BACKGROUND:  The class study area is a 10 meter by 10 meter area which will be used to study ecological relationships.  In order to study this area, you will be mapping and monitoring the biotic and abiotic features of this area.

ACTIVITY:
 
 

TEAM NAME	DUTIES
Vegetation/ground cover	Record types and locations of vegetation.
Animal team	Observe and record the animals and/or evidences of animals.
Pitfall trap team	Observe and record the types of arthropods and other ground dwelling animals.
Tree team	Observe and record the types of trees and their monitor their general health.
Abiotic environment	Record and observe the physical environment including soil and air temperature and moisture.

1. Measure and place tent stakes at each of the four corners of your study site.  Measure and place a tent stake in the middle of each side.  Use string to mark the boundary of your study site.  Use the stakes in the middle of each side to create an X in the middle of your study site.
   
   
2. You can use a meter stick to collect your location data or you can determine your pace so that you can use it to make measurements. Record all your data on your grid.  In order to pace, measure off 10 meters and mark the beginning and ending point with a piece of chalk.  Walk at a casual pace this distance 3 times and record the number of paces each time.  Divide 10 meters by the average number of paces or steps to determine the number of meters per pace or step.
   Record it here:   1 pace = __________.
   

   For more information about finding your pace you can consult the following websites:

3. Collect the following materials:
   

   Tape measurer
   Meter stick
   Tree ID book
   Clinometer
   Pencil, data sheets, clip board
   Leaf pressing materials (optional)

4. Mark North on your map grid first!  Record any distinguishing features around the border of the map grid.  Mark zero on your grid and number each square according to its x, y coordinates.

5. Locate each tree on your map grid using pacing and/or a meter stick.  Assign and record its ID number on the grid and on the Tree data sheet.
   
   
6. Identify each tree by common and scientific name.  Record if the tree is deciduous or evergreen.
   
   
7. Measure the CIRCUMFERENCE of each of the trees 4.5 feet from the surface of the ground.  Record on the Tree data sheet for each tree in CENTIMETERS.  You can use a metric tape measure or a string to wrap around the tree’s trunk.  If there is more than one tree trunk, then measure each separately and add them together.  (http://www.anu.edu.au/Forestry/mensuration)
   
   
8. Take the Circumference of the tree and divide it by Pi (3.14) to compute the diameter breast height (DBH) of the tree. If the tree is located on a slope, measure 4.5 feet from the up-hill side.
   
   
9. Measure the HEIGHT of each of the individual trees in the CSA.  You can use one of the following methods to measure the height of the trees.  USE THE SAME METHOD for all of your measurements.
   Which method did you use? _____________

   
   a. SHADOW METHOD.  On a sunny day compare your shadow to the tree’s shadow
          by:   Tree’s Height  =      Your Height or the Stick’s Height
     Tree’s Shadow Length        Your or the Stick’s Shadow Length

For more help with the shadow method visit: http://www.monroe2boces.org/shared/esp/howtall.htm

b.    RULER METHOD.  Stand at the base of the tree to be measured.  Instruct someone else to hold a 30 cm ruler at arm’s length and walk backward, keeping their arm stiff, until the top and bottom of the ruler line up with the top and bottom of the tree.  Note where the top of the partner’s head appears on the ruler (this may be 5 cm. for example).  Then divide the length of the ruler (30 cm) by this figure.  For example, 30 cm divided by 5 cm = 6 cm.  Measure the other person’s actual height and multiply it by the previous result (6 cm).  For example, if the student’s height was 1.4 m, then the height of the tree would be 1.4 m x 6 = 8.4 m.  Record this data in the Tree Data Table for each ID number.

Images Courtesy of the:

c.  CLINOMETER METHOD.   Use the clinometer to measure the HEIGHT of the tree by looking down the very top of the straw at the top of the tree which you want to measure.  Backing up slowly, stop when the string is at a 45 degree angle.  You may want to get a partner to help you.  Stand very still while your partner measures from your feet to the base of the tree.  You may want to use a meter stick or pacing to determine this distance.  Then ask your partner to measure the distance from your feet to your eyes.  Add these two measurements together to discover the total HEIGHT of the tree.

Distance from feet to the base of the tree = ________ meters
Distance from your feet to your eyes =        ________ meters

    TOTAL =         ________meters

10. Take a leaf sample from each tree and press it.  You can laminate the leaf, scan the leaf or take a picture of the leaf for your team.  This is OPTIONAL.  You could HOTLINK this image to the tree. (hotlinking is optional)
    
    
11. Make some GENERAL observations regarding the health of the tree and record it in your data table.  For example, is the tree dead?, Is its overall appearance representative of that species?, Is there adequate space for its development?  Are there any obstructions around the tree?, How much bark is missing from the trunk of the tree? Is the canopy full and balanced?, Are pests threatening the well-being of the tree? Is there significant damabe to the limb structure?
    
    
12. Use Add Event Theme to create this theme in your project.
    

For More Information on Trees:
	Click the Image Below to See a PowerPoint Presentation
Websites:
http://www.arborquest.com/
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/
http://enature.com/

   

TREE TEAM DATA TABLE
ID	X_M	Y_M	COMMON_NAME	SCIENTIFIC	BARK	TRUNK	CIRCUMF_CM	DIAMETER_CM	HEIGHT_M	TYPE	COMMENTS
					(Ridged/Smooth)	(Single/Multiple)	(cm)	(cm)	(m)	(D/E)
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3
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5
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