Unit B

Module 3 ~ Lesson 5

Planning a Field Study


A field study involves people observing organisms in their natural habitat, without disturbing them. This provides scientists with a realistic view of an ecosystem.

After researching an ecosystem, a site is selected and preparations made for the field study. Then the information is collected for analysis. Abiotic components are selected for measuring. Biotic components are identified and measured. Once data is collected, it is analyzed for relationships between the abiotic and biotic components.

Watch


Watch the video below as it describes a field study. 

Start planning your own field study for the field study assignment.

  1. Select an area of interest to study. You might have a topic or area that is interesting to you already. If you are not sure what area you would like to study, refer to the Field Study Assignment for ideas.
  2. Research some of the abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem that you want to investigate (temperature, latitude, sunlight hours, average precipitation). Is there an organism in specific that you would like to study? If so, what abiotic factors will affect its growth and survival?
  3. Decide which abiotic features of your ecosystem you would measure. Brainstorm the types of tools you would need to measure these abiotic features. How would you measure soil type or air temperature for example?
  4. Decide how you will measure these factors. You were introduced to sampling techniques that can be used to measure populations. Transects and quadrats are established for actual counts. How can the abiotic factors be measured? What organisms live at your site? Decide what tools you would use to help you detect and identify organisms found in your field study.