Ecology Notebook

Field Ecology is designed to teach students general scientific methods, procedures, and thinking skills as well as specific methods and procedures used to study plants and animals in their natural setting. The objectives for this project are as follows:

Demonstrate the ability to apply scientific methods to solving problems.

Demonstrate proper methods of observing and recording scientific data.

Demonstrate the ability to measure in metric units and graph data correctly.

Assess the interrelationships of living and nonliving factors in a specific habitat.

The student will select a one-meter square area near his home that is in a natural setting. Observations are to be made in the area according to the following schedule: twice in January, twice in February, twice in March, three times in April, and once in May. All observations must be at least a week apart. The project is due on Friday May 12, 2000. To receive a maximum 80 of the possible 100 points each notebook must include the following for every entry date:

Temperature recordings in Celsius

Description of location, including a drawing (every time, even if it is the same)

Soil description

Description of number and kinds of plants and animals

Description of changes observed after introducing a food source (make sure you replace the food source if it disappears)

Recording of rainfall during interim periods

Recording of emergence of plants and measurements and GRAPHS of their growth

The following list includes suggestions for optional entries. Four or more will earn you a maximum of 120 points, three will earn you a maximum of 110 points, and two will earn you a maximum of 100 points out of a possible 100 points.

Identification of organisms into genus and species

Temperature variations from morning to afternoon to night

Light levels (compare different times of day--this is best done by illustrations and descriptions

Sound levels (compare different times of day)

Photographs (for every entry)

Audio or video recordings

Descriptions subdivided into levels (for example: animals found at ground level compared to animals found at 30 cm above ground level compared to animals found at 10 cm below ground level)

Personal thoughts and comments (for every entry)

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