Name____________________________ Field Activity: Ecosystem Analysis – Matter & Energy of Fenn’s Hardwood Forest Objective: Energy surrounds us in various forms. The earth receives light energy form the sun, and plants “store” that energy in their tissues. This is the energy that sustains a community of animals via the food web. The objective of this field activity is to measure the energy found around us in nature, and to trace the flow of that energy throughout our local ecosystem. The first step involves identifying energy flows, recording observations, and diagramming. The second step involves measuring the above ground biomass and identifying living things before constructing energy pyramids, biomass pyramids, and food webs. You will complete graphic organizers, a field journal, and a PowerPoint Presentation of your findings. During each site visit, you will complete daily tasks (see below) and a list of tasks specific for the day. Daily Field Tasks (Record in Field Journal): Record Date & Time Measure & Record Temperature in Shade Measure & Record Temperature in Sunlight Measure & Record Temperature in Soil Estimate Light Intensity in Shade Estimate Light Intensity in Sunlight Estimate Solar Angle of Insolation Record Cloud Cover & Cloud Type Estimate Wind Strength Record Direction of Wind Measure & Record Precipitation Over last 24 hours Field Task #1: Field Work – Recording Observations (in Field Journal) 1. Complete Daily Tasks. 2. Record the date & time 3. Write phrases describing your feelings (what’s exciting, what’s bothering) 4. Describe the location on campus 5. Sketch a map in your lab notebook to mark your place (you will need to return to this exact location later in the year). 6. Record current weather conditions (cloud cover, temperature, snow pack, wind) 7. Sketch a diagram of cloud formations 8. List names and write descriptions of living things (or things that were once living) at your site 9. List names and write descriptions of non-living things at your site. 10. Construct simple diagrams of living things 11. Construct simple diagrams of non-living things Field Task #2: Field Work – Horizontal & Vertical Profiles (in Field Journal) 1. Complete Daily Tasks. 2. Measure a 10 M x 10 M square and mark it with tape. 3. Sketch the horizontal profile (birds eye view). 4. Sketch the vertical profile (side view). NOTE: At this point in the exercise, you need to delegate responsibilities. One individual should work on task #4 (identifying plants, animals, and fungi) , and two people need to work on task #3 (measuring above ground biomass) Field Task #3: Field Work – Measuring Above Ground Biomass (in Field Journal ) 1. Complete Daily Tasks. 2. Measure the circumference at breast height (cbh) of all large trees inside your 10 m x 10 m plot. 3. Use the triangulation method to measure the height of all large trees inside your 10 m x 10 m plot. 4. From this data, calculate the volume of each tree, the mass of each tree, and the stored energy of each tree. Field Task #4: Field Work – Identifying Living Things (in Field Journal ) 1. Complete Daily Tasks. 2. Use the Smithsonian Guide to New England and the Tree Finder Guide to Identify the Flora & Fauna (plants, animals, and fungi) of your 10 m x 10 m site. 3. You may collect take pictures using digital cameras and collect specimens to return to the classroom.