Belt transect

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Belt transects are used in biology, more specifically in biostatistics, to estimate the distribution of organisms in relation to a certain area, such as the seashore or a meadow. [1] [2]

The belt transect method is similar to the line transect method but gives information on abundance as well as presence, or absence of species. [3] [4]

Method

The method involves laying out a transect line and then placing quadrats over the line, starting the quadrat at the first marked point of the line. [5] Any consistent measurement size for the quadrat and length of the line can be chosen, depending on the species. With the quadrats applied, all the individuals of a species can be counted, and the species abundance can be estimated. [5] The method is also suitable for long-term observations with a permanent installation. [6]

References

  1. Hill, David Arnold; Matthew Fasham; Graham Tucker; Michael Shewry; Philip Shaw (2005). Handbook of biodiversity methods: survey, evaluation and monitoring. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp.  219–222. ISBN   0-521-82368-4. OCLC   61439712.
  2. Fan, Jihui; Liu, Tianyuan; Liao, Ying; Li, Yiying; Yan, Yan; Lu, Xuyang (2021). "Distinguishing Stoichiometric Homeostasis of Soil Microbial Biomass in Alpine Grassland Ecosystems: Evidence From 5,000 km Belt Transect Across Qinghai–Tibet Plateau". Frontiers in Plant Science. 12 781695. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.781695 . ISSN   1664-462X. PMC   8675581 . PMID   34925425.
  3. Ecological Sampling Methods
  4. Urban Sampling Methods - Barcelona Field Study Center
  5. 1 2 "How to carry out ecological sampling page 4". www.countrysideinfo.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  6. "Difference Between Belt and Line Transect". Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2022-11-03.