Experiment 6

Soil Diversity
K. Draheim, B. N. Estrella, K. M. L. Garcia, L. Guillermo
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Espaa
Street, Manila 108

Key words:

Summary

Diversity
Line Transect Method
Relative Abundance
Relative Density

I. Introduction
Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless
organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living things. The soil is a unique habitat that
supports rich and diverse life. The properties of soil are determined by environmental factors.
Five dominant factors are often considered in the development of the various soils: the climate,
parent materials, relief, organisms, and the time factor. Organisms, mainly microorganisms,
inhabit the soil & depend on it for shelter, food & water. Plants anchor themselves into the soil,
and get their nutrients and water. Terrestrial plants could not survive without soil; therefore,
humans could not exist without soil either. Structure, color, consistence, texture and abundance
of roots, rocks and carbonates can characterize soil. These characteristics allow scientists to
interpret how the ecosystem functions and make recommendations for soil use that have minimal
impact on the ecosystem. Soil characterization data can help determine what kinds of organisms
exist in it.
The determination of population distribution, size, abundance, and richness of organisms
in a particular size of land is just one of the major problems in the study of ecology. This

problem can be resolved through sampling to acquire an estimate of the population. Researchers
can make general inferences about the population as a whole by considering the differences
within the population.
This activity uses line transect method, which is one of the three sampling techniques. A
transect is a path along which one counts and records occurrences of the species of study. Line
transects use a tape or string laid along the ground in a straight line between two poles as a guide
to a sampling method used to measure the distribution of organisms. Sampling is rigorously
confined to organisms that are actually touching the line. Line transects are used to illustrate a
particular gradient or linear pattern along which communities of plants and, or animals change.
They provide a good way of being able to clearly visualize the changes taking place along the
line.

II. Objectives
1.) To identify, measure and record the horizons in a soil profile at a soil characterization site
and its particle size distribution.
2.) To be able to gain an accurate assessment of the composition of a measured area by
looking at a few samples from that area

III. Methodology
.

V. Discussion

Reference:
Lavelle, P. & Spain, A. (2001). Soil Ecology. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic
Publishers.
Phillips, E. A. (1959). Methods of vegetation study. New York, USA: Henry Holt
and Co.