Selecting a Site for Field Study
Part of the Biodiversity Counts Curriculum Collection.
Part of the Biodiversity Counts Curriculum Collection.
Students are introduced to the techniques used by scientists in the field—how to select a site for study; and how to measure, mark, and map it. They then apply these concepts to an actual site, selected for a study of local biodiversity; teams measure, mark, and map individual plots and then combine their maps to create a map of the entire site.
What's the size of your desk in relation to your teacher's? Or to the chalkboard at the front of the room? Hone your mapping skills with this classroom activity.
You just might be surprised by how diverse and interdependent the living things around your school are. Investigate a patch of sidewalk, a grassy or wooded spot, or even someone's front yard.
Not sure how to describe your field site? This one-page site report will help you note the important details, from area and average elevation to human-made and natural topography.