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.

Download a Word or pdf copy.

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