Chaparral Laboratory – the Fall
Name ________________
Introduction: The biological ideas that you have been learning do not exist only in your
textbook. There are entire communities of organisms living unnoticed all around us.
Sometimes all you have to do is take time to look closely to understand them.
All organisms have similar needs and fit into the principles that you are learning. You will
use your observation skills and try to explain the presence or absence of organisms in a study
site. You will get a chance to see how biotic and abiotic factors affect the distribution and
abundance of organisms.
Note: In this investigation you will be doing the work of a field biologist. Therefore it is
important that you will follow the rules of field biology and do not harm, handle, or disturb
any part of your study site. This could be harmful to the organism or to you.
Purpose: This investigation will sharpen your observation skills. You will learn about the job
of a field biologist as you look for examples of biological principles in the field.
Definitions: Write them down using the textbook glossary. Use them in your lab answers.
Biotic factor
Abiotic factor
Predator and prey
Pollination
Dispersal
Adaptation
Habitat
Symbiosis
Resources
Food web
Day 1:
Procedure
1) Take one day to observe the general area and write your observations about the following:
a. What season is it?
Day 1: Date __________
b. What time of day is it?
c. What is the weather like (wind, temp, light, moisture)?
d. What areas have a lot of green plants? Where do you see the dry, brown/tan plants?
e. Do you see any animals in the area (birds, insects, reptiles, humans)? What are they
doing (perching, running, flying in a circle, obtaining food)?
2) Select your study site. Your site should be 20 feet X 20 feet. This will be your study site for
the rest of the lab.
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Chaparral Laboratory – the Fall
Days 2 and 3:
DAY 2 Date: _____________
DAY 3 Date: _____________
Shade and Light Pattern
Weather Conditions*
* Overcast, cloudy, foggy, clear skies, or temperature.
How does your site differ from other parts of the general area? Is the slope of the ground
different? Is it drier or wetter? Does it receive a lot of direct light (sun) or has lots of shade?
Substrate Type: Describe the physical features of the ground at your site (dirt, boulders,
rocks, mud, etc.)
Percent Cover – Estimate the cover of the following at your site:
Dirt
%
Rock
%
Water
%
Vegetation
%
100%
Plants:
What plants are growing here? List them.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Native or Nonnative
Make a drawing or include photos of each kind of plant on the next page. Label each plant
with its scientific name if known, or else its common name.
• Add all of these plants to your map. Make a key or draw and label each one so that
one can tell what each plant is.
What biotic and abiotic factors might explain the presence of these plants? Describe at least
four factors.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Chaparral Laboratory – the Fall
Animals:
What animals are in your site? What type are they? Make a drawing or include photos of
each kind of animal (include common names). Include those flying over your site.
• Add all of these animals to your map. Make a key or draw and label each one so that
one can tell what each animal is.
What biotic and abiotic factors might explain the presence of these animals? Describe at least
four factors.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What organisms (plants and animals, such as lizards, hawks, dragon flies, agave, cat tails) are
different between your study site and the rest of the area?
What biotic or abiotic factors might explain the presence or absence of these organisms listed
above? Describe at least four factors.
1.
2.
3.
4.
DAYS 2 & 3: Organism Drawings – Draw the plants and animals at your site on this page
and the following page.
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Chaparral Laboratory – the Fall
DAYS 2 & 3: Organism Drawings – continued
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Chaparral Laboratory – the Fall
DAYS 2 & 3: The Rough Draft Map
Make a detailed map of the layout and the major landmarks in your study site. Include ALL
physical features, plants, and animals. Label or make a key for the plants and animals. Show
a compass. See the sample map on the next page.
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Chaparral Laboratory – the Fall
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Chaparral Laboratory – the Fall
DAYS 2 & 3: Field Notes
During each day, record notes on your observations in your study site.
• Include both qualitative and quantitative observations.
• Describe interactions between plants, between animals, and between plants
and animals.
• Make comparisons and contrasts between your site and the general area (i.e., what is
the same and what is different?).
• Discuss what you observe with your lab partners.
This will be stamped at the end of each day. No stamp = no credit!
DAY 2: Date ________
DAY 3: Date ________
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