ESSCOSMOS/2009:FieldSampling
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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
- Measuring Tape or wheel
- 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.
Plant Biomass
Height
Measure the height of plants.
Aboveground biomass
Clip a 1m strip and weigh.
Soils
soil moisture
Use probe to measure soil moisture
soil temperature
Use probe to measure soil temperature
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
