Unit D: Changes in Living Systems

Lesson 1.4: Conducting a Field Study


In this lesson, you will study the presence of organisms and determine how they interact in a natural environment. You may be going on a field trip to a site, or you may do your study via a multimedia presentation.

  • Read page 433 of the textbook.

In the next investigation, you will undertake a field study of a local ecosystem.


 
  • Read the entire investigation on pages 434 to 438 of the textbook.
If your teacher or supervisor is organizing a field trip for the investigation, do Path 1. If your teacher or supervisor is not organizing a field trip for the investigation, go to Path 2.

  • Follow the directions of the investigation, and answer the questions.

Note: Instead of taking the textbook with you on the field study, take the Lesson 1.4 handouts. The handouts are copies of the textbook lesson pages.
For this path you will measure the populations of species on a map and analyze it.  Download the file.  It is best to print the map and data tables.  Follow the directions and answer the questions.  This will provide you with a simulated field study experience. 


The study of an ecosystem starts with measuring the populations and communities.  Casual observation or random sampling do not always give an accurate view of an ecosystem.  The Baseline and Transect Method is one way of accurately and systematically measuring population and communities.

  • Read “1.4 Summary” on page 439 of the textbook. Then, complete “1.4 Questions”.

    Science 20 Textbook.  Albert Education


Go to Assignment 1.4: Conducting a Field Study.