Plotting and mapping a 20m x 20m square of land, using X & Y coordinates:

 Laying the 20 m X 20 meter plot boundaries

Find a representative spot in your study area. Using a compass (to insure parallel sides) and meter tapes. You can also use a GPS to get exact coordinates of the plot.

1.Start at one corner (point A) have a student holds the tape.  2.Another student sights along the compass ( it is best to use the main cardinal points- N,S,E,W); and a third student walks with the meter tape.  Note that corner A starts at ) meters 3Using other students to assist, lay the tape on the ground in a straight line. Try to go through bushes and a close to the line with trees.  4.The tape is laid out to 20 meters.  This is line AB.
5.Chose another student to be this corner (point B) and repeat the process but at right angle to the first line. This is line BC. 6. For the third and fourth side makes sure the tape is numerically in the correct direction. Corner A starts with “0” and ends at 20 meters at Corner B – so corner C should start with 20 meters and end at “0” at corner D.
After lying out the meter tapes use some bright nylon rope to place under the meter tapes.  Secure the rope at each corner.  Keep the meter tapes in place until finish for the day.  The ropes remain so the area can be used again.

Identifying X & Y coordinates for each tree.

Chose a student to be the “X” line (usually north-south lines), chose another to be the “Y” line.  These students stay on the lines (meter tapes) . One student is the recorder of information (X & Y coordinates) and another is the tree locator.
The plot becomes analogous to graph paper. The tree locator person chooses a tree, then the students on the X & Y lines line themselves up perpendicular with the identified tree and read their points on the meter tape. Give the tree a label such as: Plot #1 Tree #1 would be ‘101’. The next tree would be ‘102’.

Using handheld computers or tablet notebooks to record data:

Handheld or tablet computers allow students to record data with a “touch” screen “pen”.  It is like “writing” for a student on a clip board.  The writing is then converted to text.  With the tablet, the student can stand and/or walk and write/record information without needing to sit down of lean on something.  

The advantage of a handheld is that it is small and compact, easily carried in the field.  Disadvantages is that the screen is small and each of the programs are limited to basic functions.  Information needs to be downloaded to get full functions out of Word and Excel.  

The advantage of the Tablet, is the full size screen and full functions of all the programs.  In this way, students are able to record all observations and full use the capabilities of the program.  The tablet is easy to use and has all the complete features of a desktop computer.  Its disadvantage is the size.  It is about the size of a small textbook and weights about a pound.  This can cause problems in the field.

   The handheld/Tablets can be used to create a data table in Excel for the tree plot data.

Record any observation in Word or notes. Students can “write” their notes and the computer converts them to text.

 Atmospheric and weather data can also be recorded in tables.

The handheld/Tablets can be used to create an Excel chart to record evidence of animals:                           

Using graphing calculators and keyboards to record data:

  Record plant and animal species using digital cameras and keys for later identification:

Tree Plot:

Take photos for identification later of:

ü      Whole tree (for shape)

ü      Entire leaf

ü      Edge of leaf

ü      Where leaf attaches to stem

ü      Buds, flowers, cones

ü      If compound leaf or large leaf – take whole leaf then edges

ü      Any other identify characteristics

Animals:

Take photos of evidence of animals

ü      Foot prints

ü      Holes/ homes/ nests

ü      Scratches on tree or ground

ü      Fur / feathers or other coverings

ü      Skeletons or shells

ü      Scat

 Take a photo of the whole plot, a typical area shot.

  Microscopes in the field:

In areas that have water, a microscope in the field can enhance the field study.   Viewing water samples in real time can insure live specimens or gather samples with representatives of the organisms.

 To view edges of leaves and flowers

 To ease identification of animals ie: insect legs and wings.

Gathering climate data using probeware immediately and for a 24-hour period each month.

A data collector & probe

Probes:

·        Temperature

o               Air

o                Water

o                 Soil

·        pH of water

·        barometer

·        hydrometer/humidity

·        light

o              sun

o              shade

Immediate real time data or over time or sequence of events

Convert data to graphing calculator to graph data

            Create data tables

            Calculate various statistical analysis

See appendix for different types of probes

Recording tree heights using a clinometer and/or trigonometry:

A)  Hypsometer-Clinometer

1) Make the clinometer. See appendix for sheets

First glue each sheet to both sides of a piece of cardboard. Slip into a clear sheet protector or laminate.  Tape a straw to the top of the clinometer where indicated.  Knot a piece of string (about 10”) through the hole and tie a washer to the free end.

 2) Using the clinometer. Using the same baseline distance (usually 30 meters), sight through the straw to the top of the tree.  Using the weighted string – find the angle.  Then using the Table of Tangents convert the angle to tangent.  The formula for tree height is baseline distance (30 m) x tangent = tree height. Do not forget to add the height of the observer to the tree height.

 B) Geometry

1) Have a student measure and record the length

 of their arm, from their fist (B) to their shoulder (A).

2) Have them hold a stick perpendicular to the ground that is the same length as from the top of their fist to  their shoulder (arm length)  

 3) Holding the arm parallel to the ground and the stick perpendicular to the ground – the student sights to the tree (Photo below). The top of the stick should be at the top of the tree (Aa) and the top of the fist should be a the bottom of the tree (Bb). The students walks forwards or backwards until the image fits.  Using a meter tape measure the distance from the student to the tree to find the tree height.  Or use the follow ratio to calculate the height of the tree:

Calculating diameters of tree trunks using circumference formulas:

 Measurement of the diameter of a tree is always done at “breast” height (DBH).  Approximately 1 meter above the ground.  Using a meter tape, measure the circumference of the tree. Use the formula  D=C/pi