An ecologist investigates the populations of two halophytic plant species, sea lavender (Limonium vulgare) and saltmarsh grass (Puccinellia maritima), in two distinct marsh zones, Zone A and Zone B.
The ecologist uses a 0.2 m×0.2 m0.2\text{ m} \times 0.2\text{ m}0.2 m×0.2 m quadrat to count the number of individuals of each species in each zone. She records five random quadrat samples for each zone.
The tables show the ecologist's results:
| Plant species | quadrat 1 | quadrat 2 | quadrat 3 | quadrat 4 | quadrat 5 | Average | Average number per m2\text{m}^2m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Lavender | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3.0 | 75.0 |
| Saltmarsh Grass | 6 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6.0 | 150.0 |
| Plant species | quadrat 1 | quadrat 2 | quadrat 3 | quadrat 4 | quadrat 5 | Average | Average number per m2\text{m}^2m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Lavender | 5 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 7 | ||
| Saltmarsh Grass | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 | 100.0 |
Calculate the average (mean) number of sea lavender plants per m2\text{m}^2m2 in Zone B. Show your working.
