Chose a site within 5 minutes walk of the camp site area to use for your field study. You will need the following equipment ;
1. To set up a transect line :
You will need the following equipment ; 21m long piece of (pink) string 4 tent pages 10 plastic cups 1 trowel 1 measuring tape Paper Pencil
- Chose your site and measure out 20m length
- mark the length with your string, wrap string round the tent pegs to anchor it to the ground
- At 2 metre intervals along the transect install your plastic cups for pitfall traps, make sure the tops of the cups are level (flush) with the level of the ground.
2 collecting pitfall traps
Look inside the trap BEFORE you touch it.
If you have any concerns about a creature in the trap ask a teacher BEFORE dealing with it
Empty a trap into a viewing container
Write down details of the contents, classify them and make a tally chart- make sure you note the trap number e.g trap 1
to classify you could group them as follows ANTS, BEETLES, LIZARDS, OTHER
Tally each creature and add to your tally chart
CREATURE CLASS
trap
TALLY
ANTS
1
IIII III
BEETLES
1
IIII
LIZARDS
1
I
OTHER
1
II
RECORD DETAILS OF EACH CREATURE TYPE
CREATURE
TRAP
GROUP
PICTURE
DESCRITION
CREATURE 1
1
ANT
8 legs, brown colour, about 5mm long
After viewing each creature - use forceps to replace it into the trap you found it
Vegetation survey:
-All along the line of your transect describe the various types of vegetation that are present.
-You also need to give a measure of density given as a percentage of the ground covered by vegetation.
-The description should include approximate height and diameter of vegetation and a description of it’s shape, colour and texture. It’s location along the transect line should also be noted. You should also make small sketches of any vegetation.
Description of geographical location:
-Describe the lie of the land in the area of your transect, is it steep or sloping land? Is it rocky or sandy? How large are the sand grains? Are there any interesting features in the area?
Man’s Impact on the area:
-Along your transect note any evidence of man’s impact on the area, rubbish, tire tracks, pipelines, buildings etc.
-Also, as you travel through the environment note anything you see that shows man is having an effect on the environment.
Recording your data:
Use the paper provided to draw up results charts and to log your data. Ensure your data is full enough to allow you to write a detailed report of your findings when you return to school.
The use of a camera and sketch book to visually record your findings will enhance your final presentation. Remember to note down what each of your photos represents
