Species Diversity and Vegetation Structure

	GEOG 235. Biogeography
	Species Diversity and Vegetation Structure Exercise

Introduction

This exercise should be conducted in a place where you can identify at least two different habitat types. At least one should be as natural and undisturbed as possible. I recommend working in a small group of 2 to 4 individuals--with each person working in a different habitat type--for best results. Wildwood Park is a good place fairly close to campus to conduct this exercise.

Each person should take field notes. The notes should include a description of where you are, the date and time of your observations, the weather conditions, and the names of people with whom you are working.

Objective 1. To develop skills in observing and in recording observations.

Objective 2. To recognize the difference between species composition and structure in a biome.

Time required: One to two hours in the field.

Part I. Species Composition and Diversity.

Have each member of the group choose a different habitat type (for example, woods, meadow, stream bank, roadside or pathway).

Each person should sit quietly in their habitat for at least 20 minutes. Listen, look. Make a list of all the different organisms or signs of life that you observe. It is not expected nor important that you know the correct name of everything; only that you can distinguish when you are observing something new and different. The challenge will be to come up with a way to record unknowns. You may want to do a trial run and compare methods with your teammates before starting the actual observation period. Make a total count of the different kinds of plants, fungi, and animals in your habitat. Are any kinds more prevalent than others?

Take a break and compare your results with those of your fellow observers.

Part II. Vertical Structure

Return to your observation post and try to discern a pattern to the way life is distributed vertically. Can you subdivide your habitat into strata?

Sketch a profile of the vegetation. Add animals where appropriate.

Take another break and compare your results with those of your fellow observers. Is there any apparent relationship between structure and total diversity of lifeforms? Describe what pattern or lack of pattern is evident.

Part III. Horizontal Structure

With the team together, see if you can identify a pattern to the distribution of different habitat types. Does each type repeat itself under similar environmental conditions? In other words, is there a landscape mosaic?

Look at the borders of different habitat types. Are there sharp and distinct borders between different kinds of habitats? Or are there transition zones where species characteristic of both may be found?

Make a sketch map of what you see, including as many different habitats as there are observers.

Final Report:

Each observor should turn in his/her own report.

The final report should include the results of all three parts explained in well constructed sentences and accompanied with diagrams or sketch maps where called for above.
Attach field notes and sketches.
Prepare a well considered, honest evaluation of the field experience. Did it meet the objectives set forth above? Did you gain anything from the experience? Was the time allotment about right? How could the exercise be improved?

Note: The link to field notes given in the introduction is to a course on field techniques offered by Dr. William Doolittle, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin. His class notes are online. You might want to take a look at them. You'll find ideas and information of use in your other courses as well as this one.

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Created by Susan Woodward, September 23, 1997. Last modified September 23, 1997 by slw.