Tree Species Diversity

1
Tree Species Diversity

• Cameron and Rachael
• Introduction to Local Biomes
• Module 2

2
Introduction

• Rain forests are unquestionably among the most
  intricate, sensitive, endangered and unknown
  ecosystems on Earth
• This study consists of the familiarization with
  the local ecology by mapping the different number
  of trees within certain areas.

3
Introduction (continued)

• Factors that provide the structure of a local
  biome are either biotic or abiotic.
• Abiotic factors can be rainfall, slope and
  topography
• Biotic factors may be such things as the presence
  of an animal species that contributes to
  dispersal or absence of a predator species.
• Another important factor in the composition of
  the biodiversity is area. Larger areas will have
  more species.

4
Methodology

• Standard for tree measurements was a height of
  1.35m and a circumference of 15cm.
• Plots were created with areas of 5 x 5m, 5 x
  10m, 10 x 10m, 10 X 20m, and 20 x 20m.
• The first plot studied was smallest (5 x 5m) and
  then with respect to increasing area with the
  largest plot (20 x 20m).
• For each plot the morphospecies was noted as well
  as the number of each of those specific trees
• Descriptions were made for each tree species found

5
Number of Trees and Individual Species per plot
for Group As first site
6
Number of Trees and Individual Species per plot
for Group Bs first site
7
Number of Trees and Individual Species per plot
for Group As second site
8
Number of Trees and Individual Species per plot
for Group Bs second site
9
Species Area Curve for Site 1 (Group A and B)
10
Species Area Curve for Site 2 (Group A and B)
11
Discussion

• All sites experienced generally the same abiotic
  conditions. These conditions should have similar
  effects on biodiversity
• From these results, it was seen that tree species
  diversity generally increases as the area is
  increased.
• However, the species area curve graphs suggests
  that there is a limit to species diversity.