Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Field Investigations

Field investigations into ecosystems form an integral part of the topic “Ecosystems and Biodiversity” and are central to understanding changes in natural environments.
The first stage in these investigations is to choose an appropriate site. This could be a woodland, grassland or wetland, depending on the focus of the investigation.
It’s important to understand that an ecosystem is a community of species interacting with each other and their non-living environment. Each species has a specific role - or niche - within the ecosystem.
Biodiversity, or the variety of life, is usually greater in ecosystems that are stable over long periods of time.
Once the site is chosen, a hypothesis or research question needs to be formulated. This could be about the distribution of a specific species, the impact of human activity or variations in biodiversity.
Different sampling methods can be used to collect data for the field investigation. These include quadrat sampling for plant species and pitfall traps for small invertebrates.
Quadrat sampling involves placing a square frame of a known area (a quadrat) on the ground and then identifying and counting all the organisms within this area.
Pitfall traps are small containers dug into the ground to collect small invertebrates like insects and spiders.
Data from these samples can then be analysed to answer the research question or investigate the hypothesis.
It’s also essential to evaluate the reliability and validity of the data collected. Consider factors that might affect the accuracy, such as the time of day or year the sampling took place, and whether the sample size was large enough.
Studying changes in ecosystems helps identify threats to biodiversity, such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. The data collected in field investigations can be used to monitor these changes over time and inform conservation efforts.
Be aware that understanding change in ecosystems includes being able to analyse data on biodiversity, make predictions and evaluate the impact of environmental changes. Knowledge of potential results from human interruptions is also key, with discussions often revolving around sustainability.