4.1. In Seminar 6 we counted the number of stems (tree trunks) as a measure of species

abundance. Instead of counting the number of stems, Matlack (1993) used percent cover

when measuring shrub abundance. For woody plants, percent cover is an estimate of how

much ground surface area that the foliage of each species covers, as a proportion of the

total area being sampled. Why would a researcher choose one method over the other?

What are the advantages of each method of determining abundance? (2 marks)

Question

Waters

Biology

24 March, 16:32

4.1. In Seminar 6 we counted the number of stems (tree trunks) as a measure of species

abundance. Instead of counting the number of stems, Matlack (1993) used percent cover

when measuring shrub abundance. For woody plants, percent cover is an estimate of how

much ground surface area that the foliage of each species covers, as a proportion of the

total area being sampled. Why would a researcher choose one method over the other?

What are the advantages of each method of determining abundance? (2 marks)

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Casey Banks · Answer 1

A researcher would chose percentage cover over stem count because percentage cover is a less time consuming process and easy to calculate in case of species having number of clones.

Advantages of stem count:

It gives exact number of individual present in the population.

Advantages of percentage area count:

It gives the total surface area covered by the species and is less hectic.