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.