Title: Assessing Biodiversity with Forest Plots
Url: http://www.ableweb.org/volumes/vol-37/v37reprint.php?ch=11
Author: Daniel Johnson
Shannon Mallison
Author's Address: Wake Forest University, Department of Biology, NC
Email Address: mallissm@wfu.edu
Description: This exercise for a non-majors course uses biodiversity estimates to evaluate habitats. The pre-lab homework
introduces biodiversity assessment and leads students through the mathematical model. In the field, students
use basic dendrology techniques to identify woody vegetation in two small plots. Back in lab, they use the
indices to estimate relative diversity. The procedure for setting plots requires minimal equipment. We conduct
it as a one-week exercise, but it can be adapted easily into a two-week inquiry lab suited to majors or upper
level courses. It also can anchor a series of labs on plant identification, conservation, and bioremediation.
Keywords: biodiversity
diversity index
dendrology
species richness
non-majors biology
non-majors
Topic: Ecology
BEN Subject/Discipline Taxonomy: Ecology
Learning Resource Type: Laboratory exercise (DCMI Type Vocabulary)
Context: Undergraduate lower division 13-14
Format: pdf
Access Rights: This resource is for ABLE members only.
Rights: http://www.ableweb.org/copyright-policy/
Conference Location & Year: Boston University (2015)
Cumulative Rating: NOT YET RATED
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