Читать книгу Practical Field Ecology - C. Philip Wheater - Страница 73

1 Determine the question and formulate the aims, objectives, and hypotheses.Determine whether a manipulative experiment or observational survey would be the most appropriate method to use.Decide whether you are looking primarily at the presence or absence of a species, relative abundance (e.g. counts of organisms), absolute abundance (e.g. population sizes or densities), community structures, behavioural responses, etc.Determine the statistical analyses that are likely to be employed.Select the appropriate sampling technique, taking into account the intended statistical analysis.Decide on the taxonomic level for identification, or the appropriate ecological grouping you will use (see Chapter 2).Assess what types of data will be collected and produce a standardised recording sheet.Work out the sampling design, including sample sizes.Select appropriate sample sites.Determine the site characteristics that will be monitored and choose appropriate techniques for doing this.Obtain permission to use the sites and check any legal restrictions.Carefully consider the ethical implications of the study.Risk assess all the work to be carried out.Employ a pilot study and amend your protocol if necessary.