Stratification

In the past two lessons we have been continuing  to look at patterns in ecosystems. In yesterday's lesson we looked at Stratification.

Stratification  is where we get layers in a forest- e.g. the ground, mid canopy, upper canopy etc. The layers have their own environmental conditions (biotic and abiotic factors) and this means that habitats will vary.

Of course, if trees fall, then we can get succession taking place also.

Today we completed questions in the biozone book, before we moved onto looking at mesophytes and xerophytes. This will be a focus next lesson too.

Patterns in ecosystems

Prior to the Rarangi trip, we were looking at patterns in ecosystems. Today we continued looking at the pattern types. These will be relevant to our coursework when we go to Rotoiti.

Primary and secondary succession is where organisms colonise new areas (and to an extent this was occurring at Rarangi).

Zonation is where the organisms are arranged in particular locations depending upon the abiotic factors (e.g. sea shore zonation)  and attitudinal donation (equator to the poles) as well as up a mountain (vertical zonation).

We discussed this and then answered questions in the biozone book.

Rarangi Kite Diagrams

Today we ensured that we needed to a) label clearly data from the field, b) started creating kite diagrams.

Homework had been set to watch a caption tour (http://zapt.io/tx3vsafj)

Rarangi field trip

Yesterday we had the Bio field trip to Rarangi. As has been the case on all of the trips to Rarangi over the past few years we had torrential rain.

However, even so, the trip did succeed. First of all it indicated that biologists have to collect samples in all weather. This also means that you need to have a plan and work together as a team.

The three transects had plants showing zonation. We will need to work on analysing the data (which we will do as a practice 2.6 assessment).

And THANKS to all parents who helped in transporting the boys- much appreciated!

Kite Diagrams and Sampling

Today we discussed how to a) record data during an ecological visit and b) how to present the data in a meaningful way.

The key things that we look for are:

a map- showing where the samples came from, this can give an idea of some of the biotic and abiotic factors that are in operation.

Clearly indicated transect numbers, listing the species and how many.

This can then be used to create a kite diagram.

The kite diagram shows how a species changes as the position along a transect changes.

I gave out (made up) data and a sheet of graph paper. The first part of the homework (due Friday) is to draw a kite diagram for the sample data.

The second part of the homework is to watch a video and answer the questions at:
http://zapt.io/tx3vsafj

Remember to use your school google login to access it.

Succession

Apologies for the late blog post- the school network had an issue that prevented accessing our Google Accounts, which means blogger was unobtainable.

In yesterday's lesson we introduced the idea of Patterns of Communities.

Living things colonise barren rock, eventually leading to soil formation and more complex ecosystems. This is Primary succession.

When there has been a minor change in a habitat, this leads to Secondary succession, which is far away the most important type of succession on the Planet.

We discussed this and watched a video here

Also- I issued the hard copy letters for the trip next Tuesday and reminded about the need to return slips for the Lake Rotiti trip.

In today's lesson we discussed the different types of patterns and the class made extensive notes on succession.

Sampling Practice

Yesterday we went outside and practiced with two different sampling techniques.

The first was pooting. This involved finding small invertebrates and sucking them up into a pooter. This highlighted a) ethics and b) the need to have a fair, unbiased plan (otherwise you just target insects that you like or are interested in).

After lunch we looked at using quadrats on a line transect. Obviously the school pitch is not the most variable or exciting areas to investigate, but it does give an idea of how much work is involved (especially as you are carrying out samples every 40 cm).

A reminder- I am hoping to be able to take you out to Rarangi in the second week back after the holiday- parental help will be essential for transport if this is to be successful.