OVERVIEW:
In this science workshop the instructors will conduct a series of demonstrations
to cover content on the biodiversity of three common habitats in the Upper
Coastal Plain of SC: blackwater streams, sandhills, and loblolly pine plantations.
The demonstrations and slides will highlight two SREL researchers who study
some of these habitats and the sampling methods they use. Students will then
break into groups of four to conduct their own “sampling” of one
of these habitat types. During the science seminar, groups will share results
and learn how to graph their results in the form of a bar graph.
TERMS
USED:
Process related—observation,
hypothesis, comparison, classification, prediction, independent variable,
inference, data, random sampling, sampling, error, analyze
Content related—landforms,
biodiversity, habitats, species, population, community, adaptations, watershed,
stream corridor, sandhills habitat, Upper Coastal Plain, ecosystem
OUTLINE
OF ACTIVITY:
The first 40 minutes of this activity will consist primarily of slides and
discussion of biodiversity, habitats, and local organisms and their adaptations.
During this time we will highlight two SREL researchers. Tracey Tuberville
is a herpetologist who studies gopher tortoises and other reptile species
that inhabit the sandhills habitat. Dean Fletcher is an ichthyologist who
studies fish in Upper Three Runs Creek and other local watersheds. We will
tell the stories of their research, and branch off into comparisons of biodiversity
differences among area habitats. This introduction will conclude with demonstrations
of some of the methods used to sample plants and animals. We will emphasize
the importance of "random sampling” as a means to estimate species
presence and numbers, with a very brief introduction to “probability.”
Students will then break out into groups of four to conduct their own biodiversity experiment for one of three habitat types (ecosystems): pine plantation, blackwater stream corridor, and sandhills. Within each group of four, one pair of students will sample the plants of their assigned habitat type, and the other pair will sample the animals. The concept of random sampling will be illustrated by blindfolding the sampler while their partner records the data. Halfway through sampling the students will switch tasks. After collecting their data, each pair will work together to summarize and analyze their data. Data analysis will involve addition and division to compute an average. Calculators may be used if needed. Each group will report their results, and show other students some of the important species found in their habitat (using handouts we provide). During “science seminar” closure we will discuss the importance of biodiversity, graph the data, and draw conclusions based on the sampling.
