Which of the following is NOT a method of ecological data collection?

Open access data sources are not a method of ecological data collection in the traditional sense. Instead, they are repositories or databases where ecological data may be stored and made available for public use. These sources can include datasets collected by various researchers, organizations, or institutions, allowing others to access pre-existing information.

In contrast, the other methods listed—plots/quadrats, roving diver surveys, and transects—are active field techniques for collecting ecological data. Plots and quadrats involve establishing specific areas for studying plant composition or species density, while transects provide a systematic way to sample along a straight line, making it easier to estimate population sizes and distributions of organisms. Roving diver surveys allow for observation and recording of marine organisms in a more fluid, exploratory manner. Each of these methods requires on-site data collection and direct interaction with the ecological environment, differentiating them from open access data, which does not involve the collection but rather the use of previously gathered data.