A team of 102 scientists spent a year surveying a small area of the San Lorenzo rain forest in Panama to count the number of species of arthropods living there. After collecting 129,494 specimens—using nets, traps, shovels, tree-climbing harnesses, helium balloons, and other creative gear—it took the team eight years to sort and identify the arthropods. Rather than measuring the entire 6000-hectare (ha) forest, the researchers sampled arthropod diversity by intensively collecting as many arthropods as they could in 12 plots that measured 20 m×20 m square. If 1 ha=10,000 m2,, how many hectares of forest did they sample in all? a. 20 m×20 m×12=4800 ha b. 4800 m2×10,000 m2/1 ha=48,000,000 ha c. 20 m×20 m=400 ha d. 4800 m^2 x 1ha/10,000 m^2 = 0.48 ha

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem. The problem is asking for the total area of the forest that the scientists sampled in hectares. They sampled 12 plots, each measuring 20 m by 20 m.
2. Step 2: Calculate the total area in square meters that the scientists sampled. This is done by multiplying the area of one plot (20 m x 20 m = 400 m^2) by the number of plots (12). So, 400 m^2 x 12 = 4800 m^2.
3. Step 3: Convert the total area from square meters to hectares. We know that 1 hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. So, we divide the total area in square meters by the number of square meters in one hectare. So, 4800 m^2 / 10,000 m^2/ha = 0.48 ha.
4. Step 4: Check the options given in the problem. The correct answer is the one that matches the result we calculated.
5. Step 5: The correct answer is option d. 4800 m^2 x 1ha/10,000 m^2 = 0.48 ha.

Key Concepts

Area Calculation

To determine the total area sampled by the researchers, one must calculate the area of a single plot and then multiply it by the number of plots. Each plot measures 20 m by 20 m, which gives an area of 400 m². By multiplying this area by the 12 plots surveyed, the total sampled area can be found.

Unit Conversion

Understanding unit conversion is essential for translating the area from square meters to hectares. Since 1 hectare equals 10,000 square meters, converting the total area sampled from square meters to hectares involves dividing the area in square meters by 10,000. This step is crucial for expressing the results in the appropriate unit of measurement.

Sampling Methodology

The sampling methodology used by the scientists is important for understanding the context of the study. By selecting specific plots within the larger forest area, the researchers aimed to estimate the diversity of arthropods without surveying the entire forest. This approach allows for efficient data collection while still providing insights into the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem.