BIOLOGY 101

Ecology Research Project:

This is a project designed to teach you the scientific method, field techniques, and comparison. The project involved selected two "areas" (these are to be 100 yds x 100 yds of forest). And these two areas have to have some difference between them, and you must be able to argue that the differences between the areas would make a difference in the size and types of trees.

Section 1 of the Project: (2 weeks)

These are due during the first section.

Maps of the area (not necessarily detailed maps, just major landmarks like roads, rivers, houses)

label each area (A and B)

Define 2 randomly selected plots within each area (4 total). Do this by the penny drop method.

On the back of the map tell me the location of each area (county and town are sufficient)

Tree Count (this is not the ID and measure portion of the count)

Each randomly selected plot will be where we take measurements for the area. You will have plots A1, A2, B1, B2 and within these plots is where all your work will take place.

I want every tree bigger than the circle you can make with your thumb and index finger counted within a 7.5 m radius from the center of each plot.

Second Section:(2 weeks)

Trees within plots A1, and A2 should be ID'd and measured for DBH.

Third Section: (1 week)

Trees within plots B1 and B2 should be Id'd and measured for DBH.

Handy site for converting meters to feet: http://www.simetric.co.uk/metres_to_feet.htm