Experimental Report

By A. Student

Are There More Vertebrates or Invertebrates Living in Highgate Woods? (1)

IntroductionAs part of a wider study in the classification of organisms Highgate Woods seemed an ideal location to look at the amounts of vertebrates and invertebrates present. Invertebrates can be identified easily because they have no backbone and usually some sort of shell instead. Vertebrates fall into five categories; mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds, and are easily recognisable.

HypothesisThere will be more invertebrates than vertebrates in Highgate woods.

MethodRandom samples were taken at several locations in the woods. Each area was sampled twice to make sure the results were reliable. Each area was observed for 15 minutes and the number of organisms seen written on a chart. The observations took place at the same time every day. Different people watched at each location and five locations were looked at in total.

Results

Sample Number Vertebrates Invertebrates

1 2 45

2 3 32

3 1 2

4 0 2

5 2 23

6 5 34

7 1 31

8 2 13

9 2 24

10 4 42

Table of results

Experimental Report

By A. Student

Are There More Vertebrates or Invertebrates Living in Highgate Woods?

DiscussionInvertebrates have no backbone and vertebrates have a backbone. Invertebrates generally tend to be smaller than vertebrates (1) and therefor more difficult to see. There are however more invertebrates than vertebrates (2). At this time of year (Autumn/Winter) there will be less organisms than normal as many invertebrates will be dying and many vertebrates will be hibernating. Even though the numbers will be smaller, the proportion should not be affected.

ConclusionThere are more invertebrates than vertebrates living in Highgate Woods, because there are generally more invertebrates than vertebrates because invertebrates are smaller and do not take up as much space

EvaluationAt one of the sites very few invertebrates were found. This was due to the poor eyesight of the person monitoring that area. If this experiment were repeated then someone else (with better eyesight) would count the smaller invertebrates.

References(1) http://www.diffen.com/difference/

Invertebrate_vs_Vertebrate(2) http://www.biology4kids.com/files/vert_main.html