Transect Sampling
A sampling method where observations are recorded along a line through a study area to detect spatial gradients and transitions between communities.
Real World
Ecologists studying succession on the Surtsey volcanic island used belt transects running from the coast inland to record how vegetation cover and species richness change with distance from the shore over decades.
Exam Focus
Distinguish line from belt transects in answers: belt transects record frequency within a defined width, making them more reliable for abundance estimates — examiners credit this distinction.
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