Answer the following questions by reference to a named ecosystem which you have investigated - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 7 - 2017

One possible error in ecological surveying could be non-random sampling, where samples are taken from biased locations, leading to unrepresentative data.

This error might be minimised by ensuring that sampling locations are randomly selected and representative of the entire ecosystem. Additionally, using standardised protocols for sampling can help reduce bias.

The food web should include at least three interconnected food chains and demonstrate at least four trophic levels, depicting the flow of energy through the ecosystem.

An example of an adaptive feature is the ability of certain fish to camouflage themselves among aquatic vegetation, making them harder to capture.

This adaptation helps the animal escape capture by blending in with its surroundings, thereby avoiding detection by predators or researchers.

Ecological surveying is important as it monitors biodiversity, detects changes in ecosystems, and provides critical data for conservation efforts.

I conducted a quantitative survey by using quadrat sampling, where I placed a square frame at random locations to count the number of individual plants of the specified species within each quadrat. I repeated this process multiple times to ensure a robust dataset.