2. Aim Of Field Studies
The Aim of the field studies is to investigate the effects of differing abiotic factors on the biotic characteristics of a community.
That the differences in adaptations shown between organisms in a closed sub-tropical rainforest community and an open sclerophyll forest community are dependent on the varying abiotic factors found in each ecosystem
- CBL2 data collector plus Texas T1 - 83 calculator
- Temperature probe attached to CBL2 for ambient temperature reading
- Temperature probe for soil
- Light intensity probe (sensor)
- Hygrometer (shared with another group)
- 1 X 10m string for transect
- Spoon and plastic vial for soil
- Digging implement
- Canopy cover card
- Measuring tape
- Paper plus water bottle
1. Firstly select a representative patch of Eucalypt forest. Write a brief description of the topography, plant distribution, the dominant types of plants, light intensity, shape of the trees.
2. Choose a spot randomly in your area of study. Using the light intensity probe record the light intensity at this point. Record this in the table provided. Using a random method move to a second location and record the light intensity at this location. Carry this out for 5 locations, recording your results in table 1
3. Record data from 4 other groups and calculate the average light intensity for the Open Sclerophyll Forest. (This will need to be carried out at a later time). Record your average in table 2.
4. Similarly, at each location record data for the following abiotic factor:
- Ambient (air) temperature (using digital temperature probe)
- Soil temperature (using soil temperature probe)
- Relative humidity - 1 hygrometer per 2 groups
5. Indicate the degree of leaf litter and, if any is present...