OBJECTIVES: Teach students how to:

1. set up a 20 X 50 meter tree monitoring plot containing five 10 X 20 meter subplots to begin recording tree distlibutions with the plot

2. identify trees looking at different external characteristics and determine the dominant tree species within each plot

3. map tree species within plots and compare species distributions between other plots

MATERIALS:

_tape measurer
_compass
_tree tags
_flags
_hammer
_copy of field guide to identify trees
-copy of data table
_paper and pencil
_map of school
_ small nails

SAFETY: PLEASE BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH ANY KIND OF PLANT THAT YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT IT. POISON IVY MAY BE PRESENT IN THIS AREA AND MANY PEOPLE ARE ALLERGIC TO IT. THE TERRAIN IS NOT LEVEL, SO BE CAREFUL TO AVOID INJURIES.

PROCEDURE:

1. Measure a plot 20 meters by 10 meters. Use compass at corners to make sure there is a 90° angle

2. Put flags on the pelimeter of your plot every 10 meters.

3. Find center of plot and flag it.

4. Identify the trees within your plot (use field identification)

5.Tag all trees within your plot with the tags provided. The tags will allow us to record measurements and follow the trees over time.

6. Refer to diagram below to see what your plot should look like. Your plot is a subset of the larger 20 X 50 Meter class plot.