Quadrat Sampling
A technique using defined areas (quadrats) to sample organisms and measure environmental variables within fixed boundaries.
Formula
% Cover = (area covered by species / total quadrat area) × 100
Real World
The British National Plant Monitoring Scheme uses 1m² frame quadrats to track changes in wildflower abundance across UK grasslands, revealing declines in species like cowslip since the 1970s.
Exam Focus
For 'describe' questions on quadrat data, quote specific percentage cover values and state the direction of change — never just say 'it increased'.
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