Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystem

Group 2

4Bio-6

Gerardo, Mary Antonette O. Maguslog, Justine P., Salumbre, Renz L.,

Surquia, Joseph Michael S.
I. INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity means the number and variety of living organisms that are found in an area.
Generally, the higher the degree of biodiversity, the healthier an ecosystem tends to be. The
healthier the soil, the more life that ecosystem can support, resulting in a greater degree of
biodiversity.

Plants and animals contribute for a better ecosystem of a certain habitat. They are
essential to the whole terrestrial ecosystems. Measuring its biodiversity determines the whole
living components of the terrestrial ecosystem itself. It takes into account of whether the number
of species present, as well as the abundance of each species is in good condition. Application of
the skills needed for this is very vital for conservation biology.

Not only the number of species within a biological community determines species
diversity but also by the relative abundance of individuals in that community. Relative
abundance refers to the evenness of distribution of individuals among species in a community.

A rank abundance curve is a chart used to display indicators of biodiversity. This is

achieved using the relative abundances of different species in a sample. Rank abundance curves
are useful as they provide a simple way to represent both species richness and evenness, which
are important measures of biodiversity. It overcomes the shortcomings of the biodiversity index
that cannot display the relative role different variables played in its calculation.

The objectives of the study are to assess the biotic components of the terrestrial and
marine ecosystems in Nasugbu, Batangas through the utilization of the transect method, quadrant
method and point quarter method. Also, he relative abundance of species was computed.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

To begin with the experiment, the following materials were required:
For terrestrial activity, barbeque sticks, straw (20 m) and scissors while for the aquatic activity,
the group used plankton net, pail, shovel, nylon string and zip lock plastic bags.
 A. Terrestrial Sampling
The group was assigned to conduct the activity in the forest area. The following methods
were performed:
1. Line Transect
For the forest area, ten 10 m line (transect) were established. The species of plants and
animals that only passed through the transect line were collected and counted.

2. Quadrant Method
Quadrant Method was used only in sampling of the forest area. Each transect line
measuring 10 m was divided into 5 quadrants making each quadrant 2m x 2m. Macro organisms
(plants and animals) within each quadrant were only counted and collected for identification.

3. Point Quarter Method

Each quadrant measuring 2m x 2m was divided into 4 equal parts having each quadrat
measuring 1m x 1m. Species within and in line with the boundaries were counted.

Fig. 1 Quadrant Method Fig. 2 Point Quarter Method

The data gathered were subjected to the relative abundance calculation. The relative
abundance of the species was then calculated by dividing the total number of individuals of each
species by the total number of all species multiplied by 100. The treated data were then recorded
and paper documented. The plant species were photo documented and samples were gathered for
identification purposes.
B. Marine Sampling
In this fieldwork, the distance sampling method employed was the strip-transect. Two strip-
transect lines were constructed. The first transect line is 30 meters away from the shoreline and is
10 meters wide. The second transect line was constructed on the shoreline and is also 10 meters
wide.
For the detection of species, an opportunistic search and visual encounter survey were
performed. A representative species were then taken for the photograph documentation and the
occurrence of individual species were tallied and recorded in a field notebook.

Results and Discussion

1. Transect Method
Line transect sampling is a popular method used to estimate population density. The
probability density of perpendicular sighting distances from randomly placed transect lines are
modeled to derive an estimate of population density.
After conducting a 10 m transect, the following were the results recorded:
Transect 1

Plant Family Frequency RDen

Bombacaceae 7 22.58%
Rubiaceae 2 6.45%
Fabaceae 7 22.58%
Basellaceae 2 6.45%
Menispermaceae 1 3.23%
Leguminosae 1 3.23%
Betulaceae 8 25.81%
Euphorbiaceae 2 6.45%
Euphorbiaceae 1 3.23%
Total 31 100

Transect 2
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 9 52.94%
Fabaceae 3 17.64%
Rubiaceae 1 5.89%
Rubiaceae 1 5.89%
Zingiberaceae 2 11.76%
Fabaceae 1 5.89%
TOTAL 17 5.89%
Transect 3
Family Frequency RDen
Fabaceae 1 5.26%
Menispermaceae 3 15.79%
Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%
Fabaceae 4 21.05%
Bombacaceae 5 26.32%
Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%
Euphorbiaceae 1 5.26%
Ceasalpinioideae 3 15.79%
TOTAL 19 100

Transect 4
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 4 22.22%
Euphorbiaceae 5 27.78%
Euphorbiaceae 2 11.11%
Ceasalpinioideae 7 38.89%
TOTAL 18 100

Transect 5
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100

Transect 6
Table 6. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 7
Table 7. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
 Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 8
Table 8. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
Transect 9
Table 9. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100

Transect 10
Table 10. Frequency of plants and their relative density in a specific area
Family Frequency RDen
Bombacaceae 3 12.5%
Euphorbiaceae 7 29.17%
Euphorbiaceae 6 25%
Palmae 2 8.33%
Rubiaceae 2 20.83%
Fabaceae 1 4.17%
TOTAL 24 100
2. Quadrat Method
A quadrat refers to a frame of any shape that can be placed over vegetation so that cover
can be estimated, plant counted or species listed.
The quadrat method allows the user to define a fixed area, called a plot, within which
plant characters can be measured. Although the exact experimental design will determine where
and how many samples are taken, the procedure always involves measuring plant characters of
only those plants inside the quadrat. Quadrat sampling usually attempts to define plant
community characteristics for an area much larger than the actual area sampled. The purpose of
using a quadrat is to enable comparable samples to be obtained from areas of consistent size and
shape.
For this exercise, five quadrats were surveyed and the following results were obtained:
Species 3 belonging to the family Boraginaceae was dominant to all quadrants.

Table 2. Summary of Data for the Quadrant Method

Quadrant 3
Quadrant 1 Species Ni RDi
Lamiaceae 4 7.55
Species Ni RDi Leguminaceae 0 0.00
(1)Lamiaceae 3 5.00 Boraginaceae 32 60.38
(2)Leguminaceae 1 2.00 Rutaceae 6 11.32
(3)Boraginaceae 49 84.48 Commelinaceae 0 0.00
(4)Rutaceae 2 3.44 Mimosaceae 7 13.21
(5) Commelinaceae 1 2.00 Rubiaceae 3 5.66
(6) Mimosaceae 1 2.00 Euphorbiaceae 1 1.89
(7)Rubiaceae 1 2.00 Total: 53
(8)Euphorbiaceae 0 0.00 Quadrant 4
Total: 58
Quadrant 2 Species Ni RDi
Lamiaceae 2 5.13
Species Ni RDi Leguminaceae 0 0.00
Lamiaceae 1 1.75 Boraginaceae 22 56.41
Leguminaceae 0 0.00 Rutaceae 4 7.55
Boraginaceae 37 64.91 Commelinaceae 3 7.69
Rutaceae 8 14.04 Mimosaceae 7 17.95
Commelinaceae 0 0.00 Rubiaceae 1 2.56
Mimosaceae 9 15.79 Euphorbiaceae 0 0.00
Rubiaceae 0 0.00 Total: 39
Euphorbiaceae 2 3.50 Quadrant 5
Total: 57 Species Ni RDi
Lamiaceae 1 11.11
Leguminaceae 0 0.00
 Boraginaceae 4 44.44 Rubiaceae 0 0.00
Rutaceae 1 11.11 Euphorbiaceae 1 11.11
Commelinaceae 0 0.00 Total: 9
Mimosaceae 2 22.22

The species under the family Boraginaceae are mainly herbs but shrubs or trees, usually
multi-stemmed, also occur. Their life cycles may be annual, multiseasonal or perennial. The
stems of the herbaceous species are erect, procumbent (lying on the ground without rooting at the
nodes) or decumbent (spreading horizontally at first but then growing upwards). The plants are
variously hairy. Setae with 1- or 2- or 3-layered, multicellular bases, unbranched or branched
hairs and unbranched multicellular glandular hairs occur. The leaves are simple, with or without
a leaf stalk. The inflorescences are often coiled at the apex, uncoiling as the flowers open. The
corolla is sympetalous (having petals which are partly fused); the throat may be naked, hairy,
with pouch-like swellings (gibbosities) or has fornices (small scales) present. The colour of the
corolla varies from white, yellow, shades of blue and purple to brownish red or pink. The
stamens are exserted or included, borne on the corolla. Pollen grains of different types are
produced in the anthers. The fruit is a capsule or drupe of four 1-seeded nutlets, the nutlets are
glabrous or variously ornamented.

Table 3. Summary of Data for the Point Quarter Method

For the point quarter method, 4 quadrats were made in each quadrant.
Quadrant 1
Quadrat 1 (Q1) 7 1 6.25
Species Ni RDi 8 0 0.00
1 2 13.33 Total: 16
2 1 6.67
3 10 66.67 (Q2)
4 2 13.33 Species Ni RDi
5 0 0.00 1 1 8.33
6 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
7 0 0.00 3 11 91.67
8 0 0.00 4 0 0.00
Total: 15 5 0 0.00
(Q3) 6 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 7 0 0.00
1 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 Total: 12
3 13 81.25 (Q4)
4 0 0.00 Species Ni RDi
5 1 6.25 1 0 0.00
6 1 6.25 2 0 0.00
 3 15 100.00 7 0 0.00
4 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
5 0 0.00 Total: 15
6 0 0.00
Quadrant 2
(Q1) (Q2)
Species Ni RDi Species Ni RDi
1 0 0.00 1 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
3 10 71.43 3 15 83.33
4 3 21.43 4 2 11.11
5 0 0.00 5 0 0.00
6 0 0.00 6 0 0.00
7 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
8 1 7.14 8 1 5.56
Total: 14 Total: 18

(Q3) (Q4)
Species Ni RDi Species Ni RDi
1 1 9.01 1 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
3 7 63.64 3 5 35.71
4 1 9.01 4 2 14.29
5 0 0.00 5 0 0.00
6 2 18.18 6 7 50.00
7 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
8 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
Total: 11 Total: 14
Quadrant 3
(Q1) 6 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 7 3 25.00
1 0 0.00 8 1 8.33
2 0 0.00 Total: 12
3 6 60.00
4 1 10.00 (Q2)
5 0 0.00 Species Ni RDi
6 3 30.00 1 0 0.00
7 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
8 0 0.00 3 13 72.22
Total: 10 4 4 30.77
5 0 0.00
(Q3) 6 1 5.56
Species Ni RDi 7 0 0.00
1 3 25.00 8 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 Total: 18
3 4 33.33
4 1 8.33 (Q4)
5 0 0.00
 Species Ni RDi 5 0 0.00
1 1 7.69 6 3 23.08
2 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
3 9 69.23 8 0 0.00
4 0 0.00 Total: 13
Quadrant 4
(Q1) (Q2)
Species Ni RDi Species Ni RDi
1 1 6.25 1 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
3 12 75.00 3 6 66.67
4 2 12.50 4 0 0.00
5 1 6.25 5 2 22.22
6 0 0.00 6 0 0.00
7 0 0.00 7 1 11.11
8 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
Total: 16 Total: 9

(Q3) (Q4)
Species Ni RDi Species Ni RDi
1 0 0.00 1 1 8.33
2 0 0.00 2 0 0.00
3 2 100.00 3 2 16.67
4 0 0.00 4 2 16.67
5 0 0.00 5 0 0.00
6 0 0.00 6 7 58.33
7 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
8 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
Total: 2 Total: 12
Quadrant 5
(Q1) 5 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 6 0 0.00
1 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
2 0 0.00 8 0 0.00
3 1 100.00 Total: 3
4 0 0.00
5 0 0.00
6 0 0.00 (Q2)
7 0 0.00 Species Ni RDi
8 0 0.00 1 0 0.00
Total: 1 2 0 0.00
3 0 0.00
(Q3) 4 0 0.00
Species Ni RDi 5 0 0.00
1 1 33.33 6 2 100.00
2 0 0.00 7 0 0.00
3 1 33.33 8 0 0.00
4 1 33.33 Total: 2
(Q4)
Species Ni RDi
1 0 0.00
2 0 0.00
3 2 66.67
4 0 0.00
5 0 0.00
6 0 0.00
7 0 0.00
8 1 33.33
Total: 3
Based on the data, majority of the quadrats were occupied by the representative species
of the family Boraginaceae followed by the species from the family Rutaceae. Species of
the family Rutaceae generally have flowers that divide into four or five parts, usually
with strong scents. They range in form and size from herbs to shrubs and small trees.
Most species are trees or shrubs, a few are herbs, frequently aromatic with glands on the
leaves, sometimes with thorns. The leaves are usually opposed and compound, and
without stipules.

In the marine fieldowrk, a total of 26 individuals were collected in the first strip-
transect i.e. 30 m away from the shoreline. Whereas, 48 individuals were collected on the
second strip-transect i.e. shoreline. Most of the species in the first transect were collected
during the opportunistic search employed by the group. Conversely, visual encounter
survey was employed in the shore transect.
On the surface, it appears to be that the shore transect has richer marine life. Or at
the very least, exhibits the most number of species. The shoreline at the island is more of
“rocky” composition rather than a sandy one. Therefore, non-burrowing species such as
shells, algae are more prevalent. However, those species that were detected in the shore
transect are either empty shells or algae that were broken off from their thalli. Another
reason for such a great number of species detected might be explained by the
convenience of doing such an activity, many of those species might have been washed
away to the shore. This is a significant point in comparing the two sites in the marine
fieldwork. Thirty meters away from the shore, the 26 individuals that were detected and
collected are mostly algae but a variety of echinoderms were also observed such as sea
cucumbers, sea stars and bristle stars.
One thing that characterizes the location of the second transect is the prevalence of
corals in the area. This characteristic might explain the low turnout of species detection
owing to the fact that these corals inhibit maximal observation. Since the group has not
employed any specialized method for maximal species detection, only a few species were
detected. This can also be explained by the prevalence of algae detected. Most of the
algae that were observed were easily identifiable in their original habitat thus the reason
for their numerous presences. However, qualitatively speaking, the second transect
exhibited a richer marine life and diversity. Aside from algae and corals, a number of
echinoderms thrive in the area.

Table 1. Frequency and Relative Abundance of Species in the First Transect

Species Frequency Relative Abundance
Linckia laevigata 1 4
Padina minor 1 4
Class Phaeophycaea 1 2 8
Ulva lactuca 5 20
Class Phaeophyceae 2 3 12
Sargassum cristaefolium 2 8
Leagora ceranoides 3 12
Caulerpa racemosa 2 8
Valonia ventricosa 1 4
Class Phaeophycaea 1 4
Hypnea pannosa 1 4
Holothuria atra 1 4
Ophiothrix purpurea 1 4
“Higad-Dagat” 1 4

Table 2. Frequency and Relative Abundance of Species in the Second Transect

Species Frequency Relative Abundance
Hypnea pannosa 14 19.17
Boodlea composita 5 6.85
Sargassum cristaefolium 5 6.85
Class Chlorophycaea 1 1.37
Padina minor 5 2.74
Ulva lactuca 24 32.88
Valonia ventricosa 1 1.37
Univalve 1 1 1.37
Univalve 2 1 1.37
Univalve 3 1 1.37
Univalve 4 2 2.74
Univalve 5 2 2.74
Univalve 6 5 6.85
Univalve 7 1 1.37
Univalve 8 1 1.37
Univalve 9 2 2.74
Univalve 10 1 1.37
Univalve 11 1 1.37
Conclusion
The transect method simply refers to the establishment of a baseline along which
sampling is conducted. There are factors to be considered in relation to the use of
quadrats and these are the distribution of plants, the shape and size of the quadrat and the
number of observations needed to obtain an adequate estimate of density.
Different vegetation types requires different quadrat sizes. Vegetation with smaller
plants, greater plant density or greater species diversity need smaller quadrats.
The point-quarter method relies upon a random distribution of the organisms in
the area to be sampled. Uniform or clumped distributions will yield erroneous results.
However, this method is one of the most favored for sampling in several habitats
including intertidal and coastal scrub.
The marine ecosystem is very diverse in terms of species composition. It is
characterized by corals, algae, echinoderms etc. The variation of species composition is
due to depth or zonation where in the shoreline a variety of empty univalve shells and
broken algae can be found whereas in deep waters echinoderms can also be found.

References:
http://www.psychology.ex.ac.uk/lundy/quadrat.htm
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/mathematics/Departmental%20Seminars/Statistics/gerard.pdf
September 26, 2003
http://www.tamug.edu/seacamp/virtual/methods.htm
http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/howto.htm