A study of species diversity on a rocky beach

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GCSE Biology: Coursework

A study of species diversity on a rocky beach

Investigation

We were asked to investigate how species diversity on a rocky beach alters, depending on what tidal area we were in. We went to Brady Cove, near Swansea, on the Gower, in order to do this. We decided that the best way to investigate diversity alteration was by splitting the beach area in to 6 pieces. Like so:

There were two people on each section of the beach, each pair obtained the same amount of results using line transects (three in each section).

Plan

As mentioned in the introduction we will be splitting the beach up into 6 sections. This will make it easier to find differences in species diversity. The sections are: high tide left, high tide right, mid tide left, low right and low tide left (as depicted by the diagram). We will do two line transects in each section of the beach, then convert the results into a species diversity index, we will then be able to compare the results in order to find which section of the beach has the highest species diversity. Then I will investigate the type of conditions each section is exposed to and how this will affect which species lives in each section of the beach. For example, whether the section is shielded from rain, reached by the tide, or if it is exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. This could affect the different sorts of species that live in certain sections of the beach. We will record 200 separate results in each section of the beach (two line transects each with 100 results.). To generate reliable and accurate evidence, we will be cautious to record the right results for each mark along the transects. The transects will be carried out on the same day, and hopefully under the same weather conditions

The line transects will be taken from random points in each sector. Then the variety of creature will be recorded at every 10 centimetres along the line. The species will be recorded using abbreviations of their name (e.g. for barnacle we would use BA) to make it more convenient to record the results.
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Prediction

I am now going to make a prediction on what results will be obtained in each section of the beach and give reasons why I feel this. I have split my prediction into 3 parts for the 3 tidal areas of the beach.

High tide

This section is surrounded by dry rocks and is not often reached by the tide. I believe that because of the constant conditions the species diversity will be low, because very few species will be able to survive in this area. The lack of moisture in the summer ...

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