Transcript Slide 1

Classifying
The University of Cincinnati
Clermont’s Forest
Julia Victor
Abstract
A study was performed to classify the forests surrounding the University of
Cincinnati Clermont’s campus. To accomplish this, data was collected and then
quantitatively analyzed. The data collected include fauna sampling, random tree
pair analysis, flora sampling, aquatic habitats, and water analysis. The main focus
was to observe any abundant organism types, and to observe other aspects with
hopes support that main focus. There are many important reasons to classify these
areas. Increasing our knowledge allows us to describe the native communities
clearly with others, and help these communities' preservation for the future.
Introduction
A forest is best defined as an ecosystem or assemblage of ecosystems dominated by trees and other woody
vegetation (Illinois State Museum). The organisms which live in the parts of a forest include trees, shrubs,
vines, grasses and other herbaceous plants, mosses, algae, fungi, insects, mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, and microorganisms living on the plants and animals and in the soil.
Many elements are to be considered when classifying a forest. These include:
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Geography
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Climate
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Dominant vegetation
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Gross appearance
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Species composition
There is a system of forest classification used by the federal government and other agencies that are mainly
focused on overall growth form of the community and it’s plants, and the dominant vegetation and species
composition. “The system divides classes by leaf types (for example, evergreen, deciduous, and mixed
evergreen-deciduous) and further subdivides through 'formation,' a level that considers appearance and
environmental factors” (Illinois State Museum).
Literature Review
Diverse Forests of Ohio
As mentioned in the abstract portion, forests are frequently named after an abundance of a specific
organism in it’s area, the majority of the time being trees. Because of this, Ohio is considered to be part of
the Appalachian Hardwood Region. “There are more than 100 hardwood and 25 softwood tree species
growing in Ohio” (OSUedu). Ohio’s forest have more than 300 different woody species. The Ohio State
University performed a study on the tree species that comprise of the majority of all trees in Ohio’s forests.
Their data was complied into a population map shown below:
Fauna Sampling- Shrub Plots
Performed April 27 2012
The objective of this portion was to determine the kinds of herbs, shrubs, insects and other animals present in
several local ecosystems/communities.
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Terms used to describe abundance while analyzing data
– Relative Abundance: the number of organisms collected/seen per hour
– Frequency : The percentage of the total plots/samples which contains a given organism
– Density : Number of organisms per unit area
– Relative Density : Density expressed as a percentage of the total
•
Materials Used
- Measuring tape
- Orange flags
- Field guides to trees
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Procedure Performed
Two 16m^2 plots were randomly chosen for observation.
Both were located in Dogwood Grove outside of the
Westwood Building. Plots were established by measuring
4X4meter areas, marked with orange flags. Various herbs
and shrubs were identified and counted in the following
data.
Flora Sampling: Tree data
Flora Sampling: Shrub Plots Data
Fauna Sampling- Herb Plots
Performed April 27 2012
The objective of this portion was to determine the kinds of herbs, shrubs, insects and other animals present in
several local ecosystems/communities.
•
Terms used to describe abundance while analyzing data
– Relative Abundance: the number of organisms collected/seen per hour
– Frequency : The percentage of the total plots/samples which contains a given organism
– Density : Number of organisms per unit area
– Relative Density : Density expressed as a percentage of the total
•
Materials Used
- Measuring tape
- Orange flags
- Field guides to trees
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Procedure Performed
Two 1m^2 plots were randomly chosen for observation. Both were located in Dogwood Grove
outside of the Westwood Building. Plots were established by measuring 1/4X4meter areas, marked
with orange flags. Various herbs and shrubs were identified and counted in the following data.
Fauna Sampling- Herb Plots Data
Fauna Sampling: Community
Composition
Performed April 10 2012
• The objective of this portion was to determine, quantitatively, the kinds of herbs,
shrubs, insects, and other animals present in the communities that we observed.
• Terms used to describe abundance while analyzing data
– Relative Abundance: the number of organisms collected/seen per hour
– Frequency : The percentage of the total plots/samples which contains a given
organism
– Density : Number of organisms per unit area
– Relative Density : Density expressed as a percentage of the total
• Materials needed:
- Notebook for documentation
Fauna Sampling Data
West Woods Area #1
Earthworms per hr 30
Daddy-longlegs per hr 8
Spiders per hr
34
Springtails per hr
8
Roaches per hr
4
Caneflies per hr
2
Other flies per hr
4
Ants per hr
10
Honeybee per hr
2
Birds per hr
6
Ponds Area # 2
Earthworms per hr 6
PillBugs per hr 88
Katydids per hr 2
Waterstriders per hr 14
Other bugs per hr 6
Other beetles per hr 4
Other butterflies per hr 10
Crane flies per hr 6
Mosquitoes per her 2
Wasps per hr 2
Snail and slugs per hr 38
Frogs per hr 2
Birds per hr 6
Environmental Factors
Performed May 1 2012
The purpose of this portion was to investigate and compare differences in light intensity,
temperature, humidity, wind velocity in various ecosystems.
• Materials needed:
- Light Meter
- Sling psychrometer
- Soil thermometer
- Winter speed meter
• Procedure performed
Light intensity, air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature and wind velocity
were measured in five different locations on University of Cincinnati Clermont’s
campus. The materials listed above were all used and the data was recorded.
Environmental Factors Materials Used
Light Meter
Wind meter
Thermometer
Psychrometer
Environmental Factors Data
Location
DogWood Grove
Grassy Circle
Pond
Sleepy Hollow
Former Wetland
Bean Soil
Date
5/1/12
5/1/12
5/1/12
5/1/12
5/1/12
5/1/12
Time
14:29
14:43
14:53
15:00
15:07
15:14
Sky Condition
Overcast
Overcast
Overcast
Overcast
Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
High
205
325
3000
550
3,800
3,300
Medium
60
120
225
390
4,600
2,900
Low
20
11
50
50
3,000
2,000
High
220.58
349.7
322.8
591.8
6,240.8
3,550.8
Medium
64.56
129.12
342.1
419.64
4,949.6
3,120.4
Low
21.52
11.83
53.8
53.8
322.8
2152
Dry bulb
23
22.5
27
24
25.5
26
Wet Bulb
20
20
21.5
21
22
21
Relative
Humidity %
75
80
61
76
74
65
Soil Temperature
C
18
19
20
20
24
24
Wind Velocity
Head Height
mph
0
0
0
0
5.5
3
Wind Velocity
Head Height
cm/sec
0
0
0
0
245.8
134.1
Light Intensity
(foot-candles)
Light Intensity
(milliphot)
Air temperature
Conclusion
Ohio is known for it’s numerous types of forests. These forests go through repetitive
changes every year with the season which makes them deciduous forests. I now understand why
Ohio is considered to be a part of the Appalachian Hardwood Region. During my research I
observed many hardwood species such as Black Ash, Sugar Maple and Red Maple. Upon gathering
the data for classification, I have concluded that if I were to classify these areas by a specific
abundant species I, unfortunately, would have to classify them from the foreign invaders the
Japanese and Amur Honeysuckles. From the data gathered about 27% of the areas observed
consisted of Japanese and Amur Honeysuckles. Hopefully, Dr. Carter’s efforts to remove these
plants from campus will allow other organisms to thrive. It would be interesting to repeat this study
next year to compare the changes.
Works Cited
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Stein Carter, J. University of Cincinnati Clermont- Biology. Copyright © 1998. Web
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio303/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/images/maple_beach_forest_556x400.jpg
http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/forest/htmls/intro_class.html\
http://ohioline.osu.edu/forests/forst_5.html
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/TapeMeasure.jpg
http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.318164591.jpg
http://www.stuffintheair.com/images/PsychrometerSling.jpg
http://lynnescountrykitchen.net/glossary/utensils/meattherm.html
http://www.dultmeier.com/products/0.802.809/2342