6th Grade Blog: Final Product Field Work

Hello Families!

Things have been moving right along with our spring expedition, MOSS is coming up, and our final product work has already begun! Since the last update we have gone deep into the concept of secondary succession and analyzed how wildland fires impact animal species. In addition, we have spent a lot of time looking at the relationship between fire and various species of bark beetles and wood borers. This led us into the world of plant-insect interactions as well as predator prey dynamics between bark beetles and woodpeckers. I don't know about you, but I absolutely love a good discussion around predator prey dynamics! We have also been honing the skills necessary for our final product work. We spent the first half of this week taking measurements in class and developing the basic skills. Today we went to the arboretum to practice a full scale mock sample location. Next week we go into the field to do the real thing! As you can see from the pictures our CREW has really taken to forestry research methodology!

CREW learning how to set up .05 acre research plot, with 1x1 meter sub plot for fuel sampling.


Dan, John Kole, and John Schwandt establishing their plot.

Once the plot is established, students collect multiple measurements. Avery J is collecting total basal area data by first gathering the circumference of each living tree within her plot. This data will then be converted to area/tree and finally total living woody area/plot.

Beza, Karina, and Ivy are collecting duff measurements by randomly sampling 20 locations within their plot.

Dan and John K. are working on total basal area data (we have dubbed this the 'tree hugging measurement' as your arms must 'hug' the tree to collect the data).