CAIE A Level Biology 9700 · Classification, biodiversity and conservation
A student wants to estimate the biodiversity of plant species in an old meadow. They plan to use 0.25 m² frame quadrats placed at 50 locations in a 100 m × 50 m field. Describe the importance of using random sampling when choosing the positions of these quadrats.
4 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 4 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Describe means: Say what happens or what something is like, in order and with detail. You are not being asked why. If there is data, quote it: name the trend, then give figures with units at the points where it changes.
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