Ecosystem Survey

Ecosystem Survey

The purpose of this activity is to survey different energy-related elements (sunlight, soil moisture, temperature, and wind) to investigate how they affect the living elements, such as plants and animals, in an ecosystem.

Steps

1. Print out this survey to help in your investigation (MS Word or PDF version).

2. Choose two ecosystems to compare in your backyard or school ground (an ecosystem can consist of anything from a rotting log to your entire backyard). Tools such as light meter, thermometer, compass and strip of paper can be used to help obtain certain survey items. You may also wish to check your local weather station.

3. Answer the following questions.

4. Submit answers if required by instructor. Password: energyed

(If you are not an enrolled participant please do not submit this activity. Print out the provided information sheets and try to complete it on your own. If you have questions contact KEEP at energy@uwsp.edu. Thank you!)

Name:
Date:
Instructor:
Course password:


Today's Weather
Temperature:
Humidity:
Cloud cover:
Wind speed:
Wind direction:
Description of Sites
Site One:
Site Two:
Answer the following questions based on your observations.
1. Describe what happens to sunshine as it enters each of the sites (make sure to fill out information for each for both site one and site two). Things to consider: * Does sunshine fall mainly on plants or the ground? * How might the amount of sunshine falling on the ground affect soil moisture? * Is there a relation between the amount of sunlight received and temperature?
Site One:
Site Two:
2. Describe a possible food chain for each of the sites. If possible, develop the chain into a food web.
Site One:
Site Two:
3. What relationships do you see between the number and species of plants and the number of animals?
Site One:
Site Two:
4. Describe what happens to wind as it flows through each of the sites. Things to consider: * How might the amount of wind affect the plants and animals in each of the sites? * Might the wind affect soil moisture? How? * How could it affect temperature?
Site One:
Site Two:
5. Describe how each of the following might influence the plants and animals in each of the study sites. Sunlight Soil moisture * Temperature
Site One:
Site Two:

6. Do you think any of these elements has the most influence? Which one and why?

7. Write a statement comparing the energy flow through each of the study sites, using elements investigated to emphasize the similarities and the differences.

8. Something else to think about. How does your study site (back yard or school grounds) affect the amount of energy flowing into or out of your house or school? Some questions to consider:
  * Do any of the plants cast shadows on the building? If yes:
       - Will the plant cast shadows in summer as well as winter?
       - Are the plants sufficient to affect the level of wind that hits the building?
       - Are the trees evergreen or deciduous? What difference does this make in shading and protection?
* Do any of the plants cast shadows on the building? If yes:
            -Will the plant cast shadows in the summer as well as winter?
   *What side of the building is shaded (South, Southeast, East, etc)
   * What time of day is it shaded?
   * How might shading affect temperature inside the building:
   * Do some sides of the building have more windows than other sides? If yes:
       - What time of day will sunlight come in those windows?
       - How will the incoming sunlight change in winter versus summer?
       - How might wind affect the windows?
       - Which directions do the windows face and will this affect temperature?
    * Is the building located on level ground, a hill, or in a valley?
       - How might its location affect wind and sun exposure?


*NOTE:* If you are NOT enrolled as a participant in NRES 733 - Energy Education: Concepts and Practices please do not submit this activity.

Return to Energy Through Our Lives - B.1. Energy Use in an Ecosystem.

Proceed to Section B.2. Home Energy Use.

Copyright 2002 KEEP