Brisbane Forest Park Field Study Write Up

2. Aim Of Field Studies

The Aim of the field studies is to investigate the effects of differing abiotic factors on the biotic characteristics of a community.

3. Hypothesis

That the differences in adaptations shown between organisms in a closed sub-tropical rainforest community and an open sclerophyll forest community are dependent on the varying abiotic factors found in each ecosystem

4. Apparatus/Materials

- CBL2 data collector plus Texas T1 - 83 calculator

- Temperature probe attached to CBL2 for ambient temperature reading

- Temperature probe for soil

- Light intensity probe (sensor)

- Hygrometer (shared with another group)

- 1 X 10m string for transect

- Ruler

- Spoon and plastic vial for soil

- Digging implement

- Canopy cover card

- Measuring tape

- Paper plus water bottle

5. Procedure/Method

1. Firstly select a representative patch of Eucalypt forest. Write a brief description of the topography, plant distribution, the dominant types of plants, light intensity, shape of the trees.

2. Choose a spot randomly in your area of study. Using the light intensity probe record the light intensity at this point. Record this in the table provided. Using a random method move to a second location and record the light intensity at this location. Carry this out for 5 locations, recording your results in table 1

3. Record data from 4 other groups and calculate the average light intensity for the Open Sclerophyll Forest. (This will need to be carried out at a later time). Record your average in table 2.

4. Similarly, at each location record data for the following abiotic factor:

- Ambient (air) temperature (using digital temperature probe)

- Soil temperature (using soil temperature probe)

- Relative humidity - 1 hygrometer per 2 groups

5. Indicate the degree of leaf litter and, if any is present...