Final answer:
The marine ecologist is using transect sampling to record individual coral colonies. This method involves moving along a fixed line and noting the occurrence of the species, providing data on species distribution and, with multiple transects, population estimates.
"the correct option is approximately option B"
Step-by-step explanation:
The quantifying method used by a marine ecologist who records each individual coral colony observed while moving along a line is known as transect sampling. This method is particularly useful for studying the distribution and abundance of organisms within a set path or transect across a habitat. Unlike quadrat sampling, which is generally used for immobile or slow-moving organisms and involves counting individuals within a square boundary, transect sampling involves directly surveying and recording organisms along a line.
In the case of transect sampling, the ecologist would lay down a line, like a rope or tape measure, across the habitat and then move along this line, recording all occurrences of the coral species of interest. This approach provides data about the species' distribution along the transect, and with multiple transects, overall population estimates can be inferred.
Other methods such as mark and recapture are typically used for mobile organisms like mammals or fish, where individuals are captured, marked, and later recaptured to estimate population sizes. Pitfall trapping is often used for small ground animals like insects and amphibians, while remote sensing is a non-invasive method utilizing satellite or aerial imagery to gather data about a species' distribution.