Salmonberry Habitats
Directions: Use the following information to answer the questions.
Greta and Scott did the following field study with a park ranger to learn where black bears find
salmonberries to eat in the forests of Washington.
Field Study Question: How does the number of salmonberry plants change among different habitats?
Procedure:
1. Go to the forest habitat. Record the location, date, and time.
2. Choose three different locations in the forest habitat. Mark each location with a flag and attach a 30-meter rope. Label
the flags as Location 1, Location 2, and Location 3.
3. Using a compass, walk 30 meters north from Location 1. Mark the line walked with the rope.
4. Count the number of salmonberry plants that touch the 30-meter rope and record as Location 1.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for Locations 2 and 3 for the forest habitat.
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the stream bank and forest edge habitats.
7. Calculate and record the average number of salmonberry plants for each habitat.
Data Collected:
Location: Forest, stream bank, and forest edge habitat
Date and Time: May 1, 2, and 3, 1:00 P.M.
1. What variable was the manipulated (independent) variable in this field study?
o A. Height of salmonberry plants counted
o B. Number of salmonberry plants counted
o C. Method for salmonberry plant counting
o D. Habitat for salmonberry plant counting
2. Salmonberry plants reproduce both sexually and asexually. Which is an advantage of sexual reproduction over asexual
reproduction?
o A. Sexual reproduction leads to greater variety in offspring.
o B. Sexual reproduction reduces inherited adaptations of offspring.
o C. Sexual reproduction leads to a lower reproduction rate in offspring.
o D. Sexual reproduction increases the similarity between parents and offspring.
3. Is the salmonberry plant an open system or a closed system?
o A. An open system, because salmonberry plants use light energy
o B. A closed system, because energy stays within the salmonberry plants
o C. An open system, because substances like water can enter the salmonberry plants
o D. A closed system, because materials made by the salmonberry plants are used for growth
4. Scientists can determine the location of bears in the forest habitat using a radio collar. Which question could be
answered by using these radio collars?
o A. When do bears climb trees?
o B. When do bears have offspring?
o C. What types of food do bears eat?
o D. What habitat do bears use most?
5. Write a conclusion for this field study.
In your conclusion, be sure to:
Answer the field study question.
Include supporting data from the Habitat vs. Number of Salmonberry Plants table.
Explain how these data support your conclusion.
Question: How does the number of salmonberry plants change among different habitats?
Conclusion:
6. Which characteristic helps animals spread salmonberry seeds to different habitats?
o A. The seeds are delicate.
o B. The seeds are in fruit.
o C. The seeds are smooth.
o D. The seeds are brown.
7. Salmonberry plants and black bears both contain cells. Which cell structure is found only in salmonberry plants?
o A. Cytoplasm
o B. Chloroplasts
o C. Chromosomes
o D. Cell membranes
8. Salmonberries are a food source for bears. What form of energy found in a salmonberry is used by bears?
o A. Light
o B. Kinetic
o C. Chemical
o D. Thermal (heat)
9. Black bears have thick fur that traps air. How does this air insulate the bear in winter?
o A. The air reduces thermal (heat) energy flow out to the environment.
o B. The air produces thermal (heat) energy to keep the bear warm.
o C. The air transforms chemical energy to thermal (heat) energy.
o D. The air transfers thermal (heat) energy to the bear.
10. Igneous rock was found near one of the habitats. Which processes caused these rocks to form?
o A. Heat and pressure
o B. Melting and cooling of lava
o C. Weathering and deposition
o D. Compaction and cementation
11. While viewing the habitats, Greta and Scott noticed the Moon in the sky during the day. What can
they conclude about the Moon based on this observation?
o A. There was not a new Moon on that day.
o B. There was an eclipse of the Sun on that day.
o C. The Moon was rising earlier than usual that day.
o D. The Moon shone more brightly than the Sun on that day.
12. Plan a field study to answer the question in the box.
Be sure your procedure includes:
logical steps to do the field study
method for collecting data
- data to be collected
- how often measurements should be collected and recorded.
conditions to be compared
Field Study Question: How does the height of a salmonberry plant change over the months of the year?
Procedure: