Extrapolation of Abundance of Dandelions in a Named Area

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The Number of Dandelions Present in the Principal’s Garden

Zack Lindahl

IB3b

2007-09-20


Aim

The aim of this laboration was to approximate how many dandelion plants were present in the Principal’s Garden of Katedralskolan.

Hypothesis

An estimation of the number of dandelion within the total area of the garden was reached by counted in a 1m by 1m area of the garden, that were extrapolated to the total amount of dandelions in the garden, which was 7,500 specimen.

Variables

Independent: The location of the quadrates. The locations of quadrates were chosen at random

Dependant: Number of dandelions. It was measured using quadrate sampling.

Controlled:

Size of total area. The total area of the garden was assumed to be a rectangle

Size of quadrate. The size of quadrate was set at 100m2 and 6 quadrates equaled 11,1% of the total area.

Time. The laboration took place on two separate dates with 5 days in between.

List of materials

4 pencils

Measuring tape

Procedure

The total area of the garden was calculated through measuring two sides of the garden which resulted in 5400m2. The area was divided into 10m by 10m quadrates, which area subsequently was 100 m2. The quadrates were 54 in number, and were assigned a number from 1 to 54. Pieces of paper marked by the number 1 to 54 were made, and 6 notes were chosen randomly as 6 quadrates equals to 11,1% of the total area. The location of a quadrate was found by using the chart as a guide, measuring from the nearest corner. For example, to locate quadrate #16 we measured from the corner of #9 to #7 and then down to the corner of #16. From that corner the 10m by 10m boundaries of the quadrate was establishment. Each corner was marked with a bright-colored pencil. To count the dandelions within the quadrate, 4 people stood in each corner and counted all dandelions within their reach, while they worked their way to the middle. This was repeated for every quadrate except quadrate #34 where only 3 people were active. Quadrate 2, 9 and 16 and 34 were examined during the first day, while 42 and 52 were examined 5 days later.

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Chart with location of examined quadrates with the coverage of the Principal’s Villa

Results

Number of dandelions in the Principal’s Garden:

Square 2; 51+60+212+90

Square 9; 10+35+53+38

Square 16; 67+60+33+9

Square 52; 194+106+40+64

Square 42; 165+60+57+78

Square 34; 58+80+0

Analysis of results

Sum of dandelions within examined area:


51+60+212+90 = 413

10+35+53+38 = 136

67+60+33+9 = 169

194+106+40+64 = 404

165+60+57+78 = 360


58+80+0 = 138

413+136+169+404+360=1620

Dandelions within total ...

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