ESSCOSMOS/2009:FieldSampling: Difference between revisions
From OpenWetWare
Jump to navigationJump to search
No edit summary |
|||
(20 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Template:ESSCOSMOS}} | {{Template:ESSCOSMOS}} | ||
==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== | ==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== | ==Background== | ||
The UCI Arboretum | |||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&ie=UTF8&ll=33.65721,-117.852981&spn=0.026219,0.038624&t=h&z=15 map of UCI Arboretum] | |||
==Materials== | ==Materials== | ||
*GPS device | |||
*TDR probe for measuring soil moisture | |||
*Meter stick | |||
*LICOR LI-800 gashound, with chamber for measuring soil respiration, 12V battery, and pump | |||
*Clippers for harvesting aboveground plant biomass | |||
*Trowel for harvesting roots | |||
*Water bath for rinsing roots | |||
*Portable scale for measuring plant biomass | |||
==Methods== | ==Methods== | ||
Class will survey a 100m transect at 20m intervals. Five groups of four will take turns conducting the following measurements: | |||
#Soil CO<sub>2</sub> efflux | |||
#Aboveground plant biomass | |||
#Root biomass | |||
#Soil Moisture and insect biomass | |||
#Plant diversity | |||
===Soils=== | |||
*Measure soil moisture with TDR probe | |||
*Measure soil temperature using thermometer | |||
===Insects=== | |||
====Insect Biomass==== | |||
# take a soil core and place it in a bin | |||
# mix the core well | |||
# pairs of students should place a portion of the soil and count the number insects in each group | |||
# after counting an insect, place it in a pre-weighed tube | |||
# weigh tubes with insects from each group and record | |||
# subtract original tube weight from weight of tube plus insects, this is the insect biomass | |||
===Plants=== | ===Plants=== | ||
==== | ====Biomass==== | ||
==== | # Clip plants along a 150 cm by 10 cm strip at ground level. | ||
=== | # weigh plants and record mass | ||
=== | |||
=== | ==Results== | ||
#Create a spreadsheet based on [http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=rHSTg-MrIlOCv11RROWrmtA# this template]: | |||
#Fill in data for each sample site | |||
#Calculate biomass of plants and insects in units of g or mg per m<sup>2</sup> | |||
===Graphical summary=== | |||
Graph plant and insect biomass, soil temperature, and soil moisture on a chart. Here is an example; | |||
[http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rHSTg-MrIlOCv11RROWrmtA&single=true&gid=0&output=html example transect results] | |||
===Analysis=== | |||
#Look at your graph and describe the patterns that you see | |||
#Are plant and insect biomass correlated along the gradient? | |||
#How are soil temperature and soil moisture related to plant and insect biomass? | |||
#What other patterns did you see? | |||
#Why do you think that these patterns exist? | |||
===Homework=== | |||
Write a one paragraph summary of your analysis. |
Latest revision as of 19:41, 4 September 2010
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
- Meter stick
- LICOR LI-800 gashound, with chamber for measuring soil respiration, 12V battery, and pump
- Clippers for harvesting aboveground plant biomass
- Trowel for harvesting roots
- Water bath for rinsing roots
- Portable scale for measuring plant biomass
Methods
Class will survey a 100m transect at 20m intervals. Five groups of four will take turns conducting the following measurements:
- Soil CO2 efflux
- Aboveground plant biomass
- Root biomass
- Soil Moisture and insect biomass
- Plant diversity
Soils
- Measure soil moisture with TDR probe
- Measure soil temperature using thermometer
Insects
Insect Biomass
- take a soil core and place it in a bin
- mix the core well
- pairs of students should place a portion of the soil and count the number insects in each group
- after counting an insect, place it in a pre-weighed tube
- weigh tubes with insects from each group and record
- subtract original tube weight from weight of tube plus insects, this is the insect biomass
Plants
Biomass
- Clip plants along a 150 cm by 10 cm strip at ground level.
- weigh plants and record mass
Results
- Create a spreadsheet based on this template:
- Fill in data for each sample site
- Calculate biomass of plants and insects in units of g or mg per m2
Graphical summary
Graph plant and insect biomass, soil temperature, and soil moisture on a chart. Here is an example; example transect results
Analysis
- Look at your graph and describe the patterns that you see
- Are plant and insect biomass correlated along the gradient?
- How are soil temperature and soil moisture related to plant and insect biomass?
- What other patterns did you see?
- Why do you think that these patterns exist?
Homework
Write a one paragraph summary of your analysis.