Grade 9: Temperate Rainforest FIELD STUDY Procedure and Questions Booklet

Names: ____________________________________________________________

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PURPOSETo investigate the abiotic and biotic components in a nearby ecosystem. The ecosystem to be studied is within a temperate rainforest biome.

MATERIALS Meter rule or tape measure Quadrat Thermometer pH meter nitrate test kit phosphate test kit zip loc bag Insect net clipboard

PROCEDURE – (All recordings to be done in your data booklet).

DAY 1 – in the field

PART A – The Area 1. Go to your assigned area. Use the tape measures to mark off a

plot that is 5m by 5m. You may wish to use sticks and tape to display your boundaries. Record the total area of your plot.

2. Estimate and record the slope of your plot (flat would be 0 degrees, straight down would be 90 degrees).

3. Estimate the percent shade cover of your plot. Record the percent shade cover.

4. Observe your plot. In your data booklet, sketch an overhead view of your plot including both living and nonliving parts of the plot.

PART B – Abiotic Measures

1. Take the soil temperature from three different places in your plot. Record all three temperatures and find the average value.

2. Collect a small bag of soil (try to collect it from the most typical-looking part of your plot). In class, we will be testing the soil for nitrates, phosphates and pH.

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DAY 2 – in class

PART B – Abiotic Measures (continued)

i. Measuring the pH of the soil.

1. Prepare the water-soil mixture.

a. Measure out and place 50 g of your collected soil into a beaker. b. Add 100 mL of distilled water to the beaker and stir thoroughly.c. Stir once every three minutes for 15 minutes.d. After the final stirring, let the mixture settle for about five minutes. This allows the soil to settle out, leaving a layer of water on top for you to take your pH measurement.

2. Measure the pH.

a. Carefully place the tip of the pH Sensor into the liquid part of the beaker. Make sure the glass bulb at the tip of the sensor is covered by the water.b. Note the pH reading in the meter.c. If the reading is stable, simply record the pH value in your data table (Table 2) d. Rinse the pH meter and return to the storage container.

ii. Measuring the phosphate and nitrate concentration of the soil.

1. Use the phosphate and nitrate kit to determine the concentrations of each of these nutrients in your soil samples (Record in Table 2). The teacher will give instructions for these procedures.

DAY 3 – in the fieldPART C – Biotic Measures

1. Walk through your plot and take a picture of each of the different kinds of plants you observe. Include pictures in Table 3 of your digital data booklet.

2. Working in 25cm x 25cm quadrats count and record the percentage of grasses, herbs, shrubs, ferns and trees in each quadrat. Do your best the estimate! (This may require a little research to determine which category these plants fit into). Do this for 10 quadrats in your area. Record in Table 4.

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3. Use your groups collected data to calculate the average percentage of plant type for your plot: Enter this data in Table 4.

4. Using a bug net, walk 5 insect transects – sweep for bugs throughout each transect. Record the number of different bugs that were observed in each transect. Take pictures of each different species you observe. Enter the data in Table 5.

(Each transect should cover 5m2 – walking the 5m length of your plot and sweeping back and forth with your net to cover a 1m width)

5. Walk through the entire plot and record all animals signs seen in the plot or seen from the plot (include birds flying over, scat, burrows, nests etc.). Take pictures where applicable. Ignore signs of bugs.

**Make sure your group’s data is entered in the shared data document**

Plant Identification ChartGrasses Herbs Shrubs Ferns Trees

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