Cliff Stephens Park
Friday September 9, 2016
Hot, 90°
Although it was quite a hot day, the large amount of canopy
cover in this park provided respite from the sun as we split into groups to
complete five different types of ecological testing.
Using a quadrat and transect line we were able to get a more
or less accurate idea of what species were present in a given area and how
abundant these species were.
Using a cruz-all and a densitometer we were able to estimate
the size of the trees in a given area and the canopy coverage they provided. We
were also able to more accurately gage the tree sizes using a simple measuring
tape and the DBH method and the tree height using a clinometer.
Using an interesting array of sensors we were able to
determine the salinity, turbidity, temperature and pH levels of the lake water
in a couple of areas. Using the sensors was by far my favorite part of this
trip. We even caught ourselves a tadpole!
We also practiced the Mark and Recapture method to determine
the population of a pile of beans and the texture of the soil in different
parts of the park by simply feeling it. We found that the majority of the park
was made up of loam sand.
Over all I feel like the day went well and I look forward to
using more sophisticated machinery, like the water sampling equipment, during
future trips.
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