Data Collection Techniques

• Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of a soil sample.

• The pH scale ranges from 0- 14. 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and greater than 7 is alkaline.

• The pH of soil is an important factor in determining which plants will grow because it controls which nutrients are available for the plants to use.

Procedure:

1. Using the trowel, collect a soil sample about the size of a 10 cent piece and place on white tile.

2. Place enough universal indicator on the soil to wet the sample.

3. Sprinkle Barium Sulphate over the universal indicator.

4. Observe colour change and determine the pH by matching the colour to the pH colour chart.

Procedure:

1. Using a trowel, dig a shallow trench to fit the soil moisture sensor horizontally into the soil. Press soil around sensor and cover with soil.

2. Press the analyse button.

3. Stop analysis after 1 minute.

4. Record results

• Aspect is the direction the slope is facing.

• The direction of the slope will affect the amount of sunlight the slope receives and the rate of evapouration of water.

• Slopes facing a northerly direction will receive the most amount of sunlight. Slopes facing a southerly direction will receive the least amount of sunlight.

Procedure:

1. Use a purpose built compass or a compass on a smart phone or tablet. Hold the compass flat in your hand. Turn the circle on the compass or move the compass/ phone in a circle while flat on your hand until until the needle points North.

2. Imagine you are standing at the bottom of the slope, with your back to the slope. Use the compass to identify the direction you are facing.

• Most organisms live within a specific temperature range. A locations long term temperature range will limit the species that survive there.

• Temperature can effect the growth rate of plants.

Procedure:

1. Read the dry bulb thermometer on the left of the hygrometer.

• Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air..

• Can be variable depending on location.

Procedure:

Ensure there is water in the container at the base of the hygrometer.

1. Read dry bulb thermometer.

2. Read wet bulb thermometer.

3. Calculate difference between 2 readings.

4. Looking at the central chart, on the top row, find the number that is the difference between the wet and dry thermometers.

5. Find the dry bulb reading in the first column.

6. Slide your finger across from the dry bulb reading to where the row intersects with the column of the temperature difference. This is the relative humidity as a percentage.

Procedure:

1. Place the light sensor in a place that is not shadowed by people.

2. Press the analyse button.

3. Stop analysis after 1 minute.

4. Record results.

• Measures the height of the particular trees or layers of trees in an ecosystem.

• Tree height is important in competition for sunlight and determining which trees flourish.

• Influences the amount of light reaching the understorey vegetation, the species of understorey vegetation and cover for wildlife.

Procedure:

There are many different methods to estimate tree height. Here are a selection of methods.

• Measures the amount of plant material (living or dead), moss, lichen, leaf litter or rocks covering the ground as a percentage.

• Ground cover protects soil from the effects of erosion.

• Can increase the amount of rain absorbed to promote plant growth.

• Can provide habitat and cover for reptiles and insects.

Procedure:

1. Randomly place a 50 cm x 50 cm square/ quadrat on the ground. To do this randomly, one method is to face your back to the study site and throw a stick over your shoulder. Where it lands is where you place your quadrat. Ensure there are no other people in the area when this is being done. The quadrat could be made using sticks that you have measured using a ruler, tape measure or other measuring device.

2. Estimate the percentage of ground covered by plants (living or dead), moss, lichen, leaf litter or rocks in the 50 cm x 50 cm square.

3. Repeat another 2 times and average the results.