An ecologist estimated the number of plantain plants in a meadow with an area of 800 m2.
The ecologist selected positions using a random number generator and placed a square frame with sides of 0.50 m at each position.
The table shows the results.
| Square frame | Number of plantain plants |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 7 |
The ecologist concluded that plantain plants were evenly distributed throughout the meadow. Another ecologist suggested omitting the result of 0 before calculating the mean.
Give two reasons why the results do not show that plantain plants are evenly distributed throughout the meadow.
Give one reason why the result of 0 should not be omitted.
Calculate the estimated number of plantain plants in the meadow.
Use all five results.
83 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Biology 7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem, covering 7.2.1 Levels of organisation, 7.2.2 How materials are cycled, 7.2.3 Decomposition, and 7.2.4 Impact of environmental change (HT only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.