduced [3]. The average soil works well as overly dry
conditions can result in plant losing vigor over the season and then eventually dying out. The first
source could be critiqued as it was a website written in 2000 and new scientific research has emerged
about the optimum conditions for daisy growth.
The second type of species that is commonly found is the dandelion, also known as Taraxacum
officinale [4], it is a large genus of flowering plants found in the family Asteraceae, this genus is
specifically native to Eurasia and North America but the most two common places of species are now
in North America and Europe [5]. The optimum conditions for dandelions are to grow in sun or shade
but for better dandelion growth a partial to full shade location is ideal and the best soil for dandelion
seed growing is in characteristically rich fertile, slightly alkaline soil and must be deep as the roots of a
dandelion grows deep [6]. The abiotic factors could be water, sunlight, soil and the biotic factors
include predation and anthropogenic factors including human activity. Grazing is also a biotic factor as
sheep tend to use dandelions are a source of food.
The third type of species commonly found is groundsel, also known as Senecio vulgaris L, it a natural
and overwintering weed which is present on most soils especially prolific on good land [7]. It is
common in the UK and in rough ground of habitats, it acts as a host for cineraria leaf rust and the
fungus that causes black root rot in peas. Favourable environments include a container or a field,
areas of cool, moist, nutrient rich, cultivated soils encourage rapid growth and reproduction. When
mature the seeds are covered with a white material called pappus which allows seeds to travel long
distances via wind dispersal [8]. Fresh seeds produced by groundsel generally requires light but only
for germination and therefore the seeds produced in summer and autumn are more dormant.
The fourth type of species commonly found species include greater plantain, also known as Plantago
major [9]. You can identify the greater plantain with the broad oval leaves of greater plantain which
forms a flush of rosette which forms the yellow-green flower spikes which rise up. The flowers are
adapted well as they are small and packed closely together and then leaves are tough and elastic
which are resilient to trampling, and is widespread distributed. It has positive medical uses including
antioxidant properties and a mild antibiotic property [10]. It grows best in full sun, and prefers fine soils
and clay. In ideal conditions the plantain grows from a seed and flower within 6 weeks [11]. The roots
of the greater plantain are fibrous and shallow which allows the plant to stay in hard soil, it regrows
from the roots if the top is cut off. This is an important plant for soil rehabilitation.
The fifth type of species is buttercup, also known as Ranunculus [12]. Buttercups are distributed
around the world especially in woods and fields of the north temperate zone. You can identify them
from their fibrous roots and they are solitary or loosely clustered. They have 5 green sepals and
sometimes have glossy yellow or white petals. The plant can regenerate itself from stolon’s and has a
rooting fibrous structure. It prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun; the soil should be dry to
moist [13]. It can tolerate heavy and wet soils; it can colonize most soils if the sufficient moisture is
present. Can occur on a wide range of soils but forms larger colonies on wet, heavy lang. It can also
, withstand trampling and compaction and can also tolerate both water logging and a moderate
drought.
The sixth common species are germander speedwell, also known as Veronica chamaedrys [14], they
can be identified as a low growing plant, it can have upright spikes of bright blue flowers with four
petals and a white middle. It has two rows of long white hairs on opposite sides of the stems. It is
most commonly used as an excellent nectar source of solitary bees and can be grown in the garden.
The optimum conditions needed are full sun to partial shade and in loamy, sand or clay-dense soils.
However, the speedwell might prefer sunny locations with well-draining soil. The soil pH can go from
neutral, alkaline or acidic with moisture content ranging from average to moist [15].
The seventh common species are Dove’s food crane’s bill, also known as Geranium mole [16]. They
can be found in dunes, grasslands or dry sandy, calcareous soils. It can be distinguished by its foliage
which is hairy, grey-green and divided beyond halfway into 5-7 rounded lobes, there may be deep
pink to white flowers with deeply notched petals. The dove’s food cranes bill generally grows in dry,
grassy areas which include meadows, pastures and verges and laws aswell as on cultivated ground.
It often germinates in autumn and grows through the winter before flowering in spring and summer.
The plant prefers to germinate in bare patches of soil and often grows in lawns which are mown short
[17].
Alternate hypothesis: Light intensity does have an effect on the distribution and abundance of
species in a habitat
Null hypothesis: Light intensity does not have an effect on the distribution and abundance of species
in a habitat
Apparatus:
Transect
Quadrat
Plant identification key
Clipboard and pen
Light meter
Method:
1. Locate an appropriate area to place the transect (ideally where there is a gradient in light e.g.,
a shade to light area
2. Place the quadrat alongside the transect at regular intervals
3. Place the lux-o-meter beside the quadrat and record the value of light
4. Using the plant identification key, identify the number of different species present and the
name of the species identified
5. Repeat steps 1-4 to obtain 8 pairs of data whilst moving the quadrat down the transect at
regular intervals e.g., every 1 metre (systematic sampling)
Risk assessment:
Hazard Risk Risk Level Precaution
Biohazard Contamination, allergies, High Wear gloves, be weary
bee stings, soil of the plants around you,
contamination, bites. ensure you wash your
Touching plants which hands right after, if
may have nettles. swallowed wash out
mouth, if rash from skin
cool affected area [18]
Terrain Slippery surfaces, Low Ensure appropriate
tripping over hazards, footwear is worn, be
changes in area, weary of your
hazardous terrain surroundings.
UV rays- sunlight Sun burns, damages Low Wear sunscreen, limit
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