How do ecologists assess the species in an ecological system?
Ecologists use sampling tools called quadrats. A quadrat is simply a frame with a known internal area. They may also systematically sample by using transect tapes. Transects are stretched across the field. Then, quadrats are placed along the transect at regular intervals. This method is semi-random and ensures ample coverage of sampling across the entire field to estimate its biodiversity.
What are some of the reasons to maintain ecological diversity?
If species are lost, the ecosystem may collapse. If the ecosystem collapses, the services that it provides to humans will be lost as well. A highly diverse community is less likely to collapse due to functional redundancy. Moreover, a significant number of medicines that we now synthesize were once isolated from animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria, underscoring the importance of maintaining diversity of organisms for development of novel therapies.