ESSCOSMOS/2009:Diversity

Overview

In this activity, we will investigate the diversity of plants and animals in unmanaged and managed ecosystems. We will compare the organisms in chaparral, grasslands, lawns, and ornamental plantings on campus.

Materials

• GPS Device
• TDR probe for measuring soil moisture
• Thermometer for measuring soil temperature
• Map
• Soil corer
• plastic tubs and paper plates
• 0.5 x 1.5 m frame for measuring plant diversity
• Data sheet
• Underground Adventure Soil Critter Field Guide
• forceps
• tubes with ethanol

Methods

Class will be divided into five groups of four, and each group will be responsible for taking data from one location in each ecosystem.

Soils

soil moisture

• Use probe to measure soil moisture

soil temperature

• Use probe to measure soil temperature

Measuring Biodiversity

Percent Cover

1. place 1.5 m x 0.5 m quadrat on ground
2. record the percent cover of each distinct plant species or growth form
3. for any unknown species, keep a sample to compare with other groups

Insect Diversity

1. take a soil core and place it in a bin
2. mix the core well
3. pairs of students should place a portion of the soil and count the number insects in each group
4. after counting an insect, place it in a pre-weighed tube

Results

• For both plants and insects at each site

1. calculate the total number of species present
2. calculate the diversity of species present
3. enter these data into our data sheet