Question

If resaurchers use only the number of coral found in dive 1 calculate the predicted population of brain coral in a reef that covers 120 m2

Answer 1

Answer:The predicted population of brain coral in a reef covering 120m² is ; ≈ 40

First step : Calculate the value of the default population density

Population density = population size (dive 1) / total area

                                                               = 4 / 12  = 0.33

Total area ;

∑ Area of each reef quadrant = length * width = 2 * 2 = 4m²

∴ Total area = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12m².

Final step : Determine the value of the predicted population of brain coral

Population density = ( predicted population ) / predicted area

0.33 = ( pp ) / 120m²

∴ Predicted population ( pp ) = 0.33 * 120

                                                = 39.6 ≈ 40 brain corals

Hence we can conclude that the predicted population of brain coral is 40

Explanation: