ESSCOSMOS/2009:FieldSampling

Overview

In this activity, we will study the organisms and environment along a gradient from the edge of a marsh to the top of the hill.

Objectives

• Evaluate small scale gradients in biological and environmental conditions along a transect.
• Create graphical summaries of the findings
• Enter data into class database [link to google doc]

Background

The UCI Arboretum map of UCI Arboretum

Materials

• GPS device
• TDR probe for measuring soil moisture
• Thermometer for measuring soil temperature
• Map of garden and surrounding area with 10 x 10 m aligned to one corner of garden (add link to pdf here)
• Portable scale for measuring plant and insect biomass
• Meter stick
• Soil corer

Methods

Class will be divided into five groups of four, and each group will be asked to survey a 100m transect at 10m intervals.

Soils

• Measure soil moisture with TDR probe
• Measure soil temperature using thermometer

Insects

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

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Plants

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

Height

For plants less than three meters tall, rest the meter stick on the ground and measure to the top of the tallest leaf when pulled taught. For trees, measure the trunk diameter at breast height (DBH = 1.4 meters).

Biomass

1. Clip plants along a 150 cm by 10 cm strip at ground level.
2. collect plants in a paper bag that is labeled with your group number and site information
3. weigh all plant biomass and record mass

Results Summary

Graphical summary

Draw pictures of the plant community along the entire transect, including height and canopy structure. Overlay a line chart of the soil temperature and moisture