importantcomponentinstudyingecologyenablesustofindout.pptVIP

4. Select a suitable area of ground that is representative. Put a quadrat (50 x 50 cm) on the area. 5. Use the air net to catch flying animals near the transect line. Search for small animals in different micro-habitats such as under or inside a rotten log, on leaf surfaces, in flowers or in fruits etc. Whenever possible, identify and count the animals in the field (or you may take photographs). Presence of spider web and animal damage on leaves may provide useful information of animal distribution. Free the animals after the identification. Collect all the litter within the quadrat and put it into a plastic bag with labels. Bring it back to school for further investigation. Measure the abiotic factors: (a) Use the light meter to measure the light intensity (i) above canopy layer (you can measure this at open space outside the woodland), (ii) below the canopy layer but above the shrub layer, and (iii) below shrub layer. (b) Use the thermometer to measure the temperature (i) on the surface of litter layer, (ii) in open air within the woodland, and (iii) in open air outside the woodland. (c) Use the digital hygrometer to measure the humidity (i) on the surface of litter layer, (ii) in open air within the woodland, and (iii) in open air outside the woodland. (d) Use the anemometer to measure the average wind speed inside and outside the woodland. 8. Use a spade to dig up the top 5 cm of soil within the quadrat. Place the soil on the sorting tray and sort out the animals for identification. 9. Collect about 1 kg of soil and put it into a plastic bag. Bring it back to school for further investigation. 10. Examine the plants: (a) Trees which touch or have their perpendicular crown projections overlying the transect line should all be included in you investigation. (b) For each tree included in your investigation, measure its height, diameter of trunk (at breast height), crown length, cr