A scientist wants to estimate the population of sponges on a coral reef using quadrants. Each quadrant is 1 m squared. She counts 450 individuals in 22 quadrants. The total area of the reef is 960m squared

19636

Explanation:

Since area of each quadrant is .

And, the total area of reef is

So, the total number of quadrants = = 960.

Now, in 22 quadrants the number of individuals is 450.

So, in one quadrant the number of individuals =

That means there are individuals in each quadrant.

We have calculated that the in the total area of reef, there are 960 quadrants each with area .

So, the number of individuals in the total 960 quadrants = = 19636.36

As we are counting individuals so we will round off the final result to the nearest whole number so the final number of individuals(sponges) will be 19636.