This lesson describes how random and non-random sampling strategies can be carried out to measure the biodiversity of a habitat. The PowerPoint and accompanying worksheets are part of the first lesson in a series of 2 which have been designed to cover the content of point 4.2.1 (b) (i) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification and this lesson specifically focuses on sampling plant species. The second lesson covers the sampling of animal species using apparatus such as pooters and sweeping nets.
The lesson begins with a challenge, where the students have to recognise the terms random and stratified from descriptions that were met in modules 2.1.6 and 3.1.1. This introduces the concept of sampling and emphasises its importance in the measurement of biodiversity and the students will learn that there is random sampling as well as non-random sampling, and that one of these strategies is known as stratified. The next part of the lesson focuses on the random sampling of a habitat where the results found with a quadrat are used to estimate the population of sessile species like plants. Due to the heavy mathematical content in the A-level Biology exams, a step by step guide is used to walk the students through the key stages in these calculations and includes the extra steps needed when the quadrat does not have an area of 1 metre squared. A series of exam-style questions will then challenge them to apply their understanding and mark schemes are embedded in the PowerPoint to allow them to immediately assess their progress. The use of quadrats that have been divided into 100 squares and point frames to estimate percentage ground cover are also discussed and the overall advantages and disadvantages of random sampling are considered.
Moving forwards, the stratified, opportunistic and systematic strategies of non-random sampling are discussed and again the advantages and disadvantages of all three are considered. Time is taken to focus on line and belt transects and students will learn that the latter can be particularly useful when an abiotic factor appears to change across a habitat.
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Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease (OCR A-level Biology A)
The detailed content, exam-style questions, guided discussion points and quiz competitions that are found in each of the 16 paid lessons that are included in this bundle (as well as the 5 free lessons which are named at the bottom) cover the following specification points in module 4 of the OCR A-level Biology A specification: Module 4.1.1 * The different types of pathogen that can cause communicable diseases in plants and animals * The means of transmission of animal and plant communicable pathogens * The primary non-specific defences against pathogens in animals * The structure and mode of action of phagocytes * The structure, different roles and modes of action of B and T lymphocytes in the specific immune response * The primary and secondary immune responses * The structure and general functions of antibodies * An outline of the action of opsonins, agglutinins and anti-toxins * The differences between active and passive immunity, and between natural and artificial immunity * Autoimmune diseases * The principles of vaccination Module 4.2.1 * How biodiversity can be considered at different levels * The random and non-random sampling strategies that are carried out to measure the biodiversity of a habitat * How to measure species richness and species evenness * The use and interpretation of Simpson's Index of Diversity * How genetic biodiversity may be assessed * The ecological, economic and aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity * In situ and ex situ methods of maintaining biodiversity * International and local conservation agreements made to protect species and habitats 4.2.2 * The biological classification of species * The binomial system of naming species and the advantage of such a system * The features used to classify organisms into the five kingdoms * The evidence that has led to new classification systems * The different types of variation * Using the standard deviation to measure the spread of a set of data * Using the Student's t-test to compare means of data values of two populations * Using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to consider the relationship of the data * The different types of adaptations to their environment * The mechanism by which natural selection can affect the characteristics of a population over time * How evolution in some species has an impact on human populations If you would like to get an idea of the quality of the lessons that are included in this bundle, then download the following five OCR A lessons which have been uploaded for free: Immunity & vaccinations Reasons for maintaining biodiversity Taxonomic hierarchy and the binomial naming system Adaptations and natural selection Transmission of animal and plant pathogens
Module 4.2.1: Biodiversity (OCR A-level Biology A)
The biodiversity topic may not be every students' favourite, but questions relating to this module 4 topic are very common in the OCR terminal exams, meaning it can be an area where a lot of marks are unfortunately lost. With this in mind, hours of research and planning has gone into each of the 6 lessons that are included in this bundle to ensure that the slides and accompanying worksheets contain interesting and relevant biological examples that will catch the attention of the students and ultimately increase the likelihood of the retention of the detailed A-level content. There are also regular understanding checks in the form of exam-style questions with accompanying mark schemes to allow the students to assess their progress. The following specification points in module 4.2.1 of the OCR A-level Biology A specification are covered in this bundle: * How biodiversity may be considered at different levels * Random sampling and non-random sampling (opportunistic, stratified, systematic) * How to measure species richness and species evenness * The use and interpretation of Simpson's Index of Diversity * How genetic biodiversity may be assessed, including calculations * The ecological, economic and aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity * In situ and ex situ methods of maintaining biodiversity * International and local conservation agreements made to protects species and habitats The "reasons for maintaining biodiversity" lesson has been uploaded for free so if you download this, you will be able to recognise the quality of lesson that can be found in this bundle
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