How do you measure the population of a bivalve?

Question

i need a method, please..

i only know about quadrats and we used them with plants..
can it be same for bivalves?

Answer 1

Standard procedure is using something like a Ponar dredge. This is a device that samples a known quantity of sand or mud or whatever the substrate is. You have to devise a sampling procedure as well. This depends on the species being investigated, it's habits and habitat. The size of the sampling area will determine the number of samples need to estimate the population.

If you have experience sampling plants using a quad then you made be able to use some of the same info to help you estimate numbers of bivalves.

I'll warn you. I've done a lot of sampling using Ponar dredge's. It is labor intensive. The deeper the water, the harder the substrate, the greater the work.

There are also other sampling devices. A simple one is a shovel. But you must standardize your collecting method.

Answer 2

Depends on what type of bivalve. If it's a sessile one like an oyster, then quadrats could be used.