Tag Archives: science
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Macroinvertebrates & Biodiversity in AP Environmental Science

by on 15. Nov, 2011 in Brian Pidduck

Students in AP Environmental Science recently completed an assessment of the quality of Reeves Creek (near Thacher) by sampling for the macroinvertebrates that inhabit the substrate. Based upon the relative dominance of the species, students were then able to calculate a water quality index. The field work involves using the kick-seine technique (a lot like what it sounds!), handling of the macroinvertebrates (Stonefly larvae, Caddisfly larvae, Dobson Fly larvae and the common Giant Water Bug!), identification and then calculations. This fieldwork also has the benefit of getting the students out of the typical science classroom and into the greatest science classroom we have – our surrounding environs!

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Calculating Biodiversity of the Chaparral Ecosystem in AP Environmental Science

by on 28. Oct, 2011 in Brian Pidduck

Students in AP Environmental Science recently undertook a field project that involved the quantitative assessment of biodiversity at two sites in the chaparral ecosystem above the Thacher campus. The first site is currently undergoing secondary succession after being cleared by a trail crew

Molly Taylor and Jack Weil identify native chaparral species and record their occurrence and interval length along a 20 meter transect above the Thacher Campus.

last year in order to establish a firebreak.  The second represents an intact ecosystem with higher biodiversity and plant density, having reestablished after a wildfire in the late 1990s.

Data was collected to determine coverage of species, density, frequency and diversity (according to the Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index).  Fieldwork such as this is an invaluable opportunity to apply the ecological theory and dimensional analysis, which is a significant portion of the curriculum in AP Environmental Science.  It is also a great opportunity to make the outdoors our classroom!  I know I enjoy the opportunity to work in the outdoors with Thacher students.  We are blessed with natural surroundings that make conducting fieldwork as easy as walking out the classroom door and into our backyard (which is the Los Padres National Forest BTW!).

The most inspiring example of transects are those conducted by Michael Fay, such as the African Megatransect and the Redwood Transect.

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