Your task in this question is to design an experiment to investigate the effect of habitat area on the species richness of invertebrates found in unmoved areas of habitat in your school grounds or backyard. The areas should be relatively uniform (both unmoved areas of  pasture) because you are to assess the effect of habitat fragmentation on diversity. For this task, the aims, constraints, & guidelines are provided below.

Aim: To assess the effect of habitat size on invertebrate diversity.

Constraints: You must evaluate diversity in similar habitats varying predominantly on size. It is recommended an area of 1600m2 (40 x 40 m) & 225 m2 (15 x 15 m). You can decide how you will sample this area & be prepared to justify your decision taking into account the resources you might have to carry out your sampling.

Guidelines: Decide how you will separate your unmoved sample areas. Consider ways to assess diversity & different methods for capturing arthropods, including flying insects. How often will you sample your plots & will you return the organisms you capture to the area?

Record your experimental design, including any notes on data collection, recording, & analysis. Attach photographs of your sites & of the organisms you would capture if you carried out this experiment in your own yard following safety protocols.