How Big is My Population?

Go to: http://mathbench.umd.edu/modules/env-science_sampling/page01.htm
Name: Galilea Patricio
1: Counting Big Populations: How do scientists estimate the size of a large
population?
Scientists are able to statistically estimate the size of a large population by taking
random samples.
2: Sampling on a grid: To count the dandelions, we'll first create a grid, then use the
computer's random number generator to tell us which grid squares to count. We'll do
this 10 times, because, as you'll see, the counts in the different grid squares will vary a
lot. After you count 10 squares, you'll use the average number per square to estimate
the population of the entire lawn.
How many dandelions are there on the grid? _____________
3: Scaling it Up: What does it mean that we scaled it up?
Scaling up is estimating the size of an entire area by multiplying the number of sample
squares to the average amount of what is being counted within the sample.
4: Keeping it Random: Why is it important to randomly select segments to count?
It is important to select random segments in order to prevent "experimenters bias" which
is an experimenters tendency to select a sample area that is most convenient for him or
her.
5: When Size Matters: What is the simplest way to determine the appropriate sample
size?
The simplest way to determine the appropriate sample size is to graph a running
average.
6: Bare Bones Sampling: What is the difference between measuring abundance
versus Presence/absence?
The difference between measuring abundance versus presence/absence is: abundance
is the actual amount of the organism while presence/absence is data collection that
counts an organism whether it is there or not.
7: Collecting P/A Data: Counting Moss.. How do we estimate sample size?
To estimate the sample size of moss, the p/a counting method is used and random
individual points for sampling.
8: Impervious Surface: How do we estimate impervious surface? Explain.
Impervious surface is estimated using p/a sampling.
9: Getting Fancy: What are the steps for conducting a simple transect?
The steps to conduct simple transect are: 1. First select a random sampling area of the
location to be tested.
2. Choose a direction to be tested randomly from the chosen sampling area.
3. Use a tape measure to create a transect.
4. Choose where data will be collected along the transect.
5. Set boundaries once a transect is determined.
10: Try a Transect:
Summary: Explain what you learned by doing this activity
Throughout the activity I learned the importance of acquiring the correct sampling size.
If a sample size Is too large than the experiment is pointless. A small sample size would
result in inaccurate data. The activity also presented the different methods to calculate
samples such as abundance and presence/absence sampling.