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Protocol Test - Field Study
Task with Student Directions

GLOBE Assessment
Grade 9-12

Field Study Protocol Test

The Field Study protocol test assesses students' ability in four areas: 1) setting up a field study site; 2) determining the canopy cover, ground cover and co-dominant vegetation of a study site; 3) accurately measuring tree circumference and height; 4) collecting and calculating gaminoid biomass.

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Setting up Field Study Site - Protocol Test

 

 

 students-->

Student activity & Level of Performance

+ appropriate student performance

- inappropriate student performance

n.a. not appropriate or not observed

                                 
Determining Pace                                  
Lay out 30+ meter measuring tape                                  
Start with toe at 0-meter mark                                  
Use normal strides; measure distance of 10 paces                                  
Calculate distance of one pace                                  
Repeat three times; calculate average pace; record                                  
Determining Paces in Half the Diagonal of Pixel                                  
Use measuring tape & lay out 21.2 meters                                  
Start with toe at 0-meter mark                                  
Use normal stride; count # of paces to travel entire distance                                  
Repeat three times; calculate average                                  
Round paces to nearest 1/2 pace.                                  
Record # of paces for each individual                                  

Biometry Protocol Test

Student Name

 


Student activity & Level of Performance
+ appropriate student performance
- inappropriate student performance
n.a. not appropriate or not observed

                       
Quantitative Land Cover - Canopy                  
Hold densiometer vertically with metal
nut/washer directly below the intersection
of the crosshairs
                 
Look directly up at canopy; record
vegetation that touches the crosshairs
(+, -, Sky)
                 
Record canopy type
(Evergreen / Deciduous)
                 
Describe, sketch, or identify tree species                  
Continue for each pace along diagonal
of study site
                 
Quantitative Land Cover - Ground Cover                  
Look down; record vegetation
(Green, Brown, -)
                 
Identify as graminoid
(GD), forb (FB), other (OG)
                 
Continue for each pace along
diagonal of study site
                 
Determine Dominant /
Co-Dominant Vegetation
                 
Fill out summary tables                  
Determine dominant land cover (tree, herb)                  
Identify dominant & co-dominant
species appropriate for MUC coding
                 

Tree Circumference & Height Protocol Test

Student Name

 


Student activity & Level of Performance
+ appropriate student performance
- inappropriate student performance
n.a. not appropriate or not observed

                   
Tree Circumference              
Stand on level ground with object being
measured
             
Choose 5 trees of dominant species that
reach the canopy (choose tallest, shortest
& midrange)
             
Measure & record circumference (cm) for
each tree at height of 1.35m; record
             
Repeat measurements for other tree
species if < 5 trees of dominant species
             
Tree Height              
Stand on level ground with object being
measured
             
Measure & record height of eyes from the
ground
             
Sight object through clinometer straw; move
away from base of tree until clinometer
reads 30 - 60
             
Partner records angle BVW
(string + washer)
             
Measure & record distance from
observer to object
             
Calculate & record height of object:
Tree height = (TAN angle BVW x dist. to object) + eye height
             
Record height for 5 trees of dominant
species; average
             
Record height for 5 trees of co-dominant
species, if present; average
             
Include other tree species if < 5 trees of
dominant or co-dominant species
                   

Graminoid Biomass Protocol Test

Student Name

 


Student activity & Level of Performance
+ appropriate student performance
- inappropriate student performance
n.a. not appropriate or not observed

                       
Collecting Graminoid Biomass                  
Blindfolded partner throws beanbag
within site
                 
Mark 1-meter square around beanbag                  
Clip all vegetation within square to
ground level
                 
Collect clippings (avoid unattached
leaves / litter)
                 
Sort clippings into green/brown; put in
labeled bags
                 
Repeat two more times; do not
combine clippings
                 
Calculating Biomass                  
Set temperature of drying oven
(50 - 70 C)
                 
Put labeled bags in drying oven                  
Mass each bag once a day; record (g);
continue until mass is same two days
in a row
                 
Shake out contents of bag; mass empty
bag; record
                 
Calculate, & record Graminoid Mass:
Mass of vegetation =
total mass - mass of empty bag
                 
Calculate average Green
graminoid mass
                 
Calculate average Brown
graminoid mass
                       

 


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