Lab 6 Field Methods

Part 1 Qualitative vs. Quantitative, Dimensional Analysis, and Growth 

A.      Qualitative vs. Quantitative

Qualitative examples:

1.       1^st grade classroom is filled with silly and friendly students.  Some are excited to learn and others are frustrated about learning new concepts.  They all enjoy playing games together during recess.

2.       The painting in my living room is green, pink, yellow, orange, black, white, brown, red and blue with a brown wood frame.  The texture shows brush strokes of oil paint.  It is a romantic and peaceful setting in Antigua, Guatemala that consists of an archway with a clock tower in Antigua in the middle of a street with a volcano in the background and flowers in planters hanging from the homes lining the street.     

Quantitative examples:

1.       There are twenty students: 12 girls and 8 boys.  50% of the students struggle to understand new concepts and 50% understand new concepts and excel in school.

2.       My painting is 48” by 60” and with the frame it is 50” by 62” and weighs 12 lbs.  It cost $500! 

B.      Dimensional Analysis

A 4 lb bass weighs how many grams?

Step 1 Identify units to be converted-  

Convert pounds to grams!

Step 2 Find equivalent conversion unites-

1 gram = 0.00220462 lbs

Step 3

Set up proportions using multiplication or division so you end up with the units you want-

 4 lbs x   ___1 g____= Grams?

               0.0022046

Step 4

Solve and cross out matching unit labels.

4 lbs x        1 g___  = Grams

            0.0022046 lbs

                                        = 1814.38 g

C.      Linear vs. Exponential Growth 



1.  Line Graphs

      A.      $6 a day with a $6 a day raise for 35 days!

     B.      $1 a day with a 25% increase each day for 35 days!

GRAPH "B" DATA

2.      Questions

a.       Which strategy is the most profitable?

A $1 a day with a 25% increase each day is more profitable in the long term.

b.      Which would have seemed most profitable if you had stopped at six days?

       $6 a day with a $6 a day raise would have seemed more profitable in the short term or at day six.

Part II Measurements of Biodiversity, Field Methods, and Soil Testing

Field Work

1.       Sample site photo

2.       Quadrat photo

3.       Random numbers

          a.       1; 5; 6; 7; 8; 11; 12; 15

4.       Quadrat diagram

5.       Labeled specie sketches

6.       Specie Richness Data Chart

7.     Most species in the quadrat had a random dispersion pattern, in-other-words individuals among the different species have an equal probability of occurring at any point in the habitat.  Many of the species existed throughout the sections of the quadrat that I sampled, e.g. the weed with the yellow flowers.  Some species in the quadrat have a high probability of existing due to clumped dispersion, in-other-words the presence of one individual has increased the chances of another species living nearby.  For example, the larva that exists under a rock in quadrat 6 makes the probability of ants existing in this area higher since they feed on larva. 

8.     I was cautious to not be biased in my observations and collection of data to the point that I had two other individuals come into each quadrat square right after I had finished observing a square and had them observe and collect data.  Their data was the same as my data!

Soil Tests  

                  Location                                                N level/rating           P level /rating             K level/rating              Ph level/rating

Sample A        My side yard                     where I plan to have a                            vegetable garden	3 Sufficient	4 Surplus	3 Sufficient	7 Neutral
Sample B          My front yard                      where I plan to have a                             vegetable garden	4 Surplus	4 Surplus	4 Surplus	6.5 Slightly              Acidic

A.      What nutrient/chemical cycles are related to soil formation? Give two specific examples.

a.       The nitrogen and phosphorous cycle!

B.      Why is soil important?

a.       Soil can provide nutrients to support producers so they can grow providing nutrients or food and air to consumer species.

C.      How is soil type related to biodiversity and biomes?

a.       Biodiversity or the variety of species and the ecosystems in which they live and the processes of the ecosystem including nutrient cycling by the abiotic environment and biotic organisms in the ecosystem maintain topsoil fertility.  Biomes or regions such as forests, grasslands, chaparrals and deserts all have different climates that determine the type of ecosystem that will exist and determines the types of species that will exist in the region.  Regions with prevailing rain and lightning storms will have fertile soil and regions that are arid will have less fertile or depleted soil that will not support an ecosystem.  The biomes, their climates and its effect on soil will determine what species exist and biodiversity within the region.

D.      Name 3 factors that might cause soil type to change over time in short term (days to hundreds of years) or long (geologic) term.

a.       Rain and lightning storms quickly make soil moist and provide nitrates to topsoil.   Prolonged drought will deprive soil of nutrients and can cause degradation of topsoil.

Human activities that produce and release toxic chemicals into the soil can cause rapid or slow degradation of topsoil rendering it infertile.  Human’s removing natural vegetation that protects topsoil from rainfall and wind can cause accelerated erosion of the topsoil that can lead to degradation of topsoil.    

Photographs of soil testing process:

FRONT YARD

 SIDE YARD

These soil samples were taken approximately 2.5” below the surface of my side yard and the other from my front yard (rocks and grass were removed from sample.)  The PH test chamber was filled to the soil line with my soil sample then water was added to the water fill line.  Cap of comparator was sealed and then shaken thoroughly.  It sat for 1 minute then results were read in indirect sunlight.  The comparator was cleaned and the process was done again for the second soil sample.

FRONT YARD

SIDE YARD

These soil samples were taken approximately 2.5” below the surface of my side yard and the other from my front yard.  Two clean containers were filled with 1 cup of each soil sample and 5 cups of water were added to each.  Both samples were stirred well and sat for 4 and half hours.  The phosphorous, nitrogen and potash comparators were filled to the fill mark with the soil sample solution (no soil or other debris).  Powder from the colored capsules were added to each matching comparator then shaken thoroughly.  Each sample developed for 10 minutes then results were read in indirect sunlight.  The comparators were cleaned and the process was done again for the second soil sample.