The IBDP Year 2 Biology students recently got hands-on with one of the most widely used ecological tools — the Quadrat Method — to investigate population density in a local environment.
The Quadrat Method is a straightforward sampling technique in ecology, used to study the distribution and abundance of organisms, particularly those that are stationary or slow-moving, such as plants, fungi, and invertebrates. By placing a square frame of known dimensions on the ground and recording the organisms within, students can make informed estimates about population sizes in larger areas. But this activity was more than just counting plants — it was an opportunity to observe nature closely, ask meaningful scientific questions, and apply real-world data collection and analysis techniques. Through this exercise, students gained valuable insight into ecological patterns and the often-overlooked life teeming just beneath our feet.
